My Houzz: Mila Kunis’ Surprise Renovation for Her Parents

Home is a really safe place for me. It is warmth and comfort. It's a place where you can play and no one can judge you for it. I'm Mila Kunis and this is "My Houzz." I grew up in a very small town in Ukraine AND I literally had no idea about a different continent let alone a different language, people or diversity. And when I was seven, my

parents

moved us to Los Angeles. It was all very jarring and very shocking. But when I was eight years old... ...boy, did I acclimatize perfectly? When I was nine years old, my family moved into the condominium... ...where my

parents

still live.

I graduated high school in that condo. I had my first dog... . ..without my parents' permission in that condominium. Everything regarding my career happened there. I have the best mom on the planet. I will never understand how she was able to raise... ...my brother and me while she worked full time. My mom was there every morning to take me to school. Somehow, magically, we had dinner at the table every night. My dad is amazing. He is one of the proudest men you will ever meet. He would never ask for help. He would never ask for help. a pamphlet And when times got tough, he just worked.

Knowing how hard I work now for what I have... ...puts things into perspective of how much harder... ...my parents must have worked... ...to give my brother and me a life that we had I would like to do this

renovation

for my parents... ...Mark and Elvira Kunis... ...because they have done so many things for my brother and me And that's why I desperately want to give them something... .. .which I think they deserve You can't get my parents out of that condo They're never going to move They love it Their friends live on the same floor I feel like they're the president of the condo I like it, everyone knows them there So here's why the house doesn't really work.

My whole family goes down to the family room, the kitchen, the dining room and my mom is always in the kitchen. And whoever is in the kitchen is always isolated from everyone else... ...because you are surrounded by these strange walls. Constantly people shouting back and forth like... ... "What did you say?" But they're in a room It shouldn't be that hard to hear each other Spatially speaking, the furniture isn't the same size And the house looks like Miami Vice... ...circa 1994 Lots of leather Sofas Green and pink walls that, You know... ...you wouldn't believe they belong in the same room... ...but according to my parents, they do.

My parents know they will be kicked out of the house but they are not 100% sure what is going to happen. Thank goodness for Houzz. I'm still working full time, I'm very pregnant. And I know that I personally could never have done this on my own. Houzz is a website and an app. where you can get inspired You can find a professional, you can shop your heart out... ...all in one place I did a search for LA Designers I was able to find thousands of designers on Houzz I found Breeze She had amazing reviews... . ..and I loved her style, everything about her... ...and I knew she was the right one for this project.

Breeze and I spoke on the phone and it went very well. Now let's get together to discuss this project. Hello. It's a pleasure to finally see you. I'm very excited to get started. I'd love to hear more about what you have in mind. I think the problem with space is that it's not as cohesive. very... - It's very compartmentalized - Yeah. You know, ideally I'd like a big room where you walk in and there's the family room... ...and the dining room and... ...I guess what. What would you call a kitchen? To me it looks like a giant closet And she cooks all the time - So it should be a chef's kitchen - Yeah And it's like my dad shoved it in a corner... ...and he was like "Just "You have this little corner in the living room." And he gave himself two giant leather sofas and a wall-sized television.

So these are the things I would like to change. Okay, so however we can achieve it, we want to open the space... - ...as much as possible - Yes. I'd love to take a look at some of your ideas. An idea book is a place where you can keep all your ideas... ...for your home and products. You can share your ideabook with other people involved in the project. It really helps you collaborate with everyone who works with you. I like this kitchen. And I think this may be si

mila

r in some ways... to how the flow and layout goes... ...in the sense that here you have an L-shaped kitchen.

Then you have the dining room, facing the window, which is nice. What type of What type of storage do you need the most? I would say definitely pantry... ...like spices, dry goods, things like that. Everything you need for all delicious meals. So we made the kitchen... - Yes - Now the problem is the dining room. We have massive dinners all the time. So I think seating is very important and lighting is very important... ...and the chandelier that I have now is a little dated. The table is lacquered as is. So I liked it because I thought it was... ...maybe it could be too traditional?

Of course, but the chandelier is really eye-catching... ...and I think it might belong in space. It's a great idea because it's long. It's long, it's sculptural, it's transitional... and I think we're going to get into it. that address But the nice thing about Houzz is... ...you can click on the image and it will take you to the Houzz Store and let you know if that item is available. So it's as simple as this: Add to cart. And you can check it out now And you can check it out Let's buy it I love it, I'm really excited about this What are you thinking for the table then?

It's a rustic farm table... ...but with large extendable leaves on each side. Oh, I love that table. So this is an idea of ​​sofas. I love this as a seating configuration. Yes, I can see my dad taking many. of naps on that couch Let's do it Okay, oh well, look at us making progress And if they keep their floors... ...maybe, maybe not It can't stay as it is The finish is very dated The shine and the yellow should leave Let's change your floors I'm very proud of us We talked a lot about blowing up all the walls... ...and turning it into one big room One idea is to keep part of the entrance wall so you can preserve the feeling of confinement and entrance.

But the idea is really to leave three or four feet of wall... ...so you can have an entrance mirror... - A complete wall? Like floor to ceiling? - From floor to ceiling I don't know if I like this I'm not against it... ...I trust you So as for the things that should stay in the space... ...there are three paintings that are important to me parents brought them with them from Russia The triptych paintings are like my dad's pride and joy They represent the past, the present and the future And that, to my dad, represents our family The paintings must remain in this space because... . ...I really want to make sure the space represents them... ...and doesn't lose their touch.

Well, just to reiterate... ...comfortable, comfortable and very familiar and open. as much as possible - Okay - Maybe you can keep your three foot wall But keep it as open as possible We'll do what we can. I'm so excited and so relieved that you're doing this... ...and not me. , you have no idea I trust you Don't ruin this I know where to find you Today, Breeze and I are meeting at my parents' condo... ...to finalize the plan - Hey - Hello, it's good to see you again Welcome, welcome So we covered a lot of territory in our last meeting... ...and maybe we should go over some of the things that came up...

Like this beautiful television? My God. Honestly, I'd consider mounting it on the wall. I think it's a solid plan. What do you think of... - The sofas? - These beautiful sofas. The sofas are going, sorry to say. Although we talked about some of the things... ...that you would like to see stay in this space - And I would love to see them... - Okay... in person - So we like that painting - We like it - Okay - Sure This was an interpretation of Chernobyl, right? Yes, exactly. It is one of my favorites. They love them. -The triptych? - Yes.

And it has that kind of warm color scheme... ...that we were talking about at the meeting. I don't love how they frame them. I feel like they are suffocated. Yes, reframing art, for example. Sure - Then the kitchen - Yes. This excites me a lot. The entire wall behind me is being dragged away. So, even though it holds a load, we can remove most of it... ...and just walk away. a little post at the end of the kitchen - Very excited, Breeze - Me too. Your parents are going to love it. Oh my god, not as much as me.

Now that Breeze has seen the place, in person and I've heard her. ideas, it's time to start I've been wanting to tear down this wall for twenty years Listen, I may be nine months pregnant... ...but if anyone is tearing down that wall, it's me - Okay, ready? - Okay, I'll stay behind. Yeah. Listen, one hit was enough. This is really good, letting a pregnant woman run into a wall. I'll let the professionals do the rest. It's been a couple of weeks since I saw this... . ..so I'm coming over today to meet with Breeze to talk about... ...where we are in space and if you need my advice... ...because everyone needs my advice.

But I'd love to go over... ...design and flooring, and decorative pieces... ...and anything else you can show me. How about we start with the floors? I always like to look at the ground on the ground. I have a favorite of these two. Which is it? Well, how about we do this? This is option one, and that is option two. I'm going to say "one, two, three"... ...and then you tell me your favorite... ...and I'll tell you my favorite at the same time, ready? - Okay - One, two, three - One - Two The one Breeze chose was a little friendlier to my parents.

I'll let her decide. There's a snapshot of... ...the soft grays we were going to use. bring to space It's so beautiful. Breeze and I agreed that we want a kitchen that looks really clean. So they were white versions. And today, she put a little twist on the plan... ...which is glass, open cabinets. shelves And... I love that idea. I think we did everything necessary, although I'll put it into action - Let's go out - Okay, I think she just wants to, in a really cool way... ...make my parents happy I haven't been able to connect with Breeze in weeks... ...because I had a baby I am very excited but today we have a lot to do in my parents' condo the new floors are coming in The kitchen cabinets are being installed And all the items we have purchased on Houzz... . ..they are being delivered So I'll contact Breeze... ...and see how the

renovation

s are going. together - Hello, Breeze - Hello Congratulations on having your baby Thank you, we created a human being How are you doing there?

In fact, we are making a lot of progress. Did you get the idea? I did it and I loved it. With Houzz, you can virtually place products in your space. That way, you can preview them before purchasing them. Simply tap "View in my room" below the product image... ...and it automatically launches a camera. Isn't it great to see your furniture in the space... ...before you install it? - No buyer's remorse - No, none Thank you for sending it to me The chandelier looks amazing We only have a few weeks left, but I think we are on the right track Oh, I can't wait Good luck with everything.

See you later - Bye - Bye I can't wait to see the reaction on my parents' faces. Hope you like. I'm headed to my parents' condo... ...and I'm dragging my husband... ...to do the heavy lifting. I'm so excited to show my parents the final project. Let's do this - Hello - Breeze... - Welcome - OMG Congratulations, first of all Thank you - You've been busy. producing - We produced Your lighting is very, very beautiful, I have to tell you It's much brighter and more open This is 100% the vision that I think Breeze and I had I think she took everything we did together... ...e made it not only come to life... ...but a million times better.

In the design meeting, I really tried hard to keep this wall... ...so you wouldn't. You don't go into the kitchen And now looking at the space, do you agree? Are you kidding? I think it's great - I think it's fantastic - It looks a lot like me I think it's the best wall in the house, so I like it... ...naturally Good job, honey, good job Okay, we have a lot to do - Come on - Let's do it - Let's get started - It's time to work It feels great to do this I have this, you have that Yes, bringing the power It feels good, because it also feels permanent It's not a superficial gift, so I love it I have, there goes my back I think they deserve it I hope they grow in space... ...and I hope they like it as much as we do - Can Did you put this out there? - Voila Now we just have to complete it.

It's like designer code for "drink the alcohol." They absolutely deserve and need a fresh start. They are almost retired, they need a little "judgment" in their life. It's okay, baby, I think so. We're done Now we're done Okay, now both of you get out, get out - But I was just going to sit down... - No, get out, don't dent the couch, I was just going to fill my hand with a... - No, get out - Okay, I'm going to wait for them... ...and then I'll bring them back - Go get them, honey - Thanks honey - Bye guys - Bye We've lived here for over twenty years and been away from home for six weeks.

When you get over a certain age... ...it's not easymoving in and making changes... ...and we didn't know what to expect. She was afraid, the truth is that she didn't want to go. What do you think? My God, what do I think? I don't know. Do you like it? Yes, come here, come and see. Oh mommy, don't cry. You say, "Don't move my hair." Seeing my parents' reaction to her condo for the first time... ...made it all worth it. all the stress, the moment... Everything and anything became null and void when mom started crying So what do you think of the space... ...we took down all the walls... ...so that There is no more pantry, it is just a large space.

Its nice is not it? - Alright. Are you ready to go look at the kitchen? - Yes - You go first - I like it a lot - And you? Go ahead and come in So now you really have a kitchen. A big. So we gave you tons of spice racks here... ...and then I really wanted the glass here... ...because I thought it would make it look bigger - Do you like it? - I love it. It's very nice, right? I didn't even know you could make her bigger than me... Come this way. So here is your new table.

Since we have a growing family, you can take this... ...and it goes both ways. It is easy. There is enough space here for all six grandchildren. How many? - Six Don't spread rumors, Dad Don't start spreading rumors Look, and your paintings, do you like the new frames? I love it. We knew they were very important to you... ...considering you've been hanging here my entire life. We love it, it looks beautiful - I like how it is now... - The frame? It's nice because it has the same brass as the chandelier. Yes, it combines. When we were looking at idea books on Houzz... ...we saw this and I instantly fell in love with it - And then the sofa, you can... . - This is your dad's sofa, what do you think?

The sofa is perfect It's perfect - It's so good - My kitchen, your sofa When you're angry and you don't like something... ...you have a lot of words to explain why you're angry... ...but if you're happy, You're just happy, that's all. There are not many words to explain your happiness. It was very important to make sure that... ...you were still in space. It is still seen. like it's from... It seems like I know my stuff, it's really cool, yeah. I would like you to meet my little elves. Sit here, I'll take them out. Wait. Breeze was an incredible human being to work with.

She's Breeze, the designer, she made everything. It's a great pleasure... - Thank you…I feel like I know you a little - Hey - How are you? - You did a wonderful job - Thank you Passed, I love it. I am very happy to participate... ...in creating something beautiful for a beautiful family. Let's make a little toast, come on. Come mom, come dad. My parents were a little resistant to the idea of ​​change... ...and I hope this somehow evokes a spark in their lives. I would like to toast to my parents... ...and to you for working hard all your lives... ...and never taking the time to do something for yourselves And that's why we wanted to do something for you... . ..as a thank you for always being there for us kids and we love you. you, so thank you Thank you mommy, I love that you're crying Give him more champagne, he won't be able to stop crying I don't need more You know guys, we love you a lot - We love you both, a lot - We love you guys, but above all we love our grandchildren - Well, me too - That's the truth.

Thanks to Houzz technology, I was able to achieve... ...an incredible

surprise

for my parents... ...because being able to do everything from my computer... ...while I am nine months pregnant, has made This whole experience... ...become much easier. You know, when you have your own family... ...and you come to another family... ...you always think that no other family will be as... ...connected, loving and attentive as your own family.. ...except for you. Guys, I couldn't ask for better in-laws, we are family And there is no distinction between Mila's family... ...and my family And now, I feel like we have a space... ...that's it. as worthy as the love that this space contains - So... - Thank you, thank you No matter how much we constantly argue, we love you anyway There is a lot more air and light in that room... ...and I think that will translate in all his life.

I think my brother and I, and all of our kids... ...are going to be there a lot more often... ...which is good or bad. I don't know, but I definitely think there will be a lot more Sunday dinners there.