Motel Makeover

Motel Makeover is a breezy, Canadian reality television series from Netflix that was first aired in 2021. This series takes the viewers on a fun renovation journey that blends business, friendship, and interior design.

At the heart of the series are April Brown and Sarah Sklash, best friends turned business partners, who had formerly revitalized a run-down motel, The June Motel, in Prince Edward County and successfully turned it into a hip travel destination. In Motel Makeover, the energetic and ambitious duo undertake a similar but more challenging new project - the transformation of an old, dated motel into a trendy holiday hotspot.

A full season comprised of six episodes, each one runs around 30 minutes and is packed with cracks and laughs, brainstorming, frustration, redesigning, and revamping, holding viewers' attention to the last. The entire show plays out in Sauble Beach, Ontario. As the second wave of the pandemic looms, April and Sarah push through their journey, dedicating their hard work and creativity to breathe new life into the once dilapidated motel. The Friends-turned-business-partners face numerous challenges along the way. Not only do they grapple with time and budget constraints, but the changing building regulations and the unpredictable COVID-19 pandemic restrictions also add to their pile of challenges.

What sets Motel Makeover apart from other shows in the home makeover genre is its hearty mix of business and design. It's not just a drab reconstruction course; it showcases the financial risks and high stakes involved, the complexities of building regulations, and the intriguing dynamics of a small business, all while maintaining a visual appeal with interior makeovers. All these nuances are narrated with the signature spunk and humor of the leading women, making the series an enriching and entertaining package.

April and Sarah's charm was evident, their dynamic chemistry creating an appealing balance between the business and creative aspects of the show. They shared insights on financing and budgeting, permits and regulations, hiring and contracting – lessons usually not included in similar shows. At the same time, witnessing the motel's transformation, going from drab and dingy to chic and inviting, held an undeniable appeal to those with an interest in interior design.

Their design choices are trend-forward, incorporating an array of styles from boho-chic to mid-century modern, making their revamped areas visually engaging. The series visualizes the magic that the right combination of wallpaper, furniture, and a well-thought-out color palette can bring to a place. Viewers are sure to find inspiration for their own spaces at home.

The show isn’t all about the thrill of the makeover, though. It brings to light how challenging it is to run a small business, most especially during unprecedented times. It’s about making tough decisions, pulling all-nighters, and facing the risk of overshadowing your original plan, but ultimately enjoying the satisfaction of turning a vision into reality.

Throughout the journey, Sarah and April remain committed, motivated, and passionate about providing a fabulous experience for their guests without compromising each other's vision for the project. Their friendship and working relationship is infectious. Their audaciousness shines through every episode, and, in each setback, they find a way to turn it around.

Overall, Motel Makeover is an uplifting story of empowerment, perseverance, and, above all, teamwork. Its fresh take on the usual renovation shows with its inclusions of business insights and the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic make it a unique standout in the genre. It ensures viewers do not just passively watch the show but also actively learn. It is a perfect blend of DIY appeal, inspiration, entrepreneurship lessons, all encapsulated in a saga of two friends. Motel Makeover is not just another home improvement show; it is a reflection of realizing dreams through dedication, friendship, and determination despite the myriad of challenges. Through its run, this show is a testament that even amid the hardest times, creativity and resilience can still thrive in unexpected ways.