Clay

My Lisbon Laundry List…

| Design Works International

Loved spending time in Lisbon Portugal this past week and look forward to returning to this charming and historic city. Since it was my first time in Lisbon, I did what everyone says you should do while visiting…wander the narrow streets and enjoy discovering all the different areas of this wonderful city!

While wandering I kept noticing all the colorful laundry hanging in front of, above or behind the homes in Lisbon Portugal that were colorful and creative…most of the time complimenting the tile or paint color of the exterior….I know this sounds a bit odd, but it’s true as I spent 3 days hiking the steep streets of Alfama, Bairro Atlo, Principe Real and Alcantara only to be in awe of their laundry!

Loved seeing all the colorful and fun loads of Lisbon Laundry drying naturally outdoors. Such a beautiful and charming city…and I feel that their laundry lines are truly part of this charm. I guess it’s the designer in me…but I started to see color palettes, not laundry!

Check out my laundry list below…

Looks like this load of laundry truly matches the azulejo tiles on the house! “Denim Delight”

You gotta love tonal 💙 laundry, talk about color coordinating your style! “Feeling the Blues”.

Love these brilliant brights framed by the terra-cotta tiles and deep blue sky. “Primary Power”.

Nice to see Millennial Pink as the backdrop to this load of Lisbon laundry! Tonal reds and pinks play nicely with gray and black BUT love that pop of neon yellow! “Millennial”

Inspiration is everywhere!!!

Now I am heading back home to do my laundry and I can promise you it will NOT be as interesting or inspiring!

Artisan Aesthetic Lisbon Style

| Design Works International

Bucket List Worthy!

Inspiration is everywhere in Lisbon, especially if you love Azulejos Tiles. Today these tiles are dominant in every Portuguese city and embedded in its history and culture.

The word “azulejo” means “small polished stone” and although they are not a Portuguese invention, by the 18th century no other European country was producing as many tiles as Portugal. Over the years, azulejo tiles have become an art form used for a variety of design applications both in exterior and interior home design.

Spending time in Bairro Atlo and Principe Real, two older areas of Lisbon, I spotted various azulejo tiles on homes in different color combinations and patterns. Below are a few of my favorites.

Heading back to our art/design studio in New York City, Design Works International, feeling inspired and excited to create our newest textile collections….and we just might have the perfect name….Artisan Aesthetic!

Graphic Greats…Black and White Prints and Patterns in Paris

| Design Works International

Bold bedding geometric inspired prints in black and white in BVH department store in the Marais section of Paris.

Gift set mug collections in black, white and gold featuring text graphics in various type fonts.

This teal color [on the blue side] is the second largest influential color behind black at retail in Paris.

Over scaled geometric prints lend a graphic vibe to any sofa, bed or chair.

At the Merci Concept Store in the Marais section of Paris, tabletop was truly a trend to be reckoned with adding mini dishes and plates to the mix.

This bed set at Conran’s on the left bank of Paris was just one of many graphic inspired beds throughout the city.

At Galleries Lafayette Maison, these graphic towels in black and ecru have a tribal vibe that coordinate well with the graphics aesthetic of the season.

At Le Compagnie Francaise, graphic one color ikat patterns compliment this mixed substrate chair of leather and vinyl cording.

This woven bench detail at BVH is not only trend right, it’s a practical solution for expanding seating in your home.

At Merci Concept Store, it’s all about the graphic and global mix, showcasing authentic woven baskets in black and white, mixed with rustic matte and glossy black ceramic vessels.

“Savvy Style” at Architectural Digest Design Show NYC

| Design Works International

Attending the Architectural Digest Design Show in NYC is always aspirational because you “meet the makers” of the industry that are creating and designing new products for the interior and exterior of your home!

Included in the assortment of creative products this year are: textiles, furniture, hardware, glassware, lighting, flooring, rugs, paint, wallpaper, accessories and floral design.

Loved seeing the elegant  mix of organic color, shape and texture this year by Pieper Glass and Vietro Vero. Similar organic style was prevelent by floral designers Ovando and Emilio Robba, showcasing simple style and organic elegance!

Creative surface techniques like “concrete wood” by JM Lifestyles and patterned metal by Studio Hira are just a few outstanding examples of artistic style showcased throughout the show.

My pick on furniture….A Tambour Console hand crafted by Poritz & Studio where the wood grain and detailing are both spectacular…

See below for just a few of my favorite finds this year at the Architectural Digest Design Show in NYC at Piers 92 & 94.
  Concrete Wood by JM Lifestyles

  Ercole, Pieper Glass, KGBL, Flavor Papers

Elyse Graham   Pernt Studio

  Coral and Tusk

  Ovando

Tilebar

Ovando , Ventro Vero, Plantaria, Pieper Glassware
 Emilio Robba  Studio Enzo 

Pieper Glassware
 Ventro Vero

 Ovando

“Savvy Style” at Architectural Digest Design Show NYC

| Design Works International

Attending the Architectural Digest Design Show in NYC is always aspirational because you “meet the makers” of the industry that are creating and designing new products for the interior and exterior of your home!

Included in the assortment of creative products this year are: textiles, furniture, hardware, glassware, lighting, flooring, rugs, paint, wallpaper, accessories and floral design.

Loved seeing the elegant  mix of organic color, shape and texture this year by Pieper Glass and Vietro Vero. Similar organic style was prevelent by floral designers Ovando and Emilio Robba, showcasing simple style and organic elegance!

Creative surface techniques like “concrete wood” by JM Lifestyles and patterned metal by Studio Hira are just a few outstanding examples of artistic style showcased throughout the show.

My pick on furniture….A Tambour Console hand crafted by Poritz & Studio where the wood grain and detailing are both spectacular…

See below for just a few of my favorite finds this year at the Architectural Digest Design Show in NYC at Piers 92 & 94.
  Concrete Wood by JM Lifestyles

  Ercole, Pieper Glass, KGBL, Flavor Papers

Elyse Graham   Perot Studio

  Coral and Tusk

  Ovando

  

Tilebar 

  

Ovando , Ventro Vero, Plantaria, Pieper Glassware
 Emilio Robba  Studio Enzo  

Pieper Glassware
  Ventro Vero

 Ovando 

Monotone Magic

| Design Works International

Looking back through my travel photos over the past two weeks it’s interesting to see how non-color is still an important part of interior design from home decor accessories, furniture and tile….many people prefer a more subdued color experience, one that relates to our Nature’s Bounty Trend where natural color and materials blur the lines between outdoor and indoor living. The main focus is on texture…through glass, fiber, digitally printed tiles and wood grain.  Europe2you from The Las Vegas Market Vintage Wood and Glass Dome Serving Set.

  Classic Home LA at the Las Vegas Furniture Market Absract Fabric Dec Pillow.
Classic Home LA at the Las Vegas Furniture Market Wood Grain Detailed Side Board.

    Bedrosians Tile at the KBIS Show in Las Vegas. Digitally printed tile with detailed texture.
  Shopping Bedding at the Zeil in Frankfurt Germany   Neutex at Heimtextil Updated textured herringbone fabric.

  JV Designs at Heimtextil Architectural Scenic Wall Covering.  Bliss Studio at Las Vegas Market-Organic inspired textiles

Playful Products

| Design Works International

So nice to find playful products on my travels these days…really love the spontaneouty of these ceramic bowls for their color and imperfect pattern design. I am not a fan of matching patterns but I do love collections of similar objects….hence loving this ceramic collection!

Photo posted by nancy_fire