Designer Interview: Brad Ford
We love having the opportunity to sit down with some of our favorite designers - we recently caught up with Brad Ford, one of New York City's top interior designers, to learn more about his journey from Arkansas to NYC and discuss leather in the design world. Brad Ford has been named one of "10 Designers to Watch" in both New York Spaces Magazine and New York Magazine. We admire his work and dedication to the craft - and we are proud to call him 'friend'.
Describe the journey that led you to the design industry: My original degree is in Business and Economics from Hendrix College back in my home state of Arkansas. When I graduated, I worked for a computer company in Conway, Arkansas called Acxiom. After being there for about a year, I met a real estate developer who helped me build a small house and I absolutely loved the process. I then became acquainted with a local interior designer named George Anderson and asked him what advice he'd give me if I was to ever pursue a job in the design industry. The very first thing he said was "move to New York City." The idea terrified me! I stayed in Arkansas for about another year until I could build up the courage to move. I was young, anxious and really didn't know anyone in the city, but finally convinced myself "why not give it a shot...you can always move back home." I applied to the Interior Design Program at the Fashion Institute of Technology, got accepted, sold everything I owned and moved to Manhattan. That was almost 24 years ago.
Tell us about the evolution of Brad Ford ID: After graduating from FIT, I had the pleasure of working for two incredible interior designers. The first was the late Jed Johnson who was a true gentleman and had impeccable taste. The second was Thad Hayes, who also has a great eye and a very strong point of view. They each had a very understated aesthetic which had a significant influence on me and my own career. I recall reading a quote one time from another favorite designer, Joe D'urso who said the difference between decorating and design is that ".... decoration is all about addition, while design is more about subtraction." I love that idea and I believe Jed and Thad both subscribed to a similar theory.
How were you first introduced to Moore & Giles? I've known about Moore & Giles through the business for some time, but about 5 years ago I partnered with M&G to design The Great American Woody to help raise awareness for DIFFA and their Dining by Design fundraiser. We traveled across the country together for a number of high-end events to promote and raise awareness about DIFFA and had an amazing time. The next year I was contacted by Bulleit Bourbon to design another Woody for the Neiman Marcus Christmas Book so the partnership continued. It's been an incredible ride-pun intended!
Where’s the most fascinating place you’ve seen leather used? Leather can obviously be used in a number of applications, but I'm always intrigued when I see leather floors. It's not seen it that often and there's something about it that feels quite decadent. I especially love the idea of leather floors in a closet.
Do you have a favorite Moore & Giles leather? I really like your Tuscany leather in the color Taupe. It's such a handsome, warm leather that can work in a number of contexts.
What is it about leather that you think resonates with your clients? I think it's a combination of everything I mentioned above: handsome, warm, soulful with a slight luxurious connotation that somehow doesn't seem elitist. I always try to have something in a room covered in leather. It really is one of my favorite materials.
Other projects that Brad is involved with:
In October 2014, Ford organized a modern makers craft fair in upstate New York called Field + Supply. The focus was on modern, elevated craftsmanship showcasing artisans from the Hudson Valley area as well as makers who work in New York City and Brooklyn. "FAIR is an extension of that concept and is now a permanent showroom at the New York Design Center. It is more edited and elevated than the original event upstate, but the focus remains on high-end, handcrafted design and craft. Many of the same designers who showed their work at Field + Supply are represented at FAIR and several of them are craftspeople that Ford has worked with over the years on his own high-end design projects," according to Ford.
Where’s the most fascinating place you’ve seen leather used? Leather can obviously be used in a number of applications, but I'm always intrigued when I see leather floors. It's not seen it that often and there's something about it that feels quite decadent. I especially love the idea of leather floors in a closet.
Do you have a favorite Moore & Giles leather? I really like your Tuscany leather in the color Taupe. It's such a handsome, warm leather that can work in a number of contexts.
What is it about leather that you think resonates with your clients? I think it's a combination of everything I mentioned above: handsome, warm, soulful with a slight luxurious connotation that somehow doesn't seem elitist. I always try to have something in a room covered in leather. It really is one of my favorite materials.
Other projects that Brad is involved with:
In October 2014, Ford organized a modern makers craft fair in upstate New York called Field + Supply. The focus was on modern, elevated craftsmanship showcasing artisans from the Hudson Valley area as well as makers who work in New York City and Brooklyn. "FAIR is an extension of that concept and is now a permanent showroom at the New York Design Center. It is more edited and elevated than the original event upstate, but the focus remains on high-end, handcrafted design and craft. Many of the same designers who showed their work at Field + Supply are represented at FAIR and several of them are craftspeople that Ford has worked with over the years on his own high-end design projects," according to Ford.