If you caught last week’s post, you saw our excited reveal of the before-and-after photos from the first four rooms we completed at the duplex. We’re sharing projects as they finish and get photographed, and today we’re thrilled to report FOUR MORE SPACES ARE DONE.
It’s exhilarating to be able to say that after more than a year and a half of work to make this house renter-ready for the summer. (The Airbnb listing will go live once all rooms are finished and photographed — we’ll announce it when that happens.)
First up: the back bedroom on the left side of the duplex — the side with the pink doors.
The mirrored room on the other side used wall sconces because the bed wall was slightly narrower there. On this side the bed wall is wider, so we used larger quartz-topped nightstands — a nonporous, practical alternative to marble — and topped them with sweet gray lamps. We also planned the outlets behind each nightstand so guests can plug in lamps and still have an outlet for charging phones without crawling under furniture to find one.
When we bought the duplex, this room had drop ceilings hiding roof leaks and plastic paneling covering mold in the walls. We relocated the door to access the new full bathroom we added, turning this space into a true main bedroom with an en-suite. We also added double closets flanking the new window to provide balanced storage and a nice view of the flowering trees outside.
On one before photo we noticed an odd slanted wall hiding a brick chimney. We exposed the chimney on both sides and it now adds warmth and history to the room. (Side note: someone had left roach foggers behind before our first walkthrough — gross but evidence that pests had been treated.)
We placed a metal bed in front of the window to let light flow through and avoid blocking the view. Round quartz tables sit neatly in the angled corner, the contrast of polished stone and weathered brick giving the room character.
We built out the double closets to frame that window, making the view of the blooming crape myrtles part of the room’s focal point. The closets give plenty of hanging and shelf space and the symmetry feels intentional — exactly what the space needed.
That corner of the ceiling that once looked like a trap door was caused by a severe roof leak that eroded the original ceiling and collapsed the drop ceiling below. We reworked the roof pitch to improve drainage and replaced the roof entirely — it was a major job, but necessary to prevent future issues.
We added a dresser for extra storage and mounted a large stenciled mirror above it to amplify light and feel room-making. The mirror reflects the window and essentially creates a second source of natural light.
We’ll add more wooden hangers soon — simple and fast to fix, and guests appreciate having them. The rug reused from another project works beautifully with the pink doors and dark oil-rubbed bronze accents throughout the room. It warms up on sunny days and takes on a pinkish tone that feels perfectly beachy.
The doorway from the bedroom leads to the new attached bathroom. We used bold patterned floor tile for personality, but kept the rest of the bathroom white and calming. Natural touches — a faux succulent, muted art, woven cup, and leather vanity pulls — keep the space serene while the floor adds visual interest.
We mounted a hinged mirror above the sink so it fits within the window frame and allows lots of light in. The glass is frosted for privacy but still lets the bathroom feel bright and airy. We intentionally didn’t move the window to sit over the toilet because the historic review board generally prefers centered window placements; the current placement looks balanced from the exterior.
The shower is classic white tile to let the floor tile be the statement piece. We used mixed metals thoughtfully — chrome for some fixtures and oil-rubbed bronze for door hardware and hooks — which creates depth without feeling messy.
One of my favorite before shots showed mauve trim and a dated wallpaper border. We completely reworked the upstairs landing, shifting the bedroom doorway and creating a much larger, more open landing with a hall linen closet and chunky white shelving for linens — small changes that make the upstairs feel far more usable and less cramped.
The before-and-after floor plans (included later in the original post) show how we replaced an odd diagonal hallway and a single full bath per side with a more traditional layout and two and a half bathrooms per side — much more comfortable and functional for renters.
A major change you can’t fully capture on a floor plan: the original staircase was a completely closed-in, dark tunnel. We opened up the lower stairs with a railing and shifted the bedroom doorway, allowing natural light to flood the top steps and making the whole stair experience brighter and more welcoming.
The railings we installed are the originals from our Richmond home’s front porch — they fit perfectly here and add character. Opening the stairwell and widening the doorway into the living room also created architectural interest and let in a ton of light. A large gold globe pendant fills the 9-foot ceilings on the first floor and makes the entry feel generous.
Upstairs, the front bedrooms share similar styling with coordinated beds, rugs, and art. On this side we used slightly wider nightstands and table lamps for a different look, plus a breezy mobile above the bed for a subtle beachy touch.
Wide, well-made bedside tables offer two drawers and display space for books. We also placed a sound machine in every bedroom because guests — and our kids — love the familiar white noise for sleeping.
We kept the diamond-front window and paired it with a blackout-lined curtain for sleep control, while other windows have white faux-wood blinds for privacy. A diamond-fronted dresser and a small hanging bar provide extra storage for guests, and a white honeycomb pendant in the closet adds a classic finishing touch.
The refinished floors throughout have restored the rooms’ character after we removed years of sticky peel-and-stick tile residue — a particularly memorable moment when my flip-flops stuck to the floor on first inspection. Now the floors are smooth, gorgeous, and guest-ready.
Functionally, we installed six ceiling fans throughout the duplex because many people prefer sleeping with a fan on. Even with central air, the gentle breeze feels beachy and calming, so we chose crisp white fans in appropriate sizes for larger and smaller rooms.
Next up after the twin bedrooms are finished: completing the two living rooms, two dining spaces, two kitchens, two laundry rooms, and both back patios. There’s still a lot to do, but we’re getting closer every day.
P.S. You can follow the entire duplex renovation process in our project category, which includes the before video tour, floor-plan planning, style inspiration, and exterior before-and-afters.
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