Before and After: Zooey Deschanel Transformed Her Best Friend’s Cramped Home Into a Spacious Hangout

“Celebrity IOU” premiered on HGTV earlier this year with hosts Jonathan and Drew Scott, who granted viewers access into the personal lives of celebrities through renovations they completed for loved ones. Now back for season two, the premiere episode features a celebrity who Jonathan Scott himself holds near and dear to his heart—actress and girlfriend Zooey Deschanel.

Deschanel surprised her best friend of 35 years, Sarah, with the news that she and the Property Brothers were going to give her home a needed revamp. Sarah had just given birth to her second child, and the 900-square-foot home was feeling smaller by the second. Knowing Sarah’s love for cooking and entertaining, Zooey knew that a ground floor renovation was what her home needed.

Sarah’s dining room, living room, and kitchen were all isolated from one another and felt equally as small, so first thing was first: knock down the walls to create an open layout. Once the deed was done—thanks to Deschanel and the Property Brothers demoing skills—they had a clean slate to work with.

When reinventing the kitchen space, the team decided to install a large island for cooking and entertainment purposes. Prior to the renovation, the kitchen lacked functionality, so that combined with a new style was the name of the makeover game.

Deschanel and the Scott brothers decided to paint all the walls white and install gray cabinetry to bring warmth and light into the space. A marble backsplash that flowed right into the countertops added texture to the clean-cut room, and the final touch was a modernized gold chandelier custom-made just for Sarah.

The original dining room lacked space and personality. Deschanel decided to build a dining banquette for the family to enjoy their meals together, which ended up being both space-saving and a design moment.

The finished product speaks for itself. Lightwood furniture combined with pops of earthy color via the throw pillows resulted in a welcoming nook for family time. Plus, another personalized gold chandelier was installed above the dining table, because the more the merrier.

For the full renovation and Sarah’s priceless reaction (because that’s half the fun), watch the episode on HGTV. Check your local listings for air times.

Celebrity IOU airs Mondays at 9/8 central on HGTV.