Hey you! Welcome to Inspired by DIY monthly series.  I’ve had so much fun with this year’s chosen designers.  If you’ve missed the first two, we have featured Wes Anderson and  Genevieve Gorder.   Some past favorites were Eddie Ross, Kate Spade,  Kelly Wearstler, and Jonathon Adler.    This month’s featured designer/creative icon is Miles Redd.  

Inspired by Miles Redd Living Room

If you are unfamiliar with Miles Redd interiors, his signature style is commonly recognized by the use of bold colors, lacquer, sophisticated eclectic decor, and chinoiserie wallpaper in traditional style rooms. For my living room makeover, I was inspired by these two rooms.

    5 Decorating rules Miles Redd breaks and so should you!

Decorating rule #1:  Use light colors in small spaces.  

The biggest change to our living room was switching out our white curtains (which I have been using for years!) for three turquoise panels.  Holy cow, what a difference!

Here’s the before…  (I’ve been enjoying white and bright spaces for the last couple of years.)

But I’m totally in love with the bold pop of blue now!

Decorating rule #2:  Don’t use more than 3 colors in a room.  

A stand fast decorating rule is to choose a main color with 2 accent colors.   It’s a great rule to follow if you are just starting out in the decorating process but if you feel the urge to add in more hues, go for it!   I’ve mixed turquoise, navy, denim, with maroon, chartreuse, and pink textiles and it pairs beautifully with modern eclectic global style.

Decorating rule #3:  Don’t use too many patterns.

I do tend to mix and match pillows and such with a small print and large print, or floral with a geometric but Miles Redd is a pro at layering a bold pattern with another bold pattern.  It has a fantastic bohemian or luxurious feel when you do this.  I didn’t think to much about throwing these pillows next to my ikat fabric and chinoiserie garden stool.  

Decorating rule #4:  Don’t mix decorating periods or styles.

If you’ve been around here before, you know I never follow this rule.  My house is an eclectic mix of traditional, asian, modern, and global style and I never decorate with a set of furniture.   Having an eclectic mix makes it easy to achieve a curated designer look.

Decorating rule #5:  Use odd numbers when mixing accessories.  

I actually follow this rule religiously.  Decorating in odd numbers is an easy way to create vignettes and styling that feel more casual and less stuffy.    Another “safe” decorating rule I love to use is grouping a vertical item with a horizontal accessory and something sculptural.  After studying a few of Miles Redd interiors and styled vignettes I decided to try something different.   I corralled four vertical items together; a plant, faux flowers, feathers, and an antique decanter on a woven tray and it works!

Do you follow these decorating rules?  Are you a rule breaker?  I think breaking rules is a great way to expand your decorating skills and keep things interesting!

There are 7 more DIYs inspired by Miles Redd to enjoy and I can’t wait to see them! Will you join me?

PMQ for Two | The Gathered Home | The Striped House | The Rath Project

Up to Date Interiors | Semigloss Design | Iris Nacole | Jest Cafe