One thing you’ll never catch designer Leanne Ford doing? Disrespecting a house’s bones. For the L.A.-based designer and star of HGTV’s Restored with the Fords, a home’s architecture is a non-negotiable part of the design equation. Raised in Pittsburgh (just a stone’s throw from Frank Lloyd Wright’s architectural masterpiece Fallingwater), Leanne has secured a signature look rooted in strong lines, organic-inspired elements, and a self-professed “white on white on white” palette. The result is warm, modernist spaces that are kissed with Mid-Century nostalgia. While it’s no secret that Leanne is seriously in-demand as of late, she recently took time to curate a Chairish collection and share some of her insider favorites with us. Ahead, learn about Leanne’s go-to source for design inspiration, her favorite thing about working with her brother Steve, and the unexpected Mid-Century accessory designer’s work that she’s currently coveting.
SHOP ALL OF LEANNE’S FAVORITES >>
What do you love about shopping on Chairish?
I love that I can type in as many key words as I can think of for a style or vibe that I am looking for and it just POPS right up!!
Is there any particular product category where Chairish is your go-to?
I get a lot of my favorite chairs here! I am kind of addicted to interesting vintage chairs… that and lighting! Yum.
Favorite 3 items on Chairish right now?
Homecrest Lounge chairs, Rattan chairs to use inside the house, and Dorothy Thorpe glassware —Pretty much all of it!
Design
You worked with your brother on a show for HGTV. Tell us about that experience, especially working with your brother?
Season one was every emotion in one. Amazing, exhausting, stressful, a blast! We survived, though! And we enjoyed it enough to sign up for season two! We start filming soon and this time we are doing DOUBLE the episodes. EEK. And Steve and I get along amazingly well. We are buddies, and we respect and love each other. And we drive each other crazy. So we are right on track with most siblings!
Have any of your design aesthetics changed lately and if so, how and why?
My aesthetic is always and never the same. It evolves per project, it depends on the house and the client and a lot of outside forces. But overall, there is a feeling and vibe that stays consistent through styles and projects. And I think that is easy, natural style.
Can you share with us any big projects you’re working on in 2018?
I just finished my 1907 cabin in Echo Park and now I am headed to Pittsburgh to do 15 houses in 8 months for Restored By the Fords on HGTV. I also have have a couple fun tricks up my sleeve which I can’t tell ya JUST yet.
You’ve designed for both coasts. How is the aesthetic different? How are your clients different?
I have always been a two city kind of girl. Bringing the east coast to the west coast and the west coast to the middle of America is what makes my designs interesting. It’s the mix!
Favorite thing about designing with vintage pieces:
Vintage is what adds soul to a room. 100 percent.
Favorite way to add drama to a room:
I decorate primarily in whites and neutrals, but I always add an element of black in the room.
Favorite source for design inspiration:
Old outdated design magazines!
Favorite paint color:
White! My mantra: #wearblackpaintwhite
Favorite pattern (and how you love to use it):
I tend to stay away from pattern actually… but if I HAD to pick one… polka dots?
I have always been a two city kind of girl. Bringing the east coast to the west coast and the west coast to the middle of America is what makes my designs interesting. It’s the mix!
Favorite design rule to break:
All of them! My entire career has revolved around breaking design rules.
Favorite color combo:
White on white on white! (With a touch of black!)
Favorite way to mix high and low:
Stevie Nicks said it best, it’s all about “Leather and Lace.” 😉 High and low, new and old, shiny and rusty, chippy and glossy. When elements live together it creates a timeless soul to a space.
Favorite way to work a bit of vintage into a room:
Vintage chairs 100 percent. And I love vintage lighting, but make sure you get the wiring checked out before you hang that gem!
Lifestyle
Favorite travel destination:
Paris! And Deer Valley Summer Camp in Pennsylvania! How’s that for both sides of the spectrum?
Favorite hotel to check in to:
The Bowery Hotel in New York. My husband and I actually decided to get married at the Bowery recently while we were there for work… What a beautiful day! And space!
Favorite weekend activity:
Sleeping
Favorite app:
Uber
Favorite morning beverage (and how you take it):
English Breakfast Tea
Favorite way to treat yourself:
Massages. All day please!
Favorite thank you/hostess gift:
Wine and flowers
Favorite adult beverage:
Tito’s Martini up with an olive… but not dirty.
Favorite saying/quote:
If you’re not making anyone nervous, you aren’t doing anything special!
Favorite entertaining essential:
A full bar and plenty of beautiful vintage glassware
Favorite artist:
Alexandra Valenti
Favorite TV show:
Restored by the Fords? Just kidding… the Crown. 😉
Favorite thing to collect:
Glassware, chairs, trinkets
Local Favorites: Pittsburgh
Favorite restaurant:
Bar Marco
Favorite hotel to recommend to visiting friends:
the Ace Hotel in East Liberty
Favorite local culture hub:
The Andy Warhol Museum (He grew up in Pittsburgh. It’s the only one in the world!)
Favorite local attraction:
Fallingwater by Frank Lloyd Wright is about an hour or so outside of town. I grew up going there and I now see how much it has inspired my work
Favorite local flea market/vintage hunting ground:
Garden Style Living has the best treasures!
Shop all of Leanne’s Chairish Favorites >>
Lead photo by Alexandra Ribar
