Motel Makeover (a Netflix must-watch!) is a six-part series in which a shaggy old motel gets revamped into a beautifully updated space with a design that calls to its 1970s origins.

We chatted with bestie duo April Brown and Sarah Sklash, moteliers and co-founders of The June Motel, along with Benjamin Moore colour pro Sharon Grech, about how to imbue a space with vintage vibes and bold hues.

Colour Confidential

Photography: Lauren Miller

This kitchen at The June Motel is bursting with colour, inspired by its Sauble Beach, Ont., location’s famous sunsets. The motel co-founders, April Brown and Sarah Sklash (who also own The June Motel in Ontario’s Prince Edward County), love leaning into feminine design, and for that, they say “You can’t beat a pink kitchen!” Interested in employing a monochromatic colour scheme in your own home? Sharon Grech, media spokesperson, Colour & Marketing Development at Benjamin Moore, advises mixing up the tones and adding a variety of textures. “The more contrast from light to dark, the more lively the room will feel. Painting lighter tones on the ceiling and upper portions of walls with darker shades below will bring balance to the space,” she says. April and Sarah wanted exactly that—to make the room colourful, but not overwhelming—and we say, “Mission accomplished!”

Detailed Design

Photography: Lauren Miller

“We’re always looking to add some natural materials to our spaces, and we particularly like to use rattan light fixtures because of the interesting shadows they cast,” says the pair, who used a variety of organic fibres to add texture throughout the motel, along with hits of black to ground the aesthetic.

Vintage Vibes

Photography: Lauren Miller

If you’re looking to achieve a retro yet modern feel, the moteliers recommend adding vintage pieces to your space—the square tile backsplashes in the kitchen and bathrooms are ’70s-inspired, and the original cabinetry and hardware were freshened up with paint. Likewise, the duo kept the natural wood ceiling in the motel shop to preserve its unique character. The colour scheme is carried throughout the motel. April and Sarah joke, “Every area in The June needs to have that touch of pink!”

Photography: Lauren Miller

Go For The Glow

Photography: Lauren Miller

Neon-light signs can be found throughout The June Motel. April and Sarah say, “Including neon makes any space more fun, retro and Instagram-worthy. Pink neon, in particular, casts such a flattering glow.” The neon signs in The June’s first location in Prince Edward County, Ont., were such a hit with their guests that the pair started selling them online.

Plants, Paramount

Photography: Lauren Miller

April and Sarah always finish off a room’s decor with greenery: “Not only do plants add a little pop of colour, but they also add a sculptural effect and visual interest. There’s always a way to squeeze in greenery, whether it’s a tall skinny palm in a corner, a small succulent in a vintage pot on a table or a trailing fern in a basket hanging from the ceiling.”

FROM LEFT TO RIGHT Apricot Beige 1205 PAINT, benjaminmoore.ca. Chantilly Lace OC-65 PAINT, benjaminmoore.ca. San Carlos Tan 1207 PAINT, benjaminmoore.ca.

DIY Paint Tips

From Sharon Grech

• For a monochromatic colour scheme, selecting colours from the same strip chip will help to narrow down the options.
• Test colours with paint samples before purchasing gallons. If you don’t want to patch test the wall, paint samples on foam boards and view them against other materials and in different lights and areas in the room.
• Invest in quality rollers and brushes. If you clean them well, they’ll last through several projects.
• If it’s your first time DIY painting, you may want to begin with a small room such as a bedroom or bathroom. Professionals often begin with the ceiling, followed by the trim, leaving the walls till last.
• Two coats is always preferred for a professional looking result!