Joining the ranks of all-star designers that also include Joanna Gaines and Jeremiah Brent, Leanne Ford has officially joined the ranks of Loloi legends with a new 25-piece rug and pillow collection. Grounded, tactile and unmistakably Leanne, this calm, confident cast might just be the best foundation for Christmas chaos.
“These rugs aren’t too expensive,” says Leanne Houses and gardens. “They're for living, for lounging and for loving. “A good rug should make you want to take off your shoes and get comfortable,” she adds.
Ranging from low-pile (ideal for busy holidays) to plush and cloud-soft (ideal for sitting on the floor and opening presents), this collection is characterized by linear patterns and organic restraint – a direction inspired by a particular children's classic.
The Leanne Ford x Loloi Craven Oatmeal/Bark Area Rug is based on an initial sketch by Leanne, giving the design a hand-drawn look
(Image credit: Loloi)
“I have read The secret garden “To my daughter Ever, while I was working on this collection and it started seeping into everything I was creating,” Leanne explains. “This story’s sense of discovery, its connection to nature, and its message of transformation felt so right for this moment.”
The Leanne Ford x Loloi Weatherstaff Cinnamon / Natural Area Rug is made from flat-woven jute, making it perfect for high-traffic areas
(Image credit: Loloi)
Take the Craven space-dyed line, for example, which Leanne says gives the wool an extremely edgy beauty. “A perfect strip can sometimes seem too sharp or too graphic to me,” she says. “I wanted something quieter, more picturesque – something you could live with for years without ever getting tired.” It’s this subtle play of tone and texture that gives a room a soulful atmosphere.”
The Leanne Ford x Loloi Lennox Bone Area Rug is subtle, but its undyed wool has a tonal effect with lots of texture
(Image credit: Loloi)
Perfect in their imperfection – much like home life or the holidays themselves – Leanne's rugs embody the magic of the undone. “I’m always drawn to imperfection – that’s where the magic lies,” she muses.
This collection is in line with carpet trends, but is also completely timeless and fits seamlessly into any room and any style. Ahead, our favorite pieces from the new real-life collection that will make the moments during the busiest time of year softer, cozier and more forgiving – plus a few tips from Leanne along the way.
Leanne Ford
Blush/Rose Craven Rug, 3'6″ x 5'6″
We often think that coziness comes from a warm, inviting color palette, and while that may be true, texture might be even more important. “For me it's all about texture, texture, texture – it's really the heartbeat of my design,” says Leanne of rugs like this hand-tufted number in blush wool. “A shag shaggy rug is an easy way to add warmth and soul to a room,” she continues. “There is simply nothing better than getting out of bed in the morning and sinking your feet into something soft or ending the day with everyone lying on a cozy rug in the living room.”
Leanne Ford
Cinnamon/Natural Weatherstaff Rug, 3'6″ x 5'6″
There's plenty of soft, floor-standing lining in this range, but it also runs the gamut. “The Weatherstaff rugs, for example, are thin, simple and so special – they'll even fit under a door swing (if you know, you know!). “They're jute-based, so even without the plushness, they have that lovely, natural texture that gives a room a lived-in, layered feel,” says Leanne, noting their talent for high-traffic areas where you can still feel warm, wants a grounded feeling.
Leanne Ford
Lennox Rug in Smoke, 2' x 3'
Not sure how to use a small rug like this little Lennox? Leanne has answers. “I actually love finding creative ways to use smaller rugs.” On one of my TV projects years ago, we had this big open living room, and instead of filling the whole room with an oversized rug, we put a smaller one right under the coffee table,” says Leanne. “It defined that zone in such a simple, chic way. I tend to use multiple rugs in a room anyway – it's a great way to break up an open floor plan and have small seating or conversation areas all in one to create larger space. Take note on your next trip – you’ll see this approach in all the lobbies of your favorite hotels.”
Leanne Ford
Craven Rug in Oatmeal/Dove Brown, 5' x 7'6″
This collection has a noticeably human quality – and not just because each rug is handmade. The flowing lines, even in something as structured as the checkerboard patterns above, seem spontaneous, as if one of Leanne's charcoal sketches were coming to life. “And that’s really how I design – I never start behind a computer,” Leanne explains. “It's just me sketching by hand with paper and charcoal. On the surface the patterns are simple – stripes and checks – but the hand-drawn quality gives them a personality all their own. This makes them seem human, timeless and unlike anything you've ever seen before.”
Leanne Ford
Decorative cushion cover “Captain” in green
While rugs are the focus, there are also throw pillows in the new collection. Fresh, organically inspired greens like this olive cotton woven pillow cover are always on trend, but this brighter, more vibrant take on the hue feels especially right before the holidays – a softer replacement for the usual periwinkle. Buy it now and combine it with oxblood to pass it off as a holiday season purchase. Then leave it outside all year round for its calm calming energy.
Leanne Ford
Medlock decorative cushion cover in orange
The medlock style is perfectly coordinated without being overly obvious. It takes the softer, organic stripes of the Craven rug and reinterprets them in the form of a throw pillow. The two-tone stripe is available in three additional shades from the broader collection – light beige, beige and green – all designed to blend with or completely contrast with the line's nature-inspired color palette. The latter is the Leanne method: let a single pattern breathe and quietly focus on it. “When I work with a piece like this, I tend to let it breathe.” “There's no need to over-style or apply too many layers—just let the natural materials and texture do the talking,” she says.
“This line fits seamlessly with everything else I have designed and created throughout my career,” says Leanne of it Secret garden inspo. “The earthy, neutral palette fits the color story I've been telling all along.” “When you walk in, it’s like an exhale – it sets the tone for the entire room.”
And of course placement is everything. Even the best carpet trends need the right place to be placed. So consider this your opportunity to brush up on the ancient art of feng shui rug placement before the holiday antics.