Watch Jonathan Transform Zooey’s Film Teacher’s Cramped Apartment
This site contains affiliate links to products. We may receive commission for purchases made through these links. Price at time of publish date may change.
“I know everybody has that one teacher who really transformed their lives,” Jonathan says. That’s who Jim, a beloved film teacher in Los Angeles, is to Zooey. He’s currently 81 years old, and originally Jonathan stopped by to help set up an air conditioning unit for Jim so he could be more comfortable in his home, especially during the California summers. However, when he was at Jim’s place, Jonathan could tell that he was not in an ideal living situation. There were piles of books, DVDs, and boxes that were taking over every inch of space. “I thought maybe we could do a little bit more, and as I was talking about this with Zooey, I got a text from Jim. It was hard to read,” Jonathan says.
“Jonathan, I have a huge favor to ask and I hope you understand my problem. My apartment is where I used to host Sunday screenings for friends and students, and the LA Times even did a front-page article on me and my life as a teacher. And given that my books and DVDs are such a big part of my life and have been for so many years, it’s very difficult to get rid of them. I do need to find a way to go through the books and DVDs so I can find out what I can get rid of and what remains precious to me. Many of these are out of print. More than anything, I just want my apartment to be my own Parisian Cinématique, so I can share my movies with friends and not be embarrassed to have anyone over. I’m asking for your indulgence for a week. A little help to pare things down would be great,” Jim texted. So, Jonathan jumped in with a team to get Jim his home back.
Starting Small
Jim has made such an impact on the people in his life. He’s hosted film showings at his apartment for former students, friends, and loved ones, and he’s always enjoyed sharing the joy of movies and literature. Over the years, though, his great collection of DVDs, books, and other arts has grown and the boxes have taken over. He’s struggled to keep it in order, and like a snowball, it’s turned into a space he can no longer host at—there’s simply no room. When there’s boxes upon boxes of items to sort through, it’s best to start small. So, the team got to work categorizing Jim’s collection, and boxing them up so they could get to work on the space beneath the stuff.
Editing It Down
After items were categorized and taken out of the space, they were able to get to work editing down each category. They made keep and donate piles for clothes, and took their time going through all of the items with Jim so it wasn’t overwhelming. From there, they took note of any pain points in the apartment. He needed more shelving for his media collection, for example, and better furniture that fit his home and lifestyle. They helped solve these issues with a cozy new sectional, multifunctional appliances, and they cleaned the apartment top-to-bottom so it was easier for Jim to start fresh.
A Brand-New Life
It wasn’t just organizing and cleaning that the crew helped with—they also built Jim new shelving, upgraded his sound system and organized his cords and TV wires, helped him parse down his kitchen supplies, set him up with new furniture, and more. When they walked through the apartment, Jim was shocked (and so were we!). They were able to give Jim the gift of a new chapter—one where film showings and game nights are abundant, and everyday life feels calmer.
“I was living in a hovel, and all of a sudden, it’s a palace,” Jim says. “A new life is what this feels like.”
Shop Shelving and Organization
Jonathan’s Newest Project Revealed: Renovating an LA Apartment Building
It’s like a whole new place.
Read More
Bree Pulver
Bree is the Senior Digital Editor at DrewandJonathan.com. In the past, she’s worked for publications focused on home improvement and sustainable living. Bree’s Pinterest board is filled with cozy textures; vintage patterns; sculptural furniture; and moody, warm-toned colors. She has a degree concentrated in the intersection of writing and architecture, which influences her passion for exploring creative solutions to unusual home layouts and stylish renter-friendly decor. She’s a self-proclaimed pro at finding the best antique furniture in the most unlikely of places (but her cat Blue can certainly back these claims).
⚖️ How We Choose What to Recommend
