You’ll Want To Get Rid of Your TV After You See Crate & Barrel’s New Line With Leanne Ford
That big black box won’t be the star of your living room anymore after you weave in a few of these gorgeous pieces.
Courtesy of Crate & Barrel
When we laid eyes on designer Leanne Ford's new spring collection with Crate & Barrel, we were absolutely delighted by how cool, calm, and refreshing it all looked. Ford's latest product drop is called "The Origins Collection," and it's meant to be a return to her design roots, which she's described as "light, bright, and airy." A mixture of creams and light wood tones dominate the overall vibe, but still, nothing feels precious or perfect.
The designer actually eschews the idea of perfection, exclaiming, "We need to get the perfection out of our brains. I love simplicity, but I don’t need perfection. Things don’t have to be perfect!" From the sun-bleached, ready-to-be-patinated leather sofa to the handmade, dimpled ceramic pieces, it's clear the beauty is in the imperfection for this collection. It's all effortlessly cool, and meant to be lived with. Everything is designed so it works in a space where people gather and connect (enter the swivel chairs and deep, cozy sofas). It's all so beautiful and eye-pleasing, you'll just want to enjoy each other's company and the design-forward views—not watch TV, which Ford is not a fan of. At least, not aesthetically.
In fact, the designer hides all her TVs! She says, "I think TVs are a big black box that ruins the feeling of every restaurant, every bar, every mantle and every room that they are proudly displayed in!" (As for where and how she does this, she explains that she'll hide TVs in her designs behind a curtain or a cabinet, and she owns one Samsung Frame TV that's tucked away in a glass cabinet.) See below for some of our fave pieces, along with a few design lessons from Ford. You might just want to hide your own TV so these items can be the stars of your home.
Related: Crate & Barrel’s New Line Will Make Home Renovations Way Easier
Cane Back Swivel Accent Chair
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Cane is a classic material, and according to the designer, "It is, and always will be, beautiful." This swivel armchair might be on the pricey side, but the style is eternal, so you'll never get tired of it and want to replace it. (Meaning it's an investment that will absolutely pay off.)
Plus, because the chair swivels, all angles of it look good, and will still look good no matter where you place it in a room. Ford says as she personally toured us through her collection, "The back of everything [in the collection] is so pretty! Everything is pretty from every point of view!"
To Buy: Fields Cane Back Natural White Swivel Accent Chair by Leanne Ford, $1,299; crateandbarrel.com
Handmade Pitcher
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If you're looking to add a little bit of edge, and not have things look so pristine (for lack of a better word), this pitcher will do the job. The black, curvy stripes are freehanded, so it feels unrefined in the best way. And Ford adds, “A pop of black adds a bit of rock ’n’ roll to a room.” It's not just decorative either—you can safely pour drinks from it!
To Buy: Over Under White Terracotta Pitcher by Leanne Ford, $50; crateandbarrel.com
Upholstered Ottoman
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Dual-purpose pieces were also top-of-mind for Ford. This bouclé ottoman was a star for her while she talked us through her collection because of its versatility—it's another end table or extra seating. Plus, it's still quite wide and cushy, which you can't say for many stools or ottomans! The piece adds a unique shape, as well as a lovely, soft texture, to any room.
To Buy: Martini Small Upholstered Ottoman by Leanne Ford, $299; crateandbarrel.com
Slipcovered Sofa
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Because the whole line is very bright and white, you might be wondering how there's room for "imperfection." (Or at least we wondered that once we saw this crisp white sofa!) After all, white is a dangerous color to maintain in a home, especially with kids. But Ford takes a very laidback approach and seems okay with a little wear-and-tear on light-colored pieces. She also adds that white is actually easier to clean that patterns or colors, and she's not wrong—it's why hotels use white towels exclusively. It's easier to clean them en masse, and you can always turn to a tiny bit of bleach as a last resort to get rid of stains.
On top of that, slipcovers are a game-changer in chaotic households, which this Mellow Sofa features. Slipcovers allow you to work white sofas into your home without any of the risks! We also (semi-jokingly) asked to take a nap on the sofa—it's incredibly deep and the quilted look, which was inspired by Leanne's love of puffer coats, just makes it extremely cozy.
To Buy: Mellow Grande Slipcovered Sofa 102" by Leanne Ford, $2,699; crateandbarrel.com
Wood Bookshelf
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Layering in wood tones is one of the easiest ways to add warmth to a space, but sometimes it can feel a little heavy. This new whitewash finish of Ford's bestselling bookcase is the solution to that problem—it brightens up a room substantially. And the combination of open and hidden storage is brilliant. Display your favorite treasures on the shelves, and hide anything unsightly in the lower cabinets.
To Buy: Annie Natural Wood Storage Bookcase with Shelves by Leanne Ford, $1,799; crateandbarrel.com
Kiln Dinnerware
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Fun fact: These dinnerware pieces were inspired the "wonky wobbly" ceramics Ford makes in her Pittsburgh studio. (Though she adds these are "much nicer!") The cream shade is sophisticated, but their handmade, earthy nature radiates an easygoing, chill vibe. It's a nice break from traditional tabletop aesthetics, which have a reputation for being overly formal. This, hopefully, puts guests at ease when they're in your home!
To Buy: Kiln Dinnerware, from $18; crateandbarrel.com
Decorative Baskets
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While we're all for putting some of our imperfections on display, we also love a good woven basket to hide the really bad imperfections. (Where are you supposed to hide clutter before guests come over?!) These baskets are almost poetic—the slouchy look is super casual, and again, underscores the "imperfect" POV of your space.
To Buy: Wobbly Large Natural Brown Decorative Basket by Leanne Ford, from $149; crateandbarrel.com
Related: 30 Easy and Unexpected Living Room Decorating Ideas
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