Leanne Ford Put a Swing in This Client's Living Room and We’re Obsessed
Designer Leanne Ford has a flair for creating simple, cozy, and inviting spaces. During the latest episode of her new show Home Again with the Fords, she and brother Steve Ford met Kelly Jo, a single mom who had just returned home to Pittsburgh after years of living in New York City. She had just purchased her grandparent's home to live in with her son but needed some help making it feel like her own.
Leanne and Steve got to work and transformed the 1961 one-story digs into a minimalist haven with "just a little bit of Joshua Tree," as Leanne tells House Beautiful. The designer spoke to us about this latest project, which you can see below.
While Kelly Jo cherished the memories made in her grandparent's home, she was ready for a fresh start when it came to its style. "We literally turned it into a blank slate for her," Leanne says. The sibling design duo opted for white, simple, and minimalist elements. "That way she can kind of turn it into whatever, whenever, and continue to grow in it," Leanne explains. To provide a feeling of serenity and warmth, they blended in some natural, earthy elements. Peep the tree stump tables and willow plants.
While Leanne and Steve sought out to design a clean, peaceful space for Kelly Jo, they also wanted to make the home fun for Kelly Jo's son. Leanne added a wooden swing to the living room. Plus, she framed some of his art and put it on display on the fireplace's mantel.
As working from home has become the new norm for Kelly Jo, Leanne wanted to make her a special office. Double vintage doors now lead into Kelly Jo's new office which was formerly the kitchen. Now a side door conveniently connects the office to the kitchen (perfect for snacking in between Zoom calls). For the desk, Leanne had a table that once belonged to Kelly Jo's grandmother refinished.
Prior to the renovation, the home had a room added on which was very bright and airy, yet felt very disconnected from the rest of the home. Leanne transformed that room into *the new kitchen.* She opted for white walls, white cabinetry, and a white island — a color scheme she absolutely reigns.
Another highlight includes a double-sided shelf that sits in both the living room and bathroom allowing decor to be placed on one side and toiletries on the other. Leanne and Steve definitely got inventive with this project. They also painted the leather couch in the living room.
To see more of the makeover, you can tune into Home Again with the Fords every Tuesday at 9 p.m. ET/PT on HGTV.
Follow House Beautiful on Instagram.
You Might Also Like
