Profile: Miles Redd
by allthebest • 25 Oct ’07 • Miles Redd, profile • 16 Comments
The extraordinary Miles Redd in his infamous mirrored bathroom
Fun, sophisticated, glamorous, distinctive, chic…all fitting adjectives to describe to the work of Miles Redd.
Raised in Atlanta, Miles moved to New York to study film at New York University. More interested in set design, he began working for antiques dealer John Rosselli after graduation and was later hired by decorator Bunny Williams. Early on his tiny East Village apartment became a laboratory for his particular brand of cozy glamour. In 1998 Miles opened his own office in Noho and in 2003 was named creative director of Oscar de la Renta Home.
What I love most about Miles’ style is there’s nothing remotely generic about it and each room he designs is brimming with personality. I would expect no less from a man that had Christmas Eve dinner in his fantastic bathroom. What a fun place for an intimate little party, certainly it’s on my wish list (along with the bedroom pictured below).
How would you describe your own personal style?
I have an eclectic sensibility and love many objects over a wide range of tastes. In the city I love glass lacquer, plaster and satin, and at the beach I love straw, stone, cypress and linen. Mostly I like interiors to be either rich and glittering or fresh and sparkling.
Who are your style icons?
Mr. and Mrs. Oscar de la Renta, Albert Hadley, David Adler and Francis Elkins, Stephane Boudin, Richard Avedon, Rene Gruau, Christian Dior, Elsie de Wolfe, Christian Berard, Cecil Beaton, Jean Cocteau, Jean-Michel Frank, and Nick Olsen … to name a few.
What is the one thing in life you can’t live without?
A positive attitude.
Who would you most like to meet and how would you spend the day?
I would have loved to meet Nancy Mitford and Somerset Maugham for a long, drink-filled lunch at La Grenouille.
Who or what inspires your work?
Fashion and other designers past and present.
What would people be most surprised to learn about you?
That I don’t drink coffee.
What is your greatest accomplishment?
I haven’t had it yet!
profile by Ronda Carman
Oh wow Ronda you did it! You interviewed Miles!!! Congrats and thanks it was a wonderful read!
X
Anna
I’m so glad to see other people love Miles as much as I do! Loved the interview and love your blog!!!
Okay, how do you just go and get an interview with one of my top ten designers…amazing Ronda you never disappoint!!! So great to learn a bit more about Mr. Redd. I’m surprised he doesn’t drink coffee either
~Kate
His rooms are amazing. And he does it all without coffee–that is true geniuous!
Thanks Anna!
Thanks Be the Change, I’m a huge fan of Miles’ work.
Thanks Kate! It’s been terribly fun and exciting to do these profiles!
Yes, all without coffee…amazing
What a fantastic post! However did you manage to interview Miles? It was such an interesting read, and I’ve always loved that bedroom and his super-glamorous mirrored bathroom. Loved it.
Bravo! I love how personality-infused these spaces are. I’m so happy you got this interview!
Wow, impressive interview! I especially love that room reflecting the bookshelves.
Thanks for sharing!
Melissa
Great interview Ronda! Good to know more about Miles.
Well done Rhonda! How exciting to interview Miles. He is an absolute legend, and I’m sure we’ll all still be studying his work in the decades to come – I’m sure it will still look just as fantastic. I LOVE that he threw a party in his bathroom…how fantastic!
Thanks Suzy and I agree with you completely!
Thanks Patricia, it’s always fun to learn more about the person behind the design!
Thanks Jane and Melissa!!
This is Glamorous, I just adore that bedroom and his mirrored bathroom!
A bathroom like that would be a great incentive to stay in shape!!
Congrats on another fab profile Ronda