Earlier this month we shared the front porch makeover of the duplex, and today we’re back to reveal the transformation of the backside. You’ll now see the beloved diamond doors in all their glory, along with the small metal awnings we added, new back steps, and completed outdoor shower stalls (hidden beneath an extended metal awning for privacy). I admit I have a soft spot for awnings—they add so much character.
There’s still a lot happening in the backyard right now—sheds, patios, and fences are all in progress—but I’m glad we captured these photos before the space turned into a full construction site. Otherwise you would be seeing sawhorses and wheelbarrows everywhere. Once the landscaping and hardscaping are finished we’ll share a full photo tour, but for today let’s focus on the back of the house and how much it’s changed. It’s almost unrecognizable.
That photo above shows the state of the duplex when we bought it: rotten siding, rickety railings, cinderblock steps, odd vents and exposed wiring, and inoperable HVAC units where the outdoor showers now stand. The lower-level bump-outs on each side marked where the old kitchens used to be—one side even had a toilet sitting next to the back door with no enclosing walls, just a couple of steps from the kitchen sink.
Beyond repairing those issues, a major change was extending those bump-outs up to the second story. As mentioned in previous posts about our floor plans, the historic review board approved small second-floor additions so each rear bedroom could gain an en suite bathroom. That’s why the upper window isn’t full-size—it accommodates the new bath layout.
With the two new en-suite bathrooms and the powder rooms tucked under each staircase, each side of the duplex went from roughly one full bath to two and a half baths. Technically the left side previously had one full bath and a random kitchen toilet—so let’s call it an upgrade.
My favorite updates are the ones that add architectural detail and charm: the corbels along the roofline (which wrap to the front), and the diamond-pattern doors I hunted down secondhand because they felt like the perfect match for the diamond windows on the front of the house.
We had to keep the original doors on the front, but the back was our canvas—so we swapped the worn 1990s metal doors for the diamond doors and painted them the same mint color as the front shutters (Sherwin-Williams Pale Patina). Carrying that diamond pattern and color across the back ties the design together nicely.
To keep the look consistent, we used the same style of lanterns out back. We also invested a bit more up front to have the back porches, stairs, railings, and shower stalls built from no-rot materials like vinyl and AZEK. After spending days staining wood stairs on another property, we didn’t want that ongoing maintenance here. The one-time upcharge for durable materials will save time and effort down the line.
Choosing lower-maintenance materials for the duplex felt like an easy, practical decision. At least the front steps on each unit are brick, which is nice.
The metal awnings are stock units we ordered online in bronze with a 36″ depth. We originally purchased two smaller awnings for the doors (44″ width) and later added a larger one over the showers when we realized visibility into the stalls from the upstairs windows would be an issue. The larger awning turned out to be a useful visual element that balances the rear elevation and improves privacy, so it’s a win.
Because the duplex will operate as two separate vacation rentals, we’re adding a dividing fence that follows the line where the outdoor showers meet. We’re also including a large six-foot gated section so groups who rent both sides can open the gate and combine the yards when desired, or keep the yards separate for privacy.
The original backyard was split by a fence too, but it lacked the flexibility of a wide gate. Adding that access, along with the two paver patios and storage sheds we’re installing, will make the outdoor space much more functional and welcoming.
Looking back at the before photo makes me even more excited for the rest of the work to be completed and for the yard to green up again. Even that old picture shows how much charm flowering trees and lush grass can add to a property.
The full yard makeover—including landscaping, fencing, patios, furniture, and sheds—should wrap up within the next month, and renters will be able to use the space this summer. Our goal is to list the duplex on Airbnb soon so it’s available for weekly vacation bookings; we’ll announce it when it’s live.
I’ll admit I’m a little jealous that the duplex shower stalls are finished before ours at the pink house. We’ve had an open-air shower since last year but no enclosed stall, so privacy is still a work in progress—hopefully not for long.
P.S. To follow all of our duplex updates—from purchase and layout planning to interior renovations like tile and kitchens—check out the duplex category on the site. For more on our other projects, see the beach house category.
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