Anthony Redmile

Anthony Redmile is one of the most original and unconventional figures in 20th-century British design. Emerging in the 1970s, his work brought an unapologetic sense of fantasy and theatricality to the world of interiors. Untrained in the traditional sense, Redmile began as an antique dealer in Chelsea, where his flair for transformation quickly caught attention. He became known for turning overlooked objects into striking, often surreal pieces that blurred the line between art and ornament.

What set Redmile apart was his fearless use of materials. Rather than favouring restraint, he embraced the extravagant, combining elements such as ostrich eggs, antlers, shagreen, coral, malachite, bone, and silver plate. His designs were never modest. Instead, they celebrated visual drama and surprise, qualities that made his work instantly recognisable and deeply individual.

Some of his most remarkable creations include table lamps constructed from taxidermy and horn, monumental obelisks inlaid with malachite and coral, and extraordinary candelabra centred around real ostrich eggs, all housed in elaborate mounts. He also produced cabinets and tables supported by tusks or bones, mirrors framed with fossilised shells, and a range of sculptural objects in silver plate, often portraying stylised animals or totemic forms. Each piece had an unmistakable presence and a sense of narrative, as though plucked from a dream, or a cabinet of curiosities designed for a modern-day collector.

Redmile’s theatrical aesthetic did not go unnoticed by the film world. His pieces found their way onto film sets, adding a touch of surreal glamour to scenes. Most notably, his work appeared in James Bond films, where their bold silhouettes and opulent finishes perfectly matched the lavish, exotic interiors favoured by the franchise. These screen appearances cemented his status not only as a designer but as a visual storyteller, capable of creating objects that contributed to atmosphere and character as much as any costume or prop.

Today, Redmile’s designs are collected internationally and remain highly desirable. They are reminders of a period when British design dared to indulge in excess, and of one man’s vision that transformed the obscure into the extraordinary.