Jay Leno Sets Out to Surprise First-Time Parents With a Much-Needed Home Remodel

Pivoting from comedy to home repairs, Jay Leno surprises his former intern and friend with an impressive bathroom and nursery renovation on HGTV's Celebrity IOU.

By: Emily Fazio

Show: Celebrity I.O.U.

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Photo By: Dennys Ilic

Photo By: DENNYS ILIC

Photo By: DENNYS ILIC

Photo By: DENNYS ILIC

Photo By: DENNYS ILIC

Photo By: DENNYS ILIC

Photo By: DENNYS ILIC

Photo By: DENNYS ILIC

Photo By: DENNYS ILIC

Photo By: DENNYS ILIC

Photo By: DENNYS ILIC

Photo By: DENNYS ILIC

Photo By: DENNYS ILIC

Photo By: DENNYS ILIC

Photo By: DENNYS ILIC

Jay Leno Repairs and Restores a 100-Year-Old House

Legendary comedian and entertainer Jay Leno brings a smile to everyone’s face on HGTV's Celebrity IOU. With the help of the Property Brothers Drew and Jonathan Scott, Jay surprised his former intern and close friend, David, with a life-changing home makeover for his newly purchased fixer-upper. David and his wife welcomed their firstborn — a son named William James — during the filming of this episode, making for a sentimental reveal.

SEE MORE: Celebrity I.O.U.

Jay Reveals the New Nursery

David and his wife, Margaret, recently purchased their first home, but major plumbing issues rendered the home unlivable. Jay surprised them not only by repairing the broken plumbing but remodeling the home’s only bathroom and designing a nursery for their new baby. “If you don’t leave any children on this earth, just leave something good for other people,” said Jay of his relationship with David. “I don’t have a son, but I think this is what it would be like,” he said with a smile.

SEE MORE: Glenn Close Creates a Backyard Oasis for a Fellow Mental Health Advocate on 'Celebrity IOU'

Before: The Guest Room

The entrance to the home’s only bathroom was through the guest room, but the couple hadn't dedicated many resources to the space, knowing it would eventually be converted into a nursery once plumbing repairs were complete.

After: The Nursery

With the help of Drew and Jonathan, Jay transformed the guest room into a sweet nursery complete with robust, built-in storage and all the necessary accessories for David and Margaret’s new baby. Refinished hardwood floors and a soft area rug complement the wooden bassinet and delicate mobile. A floor-to-ceiling blackout curtain promises easy daytime naps, while a yellow giraffe, handpicked by Drew and his wife Linda, adds character.

SEE MORE: Heidi Klum Transforms Her Housekeeper's Home Into a Chic Space Suitable For a Multi-Generational Family

From: Jonathan Scott and Drew Scott

Before: The Guest Room

Previous drywall damage had been repaired but not repainted.

After: The Nursery

Injuries from a motorcycle accident didn’t stop Jay from installing applied moldings to elevate the space. Painted green, the moldings keep the nursery from feeling too babyish and will grow with baby William. Stylish built-ins add functionality.

SEE MORE: Kristin Chenoweth Gifts Her Close Friends and Property Managers With a Home Makeover

From: Jonathan Scott and Drew Scott

After: The Nursery

A thoughtfully selected bassinet with rollers allows David and Margaret to relocate the crib into other rooms of the home. It also expands into a full-size crib. The white rocking chair offers a comfortable and cozy spot to rest. On the wall, a peel-and-stick wallpaper mural delivers a calming, nature-filled scene.

SEE MORE: Kate Hudson Transforms an Overgrown Landscape Into a French-Inspired Retreat

From: Jonathan Scott and Drew Scott

After: The Nursery

Custom built-ins in the nursery offer a dedicated changing station and lots of storage. With all their essentials in one place, David and Margaret are set up for organized success.

SEE MORE: Leslie Jordan Transforms His Friends’ Home Into a Southwestern-Inspired Retreat

From: Jonathan Scott and Drew Scott

Before: The Bathroom

The home’s only bathroom was situated between two bedrooms with no hallway access. The windows in the main bath were drafty and the layout lacked functionality. Moreover, the plumbing for the sink, toilet and shower needed to be replaced.

After: The Bathroom

Gray and white marble tiles laid in a sophisticated checkerboard pattern ground the new bathroom. The design team got creative and turned a vintage dresser into an elegant vanity. A large round mirror adds functionality while complementing the black-framed glass shower doors. A hallway entrance now separates the space from the adjacent bedrooms.

SEE MORE: Lisa Kudrow Surprises Her Cousin with a Chic, Pet-Friendly Condo Remodel

From: Jonathan Scott and Drew Scott

After: The Bathroom

Jay and the designers upcycled a vintage wooden dresser to create David and Margaret’s bathroom vanity. A durable marble countertop, integrated sink, brushed gold fixtures and practical ledge elevate the original piece of furniture — perfect for these antique-loving homeowners.

SEE MORE: Tiffany Haddish Transforms Her BFF's Dated House Into a Dream Home

From: Jonathan Scott and Drew Scott

Before: The Bathroom

Hunter green-and-black tile encased the shower and flanked the walls and floors. Jay wanted to retain some of the old tile's appeal, but make it more sophisticated.

After: The Bathroom

Thanks to the new bathroom entrance, the renovated shower and bathtub takes up a much larger footprint than before. The team also installed a weather-rated window above the tub and marble wainscoting on the walls. Hand-glazed subway tiles extend all the way to the ceiling. Outside of the shower, the bros incorporated storage for towels and accessories.

SEE MORE: Idina Menzel Transforms a Detached Garage Into an Office and Athletic Retreat

From: Jonathan Scott and Drew Scott

After: The Bathroom

The new bathroom includes a freestanding bathtub inside the shower, which is not only practical for a family with young children, but delivers a timeless spa-like feel.

SEE MORE: Snoop Dogg Surprises His Business Partner With an At-Home Office and Entertaining Space

From: Jonathan Scott and Drew Scott

After: The Bathroom

Nestled in the shower, the bathtub offers baby-proof durability with a built-in splash zone, while a weathered wood table beside it accommodates decor (or, possibly in the future, bath toys).

SEE MORE: Darren Criss Gifts Best Friend and Manager a One-of-a-Kind Renovation in HGTV's 'Celebrity IOU'

From: Jonathan Scott and Drew Scott

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