Miles Redd: The Stylish Art Of Design

Apr 22 2021


Acclaimed New York City interior designer Miles Redd brings his distinctive panache and style to his composition and creation of elegant spaces.
 
Q: What is your definition of elegance?
A: Streamlined, usually black, with perhaps one discreet baroque element.
 
Q: What is the one thing you have learned from Oscar de la Renta?
A: One thing? I learned 10 things a day. He always said, “If you rest, you rust,” and that is always in my mind, to keeping moving forward.
 
Q: You often like to pay special attention to doors, an item that is repeatedly overlooked by some. Why is it so? And what are some of your favourite ways of decorating a door?
A: I think people have a reverence for architecture that is sometimes to the detriment of design. They look at a door and think that it should be painted trim colour — which is typically white, mainly because that is what most do, and I am not saying there is anything wrong with that. Sometimes it is absolutely the thing to do — but now especially in new construction, doors are plain to the point of dull. It is a way of keeping cost down. I just like to take that dull door and do something to it. Sometimes we just paint it a bright colour, sometimes we upholster it, sometimes we cover in grass cloth. It just adds so much. People use doors every day, and I think when they walk through this beautiful thing, it does something…
 
Q: What is your signature piece that is always present in your projects?
A: A little bit of pale blue is in all my projects.
 

“I Just Find Certain Things Just Pop Up That Are Meant For A Project Or A Person. It Comes From Being Very In Tune With Objects”

Q: You were quoted somewhere that “things that come into your life are meant for you.” Can you explain why that is and can you share an example?
A: I shop a lot at auctions and I just find certain things just pop up that are meant for a project or a person. It comes from being very in tune with objects, but I would also like to point out that I love objects, and they certainly enhance one’s life, but a time comes when one is done with them, and they go back into the universe for someone else to enjoy. It is good to not be attached, because it is just stuff, and there is always stuff. One thing that came to me that I feel was meant for me is my David Adler mirrored bathroom. It sat on the showroom floor for five years, and no one wanted it…
 
Q: You often refer to your office as a “laboratory.” What are some elements that make this individual and inspirational?
A: It is just a place to try things and experiment — I think the thing that makes that happen is the sample library of stuff to play with and put together in new and interesting ways.
 
Q: What favourite memory do you have that can make you feel immediately happy?
A: Spending time skiing or at the beach with my nephews and family always puts a smile on my face.
 
Q: What is your best quality and your worst fault? Please explain.
A: I think I have a lot of empathy and can understand a lot of what people feel and want. I think that is my best quality, my sympathies, if you will. And my worst is my great expectations, but I don’t like to dwell on the negative, so we will leave it at that.
 
Q: What are you most proud of at the moment?
A: I am very proud that America is turning toward the light, with more kindness, understanding and inclusivity.
 
Q: What is your greatest accomplishment?
A: Moving to New York and creating a successful business.
 
Q: What is your definition of success?
A: A kind of freedom from the ego, a lightness and contentment.
 
Q: What is your definition of la dolce vita?
A: Decadent lunches in a warm climate.
 
Q: Favourites: fabrics, fragrance, shop, restaurant, saying?
A: I am mad for black horsehair, I love the freshness of orange blossoms in bloom. Does Christie’s count as a shop? My favourite restaurants are 5 Hertford and Le Petite Maison in London, and the saying is, “Quelle horreur!”
 
Q: If you could change anything about society, history or yourself, what would it be?
A: I wish we could live in a peaceful world, with more kindness and understanding.
 
www.reddkaihoi.com
@milesredd

Interview by Michelle Zerillo-Sosa

Miles Redd: The Stylish Art Of Design


Acclaimed New York City interior designer Miles Redd brings his distinctive panache and style to his composition and creation of elegant spaces.
 
Q: What is your definition of elegance?
A: Streamlined, usually black, with perhaps one discreet baroque element.
 
Q: What is the one thing you have learned from Oscar de la Renta?
A: One thing? I learned 10 things a day. He always said, “If you rest, you rust,” and that is always in my mind, to keeping moving forward.
 
Q: You often like to pay special attention to doors, an item that is repeatedly overlooked by some. Why is it so? And what are some of your favourite ways of decorating a door?
A: I think people have a reverence for architecture that is sometimes to the detriment of design. They look at a door and think that it should be painted trim colour — which is typically white, mainly because that is what most do, and I am not saying there is anything wrong with that. Sometimes it is absolutely the thing to do — but now especially in new construction, doors are plain to the point of dull. It is a way of keeping cost down. I just like to take that dull door and do something to it. Sometimes we just paint it a bright colour, sometimes we upholster it, sometimes we cover in grass cloth. It just adds so much. People use doors every day, and I think when they walk through this beautiful thing, it does something…
 
Q: What is your signature piece that is always present in your projects?
A: A little bit of pale blue is in all my projects.
 

“I Just Find Certain Things Just Pop Up That Are Meant For A Project Or A Person. It Comes From Being Very In Tune With Objects”

Q: You were quoted somewhere that “things that come into your life are meant for you.” Can you explain why that is and can you share an example?
A: I shop a lot at auctions and I just find certain things just pop up that are meant for a project or a person. It comes from being very in tune with objects, but I would also like to point out that I love objects, and they certainly enhance one’s life, but a time comes when one is done with them, and they go back into the universe for someone else to enjoy. It is good to not be attached, because it is just stuff, and there is always stuff. One thing that came to me that I feel was meant for me is my David Adler mirrored bathroom. It sat on the showroom floor for five years, and no one wanted it…
 
Q: You often refer to your office as a “laboratory.” What are some elements that make this individual and inspirational?
A: It is just a place to try things and experiment — I think the thing that makes that happen is the sample library of stuff to play with and put together in new and interesting ways.
 
Q: What favourite memory do you have that can make you feel immediately happy?
A: Spending time skiing or at the beach with my nephews and family always puts a smile on my face.
 
Q: What is your best quality and your worst fault? Please explain.
A: I think I have a lot of empathy and can understand a lot of what people feel and want. I think that is my best quality, my sympathies, if you will. And my worst is my great expectations, but I don’t like to dwell on the negative, so we will leave it at that.
 
Q: What are you most proud of at the moment?
A: I am very proud that America is turning toward the light, with more kindness, understanding and inclusivity.
 
Q: What is your greatest accomplishment?
A: Moving to New York and creating a successful business.
 
Q: What is your definition of success?
A: A kind of freedom from the ego, a lightness and contentment.
 
Q: What is your definition of la dolce vita?
A: Decadent lunches in a warm climate.
 
Q: Favourites: fabrics, fragrance, shop, restaurant, saying?
A: I am mad for black horsehair, I love the freshness of orange blossoms in bloom. Does Christie’s count as a shop? My favourite restaurants are 5 Hertford and Le Petite Maison in London, and the saying is, “Quelle horreur!”
 
Q: If you could change anything about society, history or yourself, what would it be?
A: I wish we could live in a peaceful world, with more kindness and understanding.
 
www.reddkaihoi.com
@milesredd

Interview by Michelle Zerillo-Sosa

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