CasaSugar

Coveted Crib: Chez Sheila Bridges

CasaSugar — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 05:01:37 -0800

You may remember interior designer Sheila Bridges from our Designer Spotlight or from Domino and ELLE Decor, or her spot on the Fine Living network. Voted one of America's best designers, she can transform any space with a bold use of color and whimsical accents, while maintaining a traditional sensibility. She doesn't reserve these techniques solely for her clients though; her Harlem apartment is perhaps the best illustration of her knack for design. New York Social Diary not so recently had an interesting interview with Sheila and captured many wonderful images of her Harlem apartment. My favorite room by far has to be her study, which she had painted with quotes from her favorite books. But there are wonderful, creative touches and patterns everywhere, which refuse to let your eyes rest. Take a peek at this slideshow to see it, and be sure to read the interview. Source

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Designer Spotlight: Christopher Coleman

CasaSugar — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 14:30:28 -0700

I first took notice of Christopher Coleman when I saw him sitting next to Sheila Bridges (a designer whose work never fails to impress me), in the June 2007 issue of ELLE Decor offering advice on the best weatherproof tables for your home. I figured that anyone associated with Bridges (and anyone that good looking) must be worth checking out, and I was right.

Christopher Coleman is a born and bred Baltimore boy and a graduate of the Maryland Institute for Contemporary Art, who founded his own design firm, Christopher Coleman Interior Design, in Brooklyn's hip DUMBO district in 1993. Coleman mixes geometric shapes and clean lines to create simplicity in his chic interiors, which serve as a base for his playful and bold use of color and curious textures. I admire his ability to make a room glamorous using materials which don't necessarily cost an arm and a leg; he makes good design actually within reach. Coleman is also known for his imaginative children's rooms, where you might find a beach scenery wall mural or chalkboard floors, and he even has his own line of children's furniture, Christopher Coleman Kids. I don't know about you, but I'm crossing my fingers in hopes that he'll one day soon have a line of furniture for big kids. Tell me what you think of Coleman's interior and furniture designs when you read more

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Designer Spotlight: Sheila Bridges

CasaSugar — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 08:34:11 -0700

Though she's an interior designer in name, Sheila Bridges' job description includes everything from hosting a show on the Fine Living network to appearing as a design pundit on "Oprah" to decorating the Harlem office space of Bill Clinton. And if an interior designer can achieve national fame, Bridges has done it. Since founding her own firm in 1994, she's been named America's Best Interior Designer by CNN and Time magazines.

What I like about Bridges' designs is her ability to use very traditional pieces in unexpected ways. A room by Bridges won't be too jarring for anyone with less-than-edgy tastes, but she's always likely to throw in a playful accent or an objet d'art that keeps formality to a minimum. She also has a great eye for color and for mixing different furniture styles and patterns. Take a look at a gallery of her work and tell me what you think when you read more

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This Just In: Oprah Lists Her Miami Island Pad

CasaSugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 04:30:08 -0700

According to Real Estalker, Oprah has put her 1,838-square-foot, 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo on Miami's Fisher Island for $2.09 million. The listing for the property reads:

Spectacular direct ocean views through walls of sliding glass and from covered privacy on a gracious seaside terrace [. . .] gorgeous design, inviting layout, and fantastic features combine to achieve a supreme level of plush waterfront, tropical living. Beautiful upgrades and details within this bright and airy Seaside Village home include wonderful water views from every room, custom wood built-ins and more!

There's no way this is the only property Oprah, who earned $275 million last year, calls home. She also sold her Buckhead, Atlanta property this year. Considering that she bought the property in 1996 for $660,000 cash and that the condo is notably understated for someone with her income, I'm guessing that this may just have been an investment property. Don't get me wrong — the views are magnificent, the décor calm and elegant, and the built-ins were beautifully executed. But, I'd expect something more along the lines of a Viking range and Sheila Bridges interior design, if she actually stayed there.

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Celebrate International Women's Day With CasaSugar

CasaSugar — Sat, 08 Mar 2008 05:00:59 -0800

Today is International Women's Day. Annually on this day, thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate their achievements. Definitely look in your local paper to see if there are any events in your community celebrating this day, and for now, take a look at some of my favorite posts celebrating creative women here on CasaSugar.

Designer Natalie Chanin creates beautiful and innovative repurposed designs for your home.
Architect Zaha Hadid was the first woman to win the Pritzker Prize in its 26-year history.
Artist Yvette Molina paints dreamy flora on aluminum.
Photographer Tria Giovan has established a successful career shooting for a number of coveted shelter magazines.
Designer Sheila Bridges makes inspiring interiors for livable and lovely homes.
Architect Julia Morgan was the first woman allowed in Paris's Ecole des Beaux-Arts.
Artist Cal Lane brings an unexpected feminine twist to traditionally male-dominated objects.
Designer Eva Zeisel has not only lived an incredible and dramatic life, she's also making beautiful designs well into her 90s.

Source, Source, Source, and Source

Crave Worthy: Chinoise Garden Bird Toile Plate Set

CasaSugar — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 11:14:45 -0800

I must admit, I am, in most cases, not a huge fan of chinoiserie. I'm also a nonfan of toile, aside from Hazelnut's New Orleans toile and Sheila Bridges' Harlem toile. But, the two styles blended together in this Chinoise Garden Bird Toile Plate Set ($224) is actually quite the eye pleaser. Too pretty to eat off of, I'd hang this plate set on the walls of a midnight gray kitchen with slick, white-lacquered furniture, or place one on my dresser as a jewelry catch-all. Do you love it?

Your Favorite Female Interior Designer

CasaSugar — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 07:15:33 -0800

As part of our Best of 2007 polls, you named Charlotte Moss as your favorite interior designer. I do love Charlotte's couture living design philosophy and her attention to detail, so I see where you're coming from. But, I have to say I think the whimsical touches and bold color choices of Sheila Bridges' interiors are more my speed.
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Casa Capsule: The Week That Was

CasaSugar — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 10:30:00 -0700

Find some room inspiration with designer Sheila Bridges.
This week's Casa Craving Challenge is all about subtle accents and subdued furniture to offset this funky chair.
Or snap up some super-cute household items at newly opened online store Three Potato Four.
Peacocks are on the home accessories radar right now. Check out some of my favorites at this week's Trend Alert.
Inquiring minds want to know: Are you a pet person?
Help PartySugar find a Missoni-style bedspread.
Got wine? Looking for some place to put it? Then try this chic and cheap DIY project using mailing tubes.
Finally, if you're looking for a killer weekend sale, head over to Amy Butler's online store.