My Houzz: Ludacris Gives His Mom a Home Makeover
The Atlanta rapper and actor uses Houzz to find a pro and shop for items to help personalize the home he gave to his mom
Mitchell Parker
May 11, 2017
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative trends, breaking news, industry analysis and humor.
Houzz Editorial Staff. Home design journalist writing about cool spaces, innovative... More
Chris Bridges credits a lot of his success as a recording artist and an actor to his mother, Roberta. Bridges is better known as the Atlanta rapper Ludacris, with hit songs including What’s Your Fantasy and Stand Up, and for his recurring role as Tej Parker in the film franchise The Fast and the Furious. He says his mother taught him about hard work and dedication. “That’s why I’m where I am and who I am today,” he says.
Years ago, after Roberta retired, she moved into the first house Bridges bought when he became commercially successful. Many of Bridges’ style choices at the time remained in the home, including a painted logo of his record company in the home office. “At that point, I had no sense of style,” Bridges says.
Years ago, after Roberta retired, she moved into the first house Bridges bought when he became commercially successful. Many of Bridges’ style choices at the time remained in the home, including a painted logo of his record company in the home office. “At that point, I had no sense of style,” Bridges says.
“After” photos by The VSI Group
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Roberta, mother of rapper and actor Chris Bridges, aka Ludacris
Location: Atlanta
Designer: Rachel Oliver of Rachel Oliver Design
Roberta had started several decorating projects in the home but never completed them. Recently, Bridges decided to surprise his mom by making over the living room, dining room, kitchen and office with new colors and furnishings he knew she’d like so she’d finally feel that the home was hers. The renovation is featured in the latest episode of My Houzz, a video series documenting public figures as they surprise a close family member with a home renovation. The pilot episode of My Houzz featured Ashton Kutcher, who is an executive producer of the series.
Watch now: See rapper Ludacris surprise his mom with a home makeover
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Roberta, mother of rapper and actor Chris Bridges, aka Ludacris
Location: Atlanta
Designer: Rachel Oliver of Rachel Oliver Design
Roberta had started several decorating projects in the home but never completed them. Recently, Bridges decided to surprise his mom by making over the living room, dining room, kitchen and office with new colors and furnishings he knew she’d like so she’d finally feel that the home was hers. The renovation is featured in the latest episode of My Houzz, a video series documenting public figures as they surprise a close family member with a home renovation. The pilot episode of My Houzz featured Ashton Kutcher, who is an executive producer of the series.
Watch now: See rapper Ludacris surprise his mom with a home makeover
BEFORE: Bridges felt that the original kitchen was “old school,” and he knew his mom wanted to have something more current.
AFTER: Bridges used Houzz to shop for new furniture and furnishings and to find a designer for help. After looking at the projects on designer Rachel Oliver’s Houzz profile and reading her positive reviews, he knew he’d found the right person for the job.
Oliver ripped out the old kitchen, and added new cabinets and new appliances. She kept the layout the same because it had worked for Roberta, but she added a slightly bigger island to accommodate more seating and work surface.
Two-piece hydraulic-lift bar stools in white: Monarch Specialties; Emory lidded jar in yellow: Sagebrook Home; apothecary candy jar: CYS Excel; farmhouse apron sink with double bowls: Kraus; Beaufort ginger jar in white: Global Views; aluminum platter: Benzara, Woodland Imports, The Urban Port; Euro bar cabinet pulls in stainless steel: GlideRite Hardware; paint on walls: Marilyn’s Dress, Benjamin Moore; paint on cabinets: Steely Gray, Sherwin-Williams; Torano quartz countertops: Stone Showcase
Oliver ripped out the old kitchen, and added new cabinets and new appliances. She kept the layout the same because it had worked for Roberta, but she added a slightly bigger island to accommodate more seating and work surface.
Two-piece hydraulic-lift bar stools in white: Monarch Specialties; Emory lidded jar in yellow: Sagebrook Home; apothecary candy jar: CYS Excel; farmhouse apron sink with double bowls: Kraus; Beaufort ginger jar in white: Global Views; aluminum platter: Benzara, Woodland Imports, The Urban Port; Euro bar cabinet pulls in stainless steel: GlideRite Hardware; paint on walls: Marilyn’s Dress, Benjamin Moore; paint on cabinets: Steely Gray, Sherwin-Williams; Torano quartz countertops: Stone Showcase
Oliver redid the drawer layout to make it work better for Roberta, and added upgraded features like soft-close drawers and doors.
A new wine rack is one of Roberta’s favorite features. A pullout step at the bottom of the oven wall allows her to reach the microwave above the double ovens.
Watch now: See rapper Ludacris surprise his mom with this makeover
Watch now: See rapper Ludacris surprise his mom with this makeover
BEFORE: A large sectional and two ottomans dominated the original living room.
AFTER: Oliver added a smaller sectional and a large leather ottoman-coffee table to create more space and better traffic flow. Roberta loves the color blue, so Oliver brought in a lighter shade for a more contemporary feel. “We didn’t want to overwhelm with color,” Oliver says.
Bright color does make an appearance with the throw pillows, a nod to Roberta’s love of Miami and its colorful design scene.
Memphis sectional sofa in Smoke: Zuo Modern Contemporary; Sutton square ottoman in gray leather: Sunpan Modern Home; Java Bright pillow: The Koko Kompany; Grace lumbar velvet pillow: Piper-Collection; Janka geometric pillow in yellow: The Pillow Collection; watercolor prints: Uttermost; paint on walls: Marilyn’s Dress, Benjamin Moore
Bright color does make an appearance with the throw pillows, a nod to Roberta’s love of Miami and its colorful design scene.
Memphis sectional sofa in Smoke: Zuo Modern Contemporary; Sutton square ottoman in gray leather: Sunpan Modern Home; Java Bright pillow: The Koko Kompany; Grace lumbar velvet pillow: Piper-Collection; Janka geometric pillow in yellow: The Pillow Collection; watercolor prints: Uttermost; paint on walls: Marilyn’s Dress, Benjamin Moore
A tall bookcase at the end of the room helps draw the eye to the soaring ceilings.
Antique-style Squares fire screen: Dessau Home; Magnolia library shelf: Greenington; Metro accent table: Pastel Furniture; Renia table lamp: Lite Source; Rinaldi round wall mirror: Southern Enterprises; “Seek Out the Joy” framed print: Society6; acrylic nesting tables: Baxton Studio; metal abstract sculpture in silver: Brimfield & May; Perch floor lamp: Sonneman; three-candle grid wall sconce in silver: Mariano Metal Decor
Antique-style Squares fire screen: Dessau Home; Magnolia library shelf: Greenington; Metro accent table: Pastel Furniture; Renia table lamp: Lite Source; Rinaldi round wall mirror: Southern Enterprises; “Seek Out the Joy” framed print: Society6; acrylic nesting tables: Baxton Studio; metal abstract sculpture in silver: Brimfield & May; Perch floor lamp: Sonneman; three-candle grid wall sconce in silver: Mariano Metal Decor
The light color palette keeps things open and airy, and better coordinates with the colors in the adjacent kitchen.
“Transference” framed art print: Art Virtuoso; lacquered silver cabinet: Inviting Home
“Transference” framed art print: Art Virtuoso; lacquered silver cabinet: Inviting Home
BEFORE: Roberta had begun decorating the dining room, but she stopped after installing the wallpaper, ceiling fixture and furniture, most of which she still liked and wanted to keep.
AFTER: Oliver picked up where Roberta left off, adding more subdued chairs and a dark rug to ground the space. Then she brought in some glam elements, such as the faux crocodile-textured buffet and the metallic ceiling paint. A sunburst mirror over the buffet also adds a little glitz.
Mirror: similar to Sunburst, Stratton Home Decor; chandelier: similar to Crystal Ball Rain Drop, The Gallery; Becca linen dining chairs in taupe: Safavieh; Gable rug in slate: Surya; Batton glass table lamp in Ocean Blue: Dimond Lighting; Navier glass table lamp: Uttermost; Tuxedo mirrored sideboard: Furniture Import & Export; dining table: similar to Eco-Natura Roma, Inmod; X bar cart: Worlds Away; round candleholders: Shop A Candle; Gondola boat basket: ELK Group International; mirror mosaic ball set: Benzara, Woodland Imports, The Urban Port
Mirror: similar to Sunburst, Stratton Home Decor; chandelier: similar to Crystal Ball Rain Drop, The Gallery; Becca linen dining chairs in taupe: Safavieh; Gable rug in slate: Surya; Batton glass table lamp in Ocean Blue: Dimond Lighting; Navier glass table lamp: Uttermost; Tuxedo mirrored sideboard: Furniture Import & Export; dining table: similar to Eco-Natura Roma, Inmod; X bar cart: Worlds Away; round candleholders: Shop A Candle; Gondola boat basket: ELK Group International; mirror mosaic ball set: Benzara, Woodland Imports, The Urban Port
Again, the gray-and-blue scheme helps create visual flow between the redecorated spaces, including the kitchen to the right and the office to the left.
BEFORE: In the original office, a painted logo of Bridges’ record company was left over from when he lived in the house, making the space feel a bit impersonal to Roberta.
AFTER: Oliver painted over the logo (with Bridges’ blessing), and repainted the bookshelf and walls to reflect more sunlight and create a brighter space. Now it’s a comfortable home office in which Roberta helps run Bridges’ foundation, The Ludacris Foundation.
“She’s going to wake up every day with a smile on her face and go to sleep every night with a smile on her face, knowing her house is complete,” Bridges says.
“I see us making lots of memories here,” Roberta says. “It feels wonderful.”
“Floating Clouds” print: Siiso; South Elgin wire side chair in clear and Sector office desk: Modway; Inca flush-mount lighting fixture in polished chrome: Maxim Lighting International; Langdon camel rug: Bashian; faux linen sheer curtain in White Orchid: Exclusive Fabrics & Furnishings; Gamila nailhead accent chair: Uttermost; Pagoda container: Cyan Designer; paint on walls: Horizon, Benjamin Moore; lacquer on bookcase: Gray Huskie, Benjamin Moore
Watch now: See rapper Ludacris surprise his mom with this home makeover
Your turn: See how to make and use Houzz ideabooks for your own home project
“She’s going to wake up every day with a smile on her face and go to sleep every night with a smile on her face, knowing her house is complete,” Bridges says.
“I see us making lots of memories here,” Roberta says. “It feels wonderful.”
“Floating Clouds” print: Siiso; South Elgin wire side chair in clear and Sector office desk: Modway; Inca flush-mount lighting fixture in polished chrome: Maxim Lighting International; Langdon camel rug: Bashian; faux linen sheer curtain in White Orchid: Exclusive Fabrics & Furnishings; Gamila nailhead accent chair: Uttermost; Pagoda container: Cyan Designer; paint on walls: Horizon, Benjamin Moore; lacquer on bookcase: Gray Huskie, Benjamin Moore
Watch now: See rapper Ludacris surprise his mom with this home makeover
Your turn: See how to make and use Houzz ideabooks for your own home project
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Love the backsplash with the cabinet color.