Big Design in Little China
In downtown Los Angeles, nonprofit worker turned design-savvy entrepreneur Willard Ford turned the historic Kim Sing Theatre into a haven for modern furniture and design, now known as Ford&Ching.
Necessity is the mother of invention, and when, in 2005, Willard Ford needed to pay his rent, his business acumen and design-savvy eye saw him through: He launched FordBrady, a furniture showroom in downtown Los Angeles, with designer John Brady. Earlier this year, Ford relaunched the company as Ford&Ching with Andrea Ching and opened a showroom in Oakland, California. The goal is still
the same—–to bring high design to our living rooms.
The old Kim Sing Theatre on North Figueroa Street, home to Ford&Ching. Photo by Jeff Minton.
How did you end up in the old Kim Sing Theatre?
I’d seen movies here when I was little. It had been abandoned for about 20 years and I bought it dirt cheap. I decided to live here and needed to quickly figure out how to afford to do that, which is part of why we started the company.
Is Los Angeles a good place to sell contemporary design?
It’s probably one of the worst, actually. Los Angeles peaked with mid-century-modern design and that continues to take up most of the market. We’re trying to open the market to a wider perspective that includes new ideas about furniture and design.
The Chair walker by SIngh Intrachooto.
Is there an object that changed how you think about design?
When we first started sourcing products, we were introduced to the idea of green furniture by designer Singh Intrachooto. We hadn’t considered green issues when purchasing for our business, but now about half of our products are sustainable.
What’s your most recent purchase?
Wood coasters from Sam Moyer, one of our designers.
The Rian Collection end table by Semigood Design.
What’s your favorite item you sell?
The Ted daybed or anything by Semigood Design.
What are you currently longing for?
A couch—–but I don’t know which one.
How do you define “good design”?
It’s usable and matches your personal aesthetic. I also like easily recognizable materials like metal or wood.
What makes a good customer?
People who come in to see something new. Those who want to buy the same Eames chair don’t want to talk about something new or made from recycled materials, only the Eames chair.
What’s next for Ford&Ching?
Getting more into contract work. We’re working on some restaurant and hotel projects we hope to see through.
Tools
Comments
Be the first to comment.
Add a Comment
Related Articles, Products, and More
Articles
-
Extended Interview: Willard Ford
Long gone is the era of single careers. In 2005, Willard Ford left the world of non-profits to follow his passion for furniture and design. He launched FordBrady in downtown Los Angeles with…
-
A Look Inside V&A Pattern
London's Victoria and Albert Museum has opened up its extensive archives and published the fantastic V&A Pattern volumes. The first four hardcover editions in the series are William Morris…
-
Charlie Cannon and Innovation Studio
Charlie Cannon is the energetic founder and teacher of RISD's award-winning Innovation Studio. An interdisciplinary class in its eleventh year, the studio invites industrial design, landscape…
Products
-
Cities of Tomorrow: An Intellectual History of Urban Planning and Design in the Twentieth Century
An exhaustive history of modern Western urban-planning theory and practice, Cities of Tomorrow tackles everything from major figures and events that shaped 20th-century urban life to fundamental…
-
Designing the High Line: Gansevoort Street to 30th Street
The High Line reclamation and landscape project has captivated us for the last decade with its psychedelic vision of a 21st-century hanging garden. Transforming an abandoned railway viaduct into…
-
Design Wagen
Designers Call is an innovative, interior design service that delivers high-end design to those with limited budgets and time. Designers Call was the first to create a specially outfitted mobile…
Dwell Collections
-
Geigy's Graphic Design
Design Musem Zurich's current show Good Design, Good Business showcases the great graphic design from 1940-1970 of the Swiss chemical company Geigy.
-
Jens Risom Collection at Design Within Reach
Danish designer Jens Risom, who designed the first-ever Knoll chair, collaborated with DWR to offer their Jens Risom Collection. Here's a few of our favorite pieces.
-
Architect Peter Cohen's Floor Plans
In addition to the wonderful letters architect Peter Cohen sent to Editor Aaron Britt while he was working on a feature story on his home, Maison Amtrak, he also sent in drawings of the four other…
Tip
-
How to Build a Lighting Concept
I’m a fan of floor lighting plus a couple of small table lamps for the living room. Use ambient lighting and low-wattage warm bulbs to create a relaxed atmosphere.
Videos
-
Reclaimed Design from the LA Times at Dwell on Design 2009
The Los Angeles Times' booth at Dwell on Dedsign—dedicated to reclaimed objects—is an esoteric assemblage of art pieces and re-purposed furniture.
-
Universal Design: Public Restrooms
In the first video of a two-part series, New York–based firm Smart Design examines the intersection between Universal Design principles and the limitations of public bathrooms.
-
Design Leader: Ken Isaacs
As part of our Design Leaders video series, architect Ken Isaacs reflects on the innovative projects that defined his career, from the Shoebox House to the Knowledge Box.
Events
-
Design USA: Contemporary Innovation
This exhibition features outstanding contemporary achievements in American architecture, landscape design, interior design, product design, communication design, corporate design, interaction…
-
Design S: Swedish Design Award
This exhibition will feature 19 shortlisted entries to Sweden’s biggest design award competition, which focuses on design for sustainability issues including climate, the environment, the…
-
Design Real
Design Real, curated by Konstantin Grcic and designed in collaboration with Alex Rich and Jürg Lehni, is the first design-focused show to be presented at the Serpentine Gallery…
-
