Inspiration

Spring Awakening 

| Design Works International

If your from the northeast this image should give you hope that “spring” is officially here. Snow has melted, spring grass is sprouting, birds are out in full force and it’s not freezing!

I guess it’s the winters past that make us appreciate these special moments between the segway of seasons.

For all of us creative types I feel that are senses are highlighted around these times as we see the beauty in the smallest of changes and appreciate them in a more memorable way.

For me it’s always renewal, gratitude and anticipation of what’s to come. A certain excitement starts to build in me with the possibilities of flowers blooming, veggies growing, birds returning and smiles on faces that seem a bit more sincere!

I often wonder if I lived in a place where the seasons did not change how I would miss these segways of seasons!

Photo by Nancy Fire

Night Walk Central Park NYC

| Design Works International

Just love this city…they say it’s “The City That Never Sleeps” and I truly know why. It’s not just about the “Action” in places like Times Square or the busy streets of NYC…its about that magical moment when day turns into night and the city takes on a new form of energy…its like a symphony of lights between the sky and the city. My favorite time of day in my favorite city to go for a “Night Walk in Central Park”.

Photo by Nancy Fire

 

Sassy Suculents-Parisian Style

| Design Works International

  

Photo by Nancy Fire

While in Paris on a trend shopping trip I came across these “Sassy Suculents” and immediately fell in plant love! I mean these guys just had it going on…perfect color, perfect texture and of course perfect pot! 

I love this “Rustic Glam” style, mixing smooth surfaces, beautiful tinted colors with the texture of these lava pots.

I wonder if a person not in the design field would feel the same way about these  sassy suculents and fall in plant love like I did!

We all know that suculents are trending now but like anything else when a trend hits you need to rethink your strategy so that you can reinvent your product in a more “trend right” sensibility!

I think these “Sassy Suculents-Parisian Style”…did just that!

Snow. Do. Not. Enter.

| Design Works International

Photo by @nancy_fire

I know the two words that we all want to say today “Happy Spring” might have to be on hold for at least tomorrow due to a pending snow storm on the east coast today!

Guess we have to remember that it’s only March 20th and we have had our fair share of snow on the east coast through April in past years.

The chaos for NYC will be the crazy commute home tonight as the storm should hit its stride by rush hour, BUT the creativity will come from yet another amazing photo op that NYC has to offer when it’s color is a blanket of fresh white snow!

Trying to stay positive….”TGIF”!❄️❄️

Trend Shopping in Shanghai 

| Design Works International

Someone has to do it….so why not me?

Often I am asked why I love what I do everyday for a living and as the old saying goes…”Find a job you love and you”ll never work a day in your life”….25 years in my design studio in NYC with some of the most talented and dedicated designers, amazing clients and friends, my husband Neil as my business and life partner and two kids that are well on their way to creating their own path in life…sounds easy right…nope lots of hard work, dedication, long days and nights in the studio, PTA meetings and more! 

My point…it takes time to build ones career and good things are worth the wait. This is my mantra during the many interviews I conduct in my studio because I feel it so important today to be realistic about ones professional path. It took years of hard work to build our business and today we are humbled to still be in business in one of the greatest cities in the world!

So trend shopping in Shanghai…..why not, after all “Find a job that you love and you”ll never work a day in your life”!



Photo by @nancy_fire

Making Memories

| Design Works International

Looking back at my lifetime of memories I cherish those times that we actually took the time to capture life in the making.

Back in the day of film, sepia prints, and art filled family photos, images were heartfelt and meaningful……I am happy to see a resurgence of this sensibility and style!

Everytime I see this image it brings me back to that day on the beach with the people I love most in this world!

Keep making those memories as creative as you can and they will last a lifetime.