After a 46 years of carpet laying magic, artist/craftsman, Bob Ford is retiring at the end of the year .
He started working for his father when he was 14.
Also a master-craftsman, father Bob Ford Sr. was a carpet installer whose clients were mostly interior designers.
Between the two of them is over 100 years of carpet/rug experience.
Bob and Bob Sr. in Montana. Bob Sr. came out of retirement to help Bob with a big job there in 2014.
Ford Facts
Bob still works almost exclusively for designers.
He has worked on thousands of wall-to-wall installations.
At Addison/Dicus & Bailey he has made over 5000 fabricated rugs since 2001.
Partnerships
Most people do not know any rug installer who has worked for them. Many of Bob's clients know him and fervently request that he install their rugs and carpets.
He's formed long term relationships with our designers. They act as partners on jobs.
Bob has placed carpets and rugs in homes and businesses of business leaders, sports celebrities, local celebrities, politicians.
We Have worked with Bob Jr and the late great Bob Sr.for 38 wonderful years. I’ve always been so proud of the projects we have done. Always on time and beautifully done. You long deserved the chance to kick back and enjoy your retirement. You and your dad have so much to be proud of. You will be certainly missed.
David van Ling
Problems and Solutions
Scaling up Graph Paper
Bob would copy the design submitted by the designer to graph paper. Then he transferred the design square by square to large pattern.
Scale Drawing One
Blowup of Pattern Developed from Graph Paper
Finished Rug on Shop Floor
Scale Drawing Two
To Large Paper Pattern
To Rug
If you want a carpet install done right, Bob Ford is the BEST. Every encounter I have had with Bob over the past 19 years, in the workroom or with a client, has been seamless. He's able to give his professional opinion because of decades of experience with such a calm approach that makes even a stressful or difficult install, manageable. As a designer, those qualities are ideal to work with; being in a service industry full of complications. I'm so sad to know that he won't be at every stair or large install I do moving forward, but his retirement is SO well deserved and I know we are in good hands with the Addison/Dicus & Bailey team. Bob, thank you for sharing your time and talents with us, making our lives easier, our days more pleasant, but most of all, GO HAVE FUN!
Sincerely,
Meg
Meg Carter Designs
Transform a Rug into Runners
To This
And this
Perfect inlaid elements
Crate the overall design on large paper. Then carefully scissor out the elements and use them as patterns to cut the carpet pieces.
Paper Pattern
Cutting out the elements
For a very special rug
Big Jobs
With matchless skills like these, Bob along with his Dad, have done some big jobs.
Governor's Mansion
Gasparilla Inn
Fred McGriff Mansion
Bob is now and will always be simply the BEST- His Skill, His Temperament & His Professionalism are unparalleled! His special gift to designers - his ability to clearly explain why and how certain existing conditions on projects dictate the PROPER installation. Just as was true with his father, Bob is truly IRREPLACEABLE! He will always remain the benchmark of achievement for his trade and those who may follow is his footsteps. Bob, thank you my friend, I’m a better designer because of the knowledge you so generously shared with me. May your retirement allow you many more beautiful and happy days on the waters of Tampa Bay! May God bless you as you and your family move forward,
Michael Meloy
The Future
We'll miss the jaw-dropping solutions.
We'll really miss the good-humored, friendly, informative and fun-loving guy that is Bob.
But...
He will be available for specialty work with plenty of execution time and soft deadlines. After all, he's been at the for 46 years and can't just quit cold turkey.
"I love working. I love working with Designers," he said, "but my body tells me more and more that I need to do less."
He will be spending his time with his wife Leslie and Ryder.
Ryder
Ford Portfolio
Enjoy a portfolio with samples of Bob's work over the years.
Bob Trims a Border on a Formatted Rug.
Carving a Formatted Rug to Give Depth and Perspective
Formatted Rug Inlaid with 100s of Pieces
Octagonal Rug with Inlaid Border and Field
Complex Inlaid Formatted Rug in Elevator Lobby
Inlaid Tri-Color Fabricated Rug
Logo Rug at Steinbrenner Field
Black Lines on White Rug
Black and White
Black with White Lines
Be on the lookout for an announcement early in the New Year. We will have a gathering at the Tampa Showroom to say farewell.