If you read last week’s post, you saw the dramatic before-and-after photos of the first four rooms we completed in the duplex. We’re excited to share four more finished spaces today—rooms that are fully renovated, furnished, and ready for renters this summer. We’ll list the duplex on Airbnb once all rooms are photographed and finalized, and we’ll announce it when the time comes.
Let’s start with the back bedroom on the left side of the duplex, the side with the pink doors.
This room’s counterpart on the other side used wall sconces because the bed wall was narrower. Here, the wider wall allowed us to use larger quartz-topped side tables—durable and less likely to stain than marble—and sweet gray lamps. We planned outlet placement behind each nightstand so guests can easily use lamps and charge phones without crawling under furniture.
The space was unrecognizable when we bought the duplex: drop ceilings hiding roof leaks and plastic paneling covering mold. We relocated a window to create a door into the new attached full bathroom, turning this room into a true primary bedroom with an ensuite. Double closets now flank the window we added, creating balanced storage while maintaining light and views.
Removing the drop ceiling exposed a brick chimney hidden behind a slanted wall. We opened and revealed the chimney on both sides, which added character and history to the rooms. While the house had some messy remnants like foggers left on the floor, these were minor problems in the bigger renovation picture.
We positioned a metal bed in front of the window to keep sightlines open and let light pour in. Round quartz tables fit neatly into the angled corner next to exposed brick, creating a pleasing contrast between polished stone and weathered masonry.
We added a dresser for extra storage and hung a large stenciled mirror above it to reflect light and visually expand the room. Two symmetrical closets flanking the window provide hanging space and room for luggage—symmetry that feels intentional and satisfying.
We’ll add more wooden hangers to the closets—an easy finishing touch that makes a big difference for guests. The rug in the room was a secondhand find that complements the pink doors and oil-rubbed bronze accents, and it takes on a warmer tone in bright sunlight.
The ensuite bathroom is calm despite the colorful patterned floor tile. We balanced the bold floor with all-white wall tile and paint, added muted art and natural elements like woven cups and leather vanity pulls, and frosted the window glass for privacy without sacrificing light. The mirror above the sink is hinged to fit within the window frame and still allow daylight to fill the space.
We used mixed metals intentionally: chrome for the shower fixtures and faucet, and oil-rubbed bronze for door hardware and hooks. When metals repeat a few times in a space, they read like neutrals and feel cohesive.
Upstairs, we reconfigured the landing and shifted doorways to remove an awkward diagonal hallway that felt like a later addition. The new layout restores a more classical flow and increases the landing’s size and light. We also opened the lower portion of the staircase, replacing closed drywall with an open railing that lets daylight travel up the stairs. The railings came from our old Richmond porch and fit perfectly here—an unexpected but delightful match.
In the front bedroom on the right, we used many of the same pieces as its mirror on the other side—a wooden bed, similar art, and a soft rug—but chose slightly wider nightstands and table lamps here because the room’s measurements allowed them. A small mobile above the bed and wooden accents like a framed mirror and hangers add warmth and an earthy, beachy feel.
We added blackout-lined curtain panels where needed and faux wood white blinds elsewhere for privacy and light control. Small details, like a diamond-front dresser we designed and a honeycomb pendant light inside the closet, elevate the functionality and style of each room.
We refinished the floors throughout—what a difference from the sticky mess left by previous peel-and-stick tiles—and the result is warm, beachy, and durable. We also installed six ceiling fans across the duplex because many guests love sleeping with a fan; the white fans feel right for a coastal aesthetic and add pleasant airflow even with central air.
Next up after the twin bedrooms are the living rooms, dining areas, kitchens, laundry rooms, and two back patios. There’s still plenty to do, but progress is steady and the duplex is feeling more like a home every day.
P.S. You can follow the full duplex renovation process in our project archives, from the original before tour through planning, demo, and all the reveals. *This post contains affiliate links.*