It’s Back! ‘Restored by the Fords’ Gets Premiere Date

The new season of the home improvement show featuring Pittsburgh siblings Leanne and Steve Ford debuts on HGTV in January.

photos courtesy HGTV

Nearly a year after the pilot episode aired on HGTV, “Restored by the Fords” returns to the airways in the New Year.

The home improvement show follows siblings Leanne and Steve Ford as they restore older homes around Pittsburgh. The pilot episode aired last December and was ordered to series in May. The first season, consisting of eight episodes, premieres at 10 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 2.

An interior designer, Leanne is in charge of creating a new look and floor plan for homes, while her brother Steve, a licensed contractor and renovator, executes her vision to maximize the charm and functionality of outdated properties.

“We specialize in taking quirky homes with odd layouts and turning them into the coolest and most contemporary places in town,” says Leanne, who, along with her brother, grew up in Upper St. Clair.

The first episode features the Brock family, who want more space but don’t want to add on to their home’s square footage. While rearranging rooms and knocking out walls, the Fords give the home modern flair, including a new galley kitchen that runs the length of the home and a new master suite on the main floor.

“Each project we do together is an adventure,” says Steve, the owner of clothing store Decade on the South Side and Surf Pittsburgh, which teaches participants how to catch a wave on Pittsburgh’s three rivers.

“Because we’re family, we feel comfortable pushing each other to new limits to get the most out of each design, and we know when to bring one another back to earth to achieve breathtaking results that delight our clients,” Leanne adds.

Throughout the season, fans can visit hgtv.com/restoredbythefords to find articles and photo galleries of the siblings, including throwback photos and DIY inspiration. Viewers also can interact on social media via #restoredbythefords.

To learn more about the Fords, check out Pittsburgh Magazine’s Q&A with the star siblings.