Love in Design

Hannah is the host of 'Love in Design,' a popular home makeover show that focuses on sleek, modern aesthetics. When the network head, Wally, informs her that ratings are sliding, he decides to move the show to Hannah's rural hometown of Lewisburg for a special project: converting the historic Lewisburg Manor into a B&B for its 150th anniversary. Upon arrival, Hannah is shocked to learn that the city architect assigned to oversee the project is Jeff, her high school and college sweetheart with whom she had a difficult breakup years prior. Jeff is a staunch preservationist who values history and craftsmanship, creating an immediate professional conflict with Hannah’s 'out with the old, in with the new' philosophy. As production begins, the tension between Hannah and Jeff becomes a focal point for the show. Wally and the producer, Julie, realize that the 'sparring' between the exes makes for great television and encourage them to interact more on camera. To settle their design disputes—such as whether to replace historic windows or knock down walls—Hannah and Jeff resort to their old method of settling arguments: competitive games like cornhole and trivia. During these moments, they begin to rediscover their chemistry. A significant turning point occurs when they compromise on a dining room design; instead of a modern window that would violate preservation codes, they agree on a large mural of the grounds to 'bring the outside in.' While working on the manor, Hannah also renovates her parents' backyard deck as a surprise, and Jeff assists her, further softening the walls between them. However, as the grand opening approaches, Wally suggests that the show’s new 'personal' format is so successful that they should take it on the road to different locations, which would mean Hannah leaving Lewisburg again. Jeff, fearing he will once again be the one holding her back from her big-city dreams, pulls away emotionally. At the grand opening, Hannah realizes she has been compromising her own identity to please the network. She delivers a defiant closing statement to the camera, asserting that she will be herself rather than a 'jazzier' version of herself. She returns to the city, but Jeff soon follows her, arriving at her apartment with a box of their favorite 'frosted mango' donuts. He declares that he is willing to step out of his comfort zone to be with her, and they reconcile, ready to face an uncertain but shared future.