Designer Spotlight: Sheila Bridges Design

Interior designed by Sheila Bridges 
Photograph courtesy of Sheila Bridges Design Portfolio

Our latest Designer Spotlight takes us across the pond to Harlem, New York, where Sheila Bridges runs a dynamic and world-renowned design firm, Sheila Bridges Design.  Launched in 1994, Sheila has received too many accolades to count — but the fact that CNN and Time Magazine crowned her as ‘America’s Best Interior Designer’ says it all.  Sheila’s background in design, honed after studying at Brown and Parsons, informs her style.  Her appreciation for traditional architectural details combined with European elegance makes her interiors immediately recognisable.  Have a look through below at some of her wonderful designs.

Interior designed by Sheila Bridges 
Photograph courtesy of Sheila Bridges Design Portfolio

In this sophisticated library, the rich wood panelling on the walls is complemented by traditional English Regency furniture, including the armorial hall chair between the windows and mahogany library steps.  

Interior designed by Sheila Bridges 
Photograph courtesy of Sheila Bridges Design Portfolio

This image shows a detail from a dining room featuring wonderful painted wallpaper depicting a bucolic country scene.  The upholstered settee with its traditional features, including the scrolled arm and turned legs headed by a carved paterae, is complemented by the simple circular marquetry occasional table.

Interior designed by Sheila Bridges 
Photograph courtesy of Sheila Bridges Design Portfolio

Sheila brings this landing to life with the vibrant verdure tapestry hung above a simple oak hall bench — it creates a focal point to admire upon climbing the stairs.

Interior designed by Sheila Bridges 
Photograph courtesy of Sheila Bridges Design Portfolio

For this dining room, a collection of Celadon vases and other green glazed pottery works beautifully with the green painted walls. The Regency style convex mirror with its gilded frame adds the perfect bit of glamour to the interior.

Interior designed by Sheila Bridges 
Photograph courtesy of Sheila Bridges Design Portfolio

Sheila is brilliant at incorporating painted furniture into a room.  The Swedish Gustavian style seat furniture lightens up a space while still paying homage to neo-classical traditions with the Louis XVI style decoration.

Interior designed by Sheila Bridges 
Photograph courtesy of Sheila Bridges Design Portfolio

We finish on this dramatic image showing a collection of contemporary art and design in monochromatic black and white juxtaposed with an ornate Baroque giltwood mirror.  Sheila once again shows how traditional pieces can work beautifully with modern styles.

Sheila is decorating a room at the highly anticipated Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse this May, and we cannot wait to see what she comes up with — follow along with her work on Instagram here.