Before & After

Resources

Tales From The Set

Letter From Debbie

They say never work with children or animals, well this Facelift was a perfect example. The idea was great - two doctors who are also husband and wife, would get an 8 hour Facelift on their living room while they were at work.

Their teenagers are the brains behind the operation. Krista and Drummond are living away at different universities but the two younger children, Frasier and Maia, still live at home. We meet secretly with the four of them during the summer holidays, to discuss Mom and Dad's design preferences and everything I need to know to create a whole new living room. The unanimous decision is 'Friday' would be the best day to surprise their parents, and the kids are adamant their parents are creatures of habit. They both leave the house at 8am, and neither ever return before 6 in the evening. Wrong!

As you know, the team and me hide out in the Facelift van waiting for the homeowners to leave. On this rainy Friday morning we wait and waitÖ Neighbours look at the strange vehicle with its unusual name - this week, "Sivart"Ö(has anyone guessed what that means, yet?). Even the Police drive past several times. Finally at 9 am, Mom leaves and 30 minutes later Dad leaves. We are an hour behind schedule and this is a precious hour we can barely afford to loose.

The Facelift gang quickly get to work ripping out all the mouldings, removing the furniture and taking down the curtains. By eleven o'clock the room's in chaos and filled to the brim with technical guys, director, makeup, stylists, art directors, carpenters, painters, helpers -you get the picture. Suddenly a blood curdling scream pierces the air! Elena, our Aussie PA was coming down the stairs when she saw out of the window Tim's car turning into the driveway. An argument immediately erupts between Catherine the director, and me. I want to meet him at the car and lie. Tell him anything - like the kids are making a surprise dinner . But, no!ÖCatherine insists this is 'reality' TV and it has to be real . Will he call the police? My knees are shaking.

Tim is absolutely shocked and gobsmacked by the sight of his home in chaos with us in it!. But, by bringing out his children from the kitchen, the ones who are supposed to be across the country at university, helps soften the blow. Tim had come home early to get his clubs for an afternoon on the golf course. Something he has done for years every Friday. The kids got it wrong! Anyway the show was saved, as it was still a mind-boggling surprise for Tim and Julie.

Love Debbie

Letter From Julie

Dear Debbie,

Facelift had struck. On the spot, the words overwhelmed, dumb-founded, unbelievable or more accurately unimaginable, are all appropriate. I didn't realize such a program existed. It was inconceivable that I could return from work, or anywhere, one day, and find something like that had happened.

Later in the days that followed, the surprise kept repeating itself in my mind. It would pop into my head while driving,or preparing meals, or shopping,...It was impressive that my children could care enough to arrange it, with you, of course. The amount of planning that was done...incredible, yet it had to be believed because it was there!

With thanks,
Julie