Transforming Our Duplex: From Skeleton to Stunning – A Renovation Progress Update

The journey of our duplex renovation has been nothing short of extraordinary. What was once a mere skeleton of its former self, hinting at a strong “scent of potential,” is now rapidly evolving into a beautifully reimagined home. Last time we shared an update on our duplex exterior demo, the structure was largely stripped down, leaving much to the imagination. Today, a significant leap forward reveals tangible progress, bringing our vision closer to reality. Nearly a month later, we’re thrilled to unveil the incredible strides we’ve made in transforming this historic property.

Our new floor plan is genuinely starting to take shape, breathing new life into every corner of the property. A major highlight is the nearing completion of our second-story additions at the back of the house, which will graciously house two brand-new bathrooms. Adding these much-needed facilities will significantly enhance the functionality and value of each unit. Furthermore, just last week, we dodged inclement weather long enough to get the front windows installed, including Sherry’s much-adored diamond-grille windows in the top middle section. If you’ve been following our journey on Instagram, you’ll know these windows hold a special place in her heart, sparking an obsession we believe is unparalleled!

As the recent photos reveal, the duplex is rapidly shedding its skeletal appearance and is beginning to resemble a habitable structure once more. To truly grasp the extent of these changes, Sherry has put together a detailed video walk-through, offering a comprehensive glimpse into our progress and what exciting plans lie ahead. This video also highlights a subtle yet impactful tweak we made in the back bedroom, a change that makes a GIANT difference in the overall feel of the space, best appreciated through moving pictures. You can watch the full tour below or directly here on YouTube. NOTE: For an optimal viewing experience, if you’re using a feed reader, please click through to the original post to access the video.

Crucial Structural Upgrades and Reframing

Since our last video tour, the most significant interior transformation has been the meticulous completion of structural repairs and the installation of new framing. You might recall that during the demolition phase, we uncovered several areas where the existing structure was in far worse condition than initially anticipated. This was particularly true in the back corners, where a previously enclosed porch had compromised the integrity of the building. Who could forget the revealing GIF of our contractor, Sean, vividly demonstrating just how flimsy the old framing truly was?

Fast forward a couple of weeks, and Sean sent Sherry an equally compelling update – but with a much happier ending! It’s truly heartwarming to work with a contractor who utilizes a Boomerang video to proudly show you that your house no longer shakes. This small but powerful gesture perfectly illustrates the dramatic improvement in the duplex’s structural integrity, providing peace of mind as we move forward with the renovation.

Expanding Functionality: Second-Story Bathroom Additions

Just beyond that fortified back corner is where the exciting new bathroom additions are taking shape on the second floor. These strategic extensions will provide each of the back bedrooms with a highly coveted ensuite bathroom. This means each side of the duplex will go from having a single full bath to two full baths, significantly elevating the comfort and convenience for future residents. Additionally, we’re incorporating a powder room downstairs, further enhancing the living experience. The image below, captured a couple of weekends ago, showcases the fully framed structure of these new additions, a testament to thoughtful design and diligent execution.

For context, consider the original state of the duplex’s rear when we acquired it. A modest bump-out had been added to the first floor at some point in its history. Thankfully, we secured approval from the Historic Review Board to extend this bump-out upwards to the second level. Their guidelines are notably more flexible regarding alterations made to the rear of the house, as these changes are not visible from the street, allowing us greater creative freedom for our duplex renovation project.

Here’s a comparable angle from last weekend, captured while our dedicated crew was diligently working on the roof, seizing brief windows of dry weather between the relentless rainstorms. Progress was admittedly slower last week due to the incessant downpours we experienced across the East Coast, but at this stage, any advancement is celebrated! As you read this, we’ve been informed that all windows and nearly all of the plywood sheathing should be in place. Moreover, the new bathroom on the right side of the addition is expected to be extremely close to having its roof fully installed, inching us closer to a weather-tight exterior.

A Flood of Light: Enhancing the Back Bedroom

While the new bathrooms will each receive a window to compensate for the original window now covered by the additions, we also approached the Historic Review Board – or rather, Sherry earnestly begged – for approval to add an additional window in the back bedroom. Our goal was to significantly boost the natural light in this crucial space. Without this extra window, the back bedroom would have only had one window, a stark contrast to the three in the front bedroom. We firmly believe that a main bedroom should be a bright, inviting, and light-filled sanctuary.

We were absolutely thrilled when the approval came through! As soon as the opening was cut, we realized its impact went far beyond just flooding the room with light. This new window is visible not only from the upstairs hallway but surprisingly, even from the bottom of the stairs as you ascend! The sheer delight of catching that warm glow illuminating the back bedroom from your very first steps inside the front door is incredibly exciting. Sherry’s video tour (linked above) beautifully captures this transformation in action.

Remodeling the Staircase and Enlarging the Upstairs Landing

The “before” photo below vividly illustrates the cramped and somewhat claustrophobic feeling of the original staircase. Taken from the front door on the left side, it shows how one would immediately confront a wall upon reaching the top of the stairs, creating an unwelcoming bottleneck in our historic home.

In contrast, the photo below – which I captured while standing on the stairs of the right side – showcases how we dramatically expanded the upstairs landing by pushing that confining wall back several feet. More than just pushing a wall, it’s no longer a solid barrier but rather a wide doorway leading into the back bedroom, drawing your eye directly towards that magnificent new window (though it hadn’t been cut when this picture was taken). You can easily envision the improved flow and openness, right next to the exposed brick chimney. This redesign fundamentally changes the upstairs experience, making it far more inviting and functional for our duplex renovation.

Here’s another perspective of the newly expanded upstairs landing, photographed from the doorway of the front bedroom. The faint outline of the old wall’s footprint on the floor serves as a powerful visual reminder of just how much we’ve opened up this space. We’ve essentially doubled the size of the landing, creating a much more open and welcoming transition area upstairs. This transformation is a prime example of our commitment to creating more spacious and functional living areas throughout the duplex remodeling project.

While photographs of dense 2×4 framing can be challenging to interpret, Sherry’s comprehensive video tour (available above) provides an excellent, easy-to-understand walkthrough of the entire upstairs floor plan, detailing “what’s-going-where” with clarity. It’s a great way to visualize the changes in a dynamic format. Just know that what once looked like this…

…now looks much more like this. Incredible progress, indeed!

Creating an Open Concept Downstairs

The downstairs areas are notably easier to visualize due to fewer rooms and a more naturally open floor plan. For instance, the passage connecting the main living and dining area to the kitchen has been significantly widened. The floor markings in the photo clearly illustrate just how narrow this entryway was previously – less than half its current expansive size. This critical modification is central to establishing the desired open-concept living space in our duplex remodeling project.

Not to be outdone by Sean’s clever GIF, I couldn’t resist creating one to illustrate the remarkable progress from this vantage point. This animated sequence takes you on a journey from the initial “before” state, through the extensive interior and exterior demolition, and culminates in the fully reframed space we have today. It’s a powerful visual testament to the sheer scale of the transformation.

The opening at the base of the stairs has also finally been widened, and we are absolutely delighted with the result. Beyond merely making it larger, Sean expertly raised its height. This thoughtful detail ensures that even the tiniest transom window, planned for above the door, will be visible directly from the living room, adding an elegant touch and allowing more light to filter through. These subtle enhancements are designed to improve both the aesthetics and functionality of the space.

Of course, the stairs still await their railing and other finishing touches. However, a glance at this “after demo” shot clearly reveals just how severely cramped the previous opening was, creating an incredibly uninviting entrance to the house. This seemingly minor change in the renovation project, we believe, will have a monumental impact on the overall feel and welcoming ambiance of the entire home, setting a positive tone from the moment you step inside.

Another crucial opening that has been significantly widened is the one between the kitchen and the laundry/mudroom. In the photo below, it appears exceptionally wide because we are installing sophisticated pocket doors to cleverly separate these two distinct areas. During the framing stage, it’s necessary to leave twice as much space open to allow the pocket doors to slide seamlessly into their concealed compartments. Once the pocket door system and drywall are installed, the actual doorway will be approximately half its current width. Still, it will form a generous, nearly 6-foot-wide doorway. Sherry has some truly exciting plans for these pocket doors, envisioning designs much like this example or this one.

The finished doorway will actually be comparable in size, perhaps a touch smaller, to the original opening. However, the key improvements will be a perfectly centered window and the convenience of pocket doors. We are particularly drawn to the idea of pocket doors featuring a frosted window panel at the top. This design choice ensures that natural light can still beautifully filter into the room, even when the doors are closed, maintaining a bright and airy feel. Regrettably, I don’t anticipate the return of the faux greenery garland that once adorned this space, making way for a more refined aesthetic.

The Next Phases: Roofing, Siding, and Exterior Finishing Touches

Assuming favorable weather conditions prevail, the coming weeks are slated to see significant exterior advancements, with the installation of both roofing and siding expected to commence. Following this, the focus will shift to meticulously reconstructing the porch. Our plans for the porch include adding a stylish tin roof, robust, thicker columns, and a custom wood railing designed to meticulously replicate its original historic appearance. Once these elements are in place, the duplex will truly begin to resemble a completed house from the outside, presenting a stunning facade that honors its heritage while showcasing its revitalization. Inside, our teams will pivot to mechanical installations – plumbing, electrical, and HVAC systems – a process that will require a longer timeline. Nevertheless, achieving a fully airtight and waterproof exterior provides an immense sense of relief and marks a crucial milestone in any extensive home renovation project.

And yes, as you can plainly see, Sean’s company sign is truly colossal! Here’s Sherry standing beside it for scale, providing a comical perspective on its impressive size.

After spotting an equally massive sign at another project he was managing in town, we jokingly texted him, saying, “I don’t think your sign is big enough.” Now, he’s clearly trolling us by installing an even larger one right here at the duplex. Touché, Sean, touché!

Sherry’s Beloved Diamond-Grille Windows: A Custom Creation

Sherry has insisted that I conclude this post with one final, loving shot of her cherished diamond-grille windows. The original windows we had initially hoped to preserve ultimately proved too fragile for reuse, despite Sherry’s persistent suggestions that we “could just glue them back together.” Fortunately, Sean, our incredible contractor, came to our rescue, helping us track down a specialized company capable of meticulously replicating them. They were crafted to the exact size and proportion of the old ones – not just the overall window dimensions, but also the precise scale and size of each individual diamond pane. My only regret is not moving that broom before capturing this perfect moment of these exquisite custom windows, a true highlight of our historic home restoration.

Please keep your fingers crossed for a stretch of dry weather, as we eagerly anticipate showcasing even more progress very soon! Sherry consistently keeps our Instagram and Facebook (especially Instagram Stories) updated with the latest developments. So, for the most up-to-the-minute duplex news and perhaps another excited squeal about those diamond windows, be sure to follow us there!

P.S. To catch up on all our previous duplex-related posts and projects, you can find them conveniently right here. And if you’re interested in revisiting our updates and posts about our pink beach house, that category is available for you here.