The Slow Down: For the Love of Home

by Leanne Ford

Designer and HGTV personality Leanne Ford shares design secrets and personal reflections on how she creates her warm, chic, and easy-going aesthetic—and how you can do the same Leanne Ford’s imperfectly perfect designs inspire more than half a million social media fans daily. In this very personal design book, she shares her decorating philosophy, wry humor, and advice to live by. The Slow Down offers readers an inside look at how Leanne found her “wow does this need work” dream house and then moved (with her family in tow) across the country to turn it into a welcoming home. Her story has a rebellious soul that is refreshingly different from other interior design She encourages readers to slow down in their personal environments and celebrate the beauty of everyday moments. The Slow Down’s photos and narrative present a home tour like no other, stopping to recount crazy ideas (not always crazy!) and to offer thoughts on what makes a design really good and why Elsie De Wolfe is still right (about most things). You will come away with a new perspective and new ideas on how to make your home more joyful, elevated, and funky, fun, and just right.

Genres: Nonfiction, Design, Interior Design

224 pages, Hardcover

Published October 1, 2024

Reviews

[Teres · Rating 3 out of 5]

White on white on white.

[Sheila · Rating 2 out of 5]

For all the hype I’ve seen about this book I was disappointed. Her stylist Hilary Robertson has much more appealing books with unique ideas. And it’s expensive for a design book. I’m sure it has some good written content if only I could read it without massive eye strain. Whoever designed the book and sized the text should have chosen a much bigger font. I’ve worked for a scholarly publisher, university press, and no book designer there would have used such tiny text. I think Ford is trying to sell her Crate and Barrel line with this book. Her house looks lovely but even the photos aren’t inspirational. And I’m all for a ‘lived in’ house. The book was a gift as I probably wouldn’t actually have bought myself. I suppose a good cover does sell a book and the cover is good but I’ve found nothing new in the content.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely photos, fun to look at, difficult to read due to tiny font. I don’t know what possessed them to choose such tiny font; they left a gigantic border of blank white space surrounding all text.

[Tina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m going to say that I didn’t enjoy this book a lot unfortunately.

I loved the books by Ali Health and this just doesn’t compare.

Basically she is trying to sell her Crate & Barrel line in this book and maybe make a small fortune to pay off the house by writing this book?

Ok, probably not.

But do yourself a favour …before you waste money on buying the book ….. rent it from the library.

[Tre Foor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I appreciated the fact that she stays so true to herself throughout. There is no part of this that was written or styled to appeal to the masses in an effort to sell more books. She has a unique, vibrant style that is not for all of us but it was written and designed well. I will agree with the other reviews on the font size, bad choice in my opinion but I still read every word and really enjoyed the book.

[Alecia Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

So perfect that this was the first book I read this year. While my aesthetic is not as modern and monochromatic as hers I'm absolutely inspired by her philosophy on cultivating a home and a family story. I loved the raw and vintage feel to much of the photography. She helps you settle in comfortably to the undone/in between parts of design and life.

[Kristi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Even for a decorating book, this one lacks substance. The photography is nicely done but what is pictured is just ok, and the text is thin and repetitive. The quotes from Elsie de Wolfe are probably the best thing about the text. I didn't pick up anything that I could use, though.

[Relyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a stunningly beautiful book. Oh my.

I've been fascinated by Leanne Ford since I watched the first season of Rock the Block several years after it debuted. I love her insouciance, her style, her confidence, her dimples. She's just so cool. And the home she created is stunning.

[Bridgette Guerzon Mills · Rating 1 out of 5]

Why such a small font size in a skinny column down the middle of the page?? I didn't find the writing very interesting unfortunately and then making it difficult to read made it worse.
I liked her show and I really liked one of her magazines. Not sure what happened here.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The ethos of this book spoke to my soul. Loved it and ordered my own copy after borrowing it for the first time from the library.

[Michelle itsmichellethompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book — the vibe was really refreshing (only showcasing one home, her own), beautiful photography + inspiring quotes. One I’ll come back to.

[Kelli Kendall · Rating 5 out of 5]

While my style differs, I found reading about her style very inspiring and fun. Love her take on creativity and home.

[Ronda Canary · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.3

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 The Slow Down showcases designer Leanne Ford's laid back and welcoming decorating style.

[Sylvia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beautiful photos.
However, the font is very small. So I am fibbing a bit to say I read the whole thing.
I very much enjoyed the quotes by Elsie de Wolfe

[simone ☆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

i love leanne ford!! yay white paint :)