Inside a Tudor Revival Fit for a Duchess: Miles Redd and David Kaihoi Reimagine Royal Style

A Home That Marries History With Contemporary Design

The Tudor Revival style has always carried an air of aristocratic grandeur, with its steep gables, rich woodwork, and storybook architecture. When acclaimed designers Miles Redd and David Kaihoi were invited to Rochester, New York, to reimagine a Tudor Revival residence, the result was nothing short of extraordinary. Their vision was not just about restoring a grand house but about giving it a soul—one inspired by the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and their glamorous European lifestyle.

The project has since become a showcase of how historic architecture can be softened, brightened, and transformed into a home that feels both royal and deeply personal. With bold colors, luxurious textures, and imaginative details, this interior design project stands as a testament to timeless style.

Inspiration From the Windsors

Designer Miles Redd described the ethos as drawing from the Duke and Duchess of Windsor’s French countryside estate, The Mill. Known for their eclectic taste, the Windsors filled their home with chintz fabrics, needlepoint rugs, and dazzling layers of pattern. That blend of opulence and eccentricity resonated with Redd and Kaihoi, becoming the backbone of their design narrative.

Their client wanted a home that embraced history but didn’t feel trapped by it. Instead of period-perfect re-creations, the designers leaned toward comfort, color, and playfulness. This meant silk velvet upholstery, wool wall-to-wall carpets, and bold statements like taffeta-clad dining rooms.

Embracing Color: The Power of Red

One of the standout moments in this Tudor Revival transformation is the wet bar drenched in Heritage Red by Benjamin Moore. Red, for Redd, isn’t just a color; it’s a statement. He describes it as “a great clarifier,” much like lipstick that instantly brightens and refines. In this home, red walls paired with Absolute Black granite countertops and vintage artwork create a jewel-box effect that feels daring yet refined.

The use of red threads through the house, echoing into adjoining spaces and unifying the interiors. The designers understood the importance of color continuity, especially in a Tudor Revival home where each room traditionally feels like its own world.

Balancing Gothic Architecture With Warmth

The architecture of the house carried unmistakable Gothic tones, with heavy beams and ecclesiastical lines that could have easily tipped the balance toward severity. Instead of doubling down on historical austerity, Redd and Kaihoi softened the interiors.

They replaced starkness with lively fabrics, glowing wallcoverings, and whimsical accents. Wallpaper became a tool for transformation, especially in upper hallways where Iksel’s custom chinoiserie wallcoverings wrapped alcoves and created a cocoon-like effect.

This approach ensured that while the home nodded to its Tudor Revival roots, it also radiated modern comfort.

Plaid as a Roadmap

One detail that remained from the original client’s collection was a plaid carpet, which became an unexpected design anchor. Rather than treating it as an obstacle, the designers leaned into it, recognizing its historical resonance with the Windsors, who famously used tartan at The Mill.

The plaid was extended as a connective element between rooms, guiding the eye and creating a sense of continuity. Far from overwhelming, it lent the house a country club charm with panache, reminding guests that heritage can coexist with fun.

Luxurious Textures and Fabrics

The home’s interiors sing because of their material richness. Fabrics like taffeta, silk velvet, and wool were chosen for their tactile appeal and visual impact.

• Dining Room: Yellow taffeta walls from the Chadick Collection set a radiant backdrop, paired with a vintage Murano glass chandelier and Régence giltwood mirror.

• Primary Bedroom: Wallpaper by William Morris creates a historical mood, while a 1940s Josef Frank settee at the foot of a custom bed grounds the space in timeless design.

• Sunroom: A chandelier by Visual Comfort crowns the room, where the client’s own furniture is elevated with Lee Jofa fabrics.

Each room is layered, but never cluttered, with vintage finds, antiques, and custom pieces that blend eras effortlessly.

Mixing High and Low With Confidence

One of the great lessons from this project is that luxury doesn’t always mean high price tags. Both Redd and Kaihoi emphasize that good design is about mixing—pairing antiques with modern retail finds, vintage rugs with new wallpapers, or custom pieces alongside accessible brands.

As Redd puts it, “Would you rather live in a dump or something beautiful?” Beauty, he reminds us, doesn’t need to be expensive; cleverness and a strong point of view can achieve just as much as extravagant spending.

The Role of Wallpaper and Pattern

In a home with Tudor bones, walls can feel heavy if left bare. The designers embraced patterned wallpapers and plaid textiles to lighten the mood. Wallpaper was extended to ceilings in certain areas, particularly where architecture lacked crown moldings or when rooms needed a more enveloping feel.

This approach allowed them to transform transitional spaces—like stairwells and hallways—into areas of delight rather than mere passageways.

A Philosophy of Panache

What makes this Tudor Revival home extraordinary is not just its architecture or its furnishings but its spirit. Redd and Kaihoi approach design not as rigid historians but as storytellers. Their palette of red, yellow, green, and plaid isn’t just decorative; it’s narrative.

This philosophy is best captured in Redd’s willingness to “throw something in there” without overthinking. The idea is that interiors should surprise, delight, and inspire—not just replicate magazine spreads.

A Nod to Royal Elegance

The Duke and Duchess of Windsor may have been infamous in history, but their style endures as a point of fascination. This Rochester home pays homage to their aesthetic without becoming a museum piece. The result is a house that feels fit for a duchess, yet perfectly livable for a modern family.

Every detail—from antique oak chandeliers to needlepoint rugs—works together to create an atmosphere of elegance, whimsy, and comfort.

The Heart of Tudor Revival Reimagined

At its core, this home demonstrates what Tudor Revival design can achieve in the 21st century. By respecting the architectural foundation while layering in bold colors, luxurious fabrics, and playful patterns, Redd and Kaihoi created something unique: a house that feels both historic and refreshingly contemporary.

It is a lesson in balance—honoring heritage without being bound by it, embracing opulence without losing comfort, and finding beauty not only in grand gestures but also in small details.

Conclusion

The Rochester project by Miles Redd and David Kaihoi proves that a Tudor Revival home can be more than just an architectural statement; it can be a canvas for storytelling, elegance, and joy. Inspired by the Windsors’ legendary style, the designers crafted a house that celebrates color, embraces texture, and defies the ordinary.

With Heritage Red walls, William Morris wallpaper, plaid carpets, and layers of luxurious detail, the residence is as much a reflection of history as it is of modern imagination. It reminds us that in design, as in life, the question remains: Do you want to live in ugly? The answer, resoundingly, is no.

This Tudor Revival fit for a duchess shows us how tradition can meet innovation—and how every home, no matter its age, can be redefined with creativity and panache.