Before & After

Resources

Tales From The Set

Letter From Debbie

When I do a Facelift I am always prepared for some disagreements from the family members or friends. Everyone thinks that they know best, and the design vision can be difficult to accept before it's complete. This is part of the fun and the challenge of transforming s virtual stranger's home while they are away for a few days.

Barron is a man with a very big heart. From the first time we met it was obvious that he adored his wife and wanted to surprise her. He was delighted at the prospect of a makeover, but he insisted we work around what they already had -- two large brown sofas, a dining room suite and a large, dark veneer armoire. He also insisted on beige as his wife's colour of choice.

I got around the boring beige dilemma by choosing five different shades and creating a patchwork quilt of colours on the walls. Lots of white wood paneling, shelves and a coffee table completed the fresh, young atmosphere throughout the main floor.

But Barron, our very brave football player, panicked when I told him we were going to paint the armoire white. He was terrified that Jennifer would be angry with him, even though her girlfriends told me she'd love it. A quiet, and sneaky battle ensued for three long days. When Barron wasn't around, he assigned guard duty to his fellow football friends. There was no way we were getting near the armoire. He won in the end and I simply moved the gloomy, overbearing piece out to the garage.

Working with a team of huge, strong, handsome hunks was a great treat for all of us. They and their wives all scored big points for pitching in to help us surprise Jennifer. Oh yes, and she loved the makeover so much that she didn't even notice the beloved, missing armoire. I was right. Why don't men ever listen to me?

Debbie

Letter From Jennifer

Dear Debbie;

I received a call that there was to be work done with chemicals next door, and it could harm kids. That was all it took to get me packing my bags. I fell so hard for the lie that I even had Lou Lou (our beagle) kenneled, so she didn't get sick. In my own defense (although I now realize how gullible I am), I asked many questions and tried to get the dates of the "work" changed to fit our schedule better. My friend, Alexia, suggested we make the most of it and take the kids on a mini-vacation. She even "conveniently" had a coupon for a great deal on a three night stay (did I mention gullilble?). I forgot our anniversary during all of this, so I was feeling extra guilty about taking off without Barron.

Alexia, our friend Erin, the kids and I took off for our trip. Little did I know what was taking place at home. The get-away was fun, but after three days I was ready to get the kids back in their own beds. I found out later that Barron was frantically making phone calls to Alexia NOT to let me come home early. When we finally got home, Barron met us in front of the house and told me he had an anniversary surprise inside. My first thought was "if he planned a surprise party, I'm going to strangle him". I couldn't figure out why he kept trying to push me to go in the house alone. The last thing I expected to open the door to, was bright lights and cameras. All I remember is screaming "OH MY GOSH!". I was so stunned that I couldn't move. When Debbie popped around the corner, it all made sense. I was so excited, but too shocked to react. The whole experience was very surreal.

I just LOVE the room. The first thing I noticed was how Debbie incorporated our kid's pictures and some black and white photo's I had taken into the design. That was very special to me. The molding is fabulous, the leather chair and buffett are my favorite pieces in the room now, and the kids' area is just perfect. The technique used on the walls, the pattern and colors are amazing. I would have never dreamed that a room in my home could look like it came straight out of a magazine. I won't change a thing! I couldn't sleep for days. I would go to bed and then get back up in the middle of the night to sit on my couch and admire my living room.

The best part was the personal side. It was so heart warming to find out what everyone had done to make this happen. Debbie, you are not only a very talented decorator, but a very generous, big-hearted individual. What you did for our family means the world to me. I just wish I could re-do my reaction and fully express to you how much I appreciate this gesture and say something more intelligent to you than "oh my gosh" fifty times! It is quite intimidating to know that you spent all those days in my house, looking at my lack of decorating talent. I have always admired what you did with rooms in your shows visually, but now I admire what you do for the families involved emotionally. You're the best!

A "thank you" will never be enough to show how much this meant to me, but I have to thank the entire FACELIFT crew for their countless hours and hard work (especially the all night painting!), and being so kind to our friends. Thanks, Vera, for getting me out of the house. Alexia and Erin, thank you for keeping me busy so that I didn't suspect a thing! Darla, Tracey, Larry, Natalie, Kim, and Michelle, it was even more special since you were part of it. Anthony, Neal, Luke and Uzo, thank you for helping, especially the day after a game and all night flight. We are so blessed to have such wonderful people in our lives. And of course my wonderful husband! It will be hard to ever top this one!!

Saying this was an overwhelming experience is an understatement. When I found out my friends were all waiting in the back to watch my reaction and surprise me, I was so taken back. My mind was racing with how they were able to pull this off and more impressive, how none of my friends slipped! It took me a few days to wrap my brain around all the conspiring, the hidden cameras, the lies (all for good reason of course) and the number of people that spent their time to give my family this beautiful space.

THANK YOU Debbie and the FACELIFT crew! You are an incredible group of people! We will never forget this experience.

Jennifer