Interior designer Jessie Miller finds her place in Maplewood

Cool Credenza

Miller wanted a dramatic focal point. “I inherited this bar from my friend Annie Smith [of Euro Trash] and her husband, Charles Smith. Annie refurbished it, and it used to live in Charles’ office. Now the bar is my credenza, and I use it for storage.” The tables are also hand-me-downs from Charles.

Light the way

“We get great light in here,” says the designer. “I don’t like to be in any kind of sterile or industrial environment. I like for things to feel cozy. I thought having the skylight would be great over my desk. Lighting is really important with all of my work.”

Atmosphere

“It’s difficult for me to work in a colorful environment with all of my different projects,” says Miller. “A neutral background calms my peripheral view. I also wanted to try to make the space feel authentically me. I wanted a place that was fun to come into. For me, the days are so long, you have to have fun, or it’s not worth it.”

Collections 

Miller collects busts. “I have an obscene amount,” she says. “I love them. I love figurative art, too. I just find human subjects to be the most fascinating.”

French Panels

“It’s very true to my style,” Miller says of the panels, which were also steered to her by Annie. “I like rich, historic French architecture, and I like to juxtapose it with ultramodern lighting or contemporary artwork and then edge it up. We have [these panels] in here because the space is fairly industrial and lacks character.”

Neighborhood

“It pretty much found me,” Miller says of Maplewood, her home away from home. “I spend a lot of time at Design & Detail. I like the energy around here.”

Her Chihuahuas

Meet Miller’s tiniest assistants, Mr. Hemi and Sweet Potato. Although they’re small, “they have big personalities,” Miller says. “They think this whole office is theirs. They’re a big hit, almost too big of a hit,” she laughs. Miller often walks them to Sutton Loop Park, down the street, to run around.