Sheila Bridges

Sheila Bridges is a Harlem-based interior designer, author, and product designer known for her influence in American interior design. Bridges established her interior design firm in Harlem, New York, a community recognized for its cultural heritage and contributions from African American writers, artists, and musicians. She holds degrees from Brown University and Parsons School of Design and studied decorative arts at Polimoda in Florence, Italy.

Bridges has designed residences and offices for entertainers, entrepreneurs, and business professionals, including the Harlem offices for former President Bill Clinton and his staff. She was selected to design the Vice President's Residence in Washington, D.C., the home of Vice President Kamala Harris. Sheila Bridges Design, Inc. has completed projects at Columbia University and Princeton University, bringing her design approach to academic institutions.

A significant contribution to interior design and product design is Bridges' "Harlem Toile de Jouy" pattern. This pattern, depicting Black people in everyday scenes, addresses stereotypes of the African American experience through six vignettes in vibrant colors. "Harlem Toile de Jouy" has been featured on clothing, shoes, and china, including a collaboration with Wedgwood. The pattern has appeared in home product collaborations with Williams-Sonoma, Le Creuset, The Shade Store, and The Inside. The "Harlem Toile de Jouy" wallpaper is included in the permanent collections of the Brooklyn Museum, Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum, RISD Museum, National Museum of African American History and Culture, Philadelphia Museum of Art, and Victoria and Albert Museum.

Bridges hosted four seasons of "Sheila Bridges: Designer Living" for Fine Living Network and has contributed to NBC's Today Show and appeared on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Her work has been featured in Architectural Digest, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Interior Design, House & Garden, Domino, and Traditional Home. Bridges has been included in Elle Decor's A-List and House Beautiful's Top 100 Interior Designers list and is a founding member of the Black Artists + Designers Guild.

As an author, Bridges wrote "Furnishing Forward: A Practical Guide to Furnishing for a Lifetime" and the memoir "The Bald Mermaid," which chronicles her professional journey and experience with alopecia. The memoir explores themes of race, identity, family, beauty, and femininity. Bridges was named to Forbes' 50 Over 50 Lifestyle list, reflecting her ongoing impact in interior design, product design, and cultural commentary.