Before and After: Brad Pitt Turned His Makeup Artist’s Storage Shed Into a High-Tech Tiny House

updated Apr 14, 2020
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Credit: HGTV

There are endless ways to show gratitude to someone who’s made a difference in your life. But Brad Pitt knew exactly what he wanted to do for longtime friend and makeup artist Jean Black—transform her backyard storage unit into a tiny house for work and play.

On the new HGTV show “Celebrity IOU,” Jonathan and Drew Scott agreed to help the actor transform Black’s old guesthouse in Santa Monica into a one-bedroom, one-bathroom bungalow in three weeks. Since they wanted to squeeze a lot of functionality into a small amount of space, the Property Brothers came up with small-space solutions that had high functionality while feeling spacious and stylish. 

Credit: HGTV
Credit: HGTV

There was no doubt that the building—which Black primarily used as storage for makeup and wigs—needed a lot of work. After removing all the plastic storage bins and metal shelves, the Scott brothers knocked down the back wall that allowed them to expand it to 400 square feet, which ultimately helped make room for all their high-tech furnishing ideas. 

The first big purchase was a Murphy bed sofa, which Jonathan described as having “seating, bed space, style, function—something clever but something that looks great.” It was installed into the back wall and transformed the space into a hangout that also functioned as a guesthouse when needed. 

Credit: HGTV

Built-in bookcases created storage while taking up no additional space, and the one on the left had a big secret. When you pull down on the book perched on the upper-right shelf, it swung open to reveal a hidden room that served as home for the bins of makeup and wigs. Speaking of hidden, the Scott brothers also installed a remote-controlled vanity mirror that popped up in the middle of the large kitchen peninsula for when Black’s clients came over.

A narrow fridge with a wooden finish was installed in the corner of the room, blending in with the rest of the wood details—from the hightop chairs to the paneled floors. The brand new bathroom was located behind the TV wall, complete with a large glass shower. The skylight and collapsable windows and doors let natural light pour into the space, creating a connection between the indoor style and outdoor landscaping.

Credit: HGTV
Credit: HGTV

Speaking of the outdoors, the Scott brothers built a new patio where Black could sit and enjoy the year-round good weather in Santa Monica. Two bar stools faced a small ledge and collapsable window in the front, and around the corner was a larger setup with two chairs and a small table for the ultimate lounging.

“I love her with all my heart and to be able to do this for her is a dream because it’s a dream for her, something she’s always wanted to do for 10 years,” Pitt said. “It wasn’t going to happen unless the Brothers came here and got the thing done.”

Tune in Mondays at 9 p.m. EST on HGTV for upcoming episodes of ”Celebrity IOU.”