Ever since I stumbled across the portfolio of Pittsburgh based interior designer and featured , I’ve been a huge fan of her work! Leanne is currently the star, along with her brother and contractor Steve Ford, of on HGTV, which follows the siblings as they turn some of Pittsburgh’s most dated buildings into magazine-worthy homes. Their latest project was to transform the Faraci family’s pokey ground floor (made up of three rooms) into a fresh, open-plan space. I caught up with Leanne to find out more about the project…
What was the design brief?
I loved the Faraci family! They are so lovely and loving and their demands were rather simple! They wanted a simple and well designed home to be together as a family and to entertain in. The first floor of their house was separated by three walls when we got our hands on it. And of course, I removed them ALL. We wanted those in the kitchen to be able to see out the front window. And we wanted a more welcome communal living space for them.
What style were the family after and how did you achieve it?
“They wanted a fresh and modern farmhouse style. We gave them all the classic fixings; subway tile, butcher block counters, classic white cabinets, open shelving, farm table down the center of the kitchen, simple design and decor. And I played with all of these features over the original and very beat up wooden floors. Though they started out as a kind of disaster to try to make them work, they ended up being my favorite feature of the home. Ain’t that how it happens. The rough and vintage floor really adds life to the clean lines of the new kitchen.”
Do you have a favourite feature from the make-over?
That amazing modern “sculpture” of a stair case that Ed Zeiler from Wood N Wrench made us! We had to totally reconfigure where the staircase went after ripping walls out, so we played with the new “railing/wall” And made it a design feature.
Did you experiment with anything new?
“We did Board and Batton on the INSIDE of the home for a change. It was a simple and economical way to bring texture and character into this home. Over the coffee table you see a white chandelier that I TRIED to make… I would say this is one of those examples of letting art evolve…I certainly never set out to make the light look like that, but let’s just say it really “wanted to” 😉 The family made me feel better when they said it looks like something from the MOMA. I don’t know about that, but… I’ll take it!”
Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful make-over with us Leanne!
If you love this look and want to steal a few ideas (I certainly will be!) – here’s a quick guide:
Get the look
1. Nuvo lighting, warehouse shade 2. Vintage chopping board 3. Glass 4. Natural linen napkins 5. L:A Bruket 6. Drip Glaze 16-Piece 7. 8. IKEA armchair with(get 15% off design covers for IKEA furniture at with promo code 15myscandinavianhome until 11th February – ship worldwide!). 9. Woven basket 10.
Ahhh, so inspired by this space – the statement basket lamp, the asymmetry of the chairs and bench around the table, the open shelves. So much to love. I hope it’s inspired you too!
Have a lovely day.
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Complete Source list:
Kitchen: (custom built), , , , Butcher Block countertop / IKEA. of Kinsey Vintage market, / world market*, Wooden shelving with / Anthropologie*, and , Parachute home, Vintage Mirror / , wooden kitchen table / , / World market. / 1stdibs.
Family room (with fireplace): / RH Modern, / World market. White linen armchair / . Blue Tin Washer // , coffee table / weisshouse, Metal Locker Boxes // Urge Studio.
Living room: / World market, Burlap sofa / / IKEA, Chandlier custom made by Leanne, Green credenza / Urge Studio.
