Duffield Lane: The Company We Keep
Meredith Miller
The Woman Who Makes Room for More
Consider this your invitation to pull up a chair. There may be mismatched china, there will certainly be good conversation, and for our very first guest, we've saved a seat for Meredith Miller.
Known as Diff Miller in the design world, Meredith is the creative eye behind Diff Miller Style & Design. A fashion-industry veteran turned interior designer, she brings her love of color, pattern, and the unexpected to everything from getting dressed to decorating a room and setting the table.
Meredith's philosophy? Collect what you love, don't be afraid to mix things up, and make room for memories along the way.
Effortless style is found in the pieces you return to year after year, both in your wardrobe and throughout your home
More Is More (And Then Some)
On plaid, pattern, and finding your own signature
Her approach to getting dressed looks quite a bit like her approach to decorating. Layers, color, mixed patterns, and pieces collected over time. Her love for plaid and tartan runs especially deep, right down to the wallpaper in her foyer.
And while she's not afraid to have fun with what she wears, Meredith's definition of effortless style is decidedly classic. The best pieces are the ones worth bringing out year after year, whether they're hanging in your closet or sitting in your living room.
Come In, Take Your Shoes Off
A house full of beautiful things is one thing. A house full of people who feel completely at ease? That's the real goal.
For Meredith, good company is someone who walks through the door, makes her laugh, and immediately puts her at ease. Preferably someone happy to kick off their shoes and share a glass of wine.
As for her secret to a successful evening? If there are empty wine glasses scattered about the house, you know it's been a particularly good night.
A Place at the Table
On meaningful details & the beauty of collecting
At Meredith's table, there's no such thing as starting from scratch. Every piece has a past. Nothing needs to match, and that's precisely the point. She believes a beautiful table isn't about getting everything just right. It's about bringing together pieces of your life, each with its own story, and leaving room for a few more.
Q&A: What are the little things you do for guests that they might not even notice? I love to give each guest a place card that's theirs to keep coming back to. Return for another dinner, and your card will be waiting. New to the table? There's a new one just for you.
The Good Company
On the people who make it worthwhile
For someone whose world is filled with beautiful things, Meredith's definition of good company is refreshingly simple.
It's laughter. It's feeling relaxed. It's having someone around who makes the day feel a little less serious.
And perhaps that's what makes her perspective so lovely. She believes in looking forward, a lesson she learned from fashion legend Mickey Drexler, who encouraged thinking about where things are going rather than where they've been. Yet when it comes to her home and personal style, she holds tightly to the pieces and memories that have stood the test of time.
A little bit of looking ahead, a little bit of holding on. And plenty of good company along the way.
A Note to Meredith
Thank you for reminding us that the best tables aren't necessarily the ones with matching china, but the ones filled with stories, laughter, and people worth saving a seat for. We're so glad to have had a place at yours.
Cheers!
Until next time, keep good company.
