Leanne Ford stays low key when it comes to acknowledging her design intelligence. Her humility belies what we know: authentically effortless looks ares not effortless work. Restraint requires abundant thought, flow often entails removal of resistance and obstacles. Curation for a look that sings NOW involves understanding of history. Properly embracing a white or mostly white decor scheme is an art. Leanne Ford interiors inspire with restraint, effortlessness and warmth…but it takes work!
Leanne Ford: Inspiration for Effortless Interiors
Restraint: Color & Effort
The thing is, anyone with enough cash can gut a place and start fresh.
To preserve the soul of a place and not spend a fortune? A particular level of consciousness, experience, and design intelligence guide the sensibilities.
Leanne Ford is a favorite of many for reasons beyond her obvious reverence for white decor.
Her cozy warm minimal modern style celebrates slow living, artistic freedom and luxurious livability.
There’s also a rich sense of self and soul in the work. No one is showing off or flexing.
There’s an earthy goodness to everything she does. A wink and a smile in what might otherwise feel highbrow and exlusive. Maybe that is why she is regarded as “cool” so often.
Rock and roll, if you will.
Leanne Ford Interiors & 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 signals less embellishment, nothing too shiny or flashy, or simply a quiet color story.
But “understated” in Leanne’s world of work feels closer to gentleness, treading lightly, and not overworking a home’s footprints. Time after time, she demonstrates it’s more than okay to work within existing parameters.
She understands the soul of a place and allows existing challenges to guide and inspire creativity. For example, she knew the walls in her Pittsburgh guest cottage (above) needed something, and she also knew there were excessive coffee grinds lying around. Hahahaha.
It’s right under our noses, of course. Coffee-wash those walls. In other cases, ordinary supplies such as grout can be implemented 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! Look around. More pressing matters are all around.
Her magazine FEEL FREE is all about permission to try new things and follow creative impulses.
Remember those show stopping cool interiors (including the study, above) designed for Rock the Block?
Free-spirited Lighthearted Whimsy
It is what Leanne Ford is willing to ignore that often feels like genius. For example, trim and casing! When most designers opt for such radical restraint, it becomes necessary to carefully finish all surrounding surfaces impeccably. Trim and casing hides many, many sins! But when the style is this relaxed…
It is one more example of how I don’t think Leanne’s intention is for everyone to copy her designs (i.e. demo all of your moldings at home!).
The inspiration and invitation here is to release yourself from conventions. Make decisions from a place of self-awareness and freedom.
Psst. Love 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.
The designer often uses black to contrast with 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 recall my favorite brownies: truly underbaked.
With an unfussy approach, no fussy rules hem you in. Leanne modeled this beautifully when she had second thoughts after living with those coffee-washed walls shown earlier on her guesthouse walls. She eventually covered them unapologetically with white paint!
Elevating Existing Features
If you have watched Leanne’s creative approach on TV, you know she is never quick to clear the decks or impose perfection. Must all the wallpaper be removed just because it won’t “match” seamlessly? Could it be modified or somehow elevated to retain the history and soulful past of the space?
Such discernment cannot happen when you are rushing through life and a particular project. For me, these decisions are born when I am moving at a healthy, slowed pace with a clear head and an open heart.
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Warm White Paints Leanne Favors
Curious about the paint colors Leanne favors? SEE THIS. Here’s a warm white she loves:
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. Consider which thoughtfully-curated accessories you want to see everyday, but whittle down the quantity (you can always rotate!) for a lighter 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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