Lisa Kudrow Surprises Her Cousin with a Chic, Pet-Friendly Condo Remodel

Lisa Kudrow’s cousin, Thea, was overdue for some good news. After both of Thea's parents passed away suddenly, Lisa wanted to make sure Thea knew she was loved. Renovating her outdated condo was the perfect gift. “Thea has spent the last few years navigating loss," said Lisa. "She needs a soft place to land. She loves her home. It has so much light, but it needs some updates." Thea channeled her grief in meaningful ways. Namely by caring for abused shelter pets. "She’ll want her home to be pet-friendly,” Lisa added. “She needs a functional space that’s safe and comfortable for the pets she loves.” Together, with Property Brothers Drew and Jonathan Scott, Lisa sets out to remodel her cousin’s living room, dining room and outdoor patio.

Well-curated collections adorned the condo, reinforcing how meaningful art and culture and vintage aesthetics are to Thea. The design team sought to retain her eclectic taste while adding modern style and function. The team took no shortcuts making the space pet-friendly while also tying in unique memorabilia.

The flooring in Thea's condo was uneven and outdated, and Lisa knew Thea wouldn’t be sad to see it go. By removing the floor tile and the tile surrounding the fireplace hearth, the designers and Lisa were able to update the finishes in the home with modern, pet-friendly alternatives.

The bros incorporated the most sentimental art pieces into the redesigned living room, including sheet music signed by Thea’s dad, the former conductor of the Oakland Symphonic Orchestra. The updated fireplace features a smaller hearth and a roman clay finish. A new mantle is installed over the fireplace. Luxury vinyl flooring (perfect for pets) replaces the dated tile throughout the living room.

Thea’s gallery wall was well-curated, but in an effort to make sure she had enough storage in her home, the designers considered how they could make better use of the space. Lisa expressed interest in adding more closet storage for Thea’s vintage clothing collection, so the design team devised a plan that would not disappoint.

Thea’s updated living room is equal parts stylish and functional. The bros turned the storage unit into a closet and outfitted it with custom, ornate doors to match Thea's eclectic aesthetic. Maple wood floating shelves adorn the wall, but with a clever twist: the shelves double as a cat tower. The designers removed the window treatments to allow even more daylight to flood the home.

Though the kitchen had been recently remodeled and modernized, the entertaining and dining areas were still cramped and closed-off. Lisa wanted to enhance Thea’s entertaining potential by removing the short wall that divided the main living area. Concerned about losing storage, she challenged Drew and Jonathan to come up with a plan to make better use of the space.

Thea’s new open-concept living space makes the room feel infinitely larger. New, luxury vinyl flooring adds durability for her pets. Recessed lights promise to brighten, while a new dining table and chairs offer a chic place for Thea to entertain. To make it all even more functional and aesthetically pleasing, the designers built a walk-in pantry around a load-bearing beam in the kitchen.

Lisa knew how much Thea loved her home, but she sought to make updates in a way that would take her eclectic style to the next level.

Thea's new living room is a real vibe. Custom-made furniture with performance fabric offers high-end style with state-of-the-art protection against fur, dirty paws and the occasional accident. The new space remains bright and airy thanks to new doors that extend onto the patio. Adorned with neutral tones, modern artwork and long, ivory curtains, this stylish space is both modern and sophisticated.

Thea’s former patio wasn’t particularly welcoming for humans or pets. The sun-scorched surface was badly damaged. The membrane on the patio floor and around the original sliding door made the condo susceptible to water issues. The accessories and furnishings outdoors didn’t marry with Thea’s eclectic aesthetic. To enhance its appeal, Drew and Jonathan presented a plan to redesign the space into an area that would be lovely, comfortable and, most of all, safe for Thea’s elderly dogs.

The redesigned patio incorporates chic seating, potted plants and permanent shade features. A seamless concrete patio re-levels the floor and helps to grade the condo for better drainage. Under the new sliding door, a sill guarantees to eliminate indoor water damage. A stylish pergola, privacy wall and built-in bench gives Thea and her guests a shady place to sit under the mid-day sun.

Peeling paint on the floor and dated furnishings made Thea’s existing patio less than appealing when it came to relaxing or hosting guests, but Drew and Jonathan had a vision to transform the space into a chic, pet-friendly extension of the home.

New furnishings make the patio welcoming for all, especially dogs! The design team included a massive turf-covered dog run. Beneath the turf, a functional pee pad with self-rinsing capabilities provides Thea’s dogs with a clean, safe environment to do their business.

“It’s such a blessing to share this part of life together,” said Thea as Lisa presented her with the renovated condo. “It’s like Christmas morning, times a million, times a billion, times a trillion.” Drew, Jonathan and Lisa walked Thea throughout her new living room, dining room and patio space to showcase the new features and furnishings integrated throughout the home.