Creating the Perfect Background for Video Calls

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Creating the Perfect Background for Video Calls

Now that many people are handling day to day business from home, there has been an increase in video calls. Reporters, politicians, and many other people have been working from home for weeks. Whether you are conducting a team meeting, being interviewed for a job, or simply catching up with friends, there is one thing everyone will notice-your background!

Your background is a reflection of who you are and represents some of your interests and personal style. 

Here are a few tips for creating the perfect background for your next video call:

Lighting

One of the most important aspects of a perfect video is lighting. Make sure that you are in a room that has good lighting. If possible, try to set up your camera in front of a window so that the natural light will shine on your face. Do not sit with the window behind you, because the light will wash out your background and the callers won’t be able to see your face. If you cannot find the right natural light, try using an LED lamp. 

Tidy Up 

After you have found the perfect location in your home, check out the background, and clean up any clutter. Things like stacks of paper, magazines, and articles of clothing should be removed. This will give you a clean, fresh area to host your video phone calls. 

Decor 

Although you should have a clean background, it is best to have some elements of decor and not just a stark white wall. You can use different items in your home as design props. 

Here some items you can use in your video background:

  • A houseplant
  • Stack of books 
  • Gallery wall
  • Accent wall 

We hope these simple tips can help you up to your game for your next video call. 

Sherwood Studios offers professional interior design services, which include furniture design, window treatments, floor coverings, fabric selections, custom fixtures, and more! 

Check out our blog for more interior design tips! 

Spring Cleaning Tips

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Spring is just around the corner, which means now is a great time to start preparing your home for the new season by cleaning it up.

Here are a few tips to get started on your spring-cleaning checklist:

Create a list

Taking a look around your home, you may get overwhelmed with all the different rooms and tasks you have to complete. Before you begin it is best to make a clear list of every task you want to complete.

Here is a short list you can use:

  • Kitchen
  • Living Room
  • Bedrooms
  • Floors
  • Carpets
  • Garage

Once You have made a list, start by tackling one room at a time.

Here are a few tips:

Kitchen

The kitchen is probably one of the hardest rooms to clean because it has the most foot traffic out of all other rooms.

Start by cleaning the cabinets, throw away any expired foods and chipped dishes.

Wipe down all appliances and countertops. Old appliances can be donated or sold to a local second-hand shop.

Bedrooms

Change all bed linen, sweep the floors, vacuum any carpets and wipe down the ceiling fans.

Garage

The garage is often used as a place to house junk and other items that you could probably do without. Instead of keeping these items another spring, consider hosting a yard sale. This way you can unburden yourself of the items cluttering your home while also making some cash.

Living Room

This is another high traffic are that can easily accumulate dirt and clutter. Start by cleaning off the mantle, fireplace, and any shelving. Dust and vacuum away any cobwebs. After cleaning the room, you can begin cleaning your furniture.

Furniture

You should clean your furniture at least every six months. Throughout the year dirt, dead skin cells, and pet dander can accumulate in between the fabric of your furniture.

As a full-scale furniture store, Sherwood Studios is experienced with matter pertaining to cleaning fine furniture.

Here are a few tips to help you master cleaning your furniture this spring:

When it comes to wood furniture, it’s not so much the type of wood that matters, but, more so, the type of finish on it.

In general, finishes on furniture can be soft, hard or painted. You can polish your furniture 3 to 4 times per year using a store-bought polish appropriate for the type of finish.

Some people choose to use a vacuum with a dusting brush attachment to clean their fine furniture, while others opt for a clean, soft cloth.

If you have furniture with an oil finish, you should not use wax, mineral oil, or furniture polish on it. Instead, you’ll want to use boiled linseed oil, Tung oil, and/or distilled white vinegar.

Furniture with a lacquer finish can be cleaned with a solvent-based furniture cleaner. Some people use an oil soap. Liquid wax can be applied to maintain a glossy look. It’s always a good idea to test a cleaning product on a small, inconspicuous spot to make sure it works well and doesn’t ruin the look of the piece.

European furniture is more likely than US-made furniture to have polyurethane finishes, which can be cleaned using a moist cloth to remove fingerprints and light soil. Mineral spirits can be used to remove dirt build-up. Be sure to wear rubber gloves to protect your hands when working with mineral spirits.

Finally, painted furniture finishes can be cleaned using a mixed solution of mild, non-abrasive detergent and warm water, followed by a rinse with clear water. With painted furniture finishes, you should not use any oil products.

Call Sherwood Studios at 248-855-1600 with any questions you have regarding the cleaning of fine furniture.

Spring Into The Season With Fresh Interior Design Elements

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With spring right around the corner, now is the perfect time to brighten up your home with fresh, easy changes. Let’s emphasize easy because we know you’ll want to devote most of your time with friends, family and enjoying the outdoors as much as you can.

When trying to shift into the new season, refer to these three easy tips:

Hints of Green

Adding green to your home is the simplest and easiest way to make your home feel fresh this spring. If green isn’t typically a color you prefer, worry not. Instead, you can incorporate a few houseplants! Buying a eucalyptus branch and putting it into a simple glass vase can transform a space in an instant. Succulents are also a good choice to help add a little life to your home. These plants are very popular because they are low maintenance, only having to water them about once a week. Here are a few more plants to check out for those who don’t have a “green thumb”.

Woven and wicker

You’ll suddenly feel “spring ready” after adding woven-like textures to your home. Whether it be rocking chairs on your front porch or rattan chairs in your sunroom. Woven or wicker textures work really well with potted flowers or plants. Before you know it, you’ll have a blooming garden look inside of your house.

Linen

A great way to freshen up a space for spring is to put white linen slipcovers on your furniture. This adds a casual elegance to the room and will look excellent with woven or wicker material and vibrant plants. If you’re looking for a more colorful spring look, throw a batik hand-blocked print over your kitchen or dining room table

Now that you’ve brought the outside in with plants, wicker and homespun linen, you’re ready to kick start the spring with your first gathering showcasing your simple and fresh indoor changes. If you’re looking to redecorate your home for the spring and want to go beyond these simple revisions, contact Sherwood Studios today.

Sherwood Studios offers professional interior design services which include furniture design, window treatments, floor coverings, fabric selections, custom fixtures and more!  Contact us today to set up a consultation with our professional interior designers!

Creating A Neater Living Room

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Creating A Neater Living Room

The focal point of your home, the living room is used for relaxing, watching television, playing with the kids and entertaining guests on a day to day basis. In a room where so much activity occurs, clutter is inevitable. But there are ways to keep messes to a minimum. Create a neat living room with advice from Sherwood Studios, Inc.

Before you can organize your living room, you must first establish what the goal is for the room. Do you entertain in your living room? Work in your living room, or simply enjoy relaxing there? Once you know what you want from the room, you can begin establishing the look and feel of the room.

Here are a few tips for creating a neater living room design:

Furniture with Storage

Tables with bi-level storage and ottomans with storage compartments are a couple of great ways to keep your living room organized. Keep extra blankets and remotes in the ottoman and magazines on the lower shelves of tables to reduce the buildup of everyday clutter. When the seasons change, you can store heavier blankets in Ziploc storage to make room for other items.

Make Space for the Items You Use Most

Whether you spend most of your time in the living room playing board games with the kids or knitting on the couch, find a place for your most-used items to keep them from cluttering the coffee table. Whether you designate an area on the bookshelf or place them inside a storage ottoman, this will make daily clean up easier and allow you to get to your supplies quickly.

Clean your coffee table

Over time, clutter may begin to accumulate on your coffee table, the kid’s homework, junk mail, and old coffee mugs can make you forget what a clear table looks like. Try to find time to clear off the table and find a space for these items. Use a small box to organize our mail and recycle all junk mail and other useless papers.

Shelving

Instead of stocking your shelves with books, CDs and DVDs, consider trimming down your stacks to make room for storage bins and décor. Keep out your favorite books and those you often re-read, tucking the rest away in storage bins. Cutting down the size of your CD and DVD collection is even easier. Purchase a media binder or two instead of lining all the cases on your shelves. This additional space is the perfect place for artwork, photos, and other home accessories. You may also look into converting CDs, DVDs, and VHS into digital media. If you have access to a computer, you can easily convert this media and save it on a file on your computer. There are also companies that can turn your old VHS tapes into media files. You can also do this yourself.

More vertical storage

Creating A Neater Living Room

Most people have a variety of items they have accumulated over time that have begun taking up space across their living room. A better way to store these items may be to hang them instead. Items that can be hung include plants, bikes, photos, lighting options, and more!

Looking to update your living room furniture and décor? Contact Sherwood Studios, Inc. online or at 248-855-1600 for an interior design consultation or visit our contemporary furniture store at 6231 Orchard Lake Road in West Bloomfield, Michigan. In addition to providing high-quality furniture, Sherwood Studios also has a professional interior design team that can help you bring out the best qualities in your home from room to room. With options to make every room in your home come to life, Sherwood Studios accommodates all styles and visions.

Creating an Inviting Home

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Everyone wants a home that will impress their friends and family.

When it comes to decorating the home, most families focus their energy on rooms that see the most use (the living room, kitchen and dining room). But there is one easily forgotten space that can have the biggest impact on guests: The entryway.

The first area in your home that friends and family see when they arrive, your entryway should present a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Give guests a hint of your home’s style while also offering plenty of room (and light) for them to take off coats and shoes.

Here are just a few tips on how to imbue your entryway with hospitality and style:

Incorporate Storage

Regardless of if your children are age eight or 18, it is a given that they will drop their backpacks, coats, and shoes at the door when they walk inside. Instead of looking on in frustration as all their stuff piles up, we recommend incorporating storage into your entryway. Hooks to hang coats and backpacks, a dresser to shore glove, hats, and scarves, and a rack for shoes will make your space an organized and welcoming one.

Take a Seat

Give your guests a place to sit down and take of their shoes when they arrive by adding a set of chairs or a bench to your entryway. For smaller spaces, we recommend finding a bench with storage to perform double-duty in your space.

Provide Plenty of Lighting

The first area of your home that visitors step foot into, your entryway should be filled with warm lighting that welcomes them in from the outdoors. If possible, we recommend adding a couple of different lighting options for your space. With a table lamp, wall scones and a hanging lantern or chandelier, you will be able to illuminate your space perfectly regardless of what time of day or night it is.

Make it Your Own

As you are choosing furnishings and decorative pieces to fill your entryway, pay attention to how they match the rest of your home’s style. The first glimpse that guests get of your space, the entryway provides hints and clues to your interior design style.

With the right furnishings included, this space can be a beautiful transitionary area from the outdoors to the inside of your one-of-a-kind home.

Let it Flow

After you have created an inviting entryway you will need to expand that same inviting energy to the rest of your home. One of the most important rooms used to host guests in the living room. There are several ways to create a cozy living room. The best place to start is with seating. There are many different seating options to choose from but a staple in many living rooms are recliners. Choose a recliner you can truly relax in, complete with an adjustable ottoman to rest your feet.

We hope these simple tips will help create a more and inviting home that will impress your family and friends. Remember to check Sherwood Studios’ blog for helpful interior design tips.

Whether you are looking for fine furnishings to fill your entryway or an experienced interior designer to help you bring your vision to life, Sherwood Studios can help. To get started on your entryway redesign, visit our West Bloomfield, Michigan showroom or give us a call at 248-855-1600.

Easy Storage Options for Your Living Room

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With the new year underway, now is a great time to transform your home into a more functional space for your lifestyle. There are many different essential items we need in our home but sometimes things can become cluttered.

Regardless of the size of your home, extra storage space is always welcome – especially in the living room. The space where your family spends most of their time together, your living room is bound to become a catch-all for sweatshirts, magazines and more at one point or another.

If your living room has started to look cluttered, there are endless storage options to consider, including the simple and stylish ones listed below:

Fill Your Ottoman

Much more than just a place to put your feet up after a long day at work, your ottoman is the perfect spot to stuff your extra throw blankets and pillows.

It will take less than a minute to straighten up your living room with a good sized ottoman at your disposal. Just fold up the extra blanket draped across the couch, grab the newspaper lying on the coffee table and stash them inside.

Choose a TV Console with Closed Storage

Especially if you have an expansive collection of DVDs, Blu-ray discs and videogames, a TV console with closed storage is a must. Closed storage allows you to keep all of your electronics on hand (but out of sight) to give your space a sleek, clutter-free appearance. You can also choose to mount your tv. This will free up a lot of space on your tv console for other items.

Make Use of Built-in Shelving

Living rooms with built-in shelves offer an extra opportunity for storage; all you have to do is cut down on your book collection. We recommend emptying off the bottom two shelves of your storage unit and purchasing baskets that match your home’s aesthetic. Placed on the now-empty bottom shelves, these baskets serve as a storage spot for children’s toys and games, remotes, extra batteries, personal documents and more.

Add A Bar Cart

A bar cart is a great way to add entertainment to your living room without taking up too much space. The Elite Modern Churchill provides a stylish and convenient way to store drink items like glasses, bottles, and other essentials for your bar. The unique folding design is a great way to save space because it can be fully extended or closed and tucked neatly away in a corner.

Update Your Coffee Table

If you are struggling to keep the surface of your coffee table clutter-free, the simplest solution is picking out a new table that offers built-in storage of its own. Whether you replace your traditional coffee table with a beautiful antique trunk, pick out a table that has a lower-level shelf for storage or pull your ottoman in front of the couch, the options are endless nowadays.

For all your fine furniture needs and interior design assistance, Sherwood Studios is available. Located in West Bloomfield Michigan, we can help you to transform your home with simple storage solutions and high-quality furnishings that will accentuate your personal style. Check out our Pinterest for some inspiration then give us a call when you’re ready to get started. Let Sherwood Studios help you create a home you will love.

Begin shopping with us online or visit our showroom at 6231 Orchard Lake Road.

Home Décor Trends for 2020

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close up of artist hand browsing color samples in palette in studio background

Entering a new decade is the perfect time to update your home. Whether you need a change or you’re settling into a new home, there is plenty of inspiration you can follow to stay up to date on this year’s trends. The year 2020 calls for warm neutrals, earthy prints, subtle pops of color, and vintage vibes. These trends are simple enough to incorporate into any room of the house, and they make a serious statement. Minimalization and sustainability are the goals throughout 2020, so try incorporating some of these popular home décor trends in your household.

Neutral Hues

Neutral colors are making a presence in 2020. Some of the popular neutral colors include off-white, tinted greys, earthy greens, and shades of beige. These colors will be commonly found in bedrooms and uniquely distributed throughout the kitchen and the home. Neutral hues are found in natural wood shelving, which continues to be a trend in 2020. These neutral colors will make your home your sanctuary. Providing a calming presence to any room.

Cozy Fabrics

It’s time to get cozy in 2020. Soft fabrics and undyed yarns will be another popular trend this year. Off-white printed throws and oversized chunky knit blankets will make you feel easeful. You’ll also find some vintage pieces throughout households, so don’t be surprised to see distressed furniture pieces such as an imperfect leather sofa used as a statement piece in these rooms.

Pops of Color

Although neutral hues are all the rage this year, there are complementary colors that are perfect for accenting any room for a more modern and traditional look. One way to incorporate these into the home is by using accent furniture pieces dispersed throughout the house. Another creative twist may be to add a pop of one of these colors to your kitchen cabinets.

Pantone recently announced the color of the year as Classic Blue. This hue is described as the color of the sky at dusk. There are many ways to incorporate this color into your home along with other neutral tones.

Botanical Prints

Floral prints are the perfect way to spice up your foyer, bathroom, or bedroom. The subtle, but bright, tropical colors pair flawlessly with any natural wood or naturally lit room. Greenery adds a sense of liveliness to any room. Not to mention, it also pairs well with a neutral color scheme.

Kitchen Art

The kitchen is transforming into a room not just to cook in, but a place that you want to spend extra time to relax in. Kitchen shelves are going to be on your must-have list in 2020. Shelving allows you to openly display elegant dishware, knick-knacks, art pieces, or patina accents. Decorating your shelves is a creative way to express yourself, and you can add pops of color throughout the shelves to tie in accent colors.

Strong Geometric Forms

If you’re looking to add some artwork to your room, try gravitating towards geometric forms in your place for a bold touch. Adding artwork is a great way to incorporate some color into a room and catch the eyes of those who enter. Many artists will combine contrast coloring to make a bold statement.

In 2020, you’ll also notice geometric furniture pieces becoming popular such as funky coffee tables or decorative chairs. High contrast will be commonly found in these pieces as well. These furniture pieces resemble artwork and can add character to any room.

There is no better time to redecorate your home than the start of a new decade. If you’re feeling inspired, contact Sherwood Studios, and we can help you stay up to date on all the 2020 décor trends. Visit our Pinterest to get inspiration and give us a call when you’re ready to get started. Let Sherwood Studios help you design the home of your dreams.

Energy-Saving Design Tips for Winter

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As the weather begins to get chillier, and the sun sets earlier in the day, you may begin to spend more and more time at home. The bitter cold that winter brings tends to make people choose staying in, rather than heading out for dinner or drinks with friends. This is also a time of year when many people host gatherings like holiday parties and dinners.

Whether you’re bundled up on the sofa, preparing dinner for holiday celebrations, or curled up in bed with a good book- make your home as cozy and efficient as possible this season!

Light Up Your Home

If you will be hanging Christmas lights, consider using LED light bulbs. LED lights are a great way to decorate your home and save energy. You can also use lights that include a timer to be sure that the lights are only displayed when necessary to avoid using too much power. LED lights can also be used inside your home for a more energy-efficient lighting option. You can also incorporate motion-activated lights to ensure that the lights are only in use when necessary.

Area Rugs

As the weather gets colder, you may notice a draft in your home. Depending on what kind of flooring option you have, it can become particularly chilly. A great way to insulate your floors and keep the heat inside your home is to use area rugs. A thick wool area rug will help protect your feet from the cold floor. Area rugs are also a great option for seasonal décor because they can be easily rolled up and stored during the warmer seasons.

Cozy it Up

Textures are a great way to add dimension and a beautiful design element. You can use fluffy pillows, chunky knit blankets, and fuzzy throw rugs to add textures to an otherwise dull room.

Winter Curtains

modern tv living room with couch, new design coffee table and big windows

Window dressings are a great way to insulate your home this winter. It is time to pack away the light, flowy curtains, and opt for a darker, more heavier set of curtains to help keep a draft from entering your home through the windows.

Move Furniture

Changing your living room’s furniture around is not only a way to change around the look and feel of your home but it can also help to save energy and keep your home warm. To save energy by moving your furniture, first, locate all heating vents in your home. If you have any couches, ottomans, or dressers blocking the air vents, move them so they do not obstruct the airflow from your vents. Some people like to hide their air vents for aesthetic reasons, but if possible, move your furniture around to help the airflow more freely throughout your home.

Sherwood Studios offers professional interior design services which include furniture design, window treatments, floor coverings, fabric selections, custom fixtures and more!  Contact us today to set up a consultation with our professional interior designers! Check out our furniture selection to browse our stylish yet functional sofas and sectionals.

Why You Should Trust an Experienced Interior Designer With Your New Home

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Why You Should Trust an Experienced Interior Designer With Your New Home

Buying a new home is a big investment—probably one of the biggest ones you’ll make in life. Chances are, you’ve waited for the absolutely perfect listing to come along, crossed your fingers on an offer and celebrated with jubilation when it was accepted. In Southeast Michigan and beyond, homebuyers go through this life-changing process all the time.

Still, once you’ve celebrated the purchase of a new home, the journey has only just begun. You’ll spend so much of your life inside your home, so why would you get careless when it comes time to decide what it will look like inside? Even if you have an understanding of your personal style and what design items you like, it can be difficult to translate your wants into the actual items you want in your home. An interior designer can take your ideas along with their expert knowledge in the field to create the perfect place just for you.  

If you are thinking of hiring an interior designer, here are five reasons to trust an experienced professional to make the decisions that could last a lifetime:

A Personal Touch

You can read all the interior design magazines and blogs you want. Without a designer who truly knows you and your family, you’re likely to end up with a cookie-cutter home that feels like a model for everyone else. The great thing about a professionally well-designed interior is that it fits perfectly with your unique lifestyle while looking absolutely fabulous at the same time.

Furniture that Fits

Think about the last time you stepped foot in a furniture store. You probably remember seeing way too many couches, shelves, tables and chairs with absolutely no clue where to start. It’s one thing to have a nice piece of furniture catch your eye, but it takes another level of expertise to understand how to put it all together. With a great interior designer, you won’t feel the need for a furniture store return for a long time.

Why You Should Trust an Experienced Interior Designer With Your New Home

Lighting You Can Feel

We’ve all heard about how much the lighting in a room can affect the mood of those inside. There’s actually a diagnosed mood disorder—winter seasonal affective disorder—that’s treated with increased light exposure. Don’t worry about which lights to choose from in the never-ending aisle at the hardware store. An experienced interior designer can set the mood exactly the way you want it.

The Perfect Colors

Interior designers fancy color choices as somewhat of a science. The color wheel is our artist’s palette—we know which colors work and which ones don’t. We’ve seen plenty of new homebuyer’s stumble into absolutely horrendous color combinations that sounded great at the time. Don’t let yourself make that mistake.

Coordination is Key

Try designing the entire interior of your home by yourself and you’ll end up with a list of contacts longer than the paperwork to buy the home itself. Who has the time to keep track of everyone involved, not to mention making sure they work effectively together. Professional interior designers have years of experience working with all sorts of contractors to make sure things run smoothly from start to finish. They also have connections that the average person would know nothing about, which can help with pricing and getting the job done in a timely manner.

Sherwood Studios offers professional interior design services, that include fabric selections, custom furnishings, artwork accessories, and much more! If you’re looking for the best interior design studio in West Bloomfield, servicing clients across Southeast Michigan in areas such as Birmingham, Troy, and more, give Sherwood Studios a call right away! Let us help design the home of your dreams!

Questions to Consider Before Hiring an Interior Designer

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What to Ask Your Interior Designer

Whether you are moving into a new home or are looking to redefine the style of your current space, there are many advantages to working with an interior designer to do so. An interior designer can do so much more than tell you what paint colors work best together; they can work with you to develop a style that weaves harmoniously through each and every space in your home. Interior designers specialize in creating beautiful spaces cultivated with your personal style in mind. In order to understand what kind of décor will work.

Of course, there are a few things that your interior designer will need to know about your family and your home before they get started and thinking about these questions ahead of time will help to ensure your home is renovated and styled to perfection.

What Elements are a Must?

Are there any design elements or themes that you absolutely need included in your home re-design. Maybe it is modern artwork or Victorian style antiques. This can help establish a theme and create a design plan that flows from one room to the next.

What are Your Color Likes and Dislikes?

Before your interior designer gets to work choosing the new paint colors for your walls and picking out signature furniture pieces and accents to decorate your home, it is important to let them know what colors you like. Do you prefer grays and blues? Or do you like beiges and browns?

This differentiation will help your interior designer to hone in on your style and help them to choose the right pieces to fill your space.

Don’t forget to mention if there are any colors you absolutely wouldn’t want to see inside of your home. While we do think it’s best to keep an open mind when working with a professional, it is also good to let them know if there is anything you just couldn’t live with.

How Would You Describe Your Interior Design Style?

Another important thought to consider is how you would describe your style. What design trends appeal to you and which do you dislike?

While your interior designer will be able to get a feel for your style when they visit your home, it is always good to describe your style in your own words, as it will give them a better feel for your needs.

What to Ask Your Interior Designer

How Do You Like to Spend Your Time at Home?

Don’t forget to give your interior designer an insight into your life, letting them know a little bit about how you like to spend your time at home. Maybe you are an avid reader who will need extra lighting next to your bed and in the living room. Or you love to bake and will need extra storage space throughout your kitchen for supplies and kitchen gadgets.

Whatever you love, be sure to mention this to the interior designer you work with so that they are able to consider your unique needs while re-designing your home.

Now that you are ready to redefine your home’s style with the help of an interior designer, it’s time to call Sherwood Studios. With a showroom located in West Bloomfield, our interior design team can help you turn your dream home into a reality. Let us design a space you absolutely love!

Sherwood Studios offers professional interior design services which include furniture design, window treatments, floor coverings, fabric selections, custom fixtures and more!  Contact us today to set up a consultation with our professional interior designers! Check out our furniture selection to browse our stylish yet functional sofas and sectionals.