Get to Know Meredith Miller of Diff Miller Style & Design

Photo: Emily Elizabeth Photography.

Where did your personal design journey begin? What sparked your interest in becoming an interior designer?

As an Art History Major, I am stimulated by all things visual! I've always loved creating pretty spaces, from college houses to my New York apartments, to my own home... I'm just lucky that people can see the happiness in what I do and let me do it for them!

Pillow and Chair Skirt Trim: LUXOR VELVET TAPE. Photo: Jon Friedrich.

How would you describe your design aesthetic?

My design aesthetic is colorful and eclectic. I love to create unexpected spaces! The only rule I follow is that there are no rules.... it makes what I do so much more fun!

Chair Skirt Trim: SQUARE LINK EMBROIDERED TAPE. Floorcovering: STARK ANTELOPE. Photo: Jon Friedrich.

Do you have a favorite project you’ve completed that you could describe?

I pour the same effort into all my projects but the ones I enjoy the most are the ones where my clients let me "go for it." It takes a lot of trust to let me put up animal print wallpaper everywhere or green grasscloth with a completely crazy window fabric. It's the best!

Wallcovering: ASCOT FLORAL PRINT. Photo: Julia D'agostino.

What is your favorite The House of Scalamandré design? Fabric, wallcovering, and trimming?

I love the House of Scalamandré, as it's classic and timeless but always feels relevant! My favorites include… for fabric, it’s Guermantes. For trim, my favorite is the always classic Square Link Embroidered Tape, while Ascot Floral Print is my wallpaper must-have!

Roman Shade: China Rose. Photo: Jon Friedrich.

What is an interior design trend that you hope comes around again?

I don't particularly follow interior trends but if I had to pick one to come back around it would be some semblance of "mid-century modern." My grandparents had the most beautiful mid-century modern home and I look back fondly on so many strangely shaped tables and smile!

Designed by legendary interior designer, Florence Knoll. Photo Courtesy of: Knoll, Inc.

Designing Livable Spaces with Performance Fabrics

The family room is the heart of a home. How do performance textiles play a role in making this space inviting and accessible to all ages?

Performance fabrics are of huge importance when creating a space that will actually be used! Functionality is as important as the colors and fabrics. If a space cannot be lived in, it's wasted.

Photo: Brantley Photography.

“Performance” is a broad category in the market. What attributes do you look for when specifying performance fabrics?

The performance characteristic most requested by my clients are "stain resistant or repellent." The ability to "live" with the furniture and not worry about who is eating what, is clutch. No one wants to invest in custom furniture to have it be ruined by a stain.

Crib Skirt Trim: MARINA STRIPE TAPE. Roman Shade Trim: HALSEY ONION FRINGE. Floorcovering: STARK STARLAND. Photo: Jon Friedrich.

When did performance fabrics start becoming a staple or go-to material for you and your clients, and why?

I've definitely increased my use of performance fabrics over the last couple of years. The selection has really expanded in offering and it has become much easier to find almost any color, etc. It is exciting to see a company such as Scalamandré including it more in their portfolio!

Performance fabrics have evolved significantly over the past few decades. What would be on your wish list for the next generation of this type of textile?

As performance fabrics evolve, I'd love to see stain repellant with some "stretch." Recovery of a fabric is so important to keeping it look new so if a piece of furniture is able to stay clean, it needs to stay taught as well!

Neutrals are forever, but color makes a space memorable. How do you strike a balance in the color palette when designing a family room?

I love color! I generally start with a color or two and then ground it/them, if need be, with a neutral. That may be backwards but I don't follow the rules.

How have your clients’ expectations of a family room evolved from the beginning of your career to this present moment?

Functionality is definitely key for a family room. Investing in a space means that it needs to last for a while. The best kind of room is where fashion meets function...

Meredith Miller and Family

What is the best part about designing a family room for you and why?

The best part about designing a family room is knowing that it is going to be the heart of the home. Family rooms are generally less formal so I get to play around with multiple colors, textures and prints which is so much fun for me!

Photo: Jon Friedrich.

What is your favorite aspect of your own family room and why?

My family room doubles as my living room so it's a cozy and inviting space. I'm a huge fan of mixing prints and collecting art. I also love an heirloom, so it is definitely full of heart and soul.

Can you see yourself incorporating the high-performance designs from The Trio Collection in future projects?

Performance fabrics are very important to many of my clients so I absolutely plan to incorporate them into my projects! I’m thrilled that an established, iconic brand such as Scalamandré, that understands quality and reliability has invested in incorporating them into their line. Creating long lasting, timeless pieces is the goal and I think these fabrics will be an integral part of that!

When scheming with our new high-performance designs from The Trio Collection, what were your favorite attributes about the product?

They are easy to clean, have high durability and are fuss free; all attributes of the Trio Collection that have huge appeal to me. There are a lot of dirty hands, mud paws, and red wine in this house so not having to worry about every move is a huge relief!

The Trio Collection Schemes By Meredith Miller

We asked designer Meredith Miller to create three unique room schemes that blend together the versatile, high-performance designs of the Trio Collection along with existing product within our line. Enjoy her unique twist on the following schemes and get inspired!

There is something about chinoiserie chic that gets me every time! The Baldwin Bamboo wallpaper mixed with the whimsy of Dragon Dance is so entertaining and makes for such a happy space. The colors of light blue and orange, with some grounding neutrals makes for a fresh spin on the traditional chinoiserie chic.

There is a sense of calming, yet eccentricity... and the colors of pink and green always evoke happiness! This scheme centers around the floral aspects in the fabric and trim but is juxtaposed with stripes and ikat patterns. A bouquet of everything!

You can never have too much blue. Multiple shades of blue create a comforting and inviting feel for any room of the home. The unexpected mixing of Ascot Floral Print with Chi'en Dragon Linen Print, along with multiple patterns and trims makes blue feel anything but ordinary!

We hope that the designs within the Trio Collection are the foundation of your future projects; allowing spaces to be thoroughly enjoyed and memories to be made!

To learn more about Diff Miller Style & Design, visit www.diffmiller.com.