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- [00:02]
Caroline
Welcome to how to Decorate from Ballard Designs, a weekly podcast all about the trials and triumphs of decorating and redecorating your home. I'm Caroline. I'm on the marketing team. And I'm Taryn and I'm a product designer.
- [00:13]
Liz
I'm Liz. I head up the creative team.
- [00:15]
Caroline
We're your hosts. Join the expert team at Ballard Designs for tips, tricks and tales from interior designers, stylists and other talents in the design world. Plus, we'll answer your decorating dilemmas at the end of each episode.
- [00:25]
Liz
We love answering your questions, so don't forget to email us@podcastallardesigns.net now, on with the show.
- [00:35]
Caroline
All right, welcome back to the show. What a treat we have for you this week. The delightfully charming and talented Miles red. He's an 8100 interior designer. He's on the Elfcore A list. He's a best selling author of the book the Big Book of Chic. And of course, he's one of our own design partners. With his business partner, David Kahi, Miles creates interiors that are bold, fantastical, and undeniably Chicago. We're thrilled to have him back to chat with us today about the relaunch of some of his pieces. A new 2026 outdoor collection that's coming. Teasing that a little bit and just what you've been up to in the design world. Welcome back to the show.
- [01:13]
Miles Redd
Thank you so much. It is so nice to be back and being with the Ballard fam. We have been going gangbusters over here at Red Kai High, decorating and desecrating the world, but having a blast the whole time. And I'm just excited to get back into the zeitgeist. Like one of the things that I never really quite realized is how much I love making product and how fun it's been and Ballard could not be a better partner. You'll make such exceptional things and such beautiful quality. It's such fabulous price points. I'm just always floored.
- [01:53]
Caroline
Well, you know, the three of us, me, Liz and of course Taryn's not here today, but Mila's and Taryn, we are such big fans and have all of your products in our own houses.
- [02:00]
Miles Redd
So that, that makes me, that makes me happy that I have it too. I have one of the bullseye mirrors hanging above my mantel in my, my dining room. And people are like, what?
- [02:14]
Caroline
It's fabulous.
- [02:15]
Liz
The scale, it's the scale.
- [02:17]
Miles Redd
It's the scale. You know, a 60 inch round will just get the job done. You don't need to do anything else.
- [02:25]
Liz
You honestly don't need anything else. I mean, that mirror was so big and so fantastic.
- [02:33]
Miles Redd
Really impressive what y' all have done. But the mirror that is coming back is the Regency mirror, which I also love, and makes such a kind of streamlined statement to me. It has organic and geometric qualities, which is rare that you see in a piece of furniture. Usually they're sort of one or the other, and that can give you a little curve and a little angle at the same time, which I always find great in decorating.
- [03:03]
Caroline
Yeah, I love that one, too, because, again, scale, big scale. So it works great over, you know, a real long console attached to drawers.
- [03:13]
Miles Redd
Like, I even will, like, pop one in a powder room if I have high enough ceilings. You know, it's great over vanity.
- [03:21]
Caroline
It's like the perfect balance of sculptural. But then there are all these details once you get kind of close. Like, it has, you know, some little og edges and stuff.
- [03:29]
Miles Redd
Yes, yes. Yeah, it does.
- [03:31]
Caroline
I was trying to remember, I think we launched your collection in 2017, right?
- [03:35]
Miles Redd
That is correct.
- [03:36]
Caroline
So we probably started working on it in 2015 at some point. And, you know, for any of our listeners who aren't familiar with your work, you are the king of traditional. Like, you love traditional pieces. You mix them together in such a fresh and unusual way. But would you say that?
- [03:54]
Miles Redd
Yes, a hundred percent. Like, I'm always looking backwards to look forward, if you will. And, you know, not that I don't appreciate modernism or more streamlined interiors. I just find that there is so much beautiful, like, for better. For lack of a better word, brown furniture, your grandmother's furniture, that people just overlook because they think of it as passe. But if you do something like paint it chalky white or, you know, like what we did with the Regency mirror, for example, it suddenly becomes fresh and light, and you see all of this incredible carving and shapes and, like, style that it has. And, I don't know, I feel like, you know, there's really nothing new under the sun in a way, and it's just how we all put it together. And so I really appreciate the compliment that you say I put traditional together in a. In a fresh and exciting way, because I guess that's what I'm trying to do.
- [04:54]
Caroline
You know, maybe tell us a little bit about the pieces you. You initially picked for your. Like, where you're going for inspiration. Were they things that you had in your own personal collection? Were you out at antique stores?
- [05:08]
Miles Redd
A lot of it was from my own personal collection. But for, for me, it is always the auction houses where I get all my inspiration. It' junkyards. It's the, like the, the, the big sales where there's just like everything in the kitchen sink is included and you have to kind of dig and pick. And like, it's not like you walk into a glossy, beautiful showroom. It's the hunt. And you're like, you're, you're, you're, you're, you're dumpster diving, if you will. Yeah, but instead of, you know, fried Kentucky Fried Chicken, you're, you're looking for, you're looking for antiques.
- [05:49]
Caroline
We were talking before or last week about, you know, what we kind of wanted to talk about. And, you know, your collection had this emphasis on timeless, antique, inspired pieces. And I just feel like it was so ahead of its time.
- [06:04]
Miles Redd
You know, you were like the seventh Ballard person to actually say that to me. And I, it's funny, you know, I saved all the catalogs, all the imagery, and I go back and I look at some of the rooms that we put together. That, that pink and white check. I mean, that pink and white check. Room was fabulous. Like, so, so good. And I was like, oh, my God. And like that first bedroom that we did and like, so, so many of them were really, really magnificent little places where I'd be happy in today. And so I'm glad to hear that I'm catching on after 10 years.
- [06:48]
Liz
Well, okay, so I want to go back to that pink living room. So for our listeners, it was a pink and white large scale buffalo check that was on every wall and on an sofa, extra long sofa. Yeah, that was so fantastic. And yeah, I mean, it's, it's things that I feel like we're seeing in more places now with where it's whether it's color drenching or pattern drenching, and I think, you know, for what we did and when we pulled that together, like, that was so ahead of. In a sea of farmhouse.
- [07:27]
Miles Redd
It is funny, like, this generation of people that are like, coming into the design world, like, you know, I think every generation, you're sort of born either a traditionalist. They're all going back. They're all like, what's fresh to them is like 80s decoration. Do you know what I mean? They're like, that's so cool. I had someone said, like, I really, I want it to feel like the sets of Dynasty. And I mean, I actually, you know, I think people immediately think of the fashion of Dynasty. But if you actually go back and look at The Old Dynasty. It was so beautifully done. I mean, the soundtrack, the acting, the lighting. It was shot at this very famous, beautiful, class classical house in San Francisco. Like, and. And they actually shot in the first season in the interior of the space. And then the second season, they copied it and built sets to. To look like it. But it was. It really. I was like, okay, I get this.
- [08:32]
Caroline
And maybe, maybe our design, our. Our listeners aren't familiar, but you're actually a film major.
- [08:37]
Miles Redd
I know that is true. I always think, like, it. You have to have drama. It has to be cinematic. You have to walk in it. Always my driving feeling of, like, when you walk into the room, it feels cinematic. Like you're like, where.
- [08:53]
Caroline
Where.
- [08:53]
Miles Redd
Where am I? What. What world have I stumbled onto? And. And so that. That's always in the back of my head. And thank. You know, it served me well.
- [09:04]
Caroline
Okay. What makes a room cinematic, though? Because I do feel like that, you know, you've. You've talked about that before. Some other designers have talked about it being cinematic, and I'm like, I'm not sure I could articulate.
- [09:15]
Miles Redd
I feel like cinematic means memorable, honestly. And that it made, like, you know, when you watch a movie and you think of something and how it, like, I mean, you know, the obvious interiors that I think of early on, like Howards End, you know, like, that just made such an impression. That opening scene of Vanessa Redgray walking around the exterior of the house, and it was like, at nighttime and it's all lit up and people are in black tie glittering in front of the windows, and she's just, like, looking into the house and, like, that cinematic. I couldn't tell you one thing about the interiors. It was all just the feeling of the light and the warmth and home. And I guess that's what I tried to, like, imbibe into the interior is that feeling of like, oh, I want to have a. I want to. I want life to. To exist in this space.
- [10:06]
Caroline
Okay, can I embarrass myself and tell you what? What movie house sticks out to me the most? Home Alone.
- [10:13]
Miles Redd
Oh, no, no. I mean, I get that. I actually do.
- [10:17]
Caroline
Oh, my gosh.
- [10:18]
Miles Redd
I do. I get that. And it's funny. You are dating yourself, child. I was like, did you ever see the silent movie? But. But no, I mean the films of John Hughes, who made that movie. He understood a certain. I mean, he. A certain Ballard customer. I mean, truly, because it was an upscale suburban lady, like, who wanted to live well. Like, all of those interiors were his. Like, if you go To Sixteen Candles. Like that white clapboard house. Like, you know, I mean, and like, just all of them, really. Like, there is a vibe that he had that he brought to Home Alone. For sure.
- [11:13]
Caroline
Yeah. Well, there's also the Nan. The whole Nancy Myers sort of obsession right now.
- [11:17]
Miles Redd
I mean, like, I could watch Nancy Meyers movies on Endless Loop all the time because they just make you feel good. Do you know what I mean?
- [11:26]
Caroline
Which is your favorite house?
- [11:28]
Miles Redd
Like, I mean, I would say. Well, you know, weirdly, I mean, everyone always goes to the beach house, and something's gotta give, which is spectacular and beautiful, and I did love that. But I really like Cameron Diaz's house in the Holiday Is actually. Which is sort of. It's modern and it's like California.
- [11:52]
Liz
I can't believe you picked that.
- [11:53]
Miles Redd
Well, you know what? It's so well done, and it's so comfortable. Like, the screening room. Do you remember where she goes into the screening room? And it's just like, a giant TV and huge white overstuffed sofas and, like, a thousand DVDs. And, like, the kitchen. She's having supper in the kitchen one night. And, like, the kitchen's so beautifully done. And, like, there's a giant succulent in an old mossy terracotta pot. Like, I just. There's just something about it that was, like, comfortable. That, like, it's fresh in my memory. But they're all beautiful. And then, like, I love Meryl Streep's house in.
- [12:31]
Caroline
It's Complicated.
- [12:32]
Miles Redd
It's Complicated, yes. Like, that. That's such a beautiful, beautiful house. But, I mean, Nancy Meyer, she knows from decorating. And, I mean, I always think they're all. It's all Nancy's life somehow. I love the scene in Something's Gotta Give where they, like, they're in the Paris restaurant at the end, and they're just, like, having a sumptuous birthday meal. And it's just like, all the champagne and the wines and the. Like, it's just so fun.
- [13:04]
Caroline
I know. And they're so. They're, like, familiar and yet aspirational.
- [13:10]
Miles Redd
100.
- [13:11]
Caroline
Exactly.
- [13:12]
Miles Redd
Like, you're like, I. I could have that. But at the same time, I was like, God, like, where did she get all that creamwear? All those thick, chunky plates.
- [13:27]
Caroline
Oh, gosh.
- [13:28]
Miles Redd
I know. And just, like, just the opening, the refrigerator, like, the. The little nuances of, like, they're censorious movies because they're always like, what. What do you want to eat? And, like, French toast or blueberry pancakes or, you know, like, she just offers up these nighttime snacks that are like, oh, my God, yes, that's exactly what I want. And then the clothes, oh, my God, Cameron Diaz, when she walks in, like, it's new. She goes, she, she goes to meet Jude Law's children and she walks in and she's got like a sort of a trench coat on and she pulls it off and she's in this, like, black and white Grace Kelly, like, looking almost like to catch a thief gown. And she's like, I may be a little bit overdressed. And they were like, you look so pretty. And I was like, you do look so pretty and so satisfying. I like movies to be cinematic and elevated and like a little bit otherworldly because that's why we go to the movies, to kind of like lift us out of the humdrum and like, give us a new, fresh take on life. So I don't mind it when people take a certain creative license and they make it a little bit more rarefied and a little bit better. I think Tom Ford gets a lot of kind of backlash because he's like, everyone's good looking and the houses are always great and the cars are always beautiful. And like, he opens the drawer and the drawer is perfect and everything is like. And I was like, no notes. It's perfect. I'm so happy here. Like, keep going, keep going, keep going.
- [14:59]
Caroline
What do you, what do you do with your clients to build that storyline? Because you clearly. And you built that story in the rooms because there's, there is that cinematic quality. But, like, how are you leaving?
- [15:12]
Miles Redd
You know what? It's a lot of, like, it's a lot of like talking to. And it's a lot of emails and it's a lot of like, we, like, I will, like, we just got back from an auction and literally, like, they're probably 200 items and it's everything from like a funny little sketch to an intent. Table two, like, just something that you saw. Like, I didn't go out there shopping for. It was this like, you know, Chinese porcelain vase with all these ormolu mounts and it just, it's like a big cookie jar. Do you know what I mean? Like, just has a lid on it and I'm like, it's useless. But it's so beautiful and so cool and it would look perfect in this project that we're doing in Mexico City. So, like, it, it's almost like the object is speaking to you about the painting that you're making and you've done the big brushwork of, like, I've got the floors and I've got the walls. Those things are figured out. And I've got the palette. Like, all the fabrics that look pretty within the palette of the walls, and then the objects literally come out of the woodwork. And I'm always like, how did we manifest that bookcase to come into this thing? Because it's perfect. You know what I mean? Certain things come to you at the last second. You can't even believe it. But it's constantly, like, just taking another lap around the block. It's constantly, like, trusting your gut, knowing when you can. When it can be better. Like, we saw a desk, and it was pretty, but it was like, it could be bigger, more sumptuous. And I was like, we just gotta hold out. It'll come. You know, I believe in it. I really do.
- [17:05]
Caroline
So it's just like, piece by piece, building on one another.
- [17:07]
Miles Redd
It really is piece by piece. But it's like, it's every day adding to it. And then I think, like, also being very good at arranging things, you know? Like, I think that is a real strength of decorators and, like, understanding how to. Like, when to lean a piece of art, when to hang a piece of art, when to hang a clock on top of a mirror, and how to do that, when to take down the curtains, when to. You know what I mean? Like, when to add curtains, when to make a little, like, corner, a little blanket. You know what I mean? Like, when to layer and layer and layer. And I think the more you do it, and Lord knows we've been doing it for a long time, the. The more you realize that if it's good, there's going to be space for it.
- [18:02]
Caroline
What are you thinking to yourself when you make the unobvious choice? Like, is there something that you see and you're like, that's not right. I need to do something.
- [18:10]
Miles Redd
You know, it's.
- [18:11]
Caroline
That I wouldn't normally do.
- [18:12]
Miles Redd
It's never not unobvious, but it's like, it's seeing something that you fall in love with that you weren't thinking and that you're like, huh, what about that instead? Do you know what I mean? Like, it just is like, oh, well, that's something that hadn't occurred to me. And you. You know, we have little skiing boards, and we hold up the skiing board and we're like, well, that looks kind of amazing and twist it all. But it's more like the objects revealing themselves to me that's the surprise. You know, it's like, what you what? You stumble upon that. You're just, like. You have this immediate visceral reaction to that you love. And then you think, oh, well, if I love that, how can I work it in? It feels like it can fit in some way. We saw these, like, funny French chairs painted chalky green, and they were upholstered in an old Aubusson rug. You know, like, it was almost like somebody had a piece of tapestry that they put a little bit here and a little bit on the back. And I was like, we gotta get that chair. Like, it's gonna work. Like, I know we've got, like, a chair overload, but I. I feel like this is. This. This needs to find its. Its way into the room, and so we're going for it.
- [19:31]
Caroline
Okay. When you're going to an auction like that, and you're. Are you shopping for one project? Are you shopping for, like, all the projects at once and just all of them hard, like you're. Because you're trying to get yourself into different.
- [19:43]
Miles Redd
No, it's. It's. It's actually you just, like, people have a vibe. Jobs have a vibe. Like, you know, there's one that's more we're working on in Texas. It's, like, more masculine, tailored English, like, crisp. You know what I mean? And then there's the one we're working on in Mexico City, is more rococo, a little bit more ornate, more crystal tree. You know what I mean? Like, yeah. And, like, the objects themselves, just like, oh, that. That feels like, like, you know, Mexico City, or that feels like Texas. And. And then you. You fall in love with the object, and you're like, how does that fit? Where could this be? Like, where. Where do they work? You know? And that's how we do it.
- [20:40]
Liz
How fun. It's kind of like shopping for Christmas presents for your new.
- [20:43]
Miles Redd
All day, all day long. All day long, Every day, all day. That's all I do. It is fun. It really is fun.
- [20:51]
Caroline
You know, I could listen to you describe these projects all day. The adjectives. I'm like, oh.
- [20:58]
Miles Redd
Oh, gosh. Well, I love words. I won't deny it.
- [21:06]
Caroline
Yeah. Okay, so we've got a few things coming back from your collection. We talked about the shell. Wait, did we talk about shell mirror? I know we were talking about it all.
- [21:14]
Miles Redd
We have the Regency mirror and the shell console, which is a great combo, too, those two together. You've got an entrance hall. Done. We have the two little drinks tables, the black and silver one, which everybody wants. I actually, last night, I used that Same table pulled up to the dinner party, and I have a friend, and she drinks white wine, but she likes ice cubes. And she likes to, like, sort of reach her hand down in a little, like, thing and, like, put ice cubes in. And I had that little, tiny, little ice bucket filled with ice on that little silver thing. And she was like, it was better than being Marie Antoinette. And her thank you note, she's like, my little silver table with my ice cubes. And my favorite. The articulating. I mean, the telescoping. Telescoping. I'm sorry. The telescoping table is coming back, and I believe they're doing it also in the brass finish, which I'm super excited about because everyone was like, oh, I love the silver, but we'd love gold. So very excited about that. And a new outdoor collection, which I think will be re. Released 2026. But yes, it's going to be rattan, which I'm excited about, but outdoor rattan, of course.
- [22:34]
Caroline
Yeah. Exciting. Very exciting. And I do believe your dining table, the black lacquer one that everyone loves is coming back. It's not out. The other ones are already. I mean, this one is coming back. I believe people.
- [22:48]
Miles Redd
People were clamoring for that. And actually last night, someone said of the. That dining table. Cause I use it as my dining table. They're like, is this chanson? And I was like, no, it is Ballard design. Thank you very much. And they were like, they could not get over it. And I was like, look, it's beautiful. So I'm excited. I'm super excited about that.
- [23:08]
Caroline
We used to. I think we talked about it internally as having this, like, grand piano finish. And it really.
- [23:14]
Miles Redd
It does. And it's actually pretty damn durable because I use it all the time. No tablecloth, just like, I love, like, to put a plate on that black mirrored table with no placemat or anything. It just looks so good. Do you know?
- [23:28]
Caroline
Yeah, it's so reflective. You get it twice.
- [23:30]
Miles Redd
It has a. It has a. Like a. I don't know, there's something like the 18th century.
- [23:37]
Liz
The bamboo legs on that piece, too, are beautiful.
- [23:40]
Miles Redd
And the way they. The way they've wrapped the, like, the three legs together and the way they sort of splay in a vaguely pagoda shape. It's great. And the little brass rings that articulate the bamboo and the roping. It's. I mean, I was blown away.
- [23:58]
Caroline
Yeah.
- [23:58]
Miles Redd
Such great details. Such great details.
- [24:01]
Caroline
So, yes, we have the. So some of those are already live. I know some of them are coming back. So that's really exciting. And you know, we were talking. We had Peter Panoyer on the show a couple months ago and we spotted one of some of your pieces from your collection in that project. We're always like seeing them sort of pop up, which is really fun. So talk about some of the, the more recent ones.
- [24:24]
Miles Redd
That was, I believe that that was Cleveland, a project that we loved working on. And it's funny, we are headed there soon. They. They put a. They made a Party Barn annex. And no, it's, it's great that they, they wanted, like, they've got young kids and they just wanted a room where the kids could. And Peter designed an absolutely stunning Party Barn and there are a few Ballard things in there as well. So you'll be seeing it sooner or later.
- [25:00]
Caroline
Oh, fun.
- [25:01]
Miles Redd
But currently working on a project in London which I'm about to go and install in about two weeks. I'm super excited to kind of wrap that baby up. One in Mexico City, one in Texas, and an apartment in New York. So lot to consider.
- [25:21]
Caroline
Yeah, there was a fabulous feature in Veranda, I can't remember.
- [25:27]
Miles Redd
Dallas, Texas.
- [25:28]
Caroline
Dallas. Yeah. Tell us about that project because was that the one that she wanted? Dynasty?
- [25:33]
Miles Redd
No, she was like a. Like, she was literally like Coco Chanel. She reminded me of Coco Chanel. She had the same. She. She dressed beautifully, she dresses beautifully. She has that same kind of magnetic vitality. Sort a dark black bob. The loveliest person in the world. And I think this story's fascinating because she was, you know, she and her husband were of a certain age and they were like, you know, why don't we just decorate this house the way we've always wanted it? Like a lot of people want to kind of like de acquisition things, but decorate this house the way we've always wanted and just live in sumptuous beauty for the last gasp of our lives. And I was like, like, I'm gonna take that note and do it myself. And we really, we. I really. It's. It was a kind of international style house that was like the most perfect big, small house. Like, it had great big proportioned rooms, but it was literally a two bedroom house which was kind of amazing, but like bedrooms with generous bathrooms and closets. They both had generous dressing rooms and bathrooms and closets. Big mout master bedroom suite. Downstairs was a generous, generous living room. It was. And she was such a kind of classic. Like it was all the greatest hits, like Cole Porter. The Waldorf Astoria hotel. Like chocolate brown lacquer coca Cola lacquer walls in the living room with lots of mirrors and crystal, a tinted dining room. It was all kind of like pale, pale blonde voile, beigey tint with like, this navy blue and white striped carpet. It was very like sort of Chanel Bateau, you know what I mean? Like, it was the resort line, and everyone was going on a cruise. And this fabulous faux bois kitchen with this amazing floor that was painted to kind of look like a patchwork quilt, but in, like, kind of fantasy marbleized colors.
- [27:43]
Caroline
Loved the floor.
- [27:46]
Miles Redd
And then a wonderful family room and porch. And like, that was kind of the house, which was great. Like, and they are really having a ball in it. And, like, live in it, love it, use it, and enjoy it, which really is all you can ask for.
- [28:02]
Caroline
It's just fabulous. I loved all of the skirting. It's funny, you know, you. You've always used skirting, because I remember vividly your sofa that had. With the buffalo. The pink buffalo check. And it had the skirt.
- [28:15]
Miles Redd
Yes. And y' all got those skirts, right? Do you know what I mean? Because we would do, like, sometimes we do bullion fringe, sometimes we do, like, a little, like, loosely gathered skirt, but, like, very tailored sometimes. I mean, but. But it's important, and it changes everything about a piece of furniture.
- [28:35]
Caroline
It's funny, though. I feel like at the time you were. We were not seeing that in. In many magazines, like Shelter magazine and whatnot. And now it is.
- [28:44]
Miles Redd
Is.
- [28:44]
Caroline
It's everywhere. So it's that. That was kind of what I was. Kept going back to thinking about your collection. Like, it was just. Now there's the whole sort of grand millennial thing and a lot more.
- [28:54]
Miles Redd
Tell me about the grand millennial thing. What does that mean? I'm so not. Not on the curve of these things.
- [29:01]
Caroline
Well, it's just a design trend, I would say, that is all about, like, grandma decorating. Like.
- [29:06]
Miles Redd
Oh, that's what it's called.
- [29:08]
Caroline
Yeah.
- [29:09]
Miles Redd
I mean, you know, I always think that, like, why is the word grandma, like, slightly derogative? Like, or granny or, like, it's not. I don't know. For me, it's more, God, people who really had taste, honestly, and had seen something of the world. It's just a different time that we live in. And I feel like are the generation that we're sadly bidding depart to, like, you know, they're leaving us now. They just moved at a much slower pace. And, like, I remember when my mom went to Europe, like, she went for a year. Do you know what I mean? Like, it Was like, well, I had my grand tour. And like, she was like, well, of course we went for a year. Like, I don't know, we just vagabond around. And like, I was like, like, I, I, I was just in Sweden for 10 days and like, that was a long, big trip for me. I felt like I was gone for like six years. You know what I mean? I don't know.
- [30:22]
Caroline
So true. Yeah, well, the grand millennial thing is just, you know, more like skirts and, and chintz and softer fringe and softer, more romantic things.
- [30:35]
Miles Redd
Yeah, exactly.
- [30:36]
Liz
Things that definitely have personality and feel collected, too.
- [30:42]
Caroline
A grand millennial aspires to have a.
- [30:44]
Miles Redd
Room like yours and cozy. It's cozy. You know what I mean?
- [30:48]
Caroline
You feel.
- [30:50]
Miles Redd
You feel comfortable and cosseted in the room, which is what I sometimes want. Not always. Sometimes I want you. I, sometimes I want it to be cold, hard, chic and because, like, that has its pre, its beauty too, you know?
- [31:05]
Caroline
Yeah. Well, and I recall, don't you have a, A, is it Shelter island or.
- [31:12]
Miles Redd
Is it Fire island? I have a beach house and Fire island. Yes, I have a beach house and fire island.
- [31:16]
Caroline
And it's like all wood and white.
- [31:18]
Miles Redd
It is like, totally the opposite of all my other, like, most of my work. It's very much a beach house. Straw rugs, you know, three, like slip covered sofas, no skirts, you know, a white Parsons table for the dining room table. Straw chairs, but, like, you can sit down in the bathing suit. Dogs run through the house all day long. You know what I mean? It just, I don't, there's no worry to it. And there's something wonderful about that too.
- [31:49]
Caroline
Yeah. Yeah. Do any of your clients ever come to you with like, more of a paired bag vision?
- [31:57]
Miles Redd
Oh, yes, all the time. And actually they're, they're my favorite jobs because they really. Well, you know what? I wouldn't say. Maybe they teach me a lot. Like, no job's a favorite, if you really want to know the truth. But when someone has a more minimal aesthetic, and we just finished one recently, I always find it very rewarding because you really have to be, you have to be very careful about what you pick to make it all, like, work together, you know?
- [32:31]
Caroline
Yeah.
- [32:31]
Liz
Do you usually just get more and then peel back, or are you going in with minimal pieces more?
- [32:39]
Miles Redd
And like, like at the end, we'll probably bring like 20 things on approval to the installation. Do you know what I mean? But when, when someone's so minimal, you, you've mapped it out. Like, you, like. Yeah, you've figured out most of it. It's really the art hanging that tweaks. Sofas are what they're gonna be. The chairs are what they're gonna be. Maybe it's the coffee table, maybe it's the lamps. Maybe it's the objects and the accessories that you're sort of pushing around, you know, till you get it to feel like you want it.
- [33:15]
Caroline
Yeah. Do you do that at home in your own space? Like, are you always squeaking or.
- [33:20]
Miles Redd
All the time. I move things around all the time. And it's funny, like, I had a dinner party last night, and I did it in my mirrored bathroom, which I don't do very often, but it's. It was for a very dear friend's 85th bir. And I, you know, I had to clear out all, like. I have, like, chairs and, you know, things in my bathroom, and I cleared that all out and put a round table in the middle of it. Brought up the dining room chairs. But it, like, you know what? It makes you see things. Like, I was, like, I was really studying the base of the Ballard table because it's always had chairs around it, and I was like, God, that is really beautiful. And, like, I needed to move, like, the little slipper chair that you have in green. Emerald green velvet. Like, I have the original green gray one in my bathroom, and I was like, I'm gonna try that down in the living room. And I pushed it down there, and I was like, you know, if you put that in front of the bar, you can still reach over it and get to the bar, but, like, you've got a chair there. So. Yeah, like, it's. I think it's very important to, like, move things around because they become new. Like, you. You know, they. You don't take it for granted anymore, and you notice it in a different way, and it has a different feeling. And, like. And a party is the thing that always makes you do it if you're having people. Mom used to always say, like, oh, my God, the house is a wreck. I guess we got to have a party, you know what I mean? Because it would make her clean up, you know what I mean?
- [34:46]
Caroline
Oh, my gosh. Nothing.
- [34:47]
Miles Redd
Sparks of fire, like, right? It does. Yeah.
- [34:52]
Caroline
You have so many fine pieces. We've. We've shown your house score on our blog, and it's been photographed many a time.
- [35:00]
Miles Redd
Thank you.
- [35:00]
Caroline
But it's just so fabulous. I'm like, how could you. You want to redo it? You know what I mean? Like, is it hard to approach it With a fresh eye, you know?
- [35:10]
Miles Redd
No, my thing is, like, change is always good, and things have a spell for a time, and then it's time to move on. And it's like time marches on for all of us and everyone. And everybody has their moment in the sun and. Or, like, objects, and then maybe they have to hibernate a little bit or cook. All the fashion people always say, oh, that hasn't cooked long enough. I can't wear shoulder pads yet. Do you know? But, like, once it's cooked, it comes back out and it's new again in a way. And. I don't know, I think so much about, like, loving objects is also letting them go, because I. The auction houses really teach you that these, like. Because you see these great collectors and great collections, and, like, you enjoy these things for a time, and then it goes to someone else. And, like, I'm just lucky that I've gotten to enjoy the things that I've had for the time that I've been on this earth. And, you know, it's. It's all just stuff, really, in the end.
- [36:22]
Caroline
Well, you have the most fabulous eye.
- [36:24]
Miles Redd
So I thank you.
- [36:27]
Caroline
Always. Just. Just love to see your projects, and they really sing, I think, and really stand out.
- [36:35]
Miles Redd
Thank you.
- [36:36]
Caroline
You can always tell when it's a miles project.
- [36:38]
Miles Redd
Yeah, I mean, you know, I like. I thank you. Like, you know, there's certain things that people love, and there's certain things that just give you your signature. And it's always nice to be able to be told that, because it's like, well, I'm resonating to somebody. You know, I just am trusting my inner gut and what I. And so it's always nice to hear when other people like it, too.
- [37:04]
Caroline
Well, and that is not to say that they all look the same, because they don't. But it's just you have a certain.
- [37:10]
Liz
You know, like, I think it's.
- [37:13]
Caroline
I don't know, there's like, a personality there that.
- [37:17]
Miles Redd
Thank you.
- [37:17]
Caroline
That's so fun. Okay, well, we do have a decorating dilemma that I'd love for you to answer and bring it on. Hi, ladies. I'm having a. A huge dilemma as I'm transitioning floors in my kitchen and throughout my house. Unfortunately, I have cherry wood cabinets a little more on the red side versus being dark cherry. It's so hard finding the perfect color that won't compete. Unless, of course, if you go very light. She loves, like, a warm light with warm tones. I like the 9 inch with a longer planks and length I don't mind going light in the kitchen, but I don't want it to be super light going throughout the rest of the house. I need some warm texture in there and also any other tips or floor suggestions.
- [37:57]
Miles Redd
So can we go back to the image of her kitchen?
- [38:00]
Liz
Yeah. So here's the.
- [38:04]
Miles Redd
There's the. But I sort of see the cherry, and I wonder, does she have a transition between, like, I was gonna. The first thing that I thought of when she said I have, like, cherry cabinets, which is very. Like, would she ever consider a painted wood floor? Just because there's something wonderful about that painted feeling in a kitchen. She could get a color, and I always love, like, cherry mixed with, like, a. I could see, like, the right shade of kind of like, sort of like, Like, I'm. It's funny, I'm, like, picturing it in my mind, like a kind of a green color, but the right. The right color. Like, I was that. That. That orangey brown and that kind of like sort of an, like, farrow and ball arsenic green. That kind of, like, flavor. But if she's not going to do that, I am always at the school, go blonde or go dark. Like, it's always the middle tones that always feel a little bit neither here nor there. So I would say the one. The two boards on the far right look really strong to me that are, like, one slightly grayer at the very end, and then it's slightly blonder in the middle. I think she could do no wrong with that.
- [39:33]
Caroline
Okay, so, yeah, that makes sense. Like, she's good. She's trying to create contrast between her cherry and her floor. So.
- [39:41]
Miles Redd
Okay, but if she. If she could paint the floor, like, I mean, even if she left it blonde and she did, like, I mean, any painter could do a big checkerboard like, on the kitchen floor or something like that. Like, you know, I mean, like a blue and blue and the blue and white. Like, a navy with the cherry would be kind of fun, you know, like a navy and blonde. Leave the blonde just to give it a little something.
- [40:07]
Caroline
Yeah, like unpainted in one square and then color on the next one.
- [40:11]
Miles Redd
Exactly.
- [40:13]
Caroline
So would you do it only in the kitchen or. Or would you continue it elsewhere?
- [40:17]
Miles Redd
I mean, I always say, like, if it works, continue it. Because, like, to have so many, like, floor stop and starts can be a little bit misleading. And so if it. If it works, I would. I would say go for it. But it's. Scroll up one more picture because you can kind of see. Oh, actually, actually further. Further down. Like, so that's looking into her living room, and I sort of see there is an opening. It doesn't look trim. I see.
- [40:55]
Liz
I think these are actually. I think she photo images of the different floors.
- [41:02]
Miles Redd
I gotcha. Okay.
- [41:04]
Liz
So we're not actually seeing. Yeah, I think we are seeing. These are her actual cabinets and a test piece.
- [41:14]
Miles Redd
It feels a little bit gray. I would maybe go a little bit blonder. Do you know?
- [41:18]
Liz
Yeah, a little bit more yellow in there. I love the idea of a painted floor, though.
- [41:25]
Caroline
That just sounds.
- [41:26]
Miles Redd
It's so fun. And it's. It's actually cheaper to paint your floors than it is to stain them. So little pro tip.
- [41:34]
Caroline
All right. And you know what I love? I love when the paint starts to wear away a little bit.
- [41:39]
Miles Redd
Oh, me in certain spots. Me too. Me too. Because then you look so pretty. Well, it's that, like, chic patina of rubbed. I have it in my front hall, and I love it so much, too. Do you know?
- [41:51]
Caroline
Oh, my gosh, Miles, I was laughing recently because I think on our very first podcast we ever did with you, we asked you if there was a color that you did not like. And you. Do you remember what you said?
- [42:01]
Miles Redd
Wet hot dog.
- [42:02]
Caroline
Yes, Wet hot dog. So we were. We were. We were working on some rooms for our. Our spring. Spring book. And one of the colors, I was like. We were looking at paint colors, and I was like, is this.
- [42:15]
Miles Redd
Is this that hot dog? It always. As soon as you say it, people are like, oh, you're right, you're right. We're gonna go away from the purple mauve. Do you know?
- [42:29]
Caroline
Oh, so funny. I do love mauve, though.
- [42:33]
Miles Redd
You know, we like to call it face powder pink. And I do. It's that, like, that flat. It's very. It's very Kim's, you know, But I can be so pretty.
- [42:45]
Caroline
Yeah. You have to pick the one that's, like a great nude lipstick and not wet hot dogs.
- [42:50]
Miles Redd
Yes, exactly. If they get too purpley or deep or, like, dead looking, like, no cadaver vibes.
- [42:59]
Caroline
Oh, gosh. Well, as always, it's so fun to chat with you and catch up and. And hopefully we can have you. I. I realized recently, like, oh, my gosh, it's been so long since we've had him on a show, so.
- [43:11]
Miles Redd
Hey, anything. I'm always happy to do it. It's always fun to see you gals. And thank you so much for having me and for being so supportive of Ballard Design, baby.
- [43:26]
Caroline
And Red Kai High. You know, Red Kai High. We're big fans. Well, we'll have to have you back next spring when your new collection is out. I would love that for outdoor.
- [43:34]
Miles Redd
I would love that.
- [43:34]
Caroline
Very fun. Yeah. All right, that's.
- [43:37]
Miles Redd
Thank you so much.
- [43:40]
Caroline
And that's our show. You can find all of the show notes on our blog howtodecorate.com podcast to send in a decorating dilemma, email your questions to podcastallarddesigns.net so we can help you with your space. And of course, be sure to follow us on social media. AlardeSigns.
- [43:54]
Liz
Don't forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode. And please leave us a review. We'd love to hear your feedback.
- [44:01]
Caroline
Until next time, happy decorating.