Debbie Travis' Facelift - Tales From The Set

Letter From Debbie

Hello Everybody;

Every home makeover we do is an adventure for the Facelift team. Apart from the work involved, we have the opportunity to meet the most wonderful people who are experiencing many emotions -- they feel happy and lucky, but also stressed. The situation is unique and it's anyone's guess how each person will react once the clock is ticking.

At Tina's home there was a huge group of enthusiastic family members as well as neighbourhood friends who all wanted to join in on the surprise. There was Tina's mom who wrote to us and orchestrated our secret visits.

She is a loving grandmother who cannot do enough for her single-parent daughter, and pressured me to the end so that Tina would get everything she wanted, including a new fridge and countertops that weren't in the budget! There were sisters that didn't necessarily agree with the colours we had chosen -- but I'm used to that.

What made this Facelift most magical for me were the efforts of Tina's children, Max, Will and Clara. It is so great to see kids excited about making something with their own hands.

Max got his first taste of carpentry by helping to build the kitchen island, and is now hooked for life. Will and Clara had a ball banging up and painting the ceiling beams to look like old lumber, and putting together the notice board for the kitchen. They all loved every minute of it. Kids want to learn at any age, and the joy they feel over their own accomplishments big or small is amazing to watch.

They are very proud of their mom and I hope they are also proud of themselves for helping to transform their special family home.

Love Debbie

Letter From Tina

Dear Debbie

I absolutely love my new house! I can't believe it was you who came to redecorate. I have never won a lottery, but I'm sure if I did, this is what it would feel like.

I can't believe my mum kept the secret. I can't believe Clara didn't spill the beans when we spoke while I was in Florida. I was thrilled that I got to visit my dad for four days alone. What a great time I had. And I wanted to stay longer and was a bit upset when my father didn't think it was a good idea. Little did I know my beach getaway was about to be upstaged by what was awaiting me when I opened my front door.

The first thing I noticed (other than the huge camera lenses and lights everywhere) was the blackboard that the kids made and the beams on the ceiling, two of my favourite things.

I love the couch and chairs with dangling wooden balls. I love the texture of the plaster walls. I absolutely positively love the kitchen island. How did you know I needed that exact amount of space? It has become our new eating spot, and I now have so much room to "dough roll" at Christmas. I love that I can look at my Fiestaware collection every day, and I can't believe the new refrigerator and microwave.

Although my sisters were very worried, I love the colours you chose. I still get excited when I pull up to my house at night and see the colours inside. I'll admit that if I had been there, I would have needed a lot of convincing -- you thought Tracey was bad. I love my fireplace, and thank you Flo for repairing it too. I love the carpet and the way I can change it. Max and Will love the remote control ceiling fan. Sam (the dog) loves the fluffy cushions on the couch -- ugh.

When everyone left that first night I went to bed, but I couldn't sleep. I kept getting out of bed and trying out a new spot. I feel really lucky. I have the best three kids in the world, the best mum (I am so glad she wrote to you), the best family who do everything to make sure that my kids and I have all the love and support we need.

I am so grateful that you and your team chose to come to our home. I wish I could have been there too. I only hear great things about you and every single person that works with you. Thank you, all of you, for sparkling our lives.

Tina, Max, Willy, Clara.