Home is a really safe place for me
It's warmth and comfort
It's a place that you can play around 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 clue of a different continent
let alone a different language, or people or diversity
And when I was seven, my parents moved us to Los Angeles
It was all very jarring and very shocking
But by the age of eight...
...boy, did I acclimate perfectly fine
When I was nine, my family moved into the condo...
...that my parents still live in
I graduated high school in that condo
I got my first dog...
...without my parents' permission in that condo
Everything as far as my career happened there
I have the greatest Mom on the planet
Never will I understand how she was able to raise...
...my brother and myself while working full time
My Mom was there every morning to take me to school
Somehow, magically, we had dinner on the table every night
My Dad's awesome
He is one of the most prideful men you'll ever meet
He would never ask for help
He would never ask for a handout
And when times got tough, he just worked.
Knowing how hard I work now for what I have...
...puts things in perspective for how much harder...
...my parents had to have worked...
...to have given my brother and I the life that we had
I would like to do this renovation for my parents...
...Mark and Elvira Kunis...
...because they've done so many things for my brother and I
And so I desperately want to give them something...
...that I think they deserve
You cannot get my parents out of that condo
They are never going to move
They love it
Their friends live on the same floor
I feel like they're the president of the condo
Like, everybody knows them there
So here's why the house doesn't really work
My family all descends upon the family room, kitchen, dining room area
and my Mom's always in the kitchen
And whoever's in the kitchen is always isolated from everybody else...
...because you're surrounded by these weird walls
Constantly people yelling back and forth like...
..."What'd you say?"
But you're in one room
It shouldn't be that hard to hear one another
Spatially speaking, the furniture doesn't equal out in size
And the house kind of looks like Miami Vice...
...circa 1994
Lots of leather couches
Green and pink walls which, you know...
...you wouldn't think belong in the same room...
...but according to my parents, they do
My parents know they're getting kicked out of the house
But they're not 100% sure what's going to happen
Thank God for Houzz
I'm still working full time, I'm very pregnant
And I know I personally, could never have done this by myself
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 incredible reviews...
...and I loved her style, everything about her...
...and I knew that she was right for this project
Breeze and I talked on the phone and it went very well
Now we're going to meet to discuss this project
- Hi - It's so nice 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 the space is it's so not cohesive
It's just very...
- It's very compartmentalized - Yes
You know, ideally I'd like a great room
Where you walk in and there's the family room...
...and the dining room and...
...I guess what you would call a kitchen
It looks like a giant closet to me
And she cooks all the time
- So it should be a chef's kitchen - Yes
And it's like my Dad has stuck her in the corner...
...and he was like "You just get this tiny corner in the living room"
And he gave himself two giant leather couches
And a television that's the size of the wall
So these are the things I'd like to change
Okay, so however we can achieve it we wan to open up the space...
- ...as much as possible - Yeah.
I'd love to take a look at some of your ideas.
An ideabook is a place where you can store all your ideas...
...for the house and products
You can share your ideabook with other people involved in the project
It really helps you collaborate with everyone that's working with you
I like this kitchen
And I think this may be similar in some ways...
to how the flow and the layout go...
...in that you have an L-shaped kitchen here
Then you have dining, opposite the window which is nice
What kind of storage is she most in need of?
I'd say, definitely pantry...
...like spices, dry goods, things like that
Everything she needs for all the yummy meals.
So we did the kitchen...
- Yes - Now the dining room's the problem
We have massive dinners, all the time
So I think the seating is really important
and the lighting is really important...
...and the chandelier that they have now is a little dated
The table is lacquered as it is
So I liked this because I thought that it was...
...maybe it might be a little too traditional?
For sure, but the chandelier really is striking...
...and I think it could belong in the space
That's a great idea because it's long
It's long, it's sculptural, it's transitional...
and I think we're going in that direction
But what's nice about Houzz is...
...you can actually click on the image and it leads you to the Houzz Shop
and lets you know if that item is available
So, it's as simple as this
- Add to cart - And you can check out now
And you can check out
Let's buy it
I love it, I'm so excited about this
What are you thinking for the table then?
It's a rustic farmhouse table...
...but with great extendable leaves on each side
Oh, I love that table
So this is an idea of the couches
I love this as a seating configuration
Yeah, I can see my Dad taking a lot of naps on that couch
Let's get it
Okay, oh good, look at us making progress
And if they keep their floors...
...maybe, maybe not
It cannot stay the way it is
The finish is very dated
The glossiness and the yellow need to go
Let's change their floors
I'm very proud of us
We talked a lot about blowing out all of the walls...
...and just making it one great room
One idea is keeping part of the entry wall
so you can preserve the feeling of enclosure and entry
But the idea is actually to leave three or four feet of wall...
...so you could have an entry mirror...
- A full wall? Like floor to ceiling? - Floor to ceiling
I don't know if I like this
I'm not against it...
...I trust you
So as far as things that should stay in the space...
...there are three paintings that are important to my parents
They brought them with them from Russia
The triptych paintings are like my Dad's pride and joy
They represent past, present, and future
And that to my Dad, represents our family
The paintings need to stay in this space because...
...I really want to make sure that the space represents them...
...and doesn't lose their touch
Okay, so just to reiterate...
...comfortable, comfortable and very family friendly
And as open as possible
- Okay - You can maybe have your three foot wall
But just keep it as open as possible
We'll do what we can
I am so excited and so relieved that you're doing this...
...and not me, you have no idea
I trust you
Don't mess this up
I know where to find you
Today, Breeze and I are meeting at my parents' condo...
...to finalize the plan
- Hey - Hi, nice to see you again
Welcome, welcome
So we covered a lot of territory in our last meeting...
...and maybe we should run through some of the things that came up...
Like this beautiful television?
Oh my gosh
Honestly, I'd like to consider mounting it to the wall
I think that's a solid plan
What do you think of...
- The couches? - These beautiful couches
The couches are going, I'm sorry to say
Although we talked about some of the things...
...that they'd like to stay in this space
- And I'd love to see them... - Okay
...in person
- So we like that painting - We like it
- Okay - For sure
This was an interpretation of Chernobyl, right?
Yes, exactly
It's one of my favourites
They love those.
- The triptych? - Yeah
And it has that sort of warm colour scheme...
...that we were talking about in the meeting
I don't love the framing of them
I feel like they're suffocated
Yeah, re-framing the art, for sure
- So the kitchen - Yeah
This I'm really excited about
This whole wall behind me is getting blown away
So although it is load-bearing, we're able to remove almost all of it...
...and just leave a small post at the end of the kitchen
- So excited, Breeze - I am too
Your parents are going to love it
Oh my God, not as much as I
Now that Breeze has seen the place, in person
and I've heard her ideas, it's time to get started
I have been wanting to knock down this wall for twenty years
Listen, I might be nine months pregnant...
...but if anyone is knocking down that wall, it's me
- Okay, ready? - Okay
I'm standing back
Yes
Listen, one hit was enough
This is really good letting a pregnant lady hit a wall
I'll let the professionals do the rest
It's been a couple of weeks since I've seen this...
...so I'm coming by today to meet with Breeze to talk about...
...where we are in the space and if they need my advice...
...because everybody needs my advice
But I would love to go over...
...design and floors, and accent pieces...
...and whatever else you can show me
How about we start with flooring?
I always like to look at floor on the floor
- I have a favourite of these two - Which one is it?
Well, how about we do this
This is option one, and that's option two
I'm going to say "one, two, three"...
...and then you tell me your favourite...
...and I'll tell you my favourite at the same time, ready?
- Okay - One, two, three
- One - Two
The one that Breeze chose was a little bit more my parents friendly
I am going to let her decide
There's a snapshot of...
...the soft greys that we were going to bring into the space
It's so pretty
Breeze and I both agreed we want a really clean-looking kitchen
So it was versions of white
And then today, she threw a little wrench in the plan...
...which is glass cabinets and open shelving
And... I love that idea
I think we did everything we need to, though
I'll get it rolling
- Let's get out - Okay
I think she just wants to, in a really great way...
...make my parents happy
I haven't been able to connect with Breeze in weeks...
...because I had a baby
I'm very excited but today we have a lot to get done at my parents' condo
The new floors are going in
The kitchen cabinets are being installed
And all the items that we've purchased on Houzz...
...are being delivered
So I'm going to reach out to Breeze...
...and see how the renovations are coming along
- Hi, Breeze - Hi
Congratulations on having your baby
Thanks, we created a human
How's it going over there?
We're actually making a lot of progress
Did you get the picture?
I did, and I loved it
With Houzz, you can virtually place products into your space
That way, you can preview them before you buy them
Just tap "View in My Room" under the product picture...
...and it automatically launches a camera
Isn't it cool to actually see the furniture in the space...
...before it's installed?
- No buyer's remorse - No, none
Thank you for sending it to me
The chandelier looks amazing
We just have a few weeks to go but I think we're right on track
Oh, I can't wait
Good luck with everything, I'll see you later
- Bye - Bye
I can't wait to see the reaction on my parents' faces
I hope they love it
I'm heading to my parents' condo...
...and am dragging my husband along...
...to do the heavy lifting
I'm very excited to show my parents the final project
Let's do this
- Hi - Breeze...
- Welcome - Oh my God
Congratulations, first of all
Thank you
- You've been busy producing - We produced
Your lighting is really, really pretty, I have to tell you
It's just so much brighter and open
This is 100% the vision that I think Breeze and I had
I think that she took whatever we did put together...
...and made it not only just come to life...
...but made it a million times better
In the design meeting, I really pushed to keep this wall...
...so that you that you didn't enter into the kitchen
And now seeing the space, do you agree?
Are you kidding? I think it’s great
- I think it’s fantastic - That looks a lot like me
I think it’s the best wall in the house, so I like it...
...naturally
Good job, babe, good job
Okay, we do have a lot to do
- Let’s go - Let’s get it done
- Let's start - It's time to work
It feels really good to do this
I got this, you got that
Yeah, bringing the might
It feels nice, because it also feels permanent
It’s not like a superficial gift, so I love it
I got it, there goes my back
I think that they deserve it
I hope that they grow in the space...
...and I hope that they love it as much as we do
- Can you put this over there? - Voila
Now we just have to populate it
That’s like designer code for “get the booze”
They absolutely deserve and need a fresh beginning
They’re nearly retired, they need a little “jeuge” in their life
Okay babe, I think we’re done
Now we’re done
Okay, now get out, both of you, get out
- But I was just going to sit down... - No, get out, don't dent the couch
I was just going to populate my hand with a…
- No, get out - Okay
I’m going to wait for them...
...and then I’ll bring you guys back in
- Go get 'em, babe - Thanks baby
- Bye guys - Bye
We’ve lived here for over twenty years
And we've been out of the house for six weeks
When you’re after a certain age...
...it’s not easy to move out and do the changes...
...and we didn’t know what to expect
I was scared, actually
I didn't want to go
What do you think?
Oh my gosh, what do I think? I don’t know
Do you like it?
Yes, I do
Come here, come and look
Aw Mommy, don't cry
You're like "Don't move my hair"
Seeing my parents' reaction to their condo for the first time...
...made everything worth it
All the stress, the timing...
Everything and anything became null and void when Mom started crying
So, what do you guys think of the space...
...we took all the walls down...
...so there's no more pantry, it's just one large space
- It's nice, right? - It's nice
Okay, so you're ready to go look at the kitchen?
- Yeah - You go first
- I really like it - Do you? Go ahead, go in
So now you actually have a kitchen
A big one
So we gave you tons of spice racks over here...
...and then I really wanted the glass here...
...because I thought that it would make it seem bigger
- Do you like it? - I love it
It's so pretty, right?
I didn't even know that you can make it bigger than I...
Come this way
So here's your new table
Because we have a growing family, you can take this...
...and it extends on both sides
It's easy
It's enough space for the six grand children here
- How many? - Six
Don't spread rumours, Dad
Don't start spreading rumours
Look, and your paintings, do you like the new frames?
I love it
We knew that these were really important to you guys...
...considering they've been hanging here my whole life
We love it, it looks beautiful
- I like the way it is now... - The frame?
It's nice because it has the same brass as the chandelier
Yes, it's matched
When we were looking at ideabooks on Houzz...
...we saw this and instantly I fell in love with it
- And then the couch, you can... - This is your Dad's couch
What do you think?
The couch is perfect
It's perfect
- It's so good - My kitchen, his couch
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 it
It's not much words to explain your happiness
It was really important to make sure that...
...there was still you in the space
It still looks like it's from... It looks like my stuff
I know, it's really great, yeah.
I would like for you to meet my little elves
Sit right here, I'll bring them out
Hold on
Breeze was an unbelievable human being to work with
This is Breeze, the designer, she did everything
- It is such a pleasure... - Thank you
…I feel like I know you a little bit
- Hey - How are you?
- You did a wonderful job - Thank you
Thumbs up, love it
I'm just really happy to be involved...
...with creating something beautiful for a beautiful family
Let's do a little toast, come on
Come Mom, come Dad
My parents were a little resistant to the idea of change...
...and I hope that this somehow evokes a spark in their life
I would like to make a toast to my parents...
...and to you guys for working hard your whole life...
...and never taking the time to do something for yourselves
And so we wanted to do something for you...
...as a thank you for always being there for us kids
And we love you, so thank you
Thank you
Mommy, I love that you're crying
Give her some more champagne, she won't be able to stop crying
I don't need more
You know guys, we love you very much
- We love you both, very much - We love you guys
But mostly we love our grandchildren
- Fine, me too - That's the truth
Through the technology of Houzz, I was able to pull off...
...and incredible surprise for my parents...
...because being able to do everything from my computer...
...while being nine months pregnant, it's made this entire experience...
...so much easier
You know, when you have your own family...
...and you come into another family...
...you always think that no other family will be as...
...connected and loving and caring as your own family...
...except for you guys
I couldn't ask for better inlaws, like, we're family
And there's no distinction between Mila's family...
...and my family
And now, I feel like we have a space...
...that is as befitting as the love that this space holds
- So... - Thank you, thank you
As much as we argue constantly, we love you anyway
There is just so much more air and light in that room...
...and I think that will translate into their whole life
I think that my brother and I, and all our kids...
...are going to be there way more often...
...which is either a good thing or a bad thing, I don't know
But I definitely think there's going to be a lot more Sunday dinners there.