An artists resides in all of us…Long Live Rembrandt according to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam

Imagine…seeing your art hung at one of the most prestigious museums in the world! I was pleasantly surprised when I visited the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam to see the “Long Live Rembrandt” Show.

Not realizing that the show was a juried exhibition of 575 people who told stories about their relationship to Rembrandt and his art. Each contributor has his or her own view of the great master. Many painters feature Rembrandt as the main character in their narrative while others have shown him with other icons.

More than 8500 people from 95 countries sent in their work of art, young and old, professional and amateur! Side by side, these generations of artists pay tribute to Rembrandt. The youngest artist is three while the oldest artist is in her nineties.

What an awesome way to bring a bit of Rembrandt into all of our lives, the people looking at this unique collection to the 8500 participants that felt compelled to enter their work that was inspired by the greatest Dutch artist of all time.

Below are just a few pieces from the “Long Live Rembrandt” exhibition, showcasing various techniques from painting, torn paper, fabric manipulation, plaster and sculpture.

To quote Pieter Roelofs, chairman of the jury and head of the Rijksmuseum’s painting and sculpture department, “In Long Live Rembrandt we see the master through the eyes of the makers. The exhibition is not only about Rembrandt, but also about ourselves.”

Inspired!!!!!

I am going to get in touch with my Rembrandt in hopes that one day my artwork will inspire others like I was inspired by this creative and collaborative exhibition.

Lots of color, a bit of artistic chaos and a whole lot of creativity.

Leaving Amsterdam and heading to Paris hoping to seek out more creativity in the art world.

Textile Treasures at ‘Paris Deco Off’

What better way to add color and style to a rainy, cold and grey day in Paris…by visiting Deco Off, an international textile event that takes place once a year in the interior design district on the left bank of Paris.

Global, Graphic and Tropical inspired patterns were among the most popular in many of the textile showrooms. Most featured embroidered accents, appliqués and textured printing techniques.

More information regarding Paris Deco Off can be found at http://www.paris-deco-off.com/

Surtex NYC Trend Updated From Color, Chaos and Creativity…Part 3

Last month in NYC I spoke about print, pattern and color trends at Surtex NYC, representing our design studio, Design Works International, a lifestyle/product design firm specializing in the home, fashion and accessory industries.

Out Of This World…literally..we are talking Galaxy inspired prints, patterns, embroideries with an iridescent sensibility and style. Nocturnal tones of deep purple, indigo and magenta are part of the color plan to heighten the vibe of this celestial superstar.


Even after a year of playful pineapples…we are still craving for more…NEW this season…the use of millennial pink mixed with metallic and textural accents.


Somewhere Over….yes it’s all about iridescent finishes and rainbow colorways in fashion, home and decorative accessories. The more color…the better and these saturated shades are cross generational…NOT only for the millennial crowd.


Boho Style continues to increase as a lifestyle look and we are seeing the resurgence of Folk Florals..[did they ever go away] as wallpaper, clothing, home accessories and garden tools in Americana color combinations that coordinate beautifully with denim…another trend that has cross generational appeal.

This is the last of a 3 part series …so if you missed part 1 and 2 please take a peek either at Color, Chaos and Creativity or at Design Works International’s blog.

All prints and patterns designed by Design Works International are property of our studio until a purchase agreement is signed. If interested in purchasing prints, our website is Designworksintl.com or call our studio at 212-594-0777 ext 112.

Stay tuned for our next series on new color combinations…2018

Surtex NYC Trend Update Part Two

Surtex NYC Trend Updates From Color, Chaos and Creativity….Part Two


Colorful Contrasts highlight this season by adding fresh and fun color to an assortment of products from paper goods, tabletop, fashion as well as home decor accessories. Do not be afraid of positioning primary colors together especially in full coverage patterns. Royal blue, teal, red and fuschia are leading the pack with a powerful punch of color!


Jewel Toned Textures keep our textured trend alive in 2017-18 with a shift in color to a warmer color palette. Fuschia, tangerine, golden yellow with accents of blue are updated color combinations for the season.


Mostly in home decor we are still seeing soft pastel shades mixed with deep accents trending in fabric prints and patterns. Millennial Pink continues to take the lead with lilac, grey and yellow creating this Soft Edge update!


It’s back, looks like Seaform of the 80’s is back with a vengeance looking new and updated mixed with black and white.


Transitioning from Millennial Pink to Mauve/Lavender will be a trend we will be watching as pinks transition over the next few months.

All Design Works International Prints and Patterns are owned by our studio until time of purchase. To purchase designs log into designworksinternational.com and click on shop prints…you will need to sign into your account or create a new account. Any questions e-mail nfire@designworksintl.com

Artisan Blues at KRH

Meet Weston, our newest addition to the Kelly Ripa Home Bedding Collection at Macy’s. We love celebrating artisan blues with tones of indigo, navy, gray and rose! It’s all about pattern play with our mix of shibori and watercolor making our paisley medallion updated and fresh with added accents of embroidery and appliqué.

TRENDING In Paris..Global Greats In Fashion and in Home Decor

We have been talking about global influences in fashion and in home decor for the past decade but this season global is more than an influence, it’s a lifestyle that is melding the borders of countries.

No longer are we singling out a certain cultures style or influence, we are celebrating all cultures as a lifestyle.
In prints we are combining color palettes that are unexpected and celebrating the craftsmanship of many countries by embellishing  with embroidered and appliquéd accents.

In fashion we are seeing a melange of fabrics working together on one garment with updated global color palettes.

In home decor, texture is important either printed or embellished with 3-D fabrics.

It’s time we celebrate these global greats as a new way of mixing craft, style and art both in fashion and in the home.

Kelly Green Updated Ikat Bedding At Compagnie Francaise
Woven Wicker Inspised Stools/Tables at Sentou
Block Printed Textiles By Lisa Corti At Bon Marche Home Store
African Woven Wicker Baskets At Conrads
Woven Lighting At Conrads
Antique Global Vintage Vibe
New Spice Market At Galeries Lafayette Home Store
Applique and Embellished Decorative Pillows At Galeries Lafayette Home Store
Pierre Frey Global Textile Collections
Pierre Frey Global Textile Collections
Anthropologie Global Candels At Galeries Lafayette
Fall Fashion Collections At Galeries Lafayette
Global Kids At Sergent Major
My Favorite Find Global Tribe Vibe Doors

Go Bold OR Go Home

Looks like textiles this season both print and woven are bold and beautiful…with personality and style!

From repetitive patterns to block print beauties…these designs are not for the meek and shy!

Want to make a statement through color, pattern and fabric…then this textile season is one to celebrate from Sferra, Society, Robshaw and more…pick your personality through your textile style!


  
  

Global Greats-Textile Treasures 

It’s been non-stop trend travel the past six months both overseas as well as locally…Berlin, Paris, Cologne, New York City, Los Angeles, Frankfurt and London…Visiting design shows like Maison, Heimtextil, High Point Market,  Las Vegas Market and KBIS……one gets to feel the pulse of products for the season.

As Creative Director and co-founder of Design Works International in NYC, a lifestyle studio for the home and fashion markets…this season my global greats are textile treasures…

The diversity in textile patterns with technique updates this season are fresh and fun because we are seeing a great mix of printing techniques, embroidery and appliqué work! Each textile collection has a personality of its own making this seasons “global greats” true treasures!
  Classic Home in LA showing off their”Artisan Blue” ensemble with the perfect mix of techniques giving this collection a well balanced selection of diversified looks for top of bed! Las Vegas Market January.

  From Esta Home  in Spain….this millennial mix of textiles is on-trend with its succulent pattern and homage to 1950 flamingos! Heimtextil Frankfurt January.

  Karma Living from Livington NJ is all about global mixing from various countries that support the artisan culture. Spotted these at the Las Vegas Market in January.

  Bliss Studio captures classic in a fresh and trend right fashion at The Las Vegas Market in January.

  Brewster Home stepped outside the box when designing this fashion forward wallcovering spotted at Heimtextil in January.

  Muller Textiles also stepped out of the box at Heimtextil with this “hip” and updated bedding ensemble geared toward the melennial market.

  Graphic Greats from the Trend Hall at Heimtextil…love the creative pillow trim in contrast orange!
    My tried and true textile haven, ABC Home in NYC with this beaded ikat inspired masterpiece!

  Still a classic, Paisley Power in Pantone Rose Quartz at Heintextile Germany from Almeida.

  Global Grests from the Los Angeles Design Center.

  Studio V from Miami with their beautiful mix of appliqué and embroidery in neutral tones…..Trend Spotted at the High Point Furniure Market!

  Ombré and Ikat…the perfect pair  at Old English Antigues in Southampton NY.

  One of my favorite places to shop and be inspired Bon Marchesa, Paris! Simplicity at its best in bedding!

Let’s Collabrate on more Textile Treasures…send me your pics so we can add to these favorite finds. E-mail me at nfire@designworksintl.com

Thanks for following colorchaosandcreativity.com

Monotone Magic

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