Debbie Travis' Facelift - Tales From The Set

Letter From Debbie

I received an emotional email from two women who adored their lifelong friend Sigal. They told me how the three friends loved to decorate together.

Sigal desperately wanted to reinvent her family den but the budget was tight, and with twin seven-year-old girls, spare time was also short. She was constantly begging her friends for help, so they contacted me!

It was a tough job orchestrating a trip away for Sigal so the Facelift team could creep into her home for the renovation. We really wanted to include her little girls in the surprise but couldn't trust them to stay quiet about such an exciting secret until after their mom was away.

Mitchell, who was in on the entire Facelift, told his daughters they would go camping together while Mom went to stay with her sister in Rochester New York. As soon as an unsuspecting Sigal had left the house we arrived. It was horrible having to tell the girls that they were not going on holiday with Dad, but instead were staying home with Dad and Debbie to decorate.

Once over the shock of seeing their house invaded by the entire Facelift gang, they were surprisingly ecstatic. We had a hilarious four days as Dad, the daughters, and the Facelift team were guided by Sigal's two best friends.

Susan and Jody made it clear early on that they were in charge of all decorating decisions. We laid new burgundy colored cork floors, transformed the brick fireplace and reinvented wood paneling plus loads more. Sigal had wished for a white den, and that's what she now has.

Sigal returned home to two giant surprises. The first was to her dream den decorated with the help of her precious family and her two best friends. The space was an incredible success. Sigal was wild about her new den but there was more. We had secretly flown in her beloved sister from New York. They had only parted hours before, but while Sigal took the train home, her sister hopped on a flight ready to be there for the family affair. It was an evening of tears and joy for all of us.

Love Debbie

Letter From Sigal

Dear Viewers/Fans,

PINCH ME! I can't believe it's true. I've been touched by the FACELIFT experience. Here's my story...

For years I had been pestering my husband to paint our den to get rid of the awful wood panel walls. It was dark and gloomy. He promised each weekend we would paint but every weekend there was some other excuse. (He was not the only one that was too lazy.) I dreamed of painting the room white and making it airy and fresh. I even begged my friends to help paint that room.

I paint murals and furniture as a profession, so it was completely understandable that I made my family watch every single episode of every single home décor show, especially Debbie Travis' Painted House. I even remember telling my husband how I would dream to have a Facelift happen to me, but it was only a dream like winning the lottery, I said. Well, I won!

The set-up was magnificent. First of all, my girlfriend and I were interviewed by a reporter from the local newspaper to discuss our passion for decorating. The reporter was part of the Facelift team, but I fell for it, and it got me out of my house so they could take before pictures.

I will never forget the glorious moment of surprise when I arrived home from my weekend away at my sister's. My first reaction when opening the door and seeing the room at a distance was that my husband had painted all weekend. Then I walked in and BANG--cameras, light and tons of action. The earth moved as shock, laughter and many tears poured out.

Debbie Travis, my idol, and the unbelievably talented crew were in my house giving my den a remarkable FACELIFT. The hard work and love that was put in this room was overwhelming and just for me! You know you are deeply loved when your husband, best friends and family could keep such a special secret!

Enjoy every minute…you never know when you could be surprised!

Much admiration,

Sigal