HGTV’s Leanne Ford: ‘God Puts Something On Your Heart For A Reason’
By Movieguide® Contributor
HGTV star Leanne Ford is opening up about her start in home decoration and the importance of following your “North Star.”
“I have always decorated my spaces,” she said in an interview with Relevant Magazine. “Down to my dorm rooms and my childhood bedrooms, you name it. So it’s funny that I never thought to do design for a living! But once I finally owned my own house and was able to rip out walls and play…it was ON! People started calling and asking me to help them with their spaces. And I always say yes to new and exciting opportunities.
Her restoration and decoration projects — aided by her brother Steve — soon turned into the HGTV show RESTORED BY THE FORDS. The show was later renamed HOME AGAIN.
“When you love your home, it helps your mood, and when you’re happier, you’re kinder to those around you. It’s a pretty simple formula,” Ford explained. “The more people that love and are proud of their space, the better. And it can be as easy as making your bed, or maybe some paint, or maybe some thrifting! It doesn’t have to involve money, just an open mind and some care.”
In addition to home decor, Ford also recently partnered with Buck Mason, a store in Sewickley, Pennsylvania, where she lives with her family.
“We love it here, but I remember thinking ‘What am I going to have to creatively give up coming to small town?’” she said of the family’s move from Los Angeles. “It’s been the opposite. I have been more creative than ever.”
Ford also launched Feel Free, a home and lifestyle magazine.
“@FEELFREE is a celebration of artists of every kind. (Living freely is an art in and of itself),” a post on the magazine’s Instagram account reads.
Ford also had some words of advice for anyone who wants to chase a dream.
“I hope people know to follow their North Star — that you’re never too old, or too uneducated, or too anything to NOT follow your dreams,” she said. “God puts something on your heart for a reason. Listen and pursue it joyfully and wholeheartedly! Don’t be afraid to fail. You will! Who cares? Get up and go again. You got this.”
Movieguide® previously reported on Ford’s design style:
The interior designer and renovator has a distinct style that Ford said is motivated by her love for community and family.
“To me, homes are like happiness, better when shared. We wanted people to feel good here, to have a place to relax and stay longer than just three days. Heck, to move in! In fact my sister-in-law, Ali, is living there right now while she helps with our daughter,” Ford said.
“People ask me all the time why my designs feel so warm. Not to totally give away my cheat sheet, but it’s pretty simple. I walk into a space and I think: Okay, what is good? What can we keep? I’m not looking for perfect,” Ford continued. “I’m looking for special. At the same time, I’m not trying to make a movie set. I want it to be livable. What most people don’t realize is that the first step to adding character and warmth isn’t actually about adding anything at all: It’s about keeping as much soul as you can.”
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