Style Guide
The whole nation experienced heartbreak and grief after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001 and Staff Sergeant Matthew Mitchell was no different.
As a junior in high school at the time, this had a profound impact which soon resulted in him enlisting in the U.S. Army at the age of eighteen in 2002, moving out of his childhood home in Okeechobee, Florida for the first time. Little did he know that he had a long and memorable military career ahead of him. While on deployment in Iraq, Matthew’s vehicle drove over an improvised explosive device (IED). The intense explosion and its aftermath left him with a traumatic brain injury, as well as injuries to his hand, hip and back. For long periods of time, the traumatic incident affected his mental and emotional health, leading him into a dark hole of depression and PTSD. Matthew was awarded a Purple Heart for his service and sacrifice; but still lives with the physical and emotional scars from the incident.
We invite you to look through this Style Guide and watch the Mitchell Family season to see how we transformed their home with the help of our generous partners.
MILITARY MAKEOVER FAMILY
“Hi everyone! I'm Jennifer Bertrand, the master designer on Military Makeover. And I adore changing an environment to the point that it can impact how you feel.
For this makeover, it’s all about turning the Mitchell home from a 1950s house to a 2023 home. We have a young family, and they deserve a young and fun home.
We combined both of their favorite styles and turne the boho-chic space of their dreams. With both upcycled and new furniture we were able to give Matthew, Sarah and Luka a home they will truly love.”
HOST AND MASTER DESIGNER Jennifer Bertrand
MILITARY MAKEOVER
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D e s i g n B o a r d
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LIVING ROOM
Whenit came to designing the perfect living room for the Mitchell family, Designer Jennifer wanted to combine Matthew and Sarah’s favorite styles. She produced a bohochic style that was sure to make the living room inviting.
Jennifer incorporated a boho theme through the carpet, woven tables, and woven wall hanging tapestry. She then added in the Mitchells sleek dark grey couch with a wooden cambric and throw pillows to compliment a chic style. Giving the room a great balance for Matthew and Sarah to enjoy.
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PICTURED: Military Makeover with Montel® Season 34 featuring the Mitchell family of St. Petersburg, Florida. PHOTO CREDIT: Beth Kelly Photography
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HOME PUTT COURSE
Designer
Jennifer knew for this makeover that she wanted to give something special to Matthew, and what better than his very own home putt putt course. She turned the front yard into his very own paradise, where he can practice his swing whenever he wants.
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PICTURED: Military Makeover with Montel® Season 34 featuring the Mitchell family of St. Petersburg, Florida. PHOTO CREDIT: Beth Kelly Photography
”We are honored to be in St. Petersburg, Florida where the entire community has come family, the makeover
Montel Williams
MILITARY MAKEOVER HOST
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KITCHEN
Sarah
knew going into this makeover that one of the things she was really looking for was an upgraded kitchen and Jennifer hit the nail right on the head. She completely transformed their kitchen by breaking down a wall to open the space and make the kitchen feel like their own. She even made sure to throw in the dishwasher Sarah was dreaming of.
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PICTURED: Military Makeover with Montel® Season 34 featuring the Mitchell family of St. Petersburg, Florida. PHOTO CREDIT: Beth Kelly Photography
The Mitchell Digest: Reinventing Space
mple space in a home allows for freedom of movement and functionality. It enables people to engage in various activities comfortably, whether it’s pursuing hobbies, entertaining guests, or simply relaxing. That is why we made sure to give the Mitchells as much space as we could using the existing bones of their home. We removed the wall between the living space and kitchen to open up their home. Along with the other updates, this new open floor plan transformed Mitchell's home. Doing this allows the family to better entertain and interact with each other with more ease without a barrier blocking their view of each other. A great example of how this space works in their favor is if Matthew is making dinner and wants to be in view of Sara and his son. Before this wasn’t a possibility. However, he is now able to do this without any issues.
Space is an integral aspect of a home, and it can impact our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It plays a crucial role in enhancing our overall quality of life and can contribute to a harmonious living environment.
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LUKA’S BEDROOM
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BEDROOM
and Sarah are big fans of color, so Jennifer knew she had to make their bedroom POP with these gorgeous blues.
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PICTURED: Military Makeover with Montel® Season 34 featuring the Mitchell family of St. Petersburg, Florida.
PHOTO CREDIT: Beth Kelly Photography
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SUNROOM
Thesunroom was completely transformed from a room used for storage to the perfect hang-out spot. With the use of fulllength windows and bright light colors, Jennifer really opened up the space to create a room the Mitchell’s could use for years to come.
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PICTURED: Military Makeover with Montel® Season 34 featuring the Mitchell family of St. Petersburg, Florida. PHOTO CREDIT: Beth Kelly Photography
GUEST BEDROOM
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PICTURED: Military Makeover with Montel® Season 34 featuring the Mitchell family of St. Petersburg, Florida. PHOTO CREDIT: Beth Kelly Photography
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BACKYARD
backyard should always be your own little oasis, which is why Jennifer knew she had to give the Mitchell backyard a little bit of an upgrade.
She brought in some new plants and seating to liven up the area and create a space where the whole family can sit outside and enjoy the fresh air.
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18 AFTER
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The Mitchell Digest: Furniture Reborn
Keeping specific items that are sentimental to you and adding them to a new and fresh space can add character to a room. This is why upcycling is a smart way to add flare to a space. Making sure that what surrounds those special objects are more uniform allows those items to serve as accent pieces. It can also give other pieces more character and can create a clean-looking space, especially if it's a vibrant color or an interesting shape. Upcycling promotes sustainability and reduces waste as well. Transforming materials or products you already own into new items extends their lifespan and minimizes the need for new materials. Overall, it encourages creativity.
The Mitchell family was eclectic when it came to decorating, and Jennifer wanted to make sure that the new version of their home had a touch of that “eclectic” feel. Sarah’s favorite chairs remained as significant pieces in their new home. Jennifer used these chairs to create a cozy nook where she and Matthew could sit and relax together.
Our material items can act as memory holders creating souvenirs from different moments in our lives. It is beautiful to hold on to and think back on those memories that live on through your household items you see everyday.
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“The past ten days with Military Makeover has been extremely amazing.”
- Matthew Mitchell
“We’ve met so many incredible people and it’s just nice to have your faith in humanity restored. To see so many people do these things for you is so amazing.”
- Sarah Mitchell
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THE MITCHELL FAMILY
ANNUAL PARTNERS
DEDICATED PARTNERS
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COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Flooring and Carpentry
Michael Chavarria
Bella Flooring
Rivera’s Flooring, Kitchen and more
Outdoors
Jene Tropical
Brothers Property
Maintenance
Awn Tech Gina
Home Inspection Services
Pinellas City Permitting
Paint
Paint PPG
House Proud Home Solutions
Veronika Rose Art
Electrician
Home Service Heroes
Movers
Big Boys Moving and Storage
Plumbing
Gulfview Plumbing and Water Treatment
Kitchen and Bathroom
Suncrest
Tile MSI
New Look Granite and Countertops
Photography
Beth Kelly Photography
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MILITARY MAKEOVER HOST
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