A native of Los Angeles, Leslie graduated from the UCLA Interior Architecture Program and began her path in the design industry working for such talents as architect Frank Israel, interior designer Kerry Joyce, and textile designer Jack Lenor Larsen. When she opened her own design firm in 1994, she found it difficult and frustrating to find furniture that had both the level of quality and visual she wanted for her projects. At that time, there were not a lot of resources catering to designers that wanted a more minimalist aesthetic. So, she created it. The 407 Furniture showroom was originally opened as a resource for architects and designers like Leslie, that sought furniture that fit the sensibilities of their projects. Unusual at that time, the studio gained a loyal following and began to quietly plant the seeds within the community that locally made, heirloom furniture is an investment worth making.
