It’s been a while since we’ve had a new Skirted Roundtable interview, so we wanted to make this one extra special – and it is! Wow! Miles Redd!! Yes!!!
OK, so all day I was nervous as all get out thinking about how I was going to be talking with Mr. Miles Redd, probably the hottest, most in demand interior designer working today. Moi. Talking with Miles. Yep. In the end, all the nervousness was for naught because it turns out Miles is just Miles, a nice, polite, and ultra sweet southern gentleman. A real mensch – if only he was Jewish.
Miles doesn’t particularly like to email. He actually likes to talk on the telephone and call people back – no matter who they are!!! You want to talk with Miles? Call him. He’ll call you back. He’s THAT nice. He heads up the chicest design company around, so how many people work for him? Fifteen? Twenty? Try four. Four people. And he mentions them all by their names. As Linda pointed out, that was a first, EVER.
The niceness just goes on and on. Need a source? Need a tradesman? Need to know the color of the paint on his front door? Just ask him. He shares it ALL. But, not the color of his front door paint. That was a custom mix and he has no idea what color it is. You know his townhouse - where he lives on a few floors and his married sister lives on the other floors with her family. But she’s moving out to a bigger space and Miles is taking over the entire townhouse. He can’t wait either. He’s scheming and dreaming about it.
THE townhouse, where design aficionados pay homage to Miles walking by it while visiting NYC. I’d probably just loiter around it all day, hoping to have him come out and take pity on me and invite me inside for a tour.
The famous Miles Redd skirted table.
Miles has a new book out, and it’s a stunning collection of images. Pictures that have inspired him are mixed in with photographs of his work. But sometimes it’s hard to discern what is the inspiration and what is his work - the images are seamless. Many are new photographs showing perspectives not seen before.
For instance, this Houston, Texas house was shown in Veranda. This angle of the room was the only one we’ve seen, to date. But in the book – we see another image of the same room:
Here – you can see how the living room sits off the main entry hall. And who knew that zebra pillow was on the sofa? And in the book, next to this picture, is the inspiration for the curtains. Let’s just say – Audrey Hepburn. Again, who knew? By the way, Miles lets us know that he is now working on his second house in Houston. No names mentioned though. He’s not stupid!
The book is full of visual surprises, one after another. The cover itself is wonderful, showing his famous zebra and nailheads door:
Miles claims this zebra door is one of only three original ideas he has ever had. Yeah, sure Miles – just three? Originally he claimed it was just two ideas, but later in the interview he adds a third one. Yet, he has trouble sleeping – in his dreams he sees fabulous, original rooms that amaze even him when he awakes.
He freely admits this red lacquered and brass library was completely inspired by red library designed by the late, great, Albert Hadley. Those bookshelves!!!!
There was a lot talk about his mirrored bathroom – where he’s been known to host dinner parties.
And how it took the photographer just 15 takes to get this iconic picture, which was Miles’ own idea. That art-deco, marble and mirrored bathroom – to die for!!! He bought the vintage room after the museum in Chicago turned it down. It just happened to fit perfectly in his townhouse. I’ve always loved the peek at his red socks in this picture that seems almost black and white.
He is such a doll, such a sweet, sweet man, you will fall in love with him and wish you could hire him just to become friends with him!
Myself, I am just obsessed with the zebra door and keep wishing I had a space worthy of such a fabulous portal.
To listen, go to the Skirted Roundtable website HERE.
To order Miles’ The Big Book of Chic, click on the picture below:
AND……..
On yesterday’s Lovefeast contest, I left off the codes for the discounts!!!
Here they are:
15% off all Velvet Pumpkins from 12/1 - 12/31:
Promo Code: HOLIDAYPUMPKINS15
10% off Antlers from 11/19 - 12/12:
Promo Code: TEXASANTLERS
Be sure to use these source codes if you order the pumpkins or antlers in order to get your discount. If you ordered something yesterday and didn’t use the code, try emailing or calling Lovefeast – I’m sure they will honor the discount regardless!!
Sorry!!!
You have to love a man with style. I like the all Liron room what a cool idea!
ReplyDeleteJoni Miles is a favorite forever. I adore the library and everything in it!
ReplyDeleteLater I will listen to the interview. Thank you ladies!
xoxo
Karena
2012 Artists Feature
Hi! Is it called a dinner party if it is one man and four women and takes place in the bathroom? Did the whole meal take place in the bathroom? I would want to know I would be eating in the bathroom before I accepted the invitation! wondering what my Grandmother would say. I am a New Yorker, but apparently the stodgy sort.
ReplyDeleteLooks like the table is set for two other guests.
Deletei think if miles redd asked you to a dinner party, you don't care if you eat in his bathroom! i think that was half the fun. plus, i think all his friends would already know they were eating there. it's not like a regular bathroom - as you can see. but still, i would hope he cleaned it up completely - like mopped and wiped down the floors and counters, first! oy!
Delete"...one man and four women"
DeleteTWO men and four women.
A new Redd skirt!! Now...that's festive!! franki
ReplyDeleteRedd has got to be one of my favorite designers! + (I have ruffled around my silk curtains) Will listen to your interview! PS that zebra door is the best!xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
ReplyDeleteGreat interview ladies! Love the new "Redd Skirt" moniker:)
ReplyDeleteI was so impressed with Miles. I was always blown away by his style but now I am blown away by the person. A real gem of a person and a great decorator too. Great and fun interview and you are right - as he was saying the names of his team I was already thinking "awww...." how gracious of him. :)
ReplyDeletexo Terri
He is so talented, and it is great to know that he is as nice as you say he is, Joni. I have long been an admirer of Mr. Redd's work, and I look forward to hearing the interview on the Skirted Roundtable. Thank you for arranging this and letting us know, and thanks to Mr. Redd for being so accessible to his fans.
ReplyDeleteWow, I must listen to the interview with Miles Redd! Many,many years ago, I saw pictures of his tiny little apartment in NYC. What he managed to do with that space was nothing less than amazing! I have been intrigued by him ever since - he is so talented and I do see a little Madeleine Castaing influence there - he is so free and vibrant - I am not surprised at all that he is so nice!
ReplyDeletepictures of that apt are in the book.
DeleteI too love Mr. Redd! Thank you for sharing this...I definitly learned a few new things about him. Have to purchase his new book!
ReplyDeleteI blogged about Mr. Redd two years ago, like the shameless groupie that I am, after going to his presentation at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens for the annual Antiques Show. He had a slideshow, none of which was new to me, but thrilling all the same, and he wore the famous red jacket. I was too shy to seek him out after the talk. The auditorium at the Gardens was packed, and everyone was rapt.
ReplyDeleteI will most surely listen to the interview.
Thanks so much! My copy of his book is really getting a thorough going over.
ETS
Thank you for sharing this information to us... Keep coming
ReplyDeleteWhat a charming interview with such a gracious, generous gentleman. Thank you for inviting us to eavesdrop!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations, Joni! Huge!! I can't wait to get his book for Christmas. And I look forward to enjoying the interview when I'm back home tomorrow!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Loi
Thank you for sharing this post
ReplyDeleteyou have great ideas and fantastic blog
ReplyDeletei love your pretty tastes
ReplyDeleteI can't help thinking that Miles Redd must have studied every detail of the rooms decorated by Sibyl Colefax, John Fowler and Nancy Lancaster! There is even a hint of John Fowler himself in the first photo :-) very debonair!
ReplyDeleteI hope Megan and Linda didn't ruin the interview with their customary know-it-all posturing.
ReplyDeleteamazing post :)
ReplyDeletegreat article , thank you
ReplyDeletenice
ReplyDelete