In the Ray Romano Celebrity IOU premiere episode, his assistant of 23 years, Christy, got the most epic surprise! Christy, dubbed the “Raymond Whisperer” by Ray himself, has always been a source of positivity in his life. After Ray’s wife was diagnosed with cancer 12 years ago, Christy was the first person he called. She helped the two of them through the hardest time of their lives. After that, they had an unbreakable bond.
Christy, her husband, Paul, and their daughter, Tess, were all using the small bathroom in their 1950s home, and Ray wanted to treat them to a major upgrade. But they had a surprise for Christy up their sleeves: She thought they’d be renovating just the bathroom, but Ray, Drew, and Jonathan brought the bedroom into the mix too, creating a full primary suite that’ll become a sanctuary for Christy and Paul. This included window replacements, a total overhaul of the bathroom layout (including the tub/shower combo, which received a very satisfying demolition), a heartfelt art piece in remembrance of Christy’s late mother, and freshening up the primary bedroom so Christy and Paul can actually relax.
Pulling up to Christy’s picket fence, Ray and the Bros got right to work demoing, designing, and working with a stained glass artist to give Christy the spa-like bathroom oasis she’s always deserved.
Shop the Look
Check out the decor, furniture, and more seen in this episode–and get it for yourself!
Click below to see all of the items featured in this episode!
| wdt_ID | Room | Item Type | Product Name | Company | Product Code / Sku |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Throughout | CASING | PRM FINGERJOINT PINE | WOODGRAIN | No. 1 x 4 |
| 2 | Throughout | BASE | PRM FINGERJOINT PINE | WOODGRAIN | No. 1 x 6 |
| 3 | Primary Bedroom | INTERIOR DOOR | Flush Solid Core Primed Hardboard | TRIMLITE | FSCPHB2868 |
| 4 | Primary Bedroom | HEADBOARD LIGHTING | Ring Form Large Wall SconceSIGNATURE COLLECTIONVIEW THE RING SERIES | VISUAL COMFORT | CHD2970 GILD FINISH |
| 5 | Primary Bedroom | CEILING FAN | Alma 52" Smart Ceiling FanVISUAL COMFORT FAN COLLECTIONVIEW THE ALMA SERIES | VISUAL COMFORT | 3ALMSM52 |
| 6 | Primary Bedroom | NIGHTSTAND TOPS | Rainforest Marble | MARBLE YARD | |
| 7 | Primary Bedroom | FABRICATOR | MARBLE YARD | ||
| 8 | Primary Bedroom | BEDROOM DOOR KNOB, PRIVACY | Round Knob, Modern Rectangular Rosette, Satin Brass | EMTEK | |
| 9 | Primary Bedroom | BUILT-IN CLOSETb HARDWARE | Westridge Cabinet Pull, 12", US4 Satin Brass | EMTEK | |
| 10 | Primary Bedroom | BUILT-IN CLOSET DRESSER + NIGHTSTAND HARDWARE | Brandt Cabinet Knob 1 1/4", US4 Satin Brass | EMTEK |
Before and Afters
Soaking It In
The premiere Ray Romano Celebrity IOU episode started strong with a bathroom gutting. They began by ditching the outdated shower/bathtub combo (think drippy faucet, mildew, and a showerhead so short Paul couldn’t fit under it!), and instead, separated the two. Christy gets a beautiful soaking tub as well as a separate glass shower, all complete with gold hardware. Oh, and Paul finally gets to fit comfortably.
Adding a Bright and Airy Glow
In flipping the layout of the bathroom, they were actually able to create a more open space inside. Bianco lasa marble, dark deco-style tiles, and a fresh, warm-white coat of paint lift the space into becoming a chic, spa-like bathroom.
Opening the En Suite
The biggest thing separating the en suite and the primary bedroom before was, well…the bedroom door! But by removing the door and opening up the hallway, Ray, Drew, and Jonathan created a whole new vibe, crafting a primary suite where the bedroom now flows seamlessly into the bathroom.
Creating a Calming Bedroom
They decided to reconfigure the bedroom in order to make the space a bit more serene. By moving the window next to the bed, they created a flow from the inside to outside, which allowed natural light to take center stage.
Removing the Old Closet
Christy and Paul’s closet also moved locations. And in its place, a blank wall became the perfect place for bedroom wall art, which in this case is framed family photos. Combine that with a gorgeous piece of art above the bed and a custom-made bed frame and you get a particularly beautiful primary!
…And Doubling It In a Smarter Place!
A culmination of all the renovations (moving the window, the closet, and removing the door), allowed for both a double closet and built-ins. Hidden storage also creates a less cluttered visual plane, which in turn creates a luxurious, calming atmosphere.
