Floating issues with elements in footer

Hello!
I would really appreciate some help with this; I am at wit’s end!
This is the site I’m working on: https://dreaminspireddesign.com/

Using a child theme of twenty eleven. I’ve created two columns in the footer, on the left I’d like the one with the contact form, and on the right I would like to have the three box elements (portfolio, contact info, copyright). As of right now, the elements are stacked rather than co-existing & floating next to eachother.

I have tried to add float: left; to the contact form element, but when I do so the site generator background changes drastically: all is white (like my main site body background) except for one line at the top of the footer. Why is this?

Can you explain what I am doing wrong here? I’ve worked with columns in footers a few times before and have not yet come across this problem.

Thanks in advance!