There is a reason Miles Redd is so well regarded. After listening to him speak at DBCLA (Design bloggers conference LA) you begin to understand why he decorates the way he does. His use of color knows no bounds and then it hit me he really is a renegade with traditional roots. He is inspired by many different artists, yet not surprising that his favorite artist is John Singer Sargent, who was known for his beautiful use of color when painting the human form. First and foremost he has a purpose to what he does. Very confident and rightfully so….. he knows his stuff. He studied at Parson’s in New York and is very well versed in both art history and the history of architecture. . His designs are flamboyant but traditional at the same time.

 

He explained that one of his motto’s is to buy one item of value in each room. He says, “It will elevate the rest of the room.” In his first apartment in New York, in which he described as “one step up from a tenement,” he says he bought a Vasquez at auction for $600. Not something you hear many college boys doing.

 

He is a decorator’s decorator. What I mean by that is he understands the craft of it. He sees that design is built upon architectural principals and utilizes art not only in making a room beautiful, but also values the principals of the Masters. He is a great storyteller. And he is funny . You got the sense that he didn’t take himself too seriously. One woman in the audience read my thoughts exactly and said she’d like to hang out with him sometime. He just has that much appeal.

Like all good artists…..He uses color to interrupt, to highlight and to make the eye go where he wants it to. In other words The wow factor isn’t by accident.