You'll Want to Move Into This Light-Drenched Midcentury Oasis

You'll Want to Move Into This Light-Drenched Midcentury Oasis

 If there were a single designer who effortlessly defined the modern yet lived-in aesthetic, it would be Leanne Ford. One glance at her portfolio, and you'll come to realize that she's one of your favorite interior designers as well; her stunning renovations are the stuff of Instagram fame.


It's only a matter of time before Ford's projects dominate your feed as well. For her HGTV show, Restored by the Fords, Leanne and her brother Steve tackled a modest Pittsburgh home built by Don Owens, who studied under Frank Lloyd Wright.

"We did a full gut job to this entire home. We kept true to the style and concept but made it safer and more modern," Ford told MyDomaine. Click through to see the full transformation.

                                                 Boho-Chic Jute Ambience Pendant Light 


The home's color scheme was "absolutely pulled from the stone fireplace," she explains. The designer stuck to "shades of cream and tans and added shades of white."

 

 

As far as her personal goal for the space, Ford wanted to "respect the style [and architecture] of the home while making it current and livable for the family that owns it now."

 

This twig sofa was actually the first piece that she bought for the home. "It led the direction for the rest of the space: natural, neutral, and casual but special." 

Ford actually found this curved sofa on Craiglist and had it reupholstered by Blawnox Upholstery. "This project is a mix of vintage, custom-made works and beautiful treasures from local shop Weisshouse."

Above all, she wanted the home to "feel livable and lived in, all while elevating things and pushing the design to be more exciting, interesting, or just plain special."

Ford sums up the style of this home, and many examples of her work, as "warm minimalism."

Though she mixed in elements of farmhouse style, like this dining table, Ford is "really into midcentury," and felt very lucky to be able to play with and update a Don Owens original.

"I always have a storage unit with some seriously good treasures just waiting for their time to shine," she reveals.

Though you would never guess now, the home was "extremely run down and sat unused for quite some time. We had to get the walls, structure, mold, electrical, and plumbing taken care of."

Despite completely remodeling the kitchen floors, she stayed true to the original layout. "It's all so fun!"