Big news: the duplex kitchens are finished and our Airbnb listings are live. Keep reading for a full tour of both kitchens, lots of photos, and details on how to book a week if you want to visit Cape Charles this summer.

The photo above shows the kitchen with blue tile and wood cabinets on the right side of the duplex. Below you’ll see the other side: pink tile with blue cabinets. I’ll start on that pink-and-blue side and walk you through what we changed and why.

When we first bought the duplex in 2017 the layout was awkward: the previous kitchen had been squeezed into a former side porch, and the main rooms didn’t flow. One of our first major changes was widening the doorway between the living room and the new kitchen and adding a transom, which opened the space and let light pour through.

The earlier kitchen felt cramped and out of place. By moving the kitchen into the larger, now-open room and reclaiming the old porch area for other uses, the whole first floor gained a much better flow and feel.

We raised the base of one window so cabinetry could run beneath it, and added pocket doors to close off the laundry when needed. These tweaks maximize usable wall space while keeping the layout airy and practical.

Both kitchens are now fully stocked for renters: blenders, toasters, coffee makers, cookware, knives, silverware, plates, cups, wine glasses, mugs, microwaves, Tupperware, and basics like salt and pepper. Each side even has its own cheese grater, wine opener, and chip clips—small things that make a stay easier.

On the stove wall of the pink-and-blue kitchen we avoided repeating the busy patterned tile because two patterned walls felt overwhelming. Instead we installed a wipeable, durable planked wall—sometimes called horizontal paneling or faux shiplap—which we painted to match the cabinets. It’s easy to clean and gives a cohesive, coastal look while keeping the back wall with the centered window the visual focal point.

The planked wall was simple to build from thin plywood cut into strips, nailed to the wall with small spacers, then painted with a semi-gloss that’s durable and easy to wipe. It provides a more stain-resistant surface than drywall and has a much more finished look than plain paint.

We chose stainless appliances for the slide-in range and refrigerator, but used a white countertop microwave so it blends into the wall behind it. For the range hood we used an Ikea insert that installs inside a cabinet so it reads like built-in cabinetry. Because we can’t vent through the shared firewall in the duplex, we use charcoal filters that recirculate the air. That’s why there’s a small gap above the cabinet—to allow the cleaned air to escape.

For the fridge we picked a straightforward top-freezer model—no ice maker or water dispenser—to avoid potential leaks or maintenance issues while the property is vacant. We’ll leave ice in the freezer and a Brita filter in the fridge so guests have cold water and ice available.

We installed our first built-in, cabinet-front dishwasher and we love how it preserves the uninterrupted cabinet line on the focal wall. The plumber connected it and we attached the matching cabinet panel and hardware ourselves using the manufacturer’s template for accurate placement.

We also added built-in trash pulls at the far end of the back wall that match the cabinet fronts. Ikea’s customizable inserts let us maintain a cohesive look while creating a practical waste solution.

Floating shelves in both kitchens were built to be slightly shallower—8″ deep—so they feel balanced and won’t be overloaded with heavy plates. We drilled through tile to anchor them and finished them in a stained color that matches the floors for warmth and continuity. They’re ideal for mugs, measuring cups, cutting boards, and a few decorative items; most everyday servingware is stored in the cabinets.

On the other (left) side of the duplex the layout mirrors the first but finishes differ: brass hardware, different cabinet style and backsplash tile, and slightly different shelf styling. Widening the doorway and adding a transom on this side also made a major difference in how open and bright the space feels.

We’ve organized cabinets with typical zones in mind: plates and flatware near the sink, pots and pans near the stove, lesser-used items in upper cabinets, and pantry storage in the adjacent mudroom/laundry room. There are a few cabinets and drawers still spare for anything guests might want to add during their stay.

We’ll share more tutorials soon—how we built the planked wall, the floating shelves, and other details—plus a cabinet tour once everything is fully organized.

If you want to rent one side of the duplex: each side sleeps up to six people plus one baby (pack ’n play and sheet provided). Both sides are listed separately, so you can book either the Left Side (pink doors) or the Right Side (blue doors). If you’d like the whole house, check availability on both listings for the same dates and book them together. At the moment we’re offering weekly summer rentals (Saturday to Saturday, late June through August); we plan to add shorter off-season options in spring and fall.

We’re excited (and a bit nervous) to open the duplex to guests. Please be patient with us as we learn the ropes of running a short-term rental—we’ll share what we learn along the way. If you’re curious about Cape Charles activities and dining, check our Cape Charles travel guide for recommendations and local updates.

P.S. You can find other completed rooms, bathroom tile details, and project stories in our duplex posts.

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