Duplex Redo Deluxe, Part 1

When we got word our 1332 renters would be moving Jul 2009, we knew it was time for a major rehaul of our rental. Our renters, who lived there for 15 years, were heavy smokers, and our duplex had not had any updates other than flooring, replacing worn out appliances, and paint. Having been built in 1971, it was in rough shape. Cabinets were falling apart, light fixtures were dated and brittle with age, counter tops were gold glitter Formica with pieces totally missing, and the renters had broken windows and put big holes in the walls.

How I wish I had thought to take more before pictures during the process! There were just too many things going on in our life--Ashley's wedding, Amy's move, etc.

Before

Here is the bathroom, after stripping down, but before remodeling. The walls were originally white, now grayish brown from cigarette smoke. The smell of smoke was so horribly overwhelming in the beginning it was hard to work.

Ashley and Stan stripped the old carpet out.





The windows are aluminium and pretty cheap, but still functional.



Here's a view of the old cabinets.

After
By September, we realized Amy would be our new tenant. We also realized that predictably, the redo was taking a lot more time and money than we hoped.

Here is a view of the new stair light and laminate flooring. Stan has done most of the work by himself. The only thing we had done was the counter top.
I did the painting--I'm not much of a plumber/electrician. The color is "creamy pebbles"--kind of a grayed taupe.

This shot shows the new doors, light fixture, molding, and paint looking down the hallway. The popcorn ceilings all had to be painted since they absorbed so much cigarette smoke. Removing the popcorn is not an option, as it very likely contains asbestos.

Good-bye yellow smelly ceilings with gold glitter flecks!



New curtains, chandelier, and more flooring





The fireplace has been pretty much left untouched. I've come to love the exposed brick look in the duplex. It's amazing that none of our renters have decided to paint it over the years. Renters tend to do things like that and hope the landlord doesn't notice.




A view of the new kitchen. What an improvement over the old one!


The entry area--note the new doors and doorknobs. McKay helped Stan put the doors up. It is definitely a two man job.

I should also add that we did a partial redo on the 1334 side when our renter Pat went on vacation. We replaced the kitchen, living room, and bathroom flooring with the same laminate as well as cabinets and counter tops, and did some painting.

Stan still has the bathroom and bedroom molding to put up. We had plan on using the old molding, but it had so many layers of paint and was so brittle and cheap, it became impossible to reuse. The same was true of the plug and light switch covers.

Stay tuned for Part 2! We also plan on adding a 2nd bathroom off of the upstairs laundry room. Then comes the outside--replacing the roof, fence, and some problem siding, all the 1971 originals.