Celebrity IOU: Patricia Arquette helps longtime family friend Liz with full kitchen and laundry room makeover

Patricia Arquette helped her longtime good friend Liz get a life-changing home makeover during Sunday’s season premiere of Celebrity IOU on HGTV.

“It’s really a dream come true to be able to give back to her and honor her wishes about how she wants to live her life,” said Patricia, 56. “To make it as easy and beautiful as possible for her.”

The Oscar-winning actress helped create a more age-appropriate living environment for her special longtime family friend. She said Liz stepped in and became a surrogate mother for her children after her own mother died of cancer.

“That was so beautiful because I really missed my mother and the wisdom and love that those grandparents give,” Patricia said.

Patricia said Liz was an independent and giving woman who wanted to be a parent and she wanted to help her. She told Jonathan and Drew Scott that Liz loves to cook and thought the kitchen wasn’t really working for her.

Patricia showed how drawers in Liz’s kitchen simply fell off. She said it would be great if things were lower and more on Liz’s level.

“I feel like in our culture we don’t really celebrate our elders,” Patricia said. ‘We don’t make safe places for them. I think this is just a nicer way to give her some convenience.”

The Property Brothers planned a complete renovation of the kitchen and laundry room. Patricia said Liz was staying with friends for three weeks and didn’t know what they were doing.

Patricia took a sledgehammer and started destroying the cabinets and countertops in the kitchen.

“I like demo,” Patricia said. ‘I’ve done a demo before. I think it’s a very good way to get rid of aggression.’

Jonathan said he noticed her electrical panel was completely out of order and Drew said there was an ant infestation in the cabinets.

They called in an exterminator and an electrician for the panel and wiring.

Patricia helped them select tiles and other color samples for the kitchen. She suggested earthy colors because it was close to Liz’s personality.

“I feel like you really captured Liz here,” Patricia said.

Patricia helped Drew with the millwork for the house.

“I like to make things myself,” Patricia said. ‘It is obviously easier to just buy things from the store. But those little details, I think, make it so much more personal.”

The brothers lowered the height of the cabinets to make them more functional for Liz. They also painted the cabinets burgundy red to give the kitchen a special touch. They told her they would also install floating shelves in the kitchen and use them to showcase craft pieces. Drew contacted a local artist to create something specific just for Liz.

Patricial helped them furnish and put the finishing touches to the kitchen and TV corner.

“Honestly, the space just blew my mind,” Patricia said. ‘To do this in three weeks is mind-boggling. For all of us, who are really very independent people, it means a lot to us that we can live at home for as long as possible.’

Patricia said she felt this was also a gift from her mother.

“My mother didn’t live to be as old as Liz, you know, and if she had, I would want her life to be as easy as possible,” Patricia said.

Patricial thought Liz would be completely blown away when she saw the transformation.

“Oh my God, Patricia,” Liz said when she saw the room. ‘It’s beautiful!’

Liz loved all the things they did for her to make her life easier. Patricia showed her the new spice drawer.

“That’s great,” Liz said. “I love my closets.”

Drew showed her how the laundry room was functional for her.

“It’ll help me a lot,” Liz said. ‘It’s unbelievable.’

Jonathan told her that they had also solved her electrical problems. Jonathan pointed to the custom plates they had made for her.

“I can do a lot more with this kitchen than I could have done otherwise,” Liz said.

“We wanted to honor you and we wanted you to have a good time in your home,” Patricia said.

Liz cried and Patricia hugged her.

“I hope you like your cooking,” Patricia said.

“I love you Patricia,” Liz said. ‘I’m very grateful.’