Our Best

Curtain Call

Our very own window treatment specialist, Heather Rabold, was featured for the second time in the International Window Fashion Vision magazine.

Last spring we were selected as the first-place winner in two categories of the Envision Design and Workroom Ingenuity Awards at the VISION12: International Window Coverings EXPO™. Our window treatments were judged by experienced industry professionals and deemed extraordinary for their attention to clients’ needs, creativity, design excellence, and construction perfection.

Window treatments can make or break a room design. Done correctly they add a warmth and help pull the room design together. Our window treatment specialists know all the tricks of the trade to design the perfect window treatments for your room – something you can not achieve with off-the-shelf curtains.

Below are some samples of our recent work. If you are in need of beautiful new window treatments, call our showroom today to schedule a consultation.

All the best,
Sheffield Furniture & Interiors

Filed under: As Seen In/On,Window Treatments
by Sheffield

03
May
2013

And the winners are…

Filed under: Contests
by Sheffield

12
Apr
2013

Outdoor Interiors

It sounds like an oxymoron, but today’s outdoor spaces are taking on decidedly interior personalities. While designers have long tried to ‘bring the outdoors in,’ the new trend is to bring the indoors—and comfortable furnishings—out(side). Homeowners across the country looking to maximize their home’s square footage and capitalize on the beauty of the outdoors are creating indoor spaces outside. And when we think fabulous outdoor living, we think Brown Jordan.

Brown Jordan has been designing award-winning outdoor furnishings since 1945. It was actually the first company to create furniture for full-time outdoor use. The company’s stylish designs span a range of styles and materials and represent the pinnacle in innovation and design integrity. From traditional to transitional and contemporary, Brown Jordan offers the perfect styles to create amazing outdoor living spaces.

Here are a few tips to help you create your own ideal outdoor living space:

Think Comfort
Comfort is just as important for outdoor areas as it is for indoor spaces. Choose furnishings that encourage relaxation and facilitate entertaining and conversation. The best outdoor space is one that makes you and your guests want to stay awhile.
Embrace Color
Even if you’re partial to neutral shades indoors, outdoor spaces are a great place to embrace color. While beiges and browns are the most popular colors for outdoor chairs and sofas, you can add pillows and umbrellas in bright outdoor fabrics to make a style statement.
Plan Well
Spend the same amount of time planning your outdoor space as you would an interior room. Not only do you have all the requirements of an indoor space (furnishings, décor scheme, space planning)—you also have the added requirements of weather tolerances and durability. If you need help planning your outdoor space, contact one of our staff designers for a free consultation.

All the best,
Sheffield Furniture & Interiors

Filed under: Brown Jordan,Inspiration,Interior Design,Outdoor Furniture
by Sheffield

19
Mar
2013

Oscar-worthy Furnishings

If you watched the recent Oscars^® or read the ensuing fashion reviews, you’ve seen the latest looks in glamour, glitz and gowns. The colors, the fabrics, the hairstyles, the jewels…the world’s most beautiful and talented came out to be recognized and did not disappoint. But did you know that Hollywood’s biggest night featured stars of home furnishings as well?

That’s right, Baker Furniture—one of our own favorite furniture lines—received the equivalent of an Oscar nod by being featured in the exclusive Architectural Digest Greenroom at the Oscars. Los Angeles-based interior designer Madeline Stuart selected Baker Furniture once again to help her achieve her vision for this backstage space.

Nestled in Hollywood’s Dolby Theatre, the Greenroom is the go-to spot for celebrity interviews, presenter pre-stage prep and refreshments. Baker was chosen to furnish the luxurious suite which was inspired by the legendary art director and production designer, Cedric Gibbons. A Hollywood legend, Mr. Gibbons won eleven Academy Awards for art direction and is credited with designing the Oscar statuette. For a behind-the-scenes look at this room being built, watch this time-lapse video here.

So what makes Baker Oscar-worthy? To start, the brand represents the epitome of fine design, materials and craftsmanship. Baker builds furniture from more periods, styles, and international influences than any other furniture maker—with careful attention paid to scale, proportion and ornamental detail. From exquisite reproductions to original creations from celebrated designers, each piece is uniquely Baker.

This is a brand whose looks fit perfectly in today’s homes. After all, Baker’s vision is to create furnishings thought tempting today and timeless tomorrow. So, this year, we think a home furnishings Oscar should go to Baker for Best Representation of Timeless Elegance.

All the best,
Sheffield Furniture & Interiors

Filed under: As Seen In/On,Baker Furniture
by Sheffield

05
Mar
2013

B101′s Jen Ryan Room Design Before & After!

Take a look at Jen Ryan’s beautiful new family room!

Our best,
Sheffield Furniture & Interiors

Filed under: Stickley
by Sheffield

01
Feb
2013

Why Stickley = Substance

In today’s disposable age where everything is replaceable, there’s something to be said for substance. In home furnishings, substance comes in the form of Stickley. Each hand-crafted piece of Stickley furniture has a story—and thanks to its exceptional quality—a future.

You’ve probably heard of Stickley, admired an heirloom, or are lucky enough to own your own. Each piece is crafted of hardwood by skilled artisans and offers a unique combination of classic design, superior construction, and historical relevance. These unique, handmade furnishings are meticulously crafted in the USA, and have been for more than 100 years.

The Stickley story begins with five brothers and one passion. Gustav, Albert, Charles, Leopold and John George Stickley began making furniture at their uncle’s factory in Brandt, Pa. around 1877. The Stickley brothers operated under an old Flemish phrase that became their motto: Als Ik Kan, which means “to the best of my ability.” Gustav Stickley marked his product with the phrase to assure customers that Stickley furniture was of the finest quality, and that every piece was made with honor, integrity, and pride.

Over the years Stickley became known for its Mission Oak designs as they established a reputation for “honest” furniture—in contrast to the fake joinery, gaudiness, and shoddy workmanship of many of the pieces created in the early days of industrial furniture making. The Stickleys used solid construction, what-you-see-is-what-you-get joinery, and the highest quality woods. Great emphasis was placed on letting the gorgeous, organic forms of quartersawn oak and other woods speak for themselves.

But more than craftsmanship, the Stickleys showed a genius for design. They created hundreds of new forms that were beautiful and practical, exceedingly strong and long-lasting—perfect for the ways American families live.

Eventually the Stickley brothers passed away and respect for handcraftsmanship ebbed. In 1974, with the fate of the L. & J.G. Stickley company uncertain, the Audi family rescued the company. At his Manhattan showroom, E.J. Audi had for years been the leading seller of Stickley’s furniture. His son Alfred, and Alfred’s wife Aminy, were unwilling to let Stickley become a relic of the past, and decided to purchase the Stickley factory when Leopold’s widow was on the brink of closing it. Together Alfred’s and Aminy rejuvenated the company. Alfred passed away in the fall of 2007, but the Stickley legacy is continued today by his wife Aminy and son Edward.

It’s easy to see why every piece of Stickley furniture offers more than just beauty and substance—it offers a rich history and enduring tradition. Stickley produces America’s premium hardwood furniture delivered with an unmatched level of craftsmanship and excellence.

We carry Stickley furnishings in a variety of classic styles, including the Traditional, Metropolitan, 21st Century, Fine Upholstery, Craftsman Leather and ever-popular Mission collections. So visit one of our showrooms to find your favorite look and experience your own piece of history.

All the best,

Sheffield Furniture & Interiors

Filed under: Stickley
by Sheffield

16
Jan
2013

New Year, New Color

The hottest colors in decorating come and go just like they do in fashion—eventually coming around again in new shades and iterations. It’s exciting to see what home furnishings visionaries and trendsetters come up with each season. Last year Pantone named Tangerine Tango as the color of the year for 2012 and this year they’ve looked at 2013 and chosen…Emerald! Pantone’s 2013 Color of the Year is Emerald Green—a retro-elegant gem emblematic of harmony and good fortune.

Emerald green—it’s a color rich with personality that is both bold and sophisticated. It’s no coincidence they’re promoting the color in its namesake shape of an emerald stone. In describing this new ‘it’ shade, Pantone says it’s: “Lively. Radiant. Lush…A color of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony.”

From fabrics to accessories and everything in between, emerald green is making its way into showrooms and homes. While emerald is hot today, we’ll concede it can be challenging to visualize it in a décor scheme. One strategy is to start small. Add a few pieces as accents and accessories. Try a small side table and new throw pillows or choose a fabric for window treatments or bedding that features emerald.

Green just not your color? Don’t despair. If you just don’t see this shade in your home, make an appointment with us for a free consultation and let us help you find the right color palette for your home.

All the best,

Sheffield Furniture & Interiors

Filed under: Color Trends,Trends
by Sheffield

02
Jan
2013

Designers’ Secret Tips

Ever wished your best friend or relative was an interior designer so you could get all the good tips? Well, wish no more. Think of the “Our Best” blog as your new best friend who has all the best decorating ideas and tricks. Today, with the help of Rockville showroom’s Patrick Prudhomme, we’ve gathered five must-have tips that will help you make your space a success.

Plentiful Pathways. A standard pathway should be at least 36 inches wide—and no cheating or your traffic flow will be compromised. If it’s an area of your home that connects major rooms of your home—go even wider.
Table Talk. The perfect distance between your coffee table and sofa is 13 – 18 inches. Allow less than 13 inches of space and you won’t be able to walk comfortably between them. However, a distance of more than 18 inches will make it impossible for a guest to comfortably place a glass on the coffee table without rising from the sofa.
Wiggle Room. Give as much attention to furniture placement in your dining room as you do for the centerpiece and linens. Be sure to allow 36 inches between the table and whatever is behind it (console, window or wall). This creates adequate space for people to pass behind a seated guest without disturbing them, and ensures your guests will be able to comfortably push back from the table.
Dining Room Rug Rule #1. A dining room rug should always be large enough that a guest leaving the table does not feel the legs of the chair drop off the rug.
Make the Most of a Mirror. Hang a mirror so that it reflects and maximizes light, otherwise it will appear gray and lifeless. If natural light is available from a window, the mirror will reflect that light and be perceived as another window. If natural light isn’t available, hang a mirror across from a chandelier or decorative light fixture to bounce the light around the room.

All the best,

Sheffield Furniture & Interiors

See below for some of Patrick’s wonderful design work!

Filed under: Design Tips,Interior Design
by Sheffield

30
Nov
2012

Dining in Style

The dining room. Honestly speaking, it’s not the most frequently used room in the house. Yet, when you do use it—it couldn’t be more important. It’s where you break bread with family and a destination loved ones travel cross-country for during the holidays. It’s the site of countless Bunco parties and where you entertain business associates like they’re friends. It’s the best place to sit for coffee and dessert and has served as the location for many important discussions.

So is your dining room living up to its potential? If not, now is the time to rethink, refresh and redesign it to fit your lifestyle.

With nearly the smallest square footage of any room of the house, designing the perfect dining room can be a challenge. Since there’s limited room for extras, the overall look of the space is based largely on its furnishings. Once the star of the room is chosen, a rug, wall coverings, window treatments and artwork can be selected to enhance the look. And don’t forget the tablescape—place settings, linens, and centerpieces are what take a dining room from ordinary to extraordinary.

Wondering how to get started? Call one of our talented designers for a free consultation. They’ll walk you through some easy steps to help you identify your style. Then it’s on to selecting the shape of the table and number of chairs that best suit your personal taste, your room size and entertaining needs. The best part is that they make the decorating process what it should be—fun!

All the best,

Sheffield Furniture & Interiors

Filed under: Inspiration,Interior Design,Stickley
by Sheffield

20
Nov
2012

The Power of Pattern

Pattern is one of the most powerful ways to change a room. Second only to color, patterns can make or break a space. Use too little pattern and the room feels tired and boring. Yet, mix too many patterns or get the scale wrong, and you’ll give people a headache. Successfully combining patterns in textiles, furnishings, artwork and accessories can take years of practice, but when it’s done right, it’s amazing.

One of the biggest trends this fall is the layering of patterns. This means you’ll see more than just a patterned pillow on a solid sofa. Instead, you’ll see patterns used together from floor to ceiling—textiles, pillows, rugs, and wallpaper are all selected to work together.

Popular pattern motifs in today’s interior design include the Greek key, medallions, trellis patterns and oversized florals. The 1960s mid-century look continues to be popular—contributing Mad Men-inspired graphic prints in subdued color palettes.

The old rule of decorating used to be to choose one large pattern, one small one and to mix in a medium-sized one. That rule’s gone out the window—along with most decorating rules. The new ‘rule’ is to mix and match patterns until it feels right. Patterns that work well together are united by color, scale, texture, or motif.

For pattern inspiration, check out our blog on Dorothy Draper. She led the industry with her ingenious pairings of oversized florals and bold stripes that combined to create one-of-a-kind looks.

And if patterns aren’t your forte, don’t despair. Just call one of our talented on-staff designers—they make it fun and easy to get the look you want in your home.

All the best,

Sheffield Furniture & Interiors