We previously shared our beach house style inspiration while the pink house was just beginning to come back together. Now that the duplex is reaching a similar stage, we want to outline our design vision: the materials, color directions, and key features we’re planning to include in each space.
It’s never too early to start making the many decisions a major renovation requires. Choosing everything at once leads to decision fatigue, so from the moment we offered on the duplex I started a large Pinterest board to collect ideas as they came to me. Over the past months John and I have been refining those ideas, narrowing down the options so we won’t be scrambling when it’s time to finalize colors, counters, tile, lighting, rugs, and essentially everything else.
We don’t have every detail perfectly settled yet, but we’re much more focused than when we started. Below is a summary of the overall plan and the specific ideas we’re most excited about for the duplex’s primary inspiration.
The Overall Plan
Like the pink house, our goal for the duplex is a relaxed, uncomplicated, and comfortable aesthetic where old meets new. We plan to resist over-decorating so the homes feel light and easy to maintain—important for rental properties where less clutter means fewer things that can get damaged. We love preserving original details such as doors, floors, and the diamond-grille windows. We even uncovered an old brick chimney that runs through both sides; we’ll expose it and create a small recessed shelving niche in each main bedroom.
We also want the homes to feel beachy, fresh, and coastal. This duplex has fewer historic interior features than the pink house, which means we’ll lean into a lighter coastal palette and relaxed finishes. We’ll keep original doors and refinish the floors, but expect to introduce soft colors—mint, pistachio, soft pink, blue-gray, aquamarine—paired with crisp white and warm coastal wood tones.
Since the property is two separate residences, we have double the rooms to plan: two living rooms, two kitchens, two dining areas, two laundry/mudrooms, and a total of six bedrooms and six bathrooms (four full, two half). We plan to make each side complementary but distinct—more like cousins than twins. For example, powder rooms could share the same tile style but in different colors, giving the feels a coordinated yet unique identity across the two units.
Below is an updated floor plan for one side (the other is a mirrored layout). For more details we previously posted the full floor plan which includes a walkthrough video.
With that big-picture direction set, here are the more specific design ideas for different areas of the duplex.
The Exterior
Because the house sits in a historic district, the exterior will remain true to its original character but refreshed. We’ll replace rotted siding with durable HardiePlank in Arctic White and retain shutters and corbels. To add coastal color and curb appeal, we plan to install operable mint green shutters and paint the two original front doors the same mint tone. With so much shutter coverage, the house should read as a softly green home rather than a plain white one. We’re also considering a subtle soft pink porch ceiling as a playful nod to the neighboring pink house.
We’ve been testing mint paint colors with removable swatches and plan to paint one door first to confirm the choice before finishing all the shutters.
The Transom Window
We decided to add an interior transom window above the opening between the kitchen and the main living area. We already widened that opening, and our contractor Sean believes he can raise the header to accommodate a transom. It will be visible upon entering the front door and will help reintroduce an original-feeling architectural detail that was lost over the years.
We’re still refining the exact look—possibly incorporating diamond shapes to echo the front windows and the old diamond door we found for the mudroom—but we expect the transom to be one of the most charming features when the project is complete.
The Kitchen
We’d like to introduce color in the kitchens. One option is painted cabinet fronts—perhaps soft blue on one side and mint on the other—while keeping the rest of the room mainly white to maintain brightness. The exposed brick chimney in a corner will add texture and historic character. On the other hand, two sets of custom-painted cabinets could be costly and time-consuming, so we’re also considering adding color via backsplash tile while keeping the cabinets simple white or natural wood. Each side could have a slightly different tile pattern or color to create distinct personalities.
The Stair Railing
We opened previously closed-in staircases on both sides, so each unit will now have an exposed railing. While a traditional wood newel and railing would be authentic, we don’t feel obligated to make every detail feel old. Balancing original features with fresh, coastal elements—such as a metal horizontal railing—could be an interesting contrast. We already have the original wood railing at the pink house, so trying metal here feels fitting. We haven’t finalized material or cost yet, but we’re exploring local metalworking options.
The Main Living Area
The largest downstairs room will serve as the combined living and dining space. To prevent the room from feeling too long and bare, we’re considering molding or ceiling treatments for added proportion and interest—maybe even shiplap in certain areas. These details will help the open space feel layered and intentionally designed.
The Powder Room
Each side has a small downstairs powder room, and we see these as opportunities to add bold personality. Because they’re compact, we can use colorful wallpaper, wall molding, or a statement wall treatment to create cozy, surprising little hideaways beneath the stairs. Most of the first floor will keep original hardwoods, except for tiled mudrooms, so we can be more adventurous with the powder room walls without overwhelming the overall palette.
The Full Bathrooms
Upstairs bathrooms are modest in size, which makes them perfect for creative tile work. We love playing with shapes and subtle patterns—stripes, geometric arrangements, or playful color combinations—using the same tile in different colorways across units. Budget will be a consideration, since tiles need to be durable and low-maintenance, but the small area of these baths may allow for a thoughtful splurge.
There are many other spaces to plan—bedrooms, backyard, and laundry areas—but this overview gives a clear sense of our duplex vision: beachy colors, preserved original features like pocket doors and wood floors, new interior transoms, and thoughtful tiling projects that add character throughout. We’re excited to keep refining these ideas as the renovation progresses.
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