Michael Bublé Surprised His Grandpa’s Caretaker With a Renovation

Many artists credit some of their success to the love and support of at least one person. For Michael Bublé, that person was his grandfather, Demetrio. “My grandfather was my best friend growing up. He was my hero,” Michael said. As his grandfather became older, it was important that he receive the best possible care in his own home that he himself had built. That’s where Minette comes in. “I came from the Philippines working as a community health worker. Then I got hired by Michael’s family to look after grandma and grandpa at the same time,” Minette said. Minette cared for Michael’s grandparents for almost eight years and sent almost every dollar she made back home. By the end, it was safe to say that Minette had become one of grandpa Demetrio’s best friends and an honorary member of the Bublé family.

To Michael, renovating the home and giving it to Minette was an obvious way to honour his grandfather’s legacy and final wish of wanting to keep the house he built in the family. “Minette never does anything for herself, and I think my grandpa would be thrilled knowing we could maybe lessen her burden a little bit,” Michael said. While Minette was visiting family in the Philippines, Michael teamed up with the Property Brothers to renovate his grandfather’s home in Vancouver, Canada. Modern updates to the kitchen, living room and parlor left Minette speechless – especially when she learned it was all for her.

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Time was of the essence with less than four weeks to complete the renovation. A total newbie to demo and reno, Michael admitted that he once tried and failed to paint his house. “I know I look like I’m ready for it, but inside I’m just tender,” Michael joked as he, Jonathan and Drew prepared for demo.

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Michael’s grandparents’ house brought a new meaning to white on white. From the second you walked in, you were greeted with white tile in the entryway, white shag carpeting in the parlor, a white brick fireplace, white walls and the list of white goes on and on.

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To bring the staircase into 2019, Jonathan and Drew updated it with glass and a wrought iron railing. A black front door makes a bold statement and contrasts nicely with white walls. Most noticeable is the gorgeous oak slat wall – an idea Drew came up with in order to create separation between the entryway and parlour.

Between the carpet, fireplace and furniture, Michael’s grandma’s love for white was very apparent. “We were not really allowed to do much in this room. The couches were covered in plastic,” Michael said. He credited the design style partially to the fact that his grandparents were immigrants from Italy.

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By converting the parlour into a dining space, the Property Brothers were able to give this room purpose. Medium-toned oak floor replaced the shag carpeting; and the previous popcorn ceiling was smoothed out and covered. New windows and recessed lighting keep things bright, while a sleek new fireplace unit adds a touch of cozy.

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White floors, white cabinets, white walls: it should come as no surprise that the kitchen was as white as the parlour. Not only that, but the space was also quite small and hadn’t been updated in years.

The small kitchen allowed room for a dining table and chairs. “This was our hang space,” Michael said of the area. He could still remember sitting there and drinking coffee with his grandfather.

Although Michael was a little out of his comfort zone with demo, he eventually got the hang of things. “Smashing things is fun,” he said. His vision for Minette’s new kitchen was a more open space that was bright and “felt alive.”

By relocating the dining space to the front parlour, the Property Brothers were able to make room for more cabinetry and a huge island. Michael is Team White Kitchen, but in order to keep the space from feeling too sterile, Jonathan and Drew contrasted the creamy white cabinetry with an oak island and a black cabinet wall. Sintered stone countertops mimic marble and continue up the wall as the backsplash. Take a peek at these well-designed celebrity kitchens we want to have a meal in.

For the front parlour to make sense as the main dining space, the Property Brothers created an opening in the wall between it and the kitchen. To create continuity, they used the same medium-toned oak flooring throughout. This additional angle also shows off the island seating which nicely complements the black cabinet wall.

Like the rest of the house, the family room was white and in need of updating. Nothing like a mirrored wall to immediately make a room feel dated! Regardless, the renovation of this space was bittersweet for Michael. “The greatest moments of my life happened here,” he said. “We would sit cross-legged and [grandpa] would play me all of these great old songs and old records.”

Watch: A Friendly Bet, Jonathan and Drew Scott have some fun while moving a refrigerator.

Several updates were made to create a modern yet cozy space. For starters, the mirror wall had to go, as well as the trellis and arched exterior door. The same floors from the kitchen and dining room continue into this space and another new fireplace unit is sure to keep things toasty during Vancouver winters. Although you can’t see it in this photo, the Property Brothers had one of grandpa Demetrio’s favourite quotes lightly etched into the fireplace. It reads: “Today’s curse is tomorrow’s blessing.” We bet you’ll want to cozy up in these celebrity living rooms as well.

Although the original family room had its issues, one thing was undeniable: the views of Vancouver were absolutely gorgeous. On a clear day, these windows offered an overhead view of the city and its surrounding mountains. You can also take in the breathtaking views in these celebrity homes.

Michael and the Property Brothers had some fun putting the finishing touches on Minette’s new home. “I am the worst at what we’re doing right now,” Michael said, in reference to furnishing the space.

To modernize the space and really highlight the view, the Property Brothers replaced the previous windows with sleek black ones. This minimal grid pattern allows the view to go mostly uninterrupted. Not to mention, these windows will provide much better insulation than the previous ones. One of Michael’s favourite pieces in the room is the artwork hanging over the sofa and how its subtle nature doesn’t distract from the rest of the room.

Watch a video of the reveal of this modern transformation.

Michael and his sisters had told Minette that some minor renovations were being done to grandpa Demetrio’s house. When she and Michael stepped inside, Minette couldn’t believe her eyes – or the fact that the white brick fireplace was gone. When Michael revealed it was all for her, she was speechless. “I have no words right now,” Minette said. “It hasn’t sunk in yet. It’s beautiful.”