Leanne Ford remains hesitant to acknowledge her brilliance and describes her style as warm, easy and minimalistic-ish. But that humility belies what we all recognize in her cozy creative work. To arrive at such an authentically effortless look, you have to be guided from a very buoyant interior landscape. The look reflects flow. She models such beautiful restraint and refuses to over-work what a space offers. She seems to celebrate the NOW rather than feverishly hunt down the perfect pieces for every room. With such an approach, it’s pretty genius to also be minimalistic-ish if you ask me (saves a buncha time doncha know). Is it fashionably cool to love what she does? Probably, but I’d design freakily follow had she her star stayed small. Leanne Ford Style often embodies restraint, effortlessness and warmth.
Leanne Ford Style: Restraint, Effortlessness & Warmth
Restraint for Color & Effort
The thing is, anyone can gut a place and start fresh with a healthy budget.
But to preserve soul and spend little? That calls for a more remarkable level of consciousness and a set apart range of sensibilities.
Leanne Ford seems to be a favorite of many for reasons beyond her reverence for white everything.
Her cozy warm minimal modern style celebrates slow living and luxurious livability.
There’s also a rich sense of self-worth and soul in the work. No one is showing off or flexing.
Maye that is why she is regarded as “cool” so often.
Leanne Ford Style & Authentic Understatement
Typically when a designer speaks of an “understated look,” they aren’t referring to the humble appearance of things in their worn from use, threadbare state.
More often, an understated look in design means less embellishment, nothing too shiny or flashy, or simply a quiet color story.
But understated in Leanne’s work feels more like gentleness and not overworking surfaces or footprints. Time after time, she proves it’s more than okay to use what you have.
I love how she uses challenges to inspire her creatively. She knew the walls in her Pittsburgh guest cottage (above) needed something, and since she had coffee grinds lying around?
Of course. Coffee wash the walls. In other cases, she uses ordinary supplies like grout in fresh ways.
Taking Risks Because It’s Only Decor
There’s always a measure of risk, but her design attitude is a refreshing one.
It is only decor after all – there’s no need to sacrifice a calm nervous system for the seriousness of it all.
Her magazine is all about permission to try new things and follow our own creative impulses.
Ever see the show stopping cool interiors (including the study, above) she designed for Rock the Block?
Free-spirited Lighthearted Whimsy
So many occasions, it’s what Leanne Ford doesn’t bother with that feels genius. For example, trim and casing! When most designers opt for such radical restraint, it becomes necessary to finish all surrounding surfaces impeccably. Trim and casing always hides so many sins! But when the style is this relaxed…
I don’t think Leanne hopes anyone will copy her designs or rip off all their moldings. The idea is to release yourself from conventions and make decisions from a place of self-awareness and freedom.
Psst. Loving the textured, plaster-like wall (like the one above) and wishing you could create one? You can. It’s a skim coat of a concrete product (Sure Tex “Whitewater”) RIGHT HERE.
Leanne Ford’s Fashion Stylist Past Shines Through
Before interiors work, she was a fashion stylist in LA, and the influence is apparent with so many California cool vibes.
She also uses black to great success. If you watch her HGTV shows, you may remember this bar she created (they antiqued the mirrored back).
Effortless Underbaked Chic & Relaxed Cool
I appreciate how the rooms Leanne tackles end up like the best brownies, truly underbaked.
With such an unfussy approach, an imperfect room can evolve. Leanne models this beautifully as she changed her mind about those coffee streaked walls and all the warmth she added to her guest house. She eventually covered it all with white paint and is not sorry!
Riffing on What Exists Now
If you have watched Leanne’s creative approach on TV, then you know she is not quick to dismiss elements in place. Must all the wallpaper be removed just because it won’t match perfectly? Could it be modified or somehow elevated for historical love?
Curious about the paint colors Leanne favors? SEE THIS. Here’s a warm white she loves:
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Restraint & Warmth
Mix Your Whites. We explored a gorgeous cottage owned by antique dealers who know their way around white HERE, and Leanne is adept at the art too.
Warm modern minimal luxe often relies on editing and restraint. Think thoughtfully-curated accessories you love looking at but not too many of them for a light and airy look.
Essentials & Learning the Look
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.
If you love the Zellige handmade tile Leanne often installs 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
Ideas For Bedrooms
For Kitchens & Dining Rooms
Tour Leanne Ford’s Cabin
More ideas for modern rustic style HERE, and also find decor options here:
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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