Wanda Sykes’s Surprise for Her Found Family, Amber

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Wanda Sykes is an icon in comedy, from her early days writing for The Chris Rock Show to now having her own specials, movies, and standups, she’s always making the world laugh. But this week on Celebrity IOU, Wanda Sykes wants to give back and help her chosen niece Amber by renovating her family’s home to make it more comfortable, functional, and organized.

“Amber and her whole family took care of me—especially at times where I needed a family,” says Wanda.

Wanda met Amber’s mother, Alyson, back in the late 90s. They were both working as writers for a late night show and immediately hit it off. Since then, they’ve seen each other through many of life’s biggest moments. Amber became a pillar in Wanda’s life, and Wanda a pillar in Amber’s.

“Wanda feels like a family that I was gifted,” Amber says. When Wanda married her wife, it gave Amber the courage to talk to her grandmother about falling in love with her now wife Brianna. She felt like she could finally be herself and have her own wife and children, just like Wanda did.

Amber, Brianna, and their two daughters moved into Amber’s grandmother’s home after her passing. They’ve loved raising their family there, but their layout is very dysfunctional, and it limits the way they interact. If their 1-year-old wakes up at night, Brianna and Amber have to go around the whole house in order to get to her. Between this and the leaking roof, it’s been very difficult to feel comfortable. That’s why Wanda is gifting them with a major remodel.

Before and Afters

A Safe and Secure Bedroom Oasis

After finding mold behind the walls of the primary bedroom, Wanda, Drew, and Jonathan realized they were doing much more than just making Amber’s home more functional and beautiful—they were also making it safer.

Thoughtful Bedroom Touches

The Bros and Wanda decided on special features, such as designing Amber and Brianna’s bedroom flooring in a herringbone pattern, to bring the space to life. They rearranged the layout to better accommodate the room’s natural flow, and included cozy pieces throughout.

A Pampered Bathroom

Amber has been dreaming of a big standalone soaking tub, and now she has her very own! Its striking contrast against the walk-in shower’s light-toned marble floors and porcelain walls makes the whole room feel more upscale. They also included a double vanity and plenty of storage for linens and bathroom products.

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

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