Work in Progress: Unconventional Thoughts on Designing an Extraordinary Life

By Leanne Ford and Steve Ford

Book Overview

How did a couple of quirky siblings from suburban Pittsburgh end up as the king and queen of eclectic-design chic with their own HGTV show They never let fear get in the way of a great idea. Leanne and Steve Ford share their secrets for how to turn dreams into reality. Leanne and Steve were middle-class kids growing up in Pittsburgh in the 80s and 90s. There was nothing particularly glamorous or unusual about their lives as kids. Leanne was a shy, stubborn child who lived a rich life in her own imagination. Steve was outdoorsy and offbeat and was bullied mercilessly at school for being different. Their parents, grounded in faith and always encouraging of both creativity and hard work, gave them the confidence and the encouragement they needed to pursue the often difficult creative life. Leanne's slogan as a child was, "My name is Leanne. If I want to, I can." Leanne studied clothing design and pulled gigs at fashion houses in New York and as a stylist to country music stars in Nashville before she found her true passion: interior design. Steve threw himself into kayaking and snowboarding and opening his own men's clothing store in Pittsburgh. And then their individual passions converged when Leanne asked Steve to help renovate her bathroom. There was magic in their collaboration, and they began renovating for clients in Pittsburgh--creating unique, authentic spaces that manage to feel both chic and completely obtainable--before catching the eye of producers at HGTV. Leanne and Steve share the details of their journey, including the beliefs that have inspired them and the experiences that have challenged them along the way.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0785226141
• ISBN13: 9780785226147
• Release Date: October 2019
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 1.17 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.2" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Great fun!

I thoroughly enjoyed the style of the writing in a format of their back and forth sharing. It's just a nice story of a relationship between a brother and sister who genuinely seem to like and respect each other and work so well together. I wish I had been raised in the same kind of supportive family environment. I am an interior design & home improvement show junkie and theirs was one of my favorites. Leanne is so confident in her style, which is definitely not for the masses, with her motto being "You do you" and somehow her brother is able to bring her unorthodox ideas to life which sometimes is no easy task. They have such interesting and varied experiences of life. It was an easy and pleasant read with family photos too.