Anthony Redmile: The Alchemist of British Design
Born in England in 1940, Anthony Redmile became one of Britain’s most eccentric and imaginative designers of the late twentieth century. Largely self-taught, he forged a style defined by theatricality, craftsmanship, and an irrepressible sense of wonder.
From his London studio in the 1970s, Redmile created furniture, mirrors, and objets d’art adorned with agate, horn, shells and silver that transformed interiors into modern cabinets of curiosities. Each Redmile creation tells a story, balancing natural forms with ornate craftsmanship and a mischievous sense of humour.
His aesthetic found an ideal setting in the Caribbean island of Mustique, where he designed interiors for several of its famed villas. While most of his contemporaries embraced minimalism, Redmile revelled in opulence. His work was bold, tactile, and unapologetically decorative — a celebration of eccentric luxury that attracted an international clientele including Rod Stewart, Jacqueline Onassis, and Erté. Against the island’s lush backdrop, Redmile’s fantastical furniture and objects turned tropical retreats into theatrical dreamscapes. These projects epitomised his ability to merge natural beauty with sophisticated excess, creating a uniquely escapist vision of luxury.
In a world often obsessed with restraint, Anthony Redmile reminded us that design can be exuberant — that beauty and eccentricity, when fused, can become pure magic.