UCLA Journal of Radiation Oncology_SS 2025_FOR PRINT - Flipbook - Page 47
UCLA RADIATION ONCOLOGY JOURNAL
The Schoolhouse Project was not just a launch into a new career
natural materials, things don’t feel as precious, and it puts people at
path, but, like Richard Deming wrote about Zora Neale Hurston
ease. Even if your home is made of drywall and vinyl 昀氀ooring, you can
in This Exquisite Loneliness, it was a return to her source, her
still do it.” In curating our homes (rented or owned), there are simple
hometown, and this time without any biases from childhood. She
ways in which to make it more comfortable, more inviting, more
intimates, “You know, we have all these preconceived notions of the
beautiful. Ford says, “Go outside, cut down a big branch and bring it
town we grew up in—I felt like it was my duty to leave, so I went to
in, or pick a bunch of 昀氀owers and plop them in a vase on your counter.
Ohio University and moved right to New York after I graduated to
Trust me—this will instantly change the feeling in your home.” Not a
work in fashion. Then eventually, as an adult, you come to look at
huge ask—she’s not talking about curating epic 昀氀oral arrangements or
your hometown in an entirely di昀昀erent way. It becomes your own, not
even going to a 昀氀ower shop. And, again, she reiterates, “My biggest
your parents. That’s what happened for me.” That re-imagining and
tip for creating more connection at home? Don’t orient your living
rediscovery of the area was signi昀椀cant for Ford. She tells me, “What I
spaces—any space, really—around the TV. When all your furniture is
love most and continues to draw me back to Pittsburgh is the space.
pointed at a big black box on the wall, it doesn’t invite conversation or
Here, I literally have the space and land I need to breathe, and then
create a sense of intimacy. It does the opposite.”
I also love the creative freedom I get here! Having space and time to
relax, breathe, and create.”
In terms of inviting conversation, community, and in this post-
Also, by chance, the Schoolhouse Project was a community-building
“Your job is hard, and can be lonely and daunting—your home should
initiative; the art studio she built in the basement became a hub for
be an escape from that feeling. It should be like walking into a little
attracting neighbors who became friends. “It was the best thing I
bit of paradise.” She points out that with 50-51+ weeks spent at home
ever did,” she says. “Projects and creating naturally bring people
each year versus your time on vacation, “Spending money and thought
together—it’s really a beautiful thing.” Along the lines of making a
on your space will be a much better ROI.”
pandemic era, 昀椀nding ways to establish connections, Ford admits,
space welcoming to others, building a space to her aesthetics within
If you notice a Frank Lloyd Wright in昀氀uence in Ford’s work, she
which she would live was liberating. “Something I really believe is that
agrees, “Hints of his work have quite de昀椀nitely snuck into every one
when you love your home, you’re happier in all parts of your life—and
of my works. I look back on what I’ve created, and though it’s not
you spread that joy. That kind of domino e昀昀ect is such a special thing,”
even worthy of being in the same stratosphere as his buildings, I pull
she tells me. What she means is making your space “feel like a hug.”
ideas from it—my love of bringing nature inside the home, my distain
She is avidly against the television as a focal point, a central piece. A
for window treatments, and my desire to push the limits, in ANY
television-focused room can be isolating. She imparts, “Loneliness
direction, really.” Her work is consistently informed by his.
seems to come mostly from isolation—when you feel like you’re facing
life and its perils solo...and while design can’t necessarily get to the
Her Rustic Cabin project incorporates a circular light 昀椀xture to
root of loneliness, it can be a portal for connection.”
o昀昀set the A-frame, a circular table to o昀昀set the angles and rectangles
of the space. As always, the furniture and décor are white to neutral,
As we’ve discussed in other issues, how we create warmth for
highlighting the natural wood and stonework of the structure. She
ourselves and others in our own homes can lead to well-being in
brings nature into the clean bathroom aesthetic, adding an aspect of
impactful ways. Ford shares, “Creating a space that invites community
the organic, the wild.
and camaraderie” takes “small things—such as facing your furniture
into each other instead of facing it to a TV, eating together at a
The Loveland Project may seem the most “departure” space of her
kitchen table instead of standing around the island, opening the
projects, a seemingly writer’s haven with accent painting by Scott
windows and letting fresh air in, turning some music on and turning
Laufer and dusty-rose toned loveseat complimented by a co昀昀ee table
the TV o昀昀; these things will breathe air into your space, and therefore
wealthy with leatherbound books. With large windows and ample
into your life.”
light, the darker tones gift the room with solidity that her typical
And her wisdom about making spaces enjoyable to live in and
whites might be blinding in.
hospitable to guests doesn’t end there. Anyone can do this in simple
The Round the Round project brought into one space all Ford loves:
ways. “I’m really big on bringing nature into our homes. When you use
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