We’re thrilled to share that the entire front half of the duplex is finished — which means the open living and dining rooms on each side are ready for their reveal. We’re calling it done (except for steaming and hemming a few curtains), and it feels so good to see it all come together.
This is the view when you enter the left side and pivot toward the living area. A favorite secondhand rug from New England Loom found its perfect spot here, anchoring a comfy Crate & Barrel sofa in Taft Truffle. We love this sofa so much that we’ve used it in our own home and purchased it multiple times for durability and comfort — it’s been road-tested by kids and a dog with zero complaints.
In addition to the sofa, there are two accent armchairs facing a crisp white coffee table and a small pouf for extra seating. We kept pillows behind the chairs for added comfort and to adjust their slightly reclined angle. A quartz-topped end table gives the marble look without the worry of spills, and a large art print over the sofa ties the whole palette—especially the kitchen colors just beyond the dining area—together perfectly.
This side of the duplex was rebuilt from the studs up. The before photos show water damage, fake paneling, and a lot of clean-up; we even rescued a pair of old five-panel doors and reused them as closet doors upstairs. Over time we added new plywood, reframed an opening to add a tall interior transom for extra light, and installed solid five-panel doors and pocket doors where appropriate — little details inspired by the home’s original character.
Now everything reads as cohesive and open. We defined the long room by creating two zones: a living area with a rug and floating furniture at one end and a dining area with a centered light fixture at the other. Taping the dining table placement on the floor helped us visualize circulation and chair clearance before everything was installed.
One benefit of the room is its oversized windows. The downstairs ceilings are nine feet, and the tall windows start low and reach almost to the ceiling, flooding the space with light and giving the room a strong presence. Because wall space was limited, the TV ended up on a single practical wall across from the sofa, mounted on the wall above a narrow console so circulation remains open and uncluttered.
We opted for a slim open console and a wall-mounted TV to keep the area feeling spacious. A single cord cover hides the power cable for a clean look. Behind one nearby door is a locked owners’ closet; the other door leads to a newly added powder room—an important functional upgrade since there wasn’t a downstairs bathroom before.
The powder room is small but elegant, and we plan to refine it later with wainscoting or wallpaper to make it a jewel box. For now, a pretty vanity, a favorite budget mirror, and a crisp white toilet are doing the job — you can now use a bathroom downstairs without trekking upstairs.
On finishes and hardware, we mixed brass and oil-rubbed bronze across fixtures, curtain rods, and door hardware. The strategy was simple: repeat each metal a few times so the mix feels intentional and layered, rather than random.
Across the hall, the right-side living room is a mirror of the left but with a softer, more neutral rug and slightly different accents. We reused the same sofa and armchairs but changed up the rug, dining chairs, lighting, and a few decor pieces so the two spaces feel distinct while still cohesive. Reusing secondhand dining tables that we refinished saved money and added character; we’ll share a refinishing tutorial soon.
We kept the furniture low to avoid blocking the tall windows and to let light pour through. Rattan mirrors and woven textures add warmth and a coastal feel, while refinished wood surfaces and layered textiles create visual interest. Small details — like stair risers painted to match each side’s door color — give the duplex a playful, cohesive personality when both front doors are open.
We still have two kitchens, two laundry rooms, the back patios, and landscaping to finish, plus many curtains to hem — but we’re excited to be so close. Next week we’ll share the completed kitchens and mudrooms if everything falls into place. For now, it’s satisfying to see the transformation from a water-damaged shell into two welcoming, light-filled living and dining spaces ready to host guests.
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