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From screen printers to patches, there's a lot to add to your cart.
Hi friends—Leanne Ford here. For the first time ever, my little art magazine FEEL FREE is online, and I’m thrilled to share it with you through this first‑of‑its‑kind content capsule with House Beautiful. Think of this as your invitation to play, to get inspired, and to try something new in your own home—because around here, it’s all about freedom of expression and freedom from perfection.
—Xx, Leanne
Leanne Ford may be an interior designer, first and foremost, but she's also an expert crafter who revels in a good DIY project. After all, so many things in both her own home and projects she's designed over the years are things she's made (or enhanced) with her own two hands. If you've had the pleasure of seeing her homemade wares up close, you may have silently uttered, "I could never do that" to yourself, but worry not. You can—and Ford insists! "I love all art supplies," she says. "There are things you buy that you may not think you can (or should) use unless you're a professional artist, but anyone can use these products to make something they love."
So, why make something yourself instead of buying something you find in a shop? Ford suggests, "I like the humanity of handmade things because what are we trying to prove with perfection? Imperfection is lived-in, there's a story, and there's so much more there." If you're in the market to incorporate something one-of-a-kind into your space, you've come to the right place. Ahead, you'll find 10 must-have crafting tools Ford swears by—and she'll tell you exactly why.
"I blame The Andy Warhol Museum here in Pittsburgh for this one. I came home from a visit, ordered my own screen-printing kit, and set up shop in my 'art studio' (aka basement). The best part? As long as you're not a perfectionist, you'll almost always make something cool."
"I'm not sure if I bought these for my daughter or myself first, but they're all over our home now. I use them to make my line-drawing doodles on newsprint and create posters with quotes I love. You can order them right off Amazon in just about any color—though you know I'll be sticking to neutrals over here."
"I recently had my friend Alexandra Mayr-Gracik use charcoal to draw directly on the walls of one of my projects, creating a trompe-l’œil effect. After sealing it, it became one of my favorite budget-friendly hacks ever."
"My daughter and I have spent so much time painting watercolors together. During one of those sessions, I actually painted the Feel Free magazine logos you see on every cover."
"Not everything has to be a rectangle. Circles feel softer and a little unexpected on a wall."
"I fell in love with Shibori dyeing at summer camp as a kid and have been doing it ever since. It instantly makes anything cool—t-shirts, curtains, blankets, bed sheets, and canvases. And if it turns out blotchy? Even better."
"Any thrift store will have a pile of old frames, and I always scoop them up. A fresh coat of (white) paint plus something unexpected inside, and you've got something really special."
"Let's keep it real: I'm no master ceramicist (yet!), but that doesn’t stop me from getting messy in the studio. I lovingly call my creations 'Wonky Wobblers' because they’re far from perfect, and that’s exactly why I love them."
"The secret sauce: A metallic glaze can turn the simplest clay piece into a little treasure."
"These are the quickest way to make something feel one-of-a-kind."
How to Give Grandma's Pieces a COOL New Beginning
8 Home Trends That Designer Leanne Ford NEVER Uses
How to Design a Garden Like Lauren Liess
7 Tips Leanne Ford Swears by for Treasure Hunting
