Famous for his 60-Minute Makeover TV show, John Amabile own renovations took him 22 years!

By ANDY BEAVEN, NEWS AND FEATURE WRITER Published: 18:43, 11 July 2026 | Updated: 18:43, 11 July 2026 He became a household name with the hit TV series 60 Minute Makeover, masterminding remarkably quick transformations of people’s properties. But when it came to his own home, John Amabile moved far more slowly. For the Scots designer spent more than two decades overhauling a ‘dated and gloomy’ 1960s cottage to create a showstopping 21st Century vision of space and light. Tackling what he called the ‘biggest fixer-upper ever’, the 62-year-old planned every detail, extending the original building in every direction and adding stylish features. Now the end result of his 22 Year Makeover has just been put on the market. Mr Amabile said: ‘Doing up the house has been a challenge, but one that I’ve adored. As well as being a lovely home, it’s been a wonderful place for entertaining. ‘People think that because I’m a designer they have to take off their shoes and mustn’t touch the cushions. But I always tell people it’s a house for relaxing in, come in and enjoy yourself – and everybody does.’ The property in the upmarket Glasgow suburb of Milngavie was built in 1967 as a Swiss chalet-style cottage. Mr Amabile bought it for £389,000 and began plotting his alterations. He said: ‘It was dated and gloomy, with very few windows, which made it quite dark inside. ‘But I knew I could put my own stamp on it. I sat outside and sketched my ideas, which I gave to the architect.’ Built in 1967, the property, in Glasgow's upmarket Milngavie, is pictured before its 22-year long makeover Following its extensive renovation, John's property is now on the market for almost £1 million Although the plan was to spend five years on the project, the reality was quite different. Mr Amabile said: ‘It actually lasted 22 years! There were lots of things I needed to save up for, plus time was needed for permissions and warrants and I was often away filming.’ Mr Amabile grew up in Paisley and after studying interior design at Glasgow College of Building and Printing headed to London to work in TV set design. He later appeared on Better Homes with Carol Vorderman, offered design advice on GMTV, and became a star of ITV’s 60 Minute Makeover. He continues to run his own interior design company, which promises to deliver the ‘Oh wow!’ factor to clients’ renovations. He also recently set up a design school, running monthly classes for people interested in carrying out their own projects. The five-bedroom house is on sale for £995,000 as he and his husband feel they don’t need such a big property. But he’s itching to begin again. Mr Amabile said: ‘I’m 62 now but I’m ready for another project!’