Leanne Ford’s Newest Venture Will Totally Transform Your Kitchen

HGTV superstar Leanne Ford from Restored by the Fords knows a thing or two about fixing aging homes in dire need of a refresh. Seriously: Just look at this pretty, light-filled home on the show’s season finale.

And now, the talented interior designer can add another feather to her cap—that of brand collaborator. Ford announced today a two-year partnership with the creator of laminate, Formica Corporation. She will be collaborating with designers from the historic company to create new Formica brand products that will launch in 2019, and we can’t wait to see how she brings her signature style to the often overlooked material.

“We are thrilled to work with Leanne to showcase the versatility in our collections, and to further inspire others with her unique creative vision,” said Amy Gath, vice president of marketing at Formica Corporation, in a statement. “Leanne’s inventive approach makes her an ideal partner for us. We are excited to work with her to show all the unexpected ways that Formica Brand products can be used.”

And if you think laminate collections are boring, this is precisely the misconception Ford wants to tackle with her newest collaboration.

“I’m always on the hunt for new materials to design with and play with, and I’m always looking for new ways to think differently and play in my projects,” she tells Domino. “Formica Laminate is a material that has been recently overlooked, but is an amazing option for budget-friendly, creative solutions—and it’s available all over the planet. My credo has always been ‘Design for All,’ and this is a perfect partnership for me. I love showing new ways to use something you may have overlooked in the past. I’m not snobby. If it is good for the project, then I love it! I am excited to mix and match designs, and to play with laminate materials—even beyond the kitchen.”

To kick off the collaboration, Ford will be debuting a television segment that will air on home improvement channels starting today, April 2, and will also be available to view on the Formica website. Ford will showcase a number of Formica products and how they can be used beyond just kitchens, including a bed platform featuring the brand’s Quartzite Bianco and a sliding door featuring a writable surface, where people can include their own messages.

“I’m always thinking of new ways to use any and all materials in my design, and it’s been such a blast to think of new ways to use Formica Laminate,” says Ford. “A big plus for me with Formica is that I am able to create one-off custom furniture; that’s a designers dream. I’ve used it to make a marble-style bed frame and headboard and a metallic-style coffee table, for starters; I have a long list of things I want to try with Formica.”

And as for the average consumer? “Anyone who loves livable, fun, casual design,” says Ford. “Design is not precious!” Definitely a motto we can get behind.

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