For more than 25 years, Ford Design has built a reputation for creating homes that feel both deeply personal and enduringly timeless. Founded by husband-and-wife team Matt and Tina Ford, the firm began with modest remodels in Houston. Over time, those early projects evolved into large-scale luxury custom homes defined by a careful balance of story, land, and craftsmanship.
“We create spaces that are a true reflection of both the client and the land,” says Tina. “Our goal is for our work to feel new, yet as though it has always belonged there.”
That philosophy has guided Ford Design through decades of growth, geographic expansion, and, most recently, a new chapter that brings equestrian architecture into the firm’s creative portfolio.
Although Ford Design continues to work in Austin and Houston, the Texas Hill Country has become central to its identity. Matt and Tina originally purchased land in the Henly area to retire a horse; this decision soon evolved into something much larger.
“Once we found the land, an entirely new vision came to life,” says Tina. “We love that Dripping Springs still offers small-town charm while remaining close enough to Austin that we never feel disconnected.”
The Hill Country’s raw terrain—its limestone, oak canopies, and dramatic elevations—now strongly influences the firm’s architectural language. Materials are chosen to feel timeless and grounded, as if the structures have existed for generations, while incorporating modern technology and comfort.
“Our buildings are meant to feel deeply connected to the landscape,” Tina says. “The architecture should never detract from the land, but enhance it.”
In its early years, Ford Design focused on breathing new life into older homes, learning how architecture, material, and context interact over time. That foundation proved essential as the firm expanded into custom residential work, where each project begins with a conversation rather than a template.
“We love working with clients who are as thoughtful and excited about design as we are,” Tina says. “That shared enthusiasm is essential to every project.”
Each project begins with an introductory call to ensure alignment, followed by site visits that allow the team to understand the land’s slopes, views, and constraints. Clients share inspiration and vision boards, which inform a preliminary budget and conceptual direction. Ford Design develops the full narrative of the property through mood boards, material studies, and detailed planning before moving into formal design and construction documentation.
“Functionality always comes first,” Tina explains. “From there, it’s our responsibility to elevate that function through thoughtful, beautiful design.”
Ford Design offers a fully integrated design-build experience, managing everything from road access and site work to landscaping and interiors.
The firm is entirely family-owned and operated, a structure that shapes its culture and creative output, with Tina as the primary client-facing lead overseeing budgets, financial organization, and interior selections. Matt focuses on shaping the overall story and vision of each project and manages construction through the early phases before transitioning out as interiors take center stage.
In 2024, the firm welcomed the next generation when daughter Daisy Ford joined the business, bringing with her a lifelong connection to horses and a new design discipline.
“Each of us brings a different skill set to the table,” says Daisy. “That diversity allows us to continually expand and refine our work.”
Ford Design’s expansion into boutique barn design began organically, with the construction of a small barn for the family’s own horses.
“We loved the process and felt deeply connected to it,” Daisy says. “Equestrian design became a very natural extension of the firm.” Daisy now leads all equestrian and stable design, manages marketing, and assists with construction management and client coordination.
Having spent her life immersed in equine sport and experiencing luxury stables around the world, Daisy approaches barn design with a clear understanding that function comes first.
“Functionality is absolutely essential,” she explains. “When we combine the necessities of horse care with Ford Design’s aesthetic sensibility, the result has been incredibly well received.”
“Stables require just as much thought as houses,” Daisy adds. “We identify the specific needs of the horses and their owners and design around what best supports daily life, function, and longevity.”
Each barn project becomes an opportunity to refine the firm’s approach. “I’m excited to continue creating more unique equestrian spaces as we fine-tune the details.”
A defining element of Ford Design’s work is its commitment to craftsmanship. The firm fabricates many of its steel doors, windows, and horse stall fronts in-house, allowing for precise control over quality and design.
“This is a major part of what makes our work unique,” Daisy says.
Often, the most impactful design decisions happen at a larger scale. “Clients sometimes overlook the overall layout of the land,” Daisy notes, “and how each structure relates to the others across the property. That relationship is foundational.”
As Ford Design looks to the future, the firm remains focused on depth rather than speed.
“We hope to continue expanding through increasingly exceptional and meaningful projects,” says Daisy.
Upcoming work centers on upscale ranches throughout Dripping Springs, Wimberley, and Fredericksburg—regions where land, architecture, and lifestyle intersect most clearly.
Ultimately, the goal is timelessness. “We want clients to feel as though they’ve stepped into another century,” Daisy says, “one defined by history, depth, and craftsmanship, while still experiencing the highest level of modern luxury.”
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“Functionality always comes first. From there, it’s our responsibility to elevate that function through thoughtful, beautiful design.” - Tina Ford