Harlem Toile Goes Mainstream

Last fall, a new collection from renowned designer Sheila Bridges ’86 debuted at Williams Sonoma, featuring her signature Harlem Toile de Jouy on pillow covers, cocktail shakers, glasses, napkins, and more. Bridges designed the Harlem offices of President Bill Clinton; most recently, she redecorated the official D.C. residence of Vice President Kamala Harris. Originally from Philadelphia, she moved to Harlem in 1993, starting Sheila Bridges Design a year later. Her toile, which she designed in 2006 for her own home, “lampoons some of the stereotypes deeply woven into the African American experience.” It’s part of the permanent wallpaper collection at Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum and her work is featured in numerous other museums, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Collaborations with other companies include Le Creuset and Wedgwood. She has also written two books, been named the top U.S. interior designer by CNN and Time magazine, and appeared as a regular contributor on NBC’s Today. Find images of her work at sheilabridges.com.