Big day: we’re finally ready to give you a full tour of both completed duplex kitchens—and share that the Airbnb listings are live. Below you’ll find photos and details about the finishes, appliances, and how to book a week if you want to visit Cape Charles. We think it’s an amazing summer getaway.
The photo above shows the kitchen with blue tile and wood cabinets on the right side of the duplex. You may have seen parts of it in earlier posts about installing Ikea cabinets and tiling the backsplashes. I’ll start this tour on the other side, the kitchen with the pink tile and blue cabinets, and then move over to the wood cabinet side.
When we bought the duplex in 2017, the layout was very different. The now-kitchen was once a dining area, and the previous kitchen had been squeezed into what was likely a side porch. Widening doorways and adding a transom were early improvements that opened up the flow and brought a lot more light into both kitchens.
The old kitchen felt out of place; by moving the cooking area into the larger room we created a more functional and welcoming layout. Raising the window base allowed us to run cabinetry across that wall, and we added pocket doors so the laundry can be closed off when needed.
Both kitchens are now fully stocked for guests: blenders, toasters, coffee makers, pots and pans, knives, flatware, serving bowls, plates, cups, wine glasses, mugs, microwaves, Tupperware, and basics like salt and pepper. Each side even has a cheese grater, wine opener, and chip clips—small conveniences that make a rental feel like a real home.
We chose patterned tile on the back wall to create a focal point visible from the front door, but kept the stove wall simpler to avoid overwhelming the space. For the stove wall we installed horizontal plank paneling—thin plywood planks painted semi-gloss for easy cleaning. It gives texture and durability while feeling beachy and modern.
The plank treatment was inexpensive and quick: we cut plywood into narrow planks, nailed them to the wall with small spacers, then painted them to match the cabinets so everything blends together. The result is a wipeable, stain-resistant surface that reads clean and coastal.
Appliance choices were practical: stainless slide-in ranges and refrigerators paired with white countertop microwaves so they tuck into the white walls. The range hood is an Ikea insert built into cabinet framing. Because we can’t vent to the outside due to the duplex firewall, we added charcoal recirculating filters; that required leaving a small gap above the cabinet so cleaned air can escape.
We selected a simple top-freezer refrigerator without an ice maker or water dispenser to avoid maintenance issues and potential leaks. To compensate, we leave ice in the freezer and a water filter pitcher in the fridge for guests.
We also installed our first cabinet-front dishwasher. It preserves the clean line on the focal wall and blends seamlessly with the cabinetry. Ikea supplies a template for the cabinet front, and while installation requires precise measuring, fitting the panel and hardware was straightforward.
On the far end of the back wall we built a built-in trash pull-out that matches the surrounding drawer faces. Floating shelves are installed above the counters; they’re thicker and more robust than usual so they can support heavy dishes and bowls. I’ll publish a tutorial soon that covers how we drilled through tile and built the shelves to fit the space.
Sherry stained the shelves “Special Walnut” to match the floors, adding warmth and a slightly older, lived-in feel that balances the new cabinets.
The other side of the duplex mirrors this layout but uses different finishes: brass hardware, a lighter wood cabinet, different backsplash tile, and painted doors in a green-blue tone. Widening the doorways on this side also made a dramatic difference in how light and connected the rooms feel.
We kept the open shelves intentionally 8 inches deep so they’re best suited to smaller items. Most everyday dishes, glasses, and heavier items live inside cabinets. The open shelves hold mugs, measuring cups, cutting boards, and decorative pieces—useful overflow without overwhelming the space.
Cabinet organization will follow systems we use at our beach house: plates and flatware by the sink, cookware in the drawers near the stove, and pantry items in the adjacent mudroom/laundry room. There’s still room for guests’ extras—three cabinets or drawers are intentionally spare so we don’t run out of storage.
Next week we expect to share finished photos of the mudroom/laundry rooms and the twin-bed sleeping nooks. The backyard is still in progress, so that’s one area we haven’t revealed yet.
If you’re interested in renting, each side of the duplex is listed separately. Each side sleeps up to six people (plus one baby; pack ’n play and sheet provided). If you want the whole house, simply check availability and book both sides for the same dates. Right now we’re offering weekly rentals for peak summer (Saturday to Saturday, late June through August). We’ll likely offer shorter off-season stays in spring and fall once we gain more experience hosting.
We’re excited and a little nervous to open the place for reservations and appreciate your patience as we work out any early hosting details. If you want more local suggestions, we published a Cape Charles travel guide that highlights restaurants, shops, and activities in town. We’ll continue sharing updates as we finish the remaining rooms and the backyard.
P.S. You can find previous posts about the duplex renovations, including bathroom tile work and layout planning, in the duplex category on the site.
*This post contains affiliate links*