Today we’d like to introduce you to Jennifer Bertrand.
Jennifer, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I am the interior designer on a show called “Military Makeover with Montel Williams” on Lifetime channel, where we were able to do a home makeover for an Army veteran who lives in Arlington, Texas. Our show is a national show where we get to love on military veterans and honor their service by fixing elements in their homes that will improve the way they live. My father was a Colonel in the Air Force and the fact that now I get to go around and pay it forward is really a George Costanza “worlds colliding” moment!!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Every makeover, we have local volunteers who come out to help us create the lovely end result. We had a mayor and her team staining a fence, we had national CEOs coming to put in sweat equity, and we even had the former head of The Army…. as in the single head of the army from the Pentagon, and multi-term Congressman come put together furniture. I always say that it is design summer camp where we have everyone from all walks of life come together to do an act of good. You all leave as friends, and it really is a shining example of life loveliness.
I have done many of these makeovers, and I have to say the people of Arlington really were amazing. So much so we had two veterans, a husband-and-wife team from Armor Fire + Water Restoration donate their skills to lead the construction team and they cared as if it was their own home they were working on. So, after a few all-nighters, we did it and were able to welcome Carlos and his family home.
Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I won a show on HGTV called Design Star Season 3. I also won a national Angie’s List contest called the Sleep Revolution in conjunction with Arianna Huffington’s book. And now, I am the designer on Military Makeover. I specialize in the psychology of design. After having medical adventures with our son, losing our house, hustling back with the help of family and friends, I really learned first-hand how your environment impacts your wellness. And now I am able to use this experience of 2o years in the industry in impacting our veterans’ homes and improve their environments for the better.
I also believe that everyone deserves great design. It is not about how much money you have. Don’t get me wrong, I love playing with absurd budgets for clients. But someone who can only invest a small amount of hard-earned money deserves the same amount of wellness. If your home is in order, your mind is in order. And let’s not forget, it should be fun!!! So, lots of laugh, lovely end results, and a mindset that the makeover was worth every bit of effort is the goal on every home adventure.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Wowzahs, what haven’t I learned? I have learned…
1- Design it and plan it as if you are doing it all at once, and that will keep you from going backwards.
2- Design is personal. There are a lot of right answers, so it is about finding the one that is best for you.
3- Designing for resale doesn’t always make you happy— sometimes you just need to have fun!
4- Surround yourself with what you love, and it will always be in style for you.
5- Design is all about the psychology of your family.
6- Everyone should have a voice in their environment.
7- Start with what doesn’t function and if you focus on the fixes, the aesthetics will follow.
8- Too many cooks in the kitchen will land you with a hideous end result.
9- Have fun and laugh even in the design process… If you don’t you aren’t doing it right. These are first-world problems.
10- Get to know your neighbors…. and especially your veteran neighbors. As Montel Williams, the host of our show would say, “Don’t just say thank you for your service. Show them your thanks.”
Contact Info:
- Website: militarymakeover.tv
- Instagram: @military.makeover
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MilitaryMakeover/
- Other: jenniferbertrand.com
Image Credits
Tricia Patella
