McDonough house gets ‘Deserving Design’ makeover

A McDonough woman whose friend said she was “deserving of a design” won a home makeover in August.

The transformation of Babbie Spain’s backyard playhouse and master bedroom was taped for an episode of HGTV’s “Deserving Design” that airs at 8 p.m. Saturday. She was nominated by longtime friend Joyce Jacks of Locust Grove.

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KATHY JEFCOATS/kjefcoats@ajc.com

Babbie Spain and son Chris Lewis wait for visitors to their party room after its transformation by the ‘Deserving Design’ show.

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KATHY JEFCOATS/kjefcoats@ajc.com

Babbie Spain and Chris Lewis got a home makeover from HGTV’s ‘Deserving Design’ show, which rewards people who give back to their communities through volunteer work.

ON TV SATURDAY NIGHT

• "Deserving Design," featuring Babbie Spain of McDonough

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“Her story has got to be told,” Jacks said. “She was just a natural for this makeover, she’s so giving.”

Spain, a fourth-grade teacher at East Lake Elementary in McDonough, is a single mother with a special needs son, Chris Lewis. Lewis, 29, was born with fragile X syndrome, the most common cause of inherited mental impairment, according to the National Fragile X Foundation.

Because of Lewis’ involvement in Special Olympics, Spain has volunteered in various sports for more than 20 years. In keeping with her selfless spirit, Spain donated a kidney to a fellow teacher in 2000.

While the mother and son moved in with Jacks for a week in August, the crew took over Spain’s 53-year-old house on College Street, not far from the McDonough square.

Spain’s 1,700-square-foot home already had a red-and-black theme throughout, reflecting her devotion to University of Georgia football. “Deserving Design” renovated her “party room” to a Bulldog’s dream, including a new wall-mounted flat-screen television, sectional sofa and other furnishings. Keeping guard under the television is a ceramic bulldog. A new sign on the door welcomes visitors to “The Dawg House.”

In keeping with the show’s formula whereby one room is redesigned and another is thrown in as a surprise, Spain’s bedroom was redone for the surprise part. “Oh I love it,” she said. “I got a new bed, new furniture. They changed it to really make it mine, a nice retreat for me.”

The episode, “Team Spirit,” features the remodeling but also highlights interviews with Henry County Parks and Recreation Special Olympics bowlers.

Mother and son will join Jacks and other supporters at a friend’s house tonight to watch the episode.

“It’s going to be excitement at a fever pitch,” Jacks said. Jacks said she was thrilled that Spain won the makeover. “I was running around asking people, ‘Can you believe it? They’re actually going to do a room at Babbie’s house.’ ” Jacks said.