Sheila Bridges
photo by Dana Meilijson
If you could have a second home anywhere, where would you live?
Already do- it’s in Reykjavik, Iceland- my escape place.
Tell us about your childhood bedroom?
My bedroom was on the third floor of our family home in Philadelphia. The walls had colorful floral wallpaper which I fell in love with at a store (installed by my father). The color scheme was plum, pink, grey and white. White campaign furniture with brass accents with plum wall-to-wall carpet. Lots of pillows and stuffed animals on the bed.
What’s the first investment piece you ever bought for your house?
Gosh- I’ve bought so many I can’t even remember. Maybe a Gustavian Swedish Mora clock for my living room. Or a pair of Fornasetti Blackamoor dining chairs.
In the history of design, if you could hire any designer other than yourself, who would it be? That’s tough. Probably Jean Michel Frank.
No room is complete without a four legged, furry animal.
People think of me as serious, but I am really pretty funny and kind of a prankster.
Things you omit from:
A flower arrangement: Poison ivy and pink carnations
An hors d’oeuvre platter: Anything that requires a spoon or is too big to eat in one bite
A bar cabinet: Beer on tap
A song for:
Dinner at home: Anything by Robert Glasper or Tom Misch
Working at your desk: “Under Control” by The Internet
Going for a run: “Looped” by Kiasmos or “Run Away” by Moonchild
If you were on an Ambien high and internet shopping, what would you buy?
A John Deere Gator
Do your clothes reflect your design sensibility, if so, how?
My clothes and shoes are colorful, classic and casual like a lot of my designs.
Who is your star crush? I dated an actor several years ago. He cured me of celebrity/star crushes!
What is the thing you would never do on a project, but don’t detest when you see others do it? Matching floral fabrics on lampshades, walls, draperies and canopy beds.
If there were a fire, and you could only keep one design book, what would it be?
My own- Furnishing Forward (Little Brown & Co Publisher) It was the first book I ever wrote and I am still very proud of it.
For posterity, what would you like your work to be known for? Creating thoughtful, beautiful and timeless interiors.
photo by Dana Meilijson
A Few Favorites:
Movie: Boomerang
Book: Letters to a Young Poet- Rainer Rilke
Scent: Perfume gives me a headache
The fabric you always come back to: Almost anything by Holland & Sherry. I try not to use any fabric more than once.
Dream project: Designing a boutique hotel someplace warm and exotic.
Meal: Mac and Cheese
Drink: Aperol Spritz in summer, glass of Zinfandel in winter.
Hotel: I usually Airbnb it.
Travel Destination: Morocco
Artist: Kerry James Marshall, Amy Sherald
Thing to collect obsessively: Art. I don’t have enough walls for all of the things I own.
Museum: Museum of African History and Culture in Washington DC
Paint Color that always looks great: Farrow & Ball Oval Room Blue
Dogs, cats, or no pets? Dogs, cats, horses, sheep, goats, chickens- I don't discriminate. I wanted to be a veterinarian when I was a child but somehow ended up as a designer.
