We’re Renovating Our Parents’ House!

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For nearly 10 years, Drew and Jonathan have tried convincing their parents, Jim and Joanne, to move closer to them in California. And finally, they got their wish! However, there’s a lot of work to be done before Mom and Dad can feel like they’re truly at home in Los Angeles, especially since they’re moving so far away from where they raised their family, in Banff, Canada. On this episode of Don’t Hate Your House, Drew and Jonathan’s parents are going to get everything they want and more as they make the big move to the States.

Jim and Joanne met and fell in love in Alberta’s Rocky Mountains, which will always have a special place in their hearts. But they want to be closer to the ones they love most. At the time they were filming this episode, Drew and Linda’s household was expanding with baby number two, and moments like that with family are the most important thing in the world to Jim and Joanne.

“Finally after all these years, Mom and Dad have decided to make the move to Los Angeles, so we want to make sure that we create a place that feels like home for them,” Jonathan says.

“But there’s pressure because the whole move to LA was our idea, so Jonathan and I needed to choose the perfect house that Mom and Dad will love just as much—if not more—than their dream home in Banff,” Drew adds.

Getting Started

The Santa Monica market was jam-packed, with not many homes for sale. Luckily, the Bros jumped on a Spanish-style fixer-upper on a tree-lined street that’s close to the beach and in a walkable neighborhood. They were able to close on the house just in time—but it came with a catch: There was a lot of work to be done. Still, they hoped the place would check off every box for Mom and Dad.

“Of everything we’ve ever done in our careers, the stakes are the highest here,” Jonathan says to his parents, “because we care about you the most.”

They had plenty of plans to ensure Mom and Dad got the perfect place to call home, including tearing down and re-building the garage with an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) where friends and family can stay, expanding the kitchen so they can enjoy meals with their children and grandchildren, and adding over 600 square feet to the original layout to accommodate it all.

“Growing up, we tried to make their home a happy place,” Joanne says, “and now they’re trying to do that for us.”

Troubled Timelines

Drew and Jonathan’s parents’ reno wasn’t without unexpected hiccups and delays, however. Unfortunately, Santa Monica had a permit backlog that derailed Drew and Jonathan’s plans entirely, nearly doubling their original projected timeline. They pivoted and got to work on the ADU, and fortunately, those permit plans were fast-tracked, so the Bros got to work as quickly as possible. While they waited to hear about the main house permits, Drew and Jonathan started designing the ADU interior—and wow, did they deliver!

Before & Afters

First Thing’s First: Let’s Tackle the Living Room

Drew and Jonathan wanted Jim and Joanne’s ADU guest living room to feel calm and relaxing, and a place where they’d be happy to host their friends from Banff. They decided to combine cozy neutrals with warm earth tones to make the space feel inviting.

A Serene Place to Unwind

Joanne is an incredibly thoughtful host, and this room celebrates that quality. She’s known for putting little care baskets together for loved ones when they come to stay. Along with some fluffy robes and treats, she also includes a photo of the guests in a picture frame next to the bed—a tip that Jonathan loves to incorporate now too, when he and Zooey have visitors stay over.

Fill the Yard With Flowers and Greenery

On the exterior of the ADU, the Bros added plenty of greenery and flowers. Jim and Joanne love color and nature, and Drew and Jonathan wanted to add that special touch to their ADU too, not just the main house.

Click here to see all of the items featured in this episode!

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