Homemade

Reboot/Rethink/Rediscover

| Nancy Fire

My self quarantine started 14 days ago when I flew back to NYC from the Netherlands Antilles, better known to most as St Maarten. My sunny sky and turquoise water memories seen like a distant dream already! Usually (nothing seems usual these days) when one returns from vacation within a few days your memories start to fade, you jump right back into your routine (nothing seems routine these days) and life goes on as expected (nothing seems expected these days)…but my return was far from usual, routine or expected, quite frankly it was scary.

I was actually on my original scheduled flight back to JFK one of the last flights out of St Maarten before the flight ban was enforced. I was one of the lucky ones who had a ticket and did not have to wait on standby to try and leave this beautiful island to return to the rumored chaos at JFK customs. Adorned with a face mask (I actually always travel with an emergency one that a friend gave me a year ago when I returned home sick from overseas…which was never used until 14 days ago) and plastic gloves that I picked up in a grocery store in St Maarten! I felt like an alien coming back to my own country! I left 10 days prior to my return and honestly I arrived on what seemed to be another planet!

Fast forward 14 days….where I have been self quarantined 60 miles outside of NYC in our home that I adore! A place usually where family & friends visit and enjoy cookouts, kayaks, beach adventures and more…but this visit was different, it was indefinite and not in a positive way..not in a vacation type of way and not in a “let’s have friends over way”! This was serious as I needed to sequester myself into my own room and bathroom, eat separately and maintain my distance from my husband and son (my daughter is sequestered in Holland due to her studies and could not get home in time before the chaos started) Our lives were not usual, routine or expected anymore!

Looking back during these past 14 days…and looking ahead to when life will return to a more usual, routine and expected way..I realized that I will not return to my usual, routine and expected life…the world has changed and so have I….here’s where the “Reboot, Rethink & Rediscover” awareness comes in…I keep asking myself what can we all learn from this, is this an opportunity to change our thinking…and I believe it is. I know that I feel I can live with less, make food last longer while not wasting any of it. I tried new recipes, read many books and cleaned my home like I never did before! I am teaching myself new computer programs and zooming with our designers all over the country and overseas! We are all nervous with the uncertainty that lies ahead but are up for the challenge of coming back wiser, stronger and more compassionate. I have to BELIEVE that my design team will return to our beautiful design studio in nyc where we can once again collaborate in person and learn from each other…but until that time I am rebooting, rethinking and rediscovering…My new attic office that I created today with items from other rooms in the farmhouse. I dreamt of doing this for years… I am so excited to work in this space tomorrow surrounded by many of my favorite things. This farm table was a find from the Brimfield antique market from 20+ years ago, our antique chair has been in the family for the past 30+ years and recently was reupholstered with my Studio NYC Design fabric and of course our rattan ottoman from Home Nature in Southampton that will serve as another work space for my desktop computer!

Prior to my attic office I was using our guest room as a work space before realizing that this quarantine will last many more weeks and I needed a larger space to work and create!

I do not see a Dead End…I see New Beginnings🙏🏻and I am grateful to the frontline heroes who are helping our country respond to this pandemic, every healthcare worker, EMT, police officer, firefighter, grocer, trucker, store clerk, mail carrier, hospital staff and nurses/doctors and countless others who have stepped up during these uncertain times.

Other imagery:

East Quogue Rainbow Chalk Drawing

Beach Wave Walk By Myself

Brimfield Desk Cleaning

Homemade Goat Cheese, Spinach, Leek and Mushroom Quiche

Social Distancing Seagulls

Remnants Of The Day Sandcastle

Nature Walk By Myself

New Beginnings

All Images Property of Color, Chaos & Creativity.

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

| Design Works International

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

| Design Works International

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

Global Greats-Textile Treasures 

| Design Works International

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

IKEA “Moments About Food” NYC Rooftop Event!

| Design Works International

 What a creative way to start your day at IKEA’s “Moments About Food” in NYC! Honored to be invited to this creative and inspirational event with its focus on food, food sourcing, product introductions, tips on organic farming, canning and urban farming on your own rooftop! 

Amazed by IKEA’s newest product introductions that are “Trend Right” and “Eco Savvy” featuring substrates like cork, bamboo, various woods and woven fabrics! Colors are updated and fresh with many combinations to pick from.

IKEA’s newest “Section Kitchen Selection” is brilliant. Each drawer is a personalized space for all your kitchen gadgets as well as food storage, dinnerware, drinkware and utensils. Shown in a fantastic green finish, this kitchen is a vertical masterpiece! No more reaching for items that are too tall to grab..this is a kitchen with maximum bandwidth!  

Be sure to check out IKEA’s newest catalog and product in stores and help them celebrate an amazing new introduction of some of the most innovative and clever product ranges I have viewed in a while. From innovative placemats with i-phone pockets to organic new jams, cork outdoor ensembles and beautiful textiles….you will be updating your home in no time!

Oh and a special “shout out” to Katie Lee for sharing some great food tips and yummy treats!

  
    
    
   

Potting Shed turned “She Shed”

| Design Works International

   
    

 
Trend Alert “She Shed”….call me ol’ fashion but I have been “in vogue” for a while …..my “She Shed” has existed for the past 14 years… Just in the form of my “Potting Shed”!

Who knew that the space we built many years ago to hold my garden tools, miscellaneous containers, books and various garden gadgets would soon be called “She Shed”! Perfect name for a perfect place because that is where I love spending my “free” time…repotting, planting and planning for more pretty and colorful flowers and shrubs…after all, it’s a labor of love so why not give it a “Trend Right” name!

A New York Night “Take A Seat”

| Design Works International

Design Works Intl

Hosted by the IFDA NY, Safavieh and NYC&G, the Take A Seat Action held in NY, a design exhibition which featured up-cycled chairs creatively redesigned by area professionals was a night to remember. The event was held at the Safavieh showroom which hosted a fullhouse of industry professionals all bidding on these 26 creative pieces of art-inspired chairs, where all proceeds went to Habitit for Humanity NYC.

This diverse group of designers were made up of architects, builders, craftsman, furniture designers and various design professionals showing their support for Habitit for Humanity. The following designers took part in this successful event: Lani Adeoye, Michael Arguello, Carly Bassen, Allison Bassen, Jonathan Bressler, Bromley Caldari Architects, Cliff Young Intern Team, Gregory Allan Cramer, Iris Danker, Christopher Hyland, Vanessa Deleon, Nancy Fire, Patricia Fox, Mari O’Connor, Stacy Garcia, Jan Girard, Barry Goralnick, Lorraine Gordon, John Locke, Jennifer Mack, Lindsey Smith, Karim Rashid, Esther…

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