I will never tire of seeing what this designer does next, and since she stays true to herself and no-fuss style, the look is enduring. Pittsburgh sweetheart Leanne Ford is one of Hello Lovely’s favorite designers and not JUST because her favorite color is also white. I mean, we were singing her praises (and stealing her paint colors!) well before she ever landed Restored by the Fords on HGTV. Most recently, we peeked at her guest cottage. Leanne Ford Modern Rustic Warm Minimal Luxe: Get the Look Now celebrates yet demystifies her edgy vintage style.
Leanne Ford Modern Rustic Warm Minimal Luxe: Get the Look Now
Leanne has style for miles…I’m guessing A Very Brady Renovation (watched by 28 million viewers) solidly put Ms. Ford’s name on the map. And now with HGTV’s “Home Again With the Fords,” fans can rejoice and be inspired by projects like the one above.
And did you catch the show stopping cool interiors (including the study, above) she designed for Rock the Block?
Skip the Fancy Trim
Minimal is her jam…Also pretty sure the Giannettis would approve of her move to remove baseboards (in the Rock the Block house) and stick to an organic, rustic luxe, warm modern look.
Go Bold With Modern Rustic Texture
LF relies on texture…Are you sighing over the texture-perfect, plaster-like wall in this bath she designed (above) and wishing you could have it? Um. You can. It’s a skim coat of a concrete product (Sure Tex “Whitewater”) RIGHT HERE.
Woodsy Warmth With White
Leanne’s modern farmhouse white kitchens are legendary…I’m sure you recall this farmhouse kitchen in Pittsburgh with modern Sputnik chandelier. Notice how she isn’t shy about pairing rugged chunky wood with expanses of pristine white.
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California Rustic Farmhouse Style
She may be from the East, but there’s plenty of Cali in the girl…and it’s clear she was a fashion stylist. Her eye for edgy art, cool vintage flea market style, and industrial chic is a keen, well informed one.
Flee to the Flea
Mix in beat-up vintage cool treasures…and don’t think about polishing or re-painting. The warm, lived-in, unfussy, undecorated look in large part is from…duh…not fussing.
Spare & Serene Bedroom Design
Ford is famous for laid-back, calm, and pretty bedrooms…where the bedding feels like a cloud. I love how she went for a very nostalgic, romantic lace coverlet in her Rock the Block showhouse.
Industrial Design Elements
Sometimes even industrial elements can be subtle…I already mentioned that decorative concrete skim on the walls Leanne used in Rock the Block, and here’s an idea to steal from her…use it to finish the side of a kitchen island as she did. Economical, quick, and unique! Leanne mixes white pigment to the mix which gives it that creamy, plaster look…so much softer and friendlier than cold grey.
High Drama With Low Key
If the palette is neutral, and the architectural interest isn’t coming from millwork, get creative with dramatic art and the unexpected…Exhibit A: that El Dorado stone wall in the kitchen!!! It’s Hillstone “Lucera” stone veneer from El Dorado Stone.
Curious about the paint color in the great room above?
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Imperfect & Slightly Messy Vignettes
Sure, shelves are functional…but they also provide potential for a rotation of interesting styling opps. Create opportunities for character-rich, decorative vignettes to happen but don’t overthink the placement of treasures.
Clutter-free Yet Quirky
A warm modern minimal luxe look relies on editing and restraint…as well as thoughtfully-curated accessories. Leanne masterfully masses vintage finds and still somehow keeps the look feeling light and airy.
Clever Budgeting
Just look at what an inexpensive stencil can do to a patio…this genius stenciling pattern on ordinary concrete exudes the look of cement tile. Learn more about cement vs. stencils here.
Ideas to Get the Leanne Ford Look
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For Bathrooms
This story about my own farm sink gives you the inside scoop about why I’m crazy about these pretty basins.
If you love the Zellige handmade tile Leanne installed in a herringbone pattern in the bath abpve, maybe you’ll want to try a sample…it runs about $17.50 per square foot.
A more budget-friendly idea for a similar look but with ceramic tile is this one:
For Living Rooms
For Bedrooms
Leanne Ford’s Favorite White Paint
For Kitchens & Dining Rooms
Tour Leanne Ford’s Cabin
More ideas for modern rustic style HERE, and also find decor options here:
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Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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Leanne Ford is another favorite designer of mine. I was able to attend the Rock The Block open house for the public in Santa Clarita California(a 30 min drive from my house). All four designers did a wonderful job but Leanne Ann’s house was it for me, her up scale minimal rustic Master bath took my breath away. If I were shopping for a house I would have bought hers. Thank you for such an informative post!
PS On a previous post you asked about my kitchen sink info: Blanco Cerana II series Fireclay 33″ sink is what I used purchased at my local Pacific Sales store. It has a deep 9″ single bowl and reversible style design. Both long sides of the apron sink have different radii corners and comes with a grid.
Author
Thanks so much for that info, M.! How fun that you attended that open house – did you get any air time? Can I have your autograph? xox
I too am a BIG fan of Leanne Ford. She’s my fave HGTV designer, and yes, I caught her in both Rock The Block and the Brady Reno. I LOVED what she did on Rock The Block, but was sure it was too-out-of-the-box to win. Funny, the winning home was my least favorite. Once again you have blown me away with all the resources you manage to conger up! I pinned away!
Author
Yay! My style is a lot like Leanne’s, and she has such similar sensibilities that I feel like she must be from the Midwest and not the East or West! That master bath she rocked should have won that whole competition…I mean! Thanks for making it fun, Celia. 🙂
Me too, me too! I love Leanne too!!😂 After agonizing over which shade of white to paint the exterior (& interior) of our home, I finally narrowed it down to Shoji White. When I found out that’s the color she used in her own home in Echo Park, well that just sealed the deal for me. And I absolutely LOVE it…warm, natural, kind of a ceramic feel to it. I used Dove White on our shiplap walls, but Shoji everywhere else. I followed her suggestion…”There’s nothing more beautiful than layer upon layer of mismatched whites & creams living together.” Leanne IS just plain cool!😎
Author
YESSSSS. I’ll check out Shoji White since that sounds like a winner. I’m totally a believer in mixing whites and creams and putties – and I always say if you want to experience the beauty of the mix, try it with your wardrobe. So many folks haven’t mixed white and cream in their wardrobe, and I think it’s such a winning combo!
Yes, putties too! The third color we used for all our cabinets and interior doors was Edgecomb Gray which to me actually looks more putty than gray. I absolutely love it along with the White Dove and Shoji White! 😊I really don’t think I will EVER grow tired of these colors.
Author
Sounds beautiful and so serene. White Dove worked so well in several houses of ours so it was surprising when we had to go with such a super white in this current one. I’m so happy to hear you love your palette! 🙂
I love my fellow Pittsburgh girl Leanne! Her style is unmistakably hers and it’s perfect!! I need to get her book😊
Author
I was so impressed by how freely she and her brother discussed their faith and Christianity in the book. She says people are often surprised to hear she is a Christian (because how could she be so cool? hahahahahaha). They don’t take themselves overly seriously and are fearless in so many ways so of course they would say yes to a memoir even though they are young! 🙂
Many ideas are written in this article, it’s fun to read more on this. Every topic gives a lot of bright ideas, to make a change, looks on every detail of your design.
Author
Thanks so much for reading and leaving footprints. 🙂
Your blog is absolutely the best! I like forward to it each day. I’d love to have access to Erin Kelly’s antiqued mirror
Author
I have been aching to create a DIY antiqued mirror, and if this project doesn’t get me motivated I don’t know what will. What a coup to discover the mirror was copper!!! Thanks for the kind words.
I love my fellow Pittsburgh girl Leanne!!! Her work is so sophisticated!! Thanks for sharing 😊
Author
She is a keeper, and I’m excited about the new Home Again series! Thanks for taking it for a whirl, and bon weekend!