‘Home Again with the Fords’: How much did Kristi and Sam’s 104-year-old farmhouse cost for a complete makeover?
Leanne and Steve Ford are back at it again doing what they do best — giving homes the ultimate makeover! In the first episode of 'Home Again with the Fords’, we see the sibling duo take on a challenge that happens to be rather close to home, literally.
On the season premiere, the siblings are out to help Kristi and Sam, who currently stay on a 104-year-old property that has been in Kristi's family right since the 1850s. The stunning two-story farmhouse comes equipped with a mini-golf course and an ice cream store, one that Steve and Leanne often frequented as children.
Kristi's parents, Vicki and Dave are all set to come back to their home, after roughly 20 years. The house, which shares the same plot of land as the family's mini-golf course, Forsythe Miniature Golf & Snacks, has been a part of Carnegie's landscape since 1942 and is still a local favorite among children and families.
RELATED ARTICLES
What is Steve and Leanne Ford's net worth? A look at 'Home Again with the Fords' hosts' fabulous real life
Who is Steve Ford dating? The 'Home Again with the Fords' is extremely private about his relationships
According to their website, Forsythe will "offer an exciting selection of activities that are suitable for all ages. Whether you’re looking for a place to hang out, or are planning a day trip for your family, we provide a safe, fun-filled environment where guests can have a tasty homemade cookie ice cream sandwich and a great time."
The challenge for Leanne and Steve in this episode was to maintain as much of the old house's charm while giving it a new update. Seeing that Kristi and Sam were staying on the ground floor with their three sons, they wanted to convert the first floor into an apartment-style space for Kristi's parents, Vicky and Dave. With a house this old, there were endless finds throughout, much to the Fords' delight.
From hardwood floors to a hidden attic and a chicken coop filled with old family items, the Fords choose to salvage a lot of the items in order to create a stunning new look while paying ode to the house's rich history.
What was the budget for the renovation?
Vicki and Dave's budget for the entire renovation was $110,000. In hindsight, this seemed just enough once the Fords began drawing up budgets. Leanne Ford let her aesthetic sense shine, opting for a predominant cream color throughout the house which cost them $8,500. She even paid an ode to the old wall texture above the mantle space, which was done by Kristi's grandparents, using soda bottles.
Keeping with the light tone throughout the house, Ford went with the same theme through the kitchen as well, giving it stunning white counters and cabinets. The counters cost $5,000, while the cabinets set them back by $30,000. The Fords created two custom tables for the home, which cost about $800 and $1,700.
The Fords also created custom rooms for Vicki and Dave, seeing that Vicki is an artist and Dave was a teacher with a passion for reading. They created a stunning custom art studio for Vicki, which set them back $15,000, seeing that they removed an entire attic to raise the ceilings of the same. For Dave, they turned a hall walkway into his own little library, complete with a beautiful reading nook.
You can watch new episodes of 'Home Again With The Fords' on Tuesdays at 9 pm ET/PT on HGTV.