Ep. 420: The Secrets of Timeless Design with Miles Redd

0:01Welcome 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. I'm Liz. I head up the creative team. 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. We love answering your questions, so don't forget to email us at podcast at ballardesigns.net. Now, on with the show.

0:34Ugh, I hate Mondays. King's Hawaiian Cinnamon Swirl Bite? Taylor Hanson? Sure, I'll try one. Mmm. Hey, let's get back to work, please. But Taylor Hanson's making my day way better with these new soft and swirly King's Hawaiian Cinnamon Bites. Taylor Hanson? Nice. Try one. Mmm. I do. King's Hawaiian Cinnamon Bites. There's nothing like it. Sweet swelling is all good. All right. Welcome back to the show. What a treat we have for you this week. The delightfully charming and talented Miles Redd. He's an AD100 interior designer. He's on the Elfcore A-List. He's a bestselling author of the book, The Big Book of Chic.

1:19And of course, he's one of our own design partners. With his business partner, David Kaihai, Miles creates interiors that are bold, fantastical and undeniably chic. 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.

1:43Miles 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 I'm 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. Well, you know, the three of us, me, Liz, and of course, Taryn's not here today, but me, Liz and Taryn, we are such big fans and have all of your products in our own houses.

2:30So that makes me happy.

2:34Miles Redd:I have it too. I have one of the bullseye mirrors hanging above my mantle in my dining room and people are like, what? It's fabulous. The scale. It's the scale. It's the scale. Do you know? A 60-inch round will just get the job done. You don't need to do anything else. You honestly don't need anything else. I mean, that mirror was so big and so fantastic. 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.

3:23Miles Redd: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. Yeah, I love that one too, because again, scale, big scale, so it works great over, you know, a real long console a chest of drawers like i even will like pop one in a powder room if i have high enough ceilings you know it's great over vanity 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 um ogee edges and stuff yes yes yeah yes it does i was trying to remember i think we launched your collection in 2017, right?

4:05Yeah, that is correct. 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?

4:24Miles Redd:Yes, 100%. 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 passé. But if you do something like paint it chalky white or, 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.

5:06Miles Redd: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 fresh and exciting way. because I guess that's what I'm trying to do, you know? Maybe tell us a little bit about the pieces you initially picked for, like where you're going for inspiration. Were they things that you had in your own personal collection? Were you out at antique stores? A lot of it was from my own personal collection. But for me, it is always the auction houses where I get all my inspiration.

5:48Miles Redd:It's the junkyards. It's the like 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 dumpster diving, if you will. But instead of, you know, fried Kentucky fried chicken, you're looking for you're looking for antiques. 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.

6:34Miles Redd:You know, you were like the seventh Ballard person to actually say that to me. And 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 pink and white check. I mean, that pink and white check room was fabulous. So good. And I was like, oh, my God. And like that first bedroom that we did. And like 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. 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 extra long sofa.

7:31Miles Redd:Yeah. That was so fantastic. And, yeah, I mean, it's things that I feel like we're seeing now. In more places now, 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. 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 like they're like that's so cool um 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 the fashion of dynasty.

8:32Miles Redd: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 classical house in San Francisco. 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 look like it. But it was, It really, I was like, oh, okay, I get this. And maybe our listeners aren't familiar, but you're actually a film major. I know, that is true. I always think like, you have to have drama. It has to be cinematic. You have to walk in.

9:15Miles Redd:It is always my driving feeling of like, when you walk into the room, it feels cinematic. Like, you're like, where am I? What world have I stumbled onto? to. And so that's always in the back of my head. And it served me well. Okay. What makes a room cinematic though? Because I do feel like 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 what that means. I feel like cinematic means memorable, honestly. And that it made like, 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 Howard's End, you know, like that just made such an impression.

10:04Miles Redd:That opening scene of Vanessa Redgrave 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 exist in this space. OK, can I embarrass myself? No. What movie house sticks out to me the most?

10:42Tell me. Oh, no, no. I mean, I get that.

10:45Miles Redd:I actually do. Green and green. Oh, my God. I do. I get that. And it's funny. You are dating yourself, child. I was like, did you ever see the silent movie?

11:01Miles Redd:But no, I mean, the films of John Hughes, who made that movie, he understood a certain, I mean, 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 clabbered 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. Yeah. Well, there's also the whole Nancy Meyers sort of obsession right now. I mean, like, I could watch Nancy Meyers movies on endless loop all the time because they just make you feel good.

11:55Miles Redd:Do you know what I mean? Which is your favorite house? Like, I mean, I would say, well, you know, weirdly, I mean, everyone always goes to the beach house and something's got to 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. I can't believe you picked that. 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.

12:35Miles Redd:And like the kitchen, she's having supper in the kitchen one night. Yeah. 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. It's complicated. It's complicated. Yes. Like, that's a beautiful, beautiful house. But I mean, Nancy Meyers, 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're in the Paris restaurant at the end and they're just having a sumptuous birthday meal.

13:27Miles Redd:And it's just like all the champagne and the wines and the like. It's just so fun. I know. Ugh, I hate Mondays. King's Hawaiian Cinnamon Swirl Bite? Taylor Hanson? Sure, I'll try one. Mmm. Bites, bit-a-ba-da-ba-ba Hey, let's get back to work, please. But Taylor Hanson's making my day way better with these new soft and swirly King's Hawaiian Cinnamon Bites. Taylor Hanson? Nice. Try one. Mmm. Bites, bit-a-ba-da-ba-do King's Hawaiian Cinnamon Bites. Don't you love them? There's nothing like it. Sweet swirling is all good And they're so, they're like familiar and yet... Aspirational, 100%. Exactly.

14:12Miles Redd:Like you're like, I could have that. But at the same time, I was like, God, where did she get all that creamware? All those thick, chunky plates. Oh, gosh. I know. And just like just the opening the refrigerator, like the little nuances of like they're censorious movies because they're always like, what do you want to eat? And like French toast or blueberry pancakes or 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, 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.

15:09Miles Redd: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.

15:49Miles Redd:And like he opens the drawer and the drawer is perfect and everything. And it's like, and I was like, no notes. It's perfect. I'm so happy here. Keep going. Keep going. Keep going. What do you do? with your clients to build that storyline? Because you clearly, you built that story in the rooms because there is that cinematic quality. But how are you leaving that? You know what? It's a lot of talking to and it's a lot of emails and it's a lot of... We just got back from an auction and literally, there are probably 200 items And it's everything from like a funny little sketch to an end table to like just something that you saw.

16:37Miles Redd:Like I didn't go out there shopping for it was this like, you know, Chinese porcelain vase with all these Ormalu 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'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.

17:21Miles Redd: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? Everything's come to you at the last second. You can't even believe it. And 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 so it's just like piece by piece building it really is piece by piece but it's like it's it's it's every day adding to it and then I think and like also being very good at arranging things you know like i think that is a 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 up a clock on top of a mirror and how to do that when to um take down the curtains when to uh you know know what I mean?

18:42Miles Redd:Like when to add curtains, when to make a little like corner, a little bonquette, you know what I mean? Like when to 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 more you realize that if it's good, there's going to be space for it. 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 that I wouldn't normally do. 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 then you're like, huh, what about that instead?

19:24Miles Redd: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 scheme boards and we hold up the scheme board and we're like, well, that looks kind of amazing and twists 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 someone 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 out like I know we've got like a chair overload but I feel like this is this needs to find its way into the room and so we're going for it Okay when you're going to an auction like that and you're Are you shopping for one project or are you shopping for like all the projects at once?

20:39Miles Redd:All of them. All of them. Oh my gosh. Isn't it hard? Because you're trying to get yourself into different... No, it's actually you just... People have a vibe. Jobs have a vibe. 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 like crystal tree, you know what I mean? And like, 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?

21:35Miles Redd:Where could this be? Like, where do they work? You know, and that's how we do it. How fun. It's kind of like shopping for Christmas presents for your all day, all day long, every day, all day. That's all I do. I'm always like, it is fun. It really is fun. You know? I could listen to you describe these projects all day. The adjectives. I'm like, oh. Oh, gosh. Well, I love words. I won't deny it. Yeah. Okay, so we've got a few things coming back from your collection. We talked about the shell. Wait, did we talk about the shell mirror? I know we were talking about it all. We have the Regency mirror and the shell console, which is a great combo.

22:17Miles Redd: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, I had a tiny little ice bucket filled with ice on that little silver thing. And she was like, it was better than being Marie Antoinette. And I think, you know, she's like my little silver table with my ice cubes.

22:58Miles Redd:And the, 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 it's going to be Rattan, which I'm excited about, but outdoor Rattan. Of course. Yeah, yeah. Very exciting. Very exciting. And I do believe your dining table, the Black Lacquer one that everyone loves, is coming back.

23:41It's not out. The other ones are already mailed. This one is coming back, I believe. People were clamoring for that.

23:50Miles Redd:And actually last night someone said of that dining table, because 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 super excited about that. we used to i think we talked about it internally as having this um like grand piano finish and it really it does and it's actually pretty damn durable because i use it all the time no table cloth just like i love like to put a plate on that black mirror table with no placemat or anything it just looks so good do you know yeah it's so reflective you get it twice it has a it has a like a, I don't know, there's something like the 18th century.

24:36The bamboo legs on that piece, too.

24:39Miles Redd:Are beautiful. And the way they've wrapped 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. I mean, I was blown away. Yeah, it's fabulous. Such great details. Such great details. So, yes, we have that. 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 Penoyer on the show a couple months ago, and we spotted some of your pieces from your collection in that project. We're always, like, seeing them sort of pop up, which is really fun.

25:20So talk about some of the more recent ones. That was, I believe.

25:24Miles Redd:That was Cleveland, a project that we loved working on. And it's funny, we are headed there soon. They made a party barn annex. And no, it's great. They've got young kids and they just wanted a room where the kids could run crazy. 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. Oh, fun. 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 a lot to consider.

26:21Yeah. There was a fabulous feature in Veranda. I can't remember when it was. Dallas, Texas. Dallas, yeah. So tell us about that project. Because was that the one that she wanted Dynasty?