Rae Carpentry ITV Appearance

I was contacted in April 2008 by the ITV "60 Minute Makeover " team and was asked if I would be interested in taking part in the programme and working with one of the hottest interior designers in the UK, Kathryn Rayward.

Kathryn and I spoke a few times on the phone and sent ideas back and forth and came up with the final product, then me and my team created the items shown on the programme, which were in the bedroom (bed frame cover and desk under the bed).

Obviously we had to make everything up front before the film shoot, as we are only human and not supermen; you just cant make the bits of furniture, spay paint it and fit it in 60 minutes.

We turned up at location on the given day early in the morning and there was an army of people there on the green, camera men, sound men, producers, directors, a massive work force and the catering etc.

We started the day off by getting to know the crew, had breakfast and unloaded. Then we had several film takes outside the property before the work started inside and when the whistle was blown and the work started it was mayhem.

I have never seen anything like this before, the room we worked in had camera man, sound man, a decorator fitting wall paper, carpet being fitted at the same time, two girls painting and three of us in the same room at the same time and everyone was in and out of the room. It was absolute chaos but funny when the fist 30 minutes was over we all had to stop and then Kathryn went in and filmed what had happened so far and what was going to be the final look in the house. Then it was lunch time, top quality catering!

Filming continued about 1 hour later, for the 2nd half of the program and everything was done in time, 60 minutes. We then had a mass clean up before the lady of the house who the surprise was for came home and then the last bit of filming was done and we all left after that.

I do have to say it was a great experience and we had a great day, so a big thanks to everyone on the "60 minute make over" team.

Here are several photos I took on the day for everyone to see what it was like. A full gallery of images can be found here. Enjoy

John Rae