http://dcbydesignblog.com/designers/guest-post-angela-belt-and-sheryl-scruggs/
Jennifer Sergent’s DC by Design Blog
Photo credits: Morgan Howarth
I’m excited to have this guest post from stylist and writer Angela Belt, who’s in charge of the visual merchandising for Room & Board on 14th Street. I wrote a post on her own apartment last year, and in this post, Angela profiles an incredible kitchen transformation by designer Sheryl Scruggs, the owner of DC-based Bronze Interiors.
Take it away, Angela!
Sheryl is has a one-of-a-kind personality. When she talks, you listen—and watch, because she uses every part of herself to communicate an idea. When you ask Sheryl a question, she answers from her head to her toes with a response. I asked her if she has a background in theatre, and to my surprise she said no, because the way she moves is flowing and graceful, and everything is accentuated all at once. Sheryl, similar to her design, can be best summed up in this quote: “I’m sort of all over the place—I’m mosaic in that way.”
All photography copyright by Morgan Howarth
In our interview together, Sheryl and I discussed the vision behind this kitchen. “Its a jewel box, small and dramatic; it’s the perfect example of big is not always better,” she says. As the stylist for this photo shoot, I have to agree. The backsplash in this kitchen literally looks like gems.
The glass tiles in this backsplash have to be applied individually by hand—they don’t come prearranged on square sheets. Tedious work to say the least.
Sheryl reached out to me to style this kitchen because she wanted to get rid of the notion that kitchens are merely utilitarian, with a cabinet on every wall. She asked me, essentially, to bring the living room into the kitchen, without the decorative aspects taking away from its function and layout. This can be a tricky balancing act, because I love to layer elements in a room; pulling back and restraining myself was an intriguing challenge.
We sourced the accessories for this photo shoot from Daren Miller, the owner of AndBeigein Adams Morgan. Sheryl wanted the objects in the kitchen to be white, metallic and sculptural, and the sculptural offerings from Miller’s boutique perfectly fit the ticket.
For the artwork, Sheryl and I collaborated with Amy Morton of her eponymous Morton Fine Art in DC, which focuses on African and African-American artists both here and abroad. Clients tend to think kitchens need cabinets on every wall, Sheryl says, but placing art on a wall or two is an unexpected surprise.
Bronze Interiors is about bold design, yet simple and refined in its execution. Based on these images of her recent kitchen remodel, I think you will agree!
“An Evening of Visual Awakening” hosted by Naleli Askew, Audrey Johnson, Sheryl Scruggs, Tuesday, October 14, 2014 at Morton Fine Art Gallery, Washington, DC. Photo credits: DeJohn Davis Photography
A collaboration of creativity and design by three luxepreneurs was an experience curated for a select group of clients, associates and friends. Guest viewed the contemporary artwork exhibit featuring Artists Choichun Leung, Ga Gardner, and Maya Freelon Asante; and networked with art enthusiasts and collectors.
Hosts: Naleli Askew, Jewel Mine by Naleli, Audrey Johnson, AudreyLynnJo; and Sheryl Scruggs, Bronze Interiors
Gallery Owner: Amy Morton
Photographer: DeJohn Davis Photography
Join MFA for champagne and chocolate during Washington Properties & DC Magazine’s 3rd annual HOME & DESIGN WEEKEND!
Saturday, April 13th & Sunday, April 14th from 11am-6pm
Plan your trip to our block of 1781 Florida Avenue NW and also catch AND BEIGE’S Daren Miller giving a seminar on “How To
Create the Perfect Table Scape” on Saturday at 2:00PM.
A Fine Art and Home Design Collaboration
Enjoy the elegant vision of Daren Miller, DC designer and owner of And Beige, for an environmental experience integrating Morton Fine Art’s artwork. And Beige takes MFA’s artwork out of the gallery setting and into the design studio – highlighting how fine art and fine home design are perfect complements in an inviting and stylish home retail environment.
Champagne reception: Thursday, October 25th from 6pm-8pm.
And Beige, 1781 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20009 (**2 doors down from Morton Fine Art**)
ART IN ENVIRONMENTS
October 25th, 2012 – November 4th
ON DISPLAY
And Beige
1781 Florida Ave NW (3 storefronts down from MFA)
Washington, DC 20009
_________________________________
CHAMPAGNE RECEPTION
Thursday October 25th from 6pm-8pm
I was recently interviewed about all the reasons I love Morton Fine Art’s location in the lower Adams Morgan district of DC. Some of my favorite places within a 2 block radius of MFA’s curators studio at 1781 Florida Ave, NW:
1. Locolat Cafe – The best Belgium-inspired homemade gourmet waffles, beer, wine and chocolate created by master chef Niel, former pastry chef extraordinaire at both Citronelle and Restaurant Eve. http://www.belgiumlocolat.com/
2. And Beige – Great one stop design shop with all kinds of high end home goodies and a wonderful home scent section. http://www.andbeige.com/
3. Lauriol Plaza – Surely everyone knows DC’s best known Mexican restaurant, right? http://www.lauriolplaza.com/
4. Mint Gym – Billed as ‘an urban retreat” its also a luxury gym and spa at regular nice gym prices. And yes, it smells like refreshing mint throughout! http://mintdc.com/
5. Stussy & Commonwealth – Amazing ‘internationally respected’ urban menswear. Check out the site: http://www.cmonwealth.com/
6. DeVinos – Yummy wine and beer shop just around the bend!
7. El Tamarindo – Homestyle Mexican and Salvadorean cuisine. Another place I frequent multiple times each week! http://eltamarindodc.com/
Make and afternoon or evening out of celebrating the diverse intersection of 18th St., U St. and Florida Ave! Ample metered and street parking available.
Morton Fine Art: curator's notes 
Wow! Great to see more of Cheryl’s great work. Love the rich wood cabs- a welcome departure from the sea of white and gray!
I know, right?? It’s like you ONLY see white marble anymore. I also love the profusion of art/ really changes the feel of the space.
Love seeing a small kitchen that includes fine art. The “Journey Home,” mixed media on canvas by Kesha Bruce, is a wonderful element here.
Art work in the kitchen is a nice surprise.
I know — I just hung some pictures in my own kitchen and it changes the feel of the entire space.