The beginning inspiration for Miller, an art lover and collector, was the past. “Everything that is new builds on a legacy,” the designer says. “I try to work with these threads that have spanned centuries to create a space that feels authentic and real.” In working on her own home, Miller had a come-to moment, understanding its existence as a milestone project in her lifelong passion. “It was a major leap forward in terms of refining my design identity,” she acknowledges. “I started to explore more unique—even esoteric—sources, aiming for a modern sensibility that synthesizes different historical ideas.” Nordic, Italian, and Japanese design from the 1930s to the 1960s come together in what Miller calls “Art Deco craftsmanship with machine age clarity.”
A view of the living room: Muselli pendant light by Officineluce. Vladimir Kagan dining table. Chairs by Arne Vodder for Sibast. Artwork by Maja Ruznic and Charles Gaines. Ceramic plate by Voldemar Volkoff. Italian-style 1960s armchair.
A painting by Andreas Eriksson.
In the home office, a table lamp by E. Hansson. Yucatan chair by Edmond J. Spence. Pendant fixture by Kalmar. Rug by Enkay. Shogun lamp by Artemide.
In the bedroom, a Tansu armoire from Jipenquo. Vintage Vases. Artworks by Lee Mullican and Alex Prager.
Restorative DIY
One of the foundations of Miller’s renovation is its respect for the existing house. The original architectural details, such as the plaster moldings and arches, are still in place. A particular difficulty came while restoring the old wooden windows. “We had to scrape off layers of paint and assure they are waterproof,” says Miller, who was also sensitive about sun damage on her art collection. “We used window treatments on all of them and we keep the blinds or curtains closed. But the beauty of the mullions and the hand-blown glass made it all worth the effort.”
There are a lot of DIY elements in the home that Miller worked on: replacing all the air vents, changing all the door hardware, the crafting and installation of custom teak handles in the kitchen. Miller and her husband upgraded the electrical system, and installed the Portola Roman Clay used for the fireplace. “I even installed most of the wall sconces and ceiling lights,” Miller says. “I’m not afraid to climb a ladder!”
A vintage Oushak rug from Turkey. Shelving by Taidgh O’Neill. Roland Wilhelmsson table. Bowl by Bruce Fox. Artworks by Lisa Brice, Angela Heisch, and Nathaniel Oliver.
“Taste is subjective and deeply personal, but it can be universal in impact. Good taste should inspire, not intimidate,” Miller says.
In the bedroom, a lamp by Danny Kaplan Studio. Rug from Armadillo. George Nakashima chairs. San Carlo mohair velvet pillows from Schumacher. Audo Copenhagen table. Muselli wall sconce by Officineluce. Artwork by Claire Tabouret. Akari pendant lamp by Noguchi. Pacific bed by Jenni Kayne. Dresser by Glen of California. Neeru Kumar blanket for RH. Pillow by Zak & Fox. Portola Roman Clay walls.
A Collector’s Eye
Stepping inside the home, one gets the sense that every object has its own identity. “I am a real fan of sample sales, floor samples, and auction houses,” Miller says. “When I can, I try to track down original sources. I scour Bukowskis and Bonhams, VNTG, Proantic, and eBay, trying to find interesting pieces, regional dealers, or local sellers.” The resulting interior finds harmony in the unexpected—“something that throws a room a bit off kilter and allows a space to feel alive,” the designer says. “I hope it results in a layered, lived-in look that represents our evolving taste as a couple.”
The home embraces a maxim of the legendary Elsie de Wolfe: “The cardinal virtue of all beauty is restraint.” Being in an environment that has been completely designed around its inhabitants truly changes lives—it is the objects we love that accompany us in everyday life. “I consider furniture makers and ceramicists on par with fine artists,” Miller says. “A chair or a lamp can be as high a form of expression as a painting.”
Walnut vase by Ashley Martin. Artwork by Xiao Jiang. Tabriz vintage rug. Portola Roman Clay fireplace (Roman Clay).
Details from the kitchen.
In the living room of the Orange Drive home, a pendant lamp by Ravenhill Studio. Concha wall sconce by Gallery L7. Balmore table by Disc Studio. Danish 1940s chairs, Schumacher alpaca. Artwork by Charles Gaines. Malibu stool by Jenni Kayne. Vide poche by Lino Sabattini for Christofle.
In the living room, Miller points out an Anne Rothenstein painting, an Apparatus lamp, a Lalique vase, and a humble Tsubo pot. “When I live surrounded by the products of all these brilliant design minds, I feel their collective presence. I hope that doesn’t sound too out there! But it inspires me to live my life more artistically.”
Carolyn Miller’s home was originally published in AD Italy.