If you caught last week’s post, you saw the dramatic before-and-after photos from the first four rooms we completed in the duplex. Today we’re sharing four more finished spaces — all completely done and photographed — and we’re still as thrilled as ever. After more than a year and a half of work, it feels amazing to have so many rooms ready for renters this summer. We’ll list the property on Airbnb once every room is finished and professionally photographed, and we’ll announce it when the listing goes live.
Let’s begin with the back bedroom on the left side of the duplex — the side with the pink doors. This room has a wider bed wall than its twin on the other side, which allowed us to place larger quartz-topped side tables. Quartz is shiny, durable, and resists staining much better than marble. We topped the nightstands with sweet gray lamps and planned the outlets so one sits behind each nightstand. That way guests can use the lamps and still have a plug available for phone chargers — a small detail that makes a big difference.
The room originally had drop ceilings installed to hide roof leaks and painted plastic panels covering mold-damaged walls. We added a full bathroom accessed from this bedroom, turning it into a proper main suite. We also built double closets flanking the window, and added a new window behind the bed to maintain light after shifting the doorway to the bathroom.
During demolition we discovered the brick chimney hiding behind an odd slanted wall. Exposing the chimney added charm and history to the room and became a focal point paired with the polished quartz tables — a nice contrast of old and new. (Yes, there were fogging canisters left behind from a prior attempt to address pests, and we cleared everything out during renovation.)
We added a dresser for extra storage and hung a large stenciled mirror above it to reflect light and create the sense of an additional window. The double closets provide symmetrical hanging and shelf storage for suitcases and clothing, and they visually anchor the room. We also reused a rug from another project that reads pink on sunny days — it ties in nicely with the pink doors and oil-rubbed bronze accents like drawer pulls and curtain rods.
The attached bathroom uses a bold patterned floor tile balanced by all-white walls and tile elsewhere for a calm, serene feel. We added a functional hinged mirror within the window frame and frosted the lower glass for privacy while still admitting abundant light. Small touches, like a faux succulent, muted art, and leather vanity pulls, keep the space feeling natural and inviting.
Functionality guided many of our choices: mixed metal finishes used intentionally and sparingly, chrome for shower fixtures and faucet, and oil-rubbed bronze for door hardware and hooks. The all-white shower and an extra-long curtain let the patterned floor remain the room’s star without overwhelming the space.
Upstairs, we reworked the landing and circulation substantially. The previous diagonal hallway felt awkward and cramped, so we moved and widened doorways, created a generous linen closet with deep shelves, and opened up the stairwell with railings that bring light down to the landing and the top steps. Those original railings, repurposed from our front porch in Richmond, fit perfectly and add a meaningful bit of reused character to the house.
On the front bedroom of the right side, many elements echo the other side for cohesion: the same art, a similar rug, and like-minded bedding. We chose slightly wider nightstands here that provide extra drawer storage and usable tabletop space, and we installed table lamps to add warmth and texture. A wood-framed mirror, a small closet with a diamond-grilled window, and blackout-lined curtains complete the room and offer good functionality for guests.
One renovation challenge we overcame was the damaged roof. After removing the drop ceilings we discovered widespread roof failure, so we rebuilt the roof with a steeper pitch to improve drainage and avoid future leaks. The comprehensive roof and exterior work allowed us to restore the duplex’s original character and simplify a lot of the awkward 1970s-era floor plan modifications.
We installed six ceiling fans throughout the duplex because many guests enjoy sleeping with a fan. Even though the duplex has central air, the fans add a calming, beachy breeze and are a practical comfort feature. We chose larger fans for the bigger bedrooms and smaller versions for the twin rooms.
Next up: finishing the two living rooms, two dining areas, two kitchens, two laundry rooms, and both back patios. There’s still a lot to do, but the progress so far has been hugely satisfying. These four finished rooms add comfort, style, and thoughtful function to the duplex as we move toward listing it for summer renters.
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