John C. Reilly Embraces Funky With a Unique Cabin Preservation Project

With the help of the Property Brothers, John C. Reilly completely restores his friend Johnny's 100-year-old cabin into a chic, 5-star personal retreat and entertaining space. Aptly named Funky Junk Farms, the space takes on vintage charm and unique flair during season 3 of Celebrity IOU.

May 24, 2022

By: Emily Fazio

Show: Celebrity I.O.U.

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Photo By: Dennys Ilic

Photo By: Erik Voake / Getty Images

Photo By: Dennys Ilic

Photo By: Dennys Ilic

Photo By: Erik Voake / Getty Images

Photo By: Dennys Ilic, Dennys Ilic, Dennys Ilic

Photo By: Erik Voake / Getty Images

Photo By: Dennys Ilic, Dennys Ilic, Dennys Ilic

Photo By: Erik Voake / Getty Images

Photo By: Dennys Ilic, Dennys Ilic, Dennys Ilic

Photo By: Erik Voake / Getty Images

Photo By: Dennys Ilic, Dennys Ilic, Dennys Ilic

Photo By: Erik Voake / Getty Images

Photo By: Erik Voake / Getty Images

Photo By: Dennys Ilic, Dennys Ilic, Dennys Ilic

Giving Back to a Special Friend and Mentor

John C. Reilly and Johnny have a friendship that goes beyond their Hollywood connections. The BFFs met 20 years ago when John was looking for a vintage trailer. Instantly, they bonded like family. They share many interests, including a love for repurposed and reused items. “We love all the same things. All we do is laugh when we work together,” says Johnny. John’s quick to credit what makes his friend so special, too. “Everyone in town knows Johnny because he’s the first to help out when needed," said John, recounting an instance when Johnny mentored a friend’s nephew. “This kid needed someone. [Johnny] gave the kid’s life value and now that kid is graduating from Stanford Law. Johnny lives in a place of gratitude, and he’s the perfect person for this.” To give back, he partnered with Property Brothers Drew and Jonathan Scott to transform a 100-year old cabin on Johnny's property into a functional space.

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The Cabin Exterior, Before

Johnny’s cabin was originally used as a fish farm in the 1920s. Before the renovation, the log veneer was weathered and many of the boards needed to be replaced to repair the structure and seal out pests. The existing logo painted on the side held special memories for Johnny, but the team concocted a plan that would honor those memories and restore the cabin to last another hundred years (or more!).

John Gives Funky Junk Farms Some Flair

It’s been 30 years since Johnny’s friend originally painted the Funky Junk Farms logo on the side of his cabin, and since then it's faded. To honor the original logo, the bros arranged a special collaboration for new artwork.

The Cabin Exterior, After

A new sign by the original logo artist hangs proudly on the wall of the cabin. The log veneer walls were patched to repair damage. The entire exterior received a protective paint layer so that the walls looked consistent and would hold up better to the elements over time. The gray walls and blue door intentionally match the colors of Johnny’s main home so the entire property looks and feels cohesive. Above the door, John and the designers repurposed a car part to serve as an awning.

The Interior, Before

This cabin used to house aquariums owned by a fish farm. “It has a lot of history,” says John. “It’s worthy of preservation.” But as with many 100-year-old remodels, there were some pitfalls. The roofing was one of the biggest repairs the team faced.

The Interior, After

The bros reframed the entire cabin floor-to-ceiling, replacing broken trusses and eliminating the need for extra support posts. They also enhanced the walls with spray foam insulation. Wood veneer panels give the structure an authentic wood cabin ambiance. A kitchenette customized with accessories from Johnny's own collection delivers a modern yet familiar feel.

From: Drew Scott and Jonathan Scott

The Sitting Area, Before

Johnny’s wife has an extensive vintage clothing collection, but it wasn’t ideal to have it stored in the cabin. The team imagined how the cabin would be if it was restored into a multi-purpose space. The family could always use it for storage, but with a lounge and kitchenette, it would provide extra space for living, working and entertaining.

The Sitting Area, After

White-painted log cabin walls and black ceiling trusses act as the perfect rustic canvas for Johnny’s collectibles and eccentric furnishings. A soft leather sectional sofa and vintage-inspired blue velvet chairs offer guests the perfect lounge. Industrial accents tie into Johnny’s funky junkyard vibe, while a vintage rug adds charm. The bros also framed printed photographs of the property to accessorize the new sitting area.

From: Drew Scott and Jonathan Scott

The Sitting Area, Before

The old, unfinished cabin needed both structural improvements and aesthetic enhancements. Exposed insulation needed to be replaced, and while the concrete footing was in good condition, the team saw potential in how polished it could look with a little refinishing. Their vision transformed this nearly condemned cabin into a funky, one-of-a-kind retreat.

The Sitting Area, After

John told Drew and Jonathan how important it was that the cabin be a bright and welcoming space. Old windows were replaced with new energy-efficient glass, and the walls were painted white to help bounce natural daylight. Beautifully contoured furnishings harmonize with the log cabin veneer walls. The concrete slab footing was painted with a protective layer to withstand foot traffic for years to come.

From: Drew Scott and Jonathan Scott

The Kitchenette, Before

John considered carefully how Johnny, his family and any visitors would use the space for entertaining. The team decided creating a functioning kitchen would add value. They planned to incorporate modern appliances while still retaining the vintage-inspired design.

The Kitchenette, After

A vintage, rustic kitchenette transforms the functionality of the cabin. Plumbing was installed to accommodate a large copper sink. Industrial open shelving over the blue painted paneling houses glassware and sentimental accessories sourced from Johnny’s collections on the property. A refrigerator offers a vintage contrast to the new peninsula countertop. “We wanted to blend all of his different vintage flavors,” said John. “We did it.”

From: Drew Scott and Jonathan Scott

The Bathroom, Before

The original 1920s cabin was never outfitted with bathrooms, so updating the space for modern-day use was major. To do this, they planned to retrofit new plumbing for a sink and toilet.

Transforming an Old Cabin With Modern Plumbing

Ask John what his favorite part of demo the was, and he’ll say it was running a concrete saw during the plumbing installation. Trenching through the yard and into the cabin to extend plumbing wasn't easy, but this design team was up to the challenge.

The Bathroom, After

The new bathroom makes it easier for Johnny to host events and guests in the cabin. John and the designers selected a large vintage-inspired sink for the new bathroom. Gold fixtures and accents make a statement in the small room. They also installed handmade glazed tiles for a vintage, rustic appeal. A pendant restored from Johnny’s collection is painted blue and lights the mirror. A framed photograph of a colorful object in the junk yard adds personality to the space.

From: Drew Scott and Jonathan Scott

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