Earlier this month we shared the front porch makeover of the duplex, and today I’m excited to show the transformation of the back. You can finally see my beloved diamond doors in all their glory, along with the little metal awnings we added, new back steps, and the outdoor shower stalls tucked under an extended awning for privacy. I’ve apparently developed a slight awning obsession, but they really tie the back together.
There’s still a lot happening in the backyard—sheds, patios, and fences are currently being installed—so I’m glad we grabbed these photos before the space turned into a full work zone. Otherwise you’d be seeing sawhorses and wheelbarrows in every shot. Once the landscaping and hardscaping are finished we’ll share a full photo tour, but for now let’s focus on how dramatically the back of the house has changed. It’s almost unrecognizable.
This is what the back looked like when we bought the duplex: rotten siding, rickety railings, cinderblock steps, odd vents and wires, and nonworking HVAC units where our outdoor showers now stand. The lower-level bump-outs on each side marked where the old kitchens once were—one side even had a lone toilet sitting right next to the back door with no walls enclosing it, just a couple of steps from the sink.
One of the biggest changes was extending those bump-outs up to the second story. We got approval from the historic review board to add modest second-level additions so each rear bedroom could gain an en-suite bathroom. That small bump higher up is why the window there isn’t full size anymore.
Between the two new en-suite baths and the powder rooms tucked under each staircase, each side of the duplex went from a single full bath to two and a half baths. Technically one side previously had one full bath plus a random kitchen toilet, so calling that an upgrade feels justified.
My favorite updates are the ones that add character—like the corbels along the roofline that wrap to the front, and, of course, the diamond doors. We kept the original doors on the front, but the rear was ours to design. The replacement diamond doors are far more interesting than the generic metal doors that were there before, and we painted them the same mint color as the front shutters (Sherwin-Williams Pale Patina) to keep the look cohesive.
We also used matching lanterns on the back to tie the look together. To minimize future maintenance, the back porches, stairs, railings, and shower enclosures were built from no-rot materials like vinyl and Azek. After spending days staining wood stairs at our other house, it was an easy decision to pay a bit more now to avoid ongoing upkeep later.
Keeping the duplex low maintenance felt important—especially for vacation rentals. The bronze-colored metal awnings we installed are stock units we ordered online. We initially bought the smaller awnings for the doors and later added a larger one over the shower stalls when we realized the showers could be partially visible from the windows above. That extra awning solved the privacy issue and became a nice visual element across the rear elevation.
Because the duplex will operate as two separate vacation rental units, we’re adding a dividing fence that follows the line where the outdoor showers meet. But knowing families or groups might want to rent both sides, we’re including a large six-foot gated section so the yards can be opened up and shared when desired, or kept private when needed.
The original duplex once had a dividing fence, but it lacked the flexibility of a large gate that can create one combined outdoor space. Adding that option, along with two paver patios and sheds, should make the backyard much more functional and inviting.
Seeing the old before photo reminds me how much charm trees and lawns can add. The yard’s greenery will be returning once our landscaping is finished, and I can’t wait to see it all softened by new plantings.
We expect the full yard makeover—including landscaping, fencing, patios, furniture, and sheds—to be completed within the next month, so renters should be able to enjoy the outdoor spaces this summer. Our plan is to list the duplex for weekly vacation bookings soon, so keep an eye out for the listing if you’re interested.
I’ll admit I’m a little jealous the duplex outdoor shower stalls are finished before ours at the pink house. We’ve been using an open-air shower since last year with no stall around it, so it’s a privacy-free experience for now. Hopefully we’ll remedy that soon.
P.S. To follow all of our duplex projects—from purchase and layout planning to interior updates, tile, kitchens, and more—check the duplex category on the blog. You can also follow our beach house adventures in a separate category.
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