Shelly-Ann and Umilta Go All-In to Create a Dream Family Home

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Shelly-Ann and her mother, Umilta, are very close. The whole family gets together every Sunday to play cards, cook, and spend quality time with the kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. At the heart of the family is their matriarch, Umilta. Right now, Shelly-Ann and her mother live next door to each other, but they’re hoping to move even closer—combining their resources to buy a large family home that they can reside in together. “At this point, she is getting older, and even though she’s just next door, it makes more sense for us to kind of be together so that I could really watch over her,” Shelly-Ann says. “Because I really just want to give back to her.”

“I grew up with my grandmother in Trinidad,” Umilta says. She came to the US to work and send money back to her family, and eventually moved all three of her children here when she was able. “She always said that all she had was love for her children, and that’s all she ever gave us,” Shelly-Ann says. Now, she wants to show her mother her love and gratitude, and help her through the next chapter.

They’ve looked at about 20 houses so far, but it’s been hard to find that just-right property for both of them. They want a place with enough room to support their weekly family time, but also enough separation to make it feel like they each have their own space. Finding that balance in their neighborhood will be a bit of a challenge, but one Drew and Jonathan are ready and willing to tackle.

After showing Shelly-Ann and Umilta three properties, the mother-daughter duo decide to go with the one that’s more toward the top of their $1.6M budget, but offers everything they’re hoping for: separate spaces, enough room for hosting, and a great framework for their daily family life. They aren’t able to renovate it top-to-bottom, but they are able to get to work on the parts that matter most when it comes to entertaining: the kitchen, dining room, living room, den, and bar. The Bros got to work, and even called on their own mom Joanne for help deciding on some details! Look ahead to see how they were able to create a multi-generational family home for Shelly-Ann and Umilta this week on Property Brothers: Under Pressure.

Before & Afters

Giving the Kitchen a Facelift

Drew and Jonathan called on the help of their own mother Joanne to help Umilta decide on fun organization ideas for the kitchen. Since the Bros finished renovations on their parents’ new Los Angeles house, they thought it’d be a great opportunity for Joanne to give her advice to another mother going through a similar journey.

Joanne helped Umilta decide on some super helpful kitchen organization features for inside cabinets and drawers to make maneuvering the space easier, since Umilta likes to have the kitchen all to herself (just like Joanne!).

Contemporary Dining

Bringing a similar vibe into the dining area, the Bros went with an area rug that spoke to the bold colors Umilta and Shelly-Ann love so much, but kept the seating neutral as to not overpower the space. 

Bright and Modern Living Space

The group went with a lighter-toned luxury vinyl floor to save cash and help level the floors where it needed work. Additional lighting overhead and soft, cozy fabrics made the space look and feel like a spot where they can enjoy company and relax. 

Updated Den

They decided to brighten up the den by painting the walls and beams, carring that luxury vinyl flooring into the room as well. Shelly-Ann and Umilta wanted to go bold in their fabric choices, and went with a dark blue sofa and cool sage chair to bring in some contrast.

A Bar Worth Celebrating In

Drew and Jonathan brought the dated bar area into the present with a fresh coat of paint and modern furniture that keeps everything looking sleek. They repositioned the cabinetry along the wall so there’s easier flow to the card table, and added plenty of storage to stay ready for entertaining at a moment’s notice.

A Surprise From the Bros

Drew and Jonathan really wanted to do something to surprise Umilta, so they decided to gift her with a new bedroom straight from the Bros’ own resources. Together with Shelly-Ann, they decided on colors, textures, and patterns Umilta would want in her retreat. When Umilta walked in, she was so happy—finally, a serene space she can call her own.

PBUP 105: Shelly-Ann and Umilta

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