29/04/2008
The 60 Minute Makeover team are surprising Michael Camenzuli. His son Mike contacted the team to ask us to makeover his dads rented property. Michael has always been a super supportive dad over the years and he and his son Mike have a very close relationship. Two years ago Michael suffered a heart attack, which came as a complete shock to Mike as he had always been in such good health and very active. The illness left Michael unable to do things he had previously taken for granted but didn’t stop him with his biggest love – world travel.
Michael has travelled the world and has just recently started a new family. He recently married his new wife Tsidi in Serowe, Botswana, Southern Africa when he visited the country. They were married last year and have a small child, Dylis, who is just over 18 months old. The family decided to move their home to the UK and Mike thinks a 60 Minute Makeover on the new house will really help the family settle in but will also make Michael a very happy man by taking the stress away from him.
The Designer: John Amabile
The designer taking on the challenge of today’s makeover is John Amabile. He wants to create a home that Michael can be proud of and somewhere Tsidi and the children will be able to settle in to and feel relaxed.
Kitchen
The kitchen had been decorated recently but the room wasn’t to Michael’s tastes and he wasn’t sure of the colours. John decided to utilize the new cupboard carcasses in the room but to replace the doors and worktops. John wanted to create a modern but welcoming styled kitchen which invited Michael and the family into the space to cook and eat. He went for Burgundy doors and walnut worktops which were supplied and fitted by DKB Kitchens and Bedroom Company.
Living Room
The small living room felt dark and depressing. It was packed with books and Michaels travel mementos and the room’s furniture was mismatched. The whole space was dominated by a wall of stone including shelves and an old gas fire. John wanted to create a space intended more for a family environment so we removed the old carpets, curtains and removed the wall of stone and fireplace in prep time. Even though John wanted to create a more family orientated room he still wanted to inject elegance and drama and so decided to go for a black and white shabby chic feel in the room.
Main Bedroom
The main bedroom was old fashioned and far from a relaxing space for Tsidi and Michael. The heavy anaglyptic wallpaper and old curtains were restricting the light in the room. Michael collects furniture and he had a large antique chest but it was too large for the room and dominated space. This room was a challenge for John. He wanted to make it feel more like a hotel room - elegant, textured and a space in which the couple could get away from the family and feel relaxed and in a special place.
Kids Bedroom
This room didn’t feel like a children’s bedroom. It was tired and had no sense of fun, in fact there was no real indication it was actually a children’s bedroom. The furniture was all handed down from the housing association and the carpet and curtains were worn. John wanted to create a theme in this room. He wanted to inject colour and warmth but also make it child friendly. He felt it was important to select a theme that wouldn’t date too quickly so plumped for ‘Animal Magic’.
