Restored by the Fords: Victorian Frill but Make it Modern

January and Michael’s gorgeous Victorian home was built by a ship captain in the late 1800s. The homeowners brought in Leanne and Steve to modernize the space a bit — especially in the kitchen, which was updated in the '80s. With a 75K budget, The Fords toned down the Victorian frill and added some modern touches while still honoring the home’s history.

With already gorgeous floors and woodwork, there wasn't much to do in the foyer.

Everything in this room was kept clean and simple in order to make the wood a focal point. Leanne painted a fainting couch with white canvas paint so that Michael and January's kids could draw all over it!

The original dining room was actually the biggest room downstairs, which to Leanne and Steve was a sign it should actually be the family room.

The new family room allowed for a large couch and made the big, beautiful window the focal point of the room.

To keep some of that Victorian charm, Leanne decorated the wall with decoupage from floral wallpaper.

Similar to the foyer, the living room was already fitted with a quaint fireplace and pretty woodwork.

All that was needed here was some fresh paint and some modern furniture!

There's no 'before' photo of the parlor, but just imagine a dark sitting room with some very floral, very Victorian wallpaper. Leanne and Steve turned it into a dining room and opened up the walls to create a simpler flow to and from the kitchen.

If you’re wondering why the kitchen looks completely different than the rest of the house, it’s because it was actually updated in the '80s.

The kitchen required the most work of everything, and boy, Leanne and Steve went to work in here! The new kitchen features a quartz island with handblown glass lighting above, butcher block countertops, and gorgeous penny tile flooring.

Another look at the black and white kitchen with some adorable pink stools!

Leanne and Steve commissioned artists from a local glass studio in Pittsburgh to create these custom sculpture lights.

Besides the obvious cosmetic updates needed, Leanne and Steve also decided there was a better location for the downstairs powder room.

The powder room was relocated to a different part of the downstairs and updated to match with the kitchen.