Shop Houzz
A Mother’s Day Makeover From Ashton, With Love
Designer Catherine Renae Thomas was in for an exciting challenge when she was hired by Ashton Kutcher to do a surprise makeover of his mom’s family basement. She blended the Iowa family’s beloved Western, antiques and sports decor to transform a dark basement into a light and inviting space. See the video, then get the look with this special collection from the Houzz Shop.
Get the look with worn woods, pale neutrals and eclectic Western accessories
“Plumage” Canvas Art
$161
Lighten Up With Pale Furniture and Decor
The old basement was dark and dreary, so Catherine, of CRT Design Company in Des Moines, knew she needed to lighten it up. A natural linen sofa, a taupe tug, creamy ottomans and pale pillows — plus a coat of paint — did the trick. She accented the room with rustic touches like a reclaimed-wood table, a hammered-metal lamp and a rope mirror. Creating a gallery wall made a place for stashing all of Mom’s antiques, like glass insulators and canning jars, and vintage ceramics. Other pieces were moved off the floor and framed or displayed on various consoles and side tables. The bar stools and the backless sofa help the room feel airier too. “We did a chaise sofa instead of a whole sectional with a back,” Catherine says. “That keeps it more open, and you can sit facing the TV or the bar.”
Throw, Macadamia
$115
Modern Bunkhouse Bedroom Decor
Ashton’s mom, Diane, and her husband have lots of grandkids, so Ashton wanted to maximize space in the guest bedroom. The showpiece is a chevron headboard custom made from reclaimed wood by Urban Evolutions in Appleton, Wisconsin. The designer added nightstands and a console with a similar worn-in feel, and brought in rustic charm with details like lanterns, vintage horse illustrations, a barn door and a graphic barn pillow. The textured, neutral linens are easy to mix and match, and help make the space feel comfy, casual and open.
Ranch Barn Door, Distressed
$1,129
Earthy Details Create a Rustic Bath
Catherine carried the rustic transitional look into the guest bath with a weathered wood vanity and a river-stone backsplash in pale colors. All the fixtures have a Venetian bronze finish, which is deep and chocolatey, similar to the popular oil-rubbed bronze. The look is softened with details like the feather art, tribal-patterned rug and playful horse-printed hand towels.
Finishing Touches
Catherine used an extra nook off a hallway to create a changing area to help free up the bathroom. She added canvas totes and plenty of hooks to make it super functional. A patterned rug and a modern feather art piece create a focal point at the end of the hallway.
“Plumage” Canvas Art
$336
What an amazing transition, I love it. Also, what a demonstration of love, family values and cherishing those who are the true spirit of our lives. Ashton, you are the epitome of the son every mother wishes for. Not because of the awesome redecorating but because of the heart felt love you showed to your Mom that will echo thru her life forever. This has touched my heart and inspired me to look at Houzz for my next home project. Thanks for sharing.
I love watching the planning stages and final reveal. Fun to see where you, Ashton came from. Average American boy!
Ashton heart is surely home grown and it clearly was nourished by such amazing mother an a wonderful stepfather!