While interior designer Sheila Bridges is best known for the creation of the Harlem Toile design, which has been inspired by her own heritage, her new collection with Williams Sonoma works to bring to light a more playful part of her history. This new range is in fact inspired by her love of the rugged landscape of Iceland.
‘There was something about the country that seduced me into coming back again and again until I bought a true pied-a-terre there,’ she says. ‘It’s a small, cozy apartment in downtown Reykjavik with a great view of the water and Iceland’s most iconic church, Hallgrimskirkja.’
The collection, which launched earlier this month, consists of a selection of plates and platters, all with shades of rich blues, grays, and greens that mimic the country’s natural landscape. By taking some inspiration from famous Icelandic artists like Louisa Matthíasdóttir and Jóhannes Kjarval, Bridges was able to capture the essence of the region, while still putting her own original spin on things. The result is perfect for spring and summer table decor.
‘The Highlands Collection is inspired by my home in Iceland and the rich colors that surround it – the blue water, the volcanic rock, the black beaches, and the lupine fields,’ she explains. The colors are similar across the board for each style of plate and platter in order to lend a cohesiveness to the design and make sure all the dinnerware pairs well throughout the meal, but there are subtle variations as well.
Upon perusing the collection myself, I was blown away by the hand painted nature of the designs, as well as the luxe gold accents on each piece. The rich colors invoke nature in such a peaceful way that these designs just scream spring, and are ideal for entertaining as the weather gets warmer. The attention to detail and durable construction is immaculate, and makes a massive statement on any dining table.
Shop the Sheila Bridges x Williams Sonoma The Highlands Collection
Inspired by the colorful landscapes created by Icelandic painter Louisa Matthíasdóttir, these tonal salad plates focus on mountain designs and lush greenery.
Adorned with a seven-karat gold rim, this exclusive charger features a black border inspired by the dramatic color of Iceland's black sand beaches, basalt columns, and lava rock.
This stunning oval platter plays with green at the center and darker blues and blacks surrounding it to really focus on the forests of Iceland and the majestic way in which the rest of the landscape pays homage to them.
The chic dinner plates in this collection feature a border of cool blues and greens in order to bring about a more subtle feel than the other plates, in order to let your main course steal the show.
These elegant appetizer plates use translucent renderings of the sky and sea, lending a uniform look to the design, while the glossy glaze brings your attention to the bright green center.
If you just can’t decide which plates to purchase, why not buy them all? This 12-piece dinner set consists of four salad plates, four appetizer plates, and four dinner plates, all richly crafted in glazed porcelain and featuring the collection’s signature hand-painted gold rim.
The new Sheila Bridges x Williams Sonoma The Highlands Collection encompasses rich colors and hand-painted designs in order to bring a bit of spring to your tablescape. It’s one of the most unique ways to style a kitchen table and impress your guests with luxurious, yet playful vibes.
