In Conversation with Brad Ford

Brad Ford

Brad Ford is one of the most well-recognized up-and-coming young designers. His work has been published in House Beautiful, the New York Times,  as well as a number of other respected publications.

He is able to uphold a signature, clean look while tackling various styles and colour palettes. Brad also maintains a great blog (Design Therapy) with posts about everything from projects to products to politics. With over 10 years of experience, an amazing portfolio and two degrees behind him he is most certainly going places! In my personal opinion Brad Ford is one of the coolest designers out there.

Iván Meade – What was your first experience with design?

Brad Ford –When I was around 10 years old, my mom decided it was time for me and my brother to each have our own bedroom. So she put up a dividing wall in the room we shared and told us we could each pick out our own wallpaper and furniture and decorate it any way we like. My room ended up being about an 8′ sq. box and I picked out this psychedelic, over-scaled, leather belt wallpaper. The belts ran horizontally and vertically forming a giant plaid pattern, but the best part was the belt buckles! They were actually made of gold metallic mylar and I remember thinking it was so modern. I even had the wallpaper hanger put it on the ceiling. It was pretty insane, but I loved it and I knew then I loved design!

Iván Meade – Who or what has influenced your style?

Brad Ford –Probably one of my biggest influences has been nature. I’m originally from Arkansas and growing up I was surrounded by the most beautiful natural resources. We were always out on the lake, down by the river or up in the mountains. The forms and the textures and the colors in those landscapes have always had a huge influence in my design approach.

Interiors by Brad Ford

Iván Meade – What do you consider to be your greatest strength and your greatest weakness?

Brad Ford –I think I have a pretty good eye, but in this business patience counts for a lot. The design process is just that…a process. Whether it’s decision making, lead times, vendors, contractors, scheduling, clients-this business requires a great deal of patience and I think I have a fair amount (…. sometimes.) This could also be looked at as a weakness, at least from a business perspective. If we’re looking for a vintage piece of furniture or an interesting design element, I’ll often tell my clients we should wait until the right piece comes along as opposed to getting something just to have it. Eventually we’ll find the right thing, and the client ends up appreciating it in the end.

Iván Meade – What books are currently on your bedside or coffee table?

Brad Ford –On my bedside table is “My Life In France” by Julia Child…it is so charming and inspiring! On my coffee table is “LaLanne(s)” by Daniel Abadie and it features the work of husband and wife sculptors Francois-Xavier and Claude LaLanne. Their work is absolutely stunning and clever at the same time. It’s a must have for any design enthusiast.

Interiors by Brad Ford

Iván Meade – On the day of Obama’s inauguration you posted 2 very patriotic entries. Are you excited with the recent American political change? How do you think this will affect our industry?

Brad Ford –I honestly can’t imagine anyone not being excited about the political change. I feel like as soon as President Obama put his hand on that bible the United States regained instant credibility from around the world. We’re in a brand new century and I feel like it’s time for everyone to start thinking in a forward manner. President Obama seems to have grasped that philosophy and I think it’s beyond exciting. I know it’s a bit unsettling right now with the economy, but history has proven that in times of great despair, great things happen. You don’t have to look too far back to remember the industrial revolution. I think we’re headed into a “technological revolution.”

Iván Meade – What project has given you the most satisfaction?

Brad Ford –Definitely the mudroom I designed for the Hamptons Cottages and Garden show-house with the insects!

Interiors by Brad Ford

 Iván Meade – In one of your projects you used a really interesting insect theme wallpaper – I found this selection really intriguing – what is the story behind this project?

Brad Ford -When they approached me to be a part of the show-house they said “how about the mudroom?” I jumped at the opportunity. I just loved the idea of trying to do something special with this often overlooked space. However, knowing it was the smallest room in the house, I knew I had to kick it up a notch in order to make it worth my time. I kept thinking about the function of a mudroom and how it’s supposed to “protect” the rest of the house from outdoor elements. I thought why not bring in some of those outside elements and make them part of the design. Long story short …. I ended up attaching thousands of actual insects onto hand-printed wallpaper and I remember thinking to myself before anyone else saw it ….”This is either going to be the coolest thing I’ve ever done or the dumbest….I mean who puts dead bugs on the walls of a house in the Hamptons?” Luckily, it got a great reaction and really ended up putting my name on the map.

Interiors by Brad Ford

 Iván Meade – What would be your dream project?

Brad Ford –Honestly….my dream project would be to design my very own house on a lake in a remote wooded area back home in the south, and then retire! All I have ever wanted is a house on the lake. I don’t want it to be huge and I don’t want it to be over the top. I just want a couple of fireplaces, stone floors and lots of windows. THAT is my dream project.