Josh Gad’s Backyard Makeover for Delia Is Worth Melting for

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If you have little ones, you might recognize Josh Gad’s voice for his role as Olaf in the Disney movie Frozen, but this week, he’s making us melt over his studio renovation for a dear friend on Celebrity IOU. Delia is someone who means the world to Josh, not just because of their friendship over the years, but also because of her kindness and generosity to everyone she meets. They’ve known each other since they were 18 years old, and she’s like an aunt to Josh’s children. She’s always been selfless, and Josh wants to do something special for her and gift her a backyard studio that’s both functional and suited to her unique style.

“She never asks for more than she needs,” Josh says. “But she deserves more than she wants.”

Delia and Josh met in college—he was in the acting school, and she was in the design department. And though she got her start in traditional theater design, she does it all, from crafting clothes, to installations, painting, and more. Delia is actually the reason Josh met his wife, actress Ida Darvish—and likewise, Josh is the reason Delia met her husband, Jeff.

The past year was one of the most challenging years for Delia in her life. She suffered a brain aneurysm, and in her time at the hospital, had a miniature stroke. It was scary, not only for her, but for her husband, their two children, and all of her loved ones—Josh included. But she’s come out on the other side, and though she’s still recovering, she’s feeling stronger than ever. So, Josh wants to show her how loved she is by gifting her with a new design studio and backyard entertaining oasis, where she can feel inspired and comfortable.

Before & Afters

Creativity Meets Comfort

Delia wanted her studio to match her home’s Spanish Revival style, so Josh, Drew, and Jonathan decided to go with a tile that spoke to that design. Bringing in mauve and terracotta-colored tones helped ground the room and provide a beautiful backdrop to her workspace.

Organized and Functional

Along the walls, they replaced the old storage doors with more functional (and beautiful!) options that matched the rest of the room’s style and provided more organization. Drawers and cabinets line the walls all the way into the back corner, so Delia can make use of every inch of space. 

The Perfect Hosting Spot

Delia and Jeff love to host—between board game and book clubs, family barbecues, and parties for the kids, they make good use of their outdoor space. But prior to the reno, they didn’t have a very functional place to cook, or for guests to unwind and relax. So, they did some landscaping to better carve out their backard entertaining area. They even installed a new state-of-the-art outdoor kitchen complete with a pizza oven and grill, as well as a ton of room for prep.

Space to Relax

Finally, a place for guests to relax and gather in the backyard! Delia and Jeff now have a gorgeous fire pit, plenty of outdoor furniture to withstand the elements, and a beautiful pebbled floor that makes the space look chic and provide that cozy atmosphere they want. This way, they can have all their friends and family over to enjoy each other’s company in comfort.

Click here to see all of the items featured in this episode!

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