If you caught last week’s update, you saw the before-and-after photos of the first four rooms we completed in the duplex. This week we’re excited to share four more finished spaces—fully painted, furnished, and ready for renters this summer. We’ll list the property on Airbnb once all rooms are photographed, and we’ll announce that when it happens.
Let’s begin with the back bedroom on the left side of the duplex—the side with the pink doors.
This room’s twin on the opposite side was featured in last week’s post. Because the bed wall on that side was narrower, we used wall sconces instead of table lamps. Here the bed wall was wide enough for larger quartz-topped side tables—durable and stain-resistant—topped with sweet gray lamps. We planned outlet placement so a plug sits conveniently behind each nightstand for lamps and phone charging.
Here’s a before shot of this room when we bought the duplex: drop ceilings were hiding roof leaks and painted plastic paneling covered mold. We placed the door to the new full bathroom roughly where that window once was, turning this space into a true main bedroom with an attached bath. We also added double closets on either side of the window for balanced storage.
Another before photo shows an odd slanted wall hiding an exposed brick chimney. We opened that up on both sides; the brick adds so much character. (Fun fact: the house had foggers left on the floor from a prior treatment—gross at first glance, but it didn’t slow us down.)
In the renovated bedroom we placed an airy metal bed in front of the window so light floods the room instead of feeling blocked by heavy furniture. Round quartz tables tuck neatly into the angled corner and complement the weathered brick for a polished-but-lived-in look.
The window now looks out onto large flowering trees—giant crape myrtles—and we built the double closets to flank that view. We painted the closet doors White Truffle by Sherwin-Williams and shifted the doorway a bit to improve circulation and flow upstairs; the floor plans later in this post show those layout updates.
That ceiling “trap door” you may have noticed was caused by a long-running roof leak that rotted the original ceiling. We replaced the roof and adjusted its pitch to shed water better; the full demo photos from earlier in the project show the house roof-less during the major rebuild.
We added a dresser for extra clothing storage and hung a large stenciled mirror above it; the mirror reflects light and almost reads like an additional window. Each closet provides hanging space and room for suitcases, and the symmetry of two closets feels intentional and balanced.
We’ll be adding more wooden hangers before guests arrive—an easy task we haven’t forgotten.
Facing the bathroom, we reused a rug from another project; the pink tones work beautifully with the dark oil-rubbed bronze finishes in the room. The attached bathroom now features a bold patterned floor tile balanced by simple white wall tile and paint, faux succulents, muted art, and leather pulls on the vanity for a calm, curated feel.
We installed a hinged mirror above the sink that fits within the window frame and frosted the glass for privacy while preserving natural light. We were mindful of historic review guidelines when siting the window so the addition reads as balanced from the exterior.
One wall holds a simple white shower, an extra-long curtain, and towel hooks on the door. We mixed metals—chrome for the shower and faucet, oil-rubbed bronze for the door hardware and hooks—repeating each finish a few times so the mix reads intentional rather than cluttered.
One of my favorite before shots shows mauve trim and a dated wallpaper border. We reworked the upstairs landing, moved the bedroom doorway, and created a large hall linen closet with chunky white shelving for towels, bedding, and a tiny ironing board—functional and pretty.
Below is the same angle after renovations: the doorway has shifted, giving the landing breathing room and better flow. We’ll share a video tour of the linen closet soon—trust me, it’s worth seeing.
We included before-and-after floor plans to explain the big layout changes: each side of the duplex originally had only one full bath and a strange diagonal hallway. We restored a more classic layout and added two and a half bathrooms per side, which is far more practical for renters.
A major improvement you can’t fully capture on a plan was opening the previously dark, boxed-in staircase. We removed drywall along the lower steps, installed a railing, and re-positioned the bedroom door so the top few stairs now receive natural light and feel inviting.
The railings we used are actually the original porch railings from our Richmond home—perfect fits that ended up feeling destined to be here. Opening the bottom of the stairs and widening the doorway into the living room transformed a cramped entrance into a bright, architectural moment. A large globe pendant helps define that space and suits the nine-foot ceilings downstairs.
Upstairs we finished the front bedrooms with coordinated beds, rugs, art, and soft accents. One front bedroom uses slightly wider nightstands and table lamps instead of sconces. We added a mobile in one room for a beachy touch, and bedside sound machines in each bedroom for guest comfort.
Across from the beds we mounted wood-framed mirrors for practical grooming and to reflect light. Diamond-front dresser details and a small hanging bar add storage in a compact closet, finished with a classic honeycomb pendant light for a cohesive look.
We rebuilt and refinished floors that were previously covered in sticky peel-and-stick residue—no more flip-flop traps. Curtains were hacked from affordable panels and still need a quick steaming, but the rooms feel nearly complete. We used a casual, beachy rug twice because it’s the perfect fit.
Function was a priority: we installed six ceiling fans across the duplex because many guests prefer a fan while sleeping. We chose crisp white fans for a beachy, calming vibe—larger fans in the main bedrooms and smaller ones in the twin rooms.
Next up after the twin bedrooms: finishing the two living rooms, two dining spaces, two kitchens, two laundry rooms, and the two back patios. There’s still a lot to do, but we’re advancing every day and thrilled with how these spaces turned out.
P.S. You can follow the entire duplex renovation process in our project archive for more photos and planning notes.
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