Paris

GREEN HOME

| Design Works International

Green Home, it’s NOT a trend, it should be our lifestyle regarding the future of our planet! Returning from an overseas business trip visiting 3 amazing cities, Oslo, Amsterdam and Paris..the message is clear-it’s the universal language among us all….SUSTAINABILITY

Interesting to see that the busiest stores at retail and booths at trade shows all had a clear and transparent message about their products-upcycled, recycled and organic(when possible) with a social message of giving back to the community that they are working with.

We all need to wake up and realize that consumers are buying less, being more cautious about what they are buying and where these products are produced. If we look inward and collaborate as a society we can all work towards our “Green Home”.

This image was taken at Merci in Paris: https://lnkd.in/eHtSNXF

a concept store shopping sensation, housed in an reconfigured 19th century three floor loft-like fabric factory selling furniture, jewelry, stationary, fashion and household products. This season their blatant message is “Green Home” selling mainly upcycled products, organic when possible. In a move that takes the trend for retailer responsibility to a new level, this general store gives all profits to charity🌎 #greenhome

The Balance Of Black and White in Interiors-Paris

| Design Works International

As we see certain trends in color this season we are also experiencing graphic great trends in black and white that have been consistent with previous years statistics. This classic and sophisticated style adds dimension and drama to any interior space.

A favorite find at Pinto Paris today is this white chair accented with black piping and black metal arm detailing with accents of cork.Black based cocktail tables with marble tops by Sarah Lavoine Interiors. Importance here is the varied heights in the collection of tables that work as one style statement.

Textural black and white textiles at LE BVH in the Marais. It’s truly about the dimensional aspect of the weave this season in creating these updated graphic patterns.

Terrazzo Containers at LE BVH [trend watch 2018-19 products made with terrazzo]

Textured bathroom tile slabs in an updated chevron pattern in black, white , gray and taupe.

Retail Redo Overseas in Paris and London

| Design Works International

Why is it that you can go into any store anywhere in the world and find duplication in products. What happened to originality, newness and craftsmanship justifying an original idea at retail. Lifestyle trends translate down from macro trends so interpretation should be varied and unique, right? Well that theory was lost along the way and in order for brick and mortar to survive at any level, we need to bring back the newness which is lacking! We all need to take the blame, move on and make it right again.

Just returning from overseas this week I unfortunately had the same experience..do not get me wrong, walking the streets of Paris and London were awesome and the food incredible, that might be why many of my photos were food or street trends because they were inspiring in color, texture and dimension.

Walking into Conran’s both in Paris and London as well as Harvey Nichols, Miss Selfridges and sadly John Lewis…it was a wall of sameness.

Plant Wall ✅

Global Artisan Baskets ✅

Cute Cafe✅

Appliances in red, white and blank✅

Enlarged Candle Areas✅

Smaller Furniture Space✅

Growing up in a retail centric family, my parents were both retailers, stores looked unique. Produce space was allocated more towards the personality of the store, window displays were original and technology was pretty much non-existent…which is why I feel products had personality. No one needed to compare every little detail and stores were not all things to all people…I do not remember walking into a department store to buy ketchup?

Hoping we will see change in the coming year in retail, both on-line and at brick and mortar stores.

Take Merci in Paris, I know, I know it’s a “weird concept store”, my favorite for that very reason because it allows you to look at products in a more creative and non-conforming way! Yeah!! Oh and did I mention the line to buy items was literally out the door…guess you get my point…originally needs to return to retail!

Sharing some images that were unique in some form, either color, retail setting or just plain FUN!

Merci, Paris

Food Fav’s

Bold Color And Product Finishes.

I took 2K pictures last week so I will be posting many of them throughout the month of February. Published articles can be found at http://www.designworksintl.com under press or on my personal website http://www.nancyfire.com

Designers Dream de Gournay Paris

| Design Works International

Current Situation…meet my new friend Taylor [bucket list worthy] unrolling the archives for me this morning…could not be more thankful and appreciative of my VIP tour..so get this..I walk in, totally waited for Deco Off Paris to be over cause the crowds are crazy…and this awesome, yes awesome young lady opens the door and after hearing my American version of “Bon Jour” says welcome…this 24 year old superstar has been living in Paris and working there for 6 months before she heads back to nyc to work in the de Gournay Showroom in NYC..exciting Design events coming our way New York City.

As a designer with a BFA degree, the artisan techniques still used in the de Gournay wallpaper collection allows one to appreciate every detail. From tea stained paper to silk ombré subtleties their style is forever timeless. Here are just a few delightful images from my behind the scenes tour…thanks Taylor for making my trip to Paris a designers dream!

Flamingos Collection Eclectrique

Palms Collection Eclectrique Colors Gaugin

Temple Newsam Collection de Chinoiseries

Portobello Collection de Chinoiseries

Silk Tree Collection Japonaise + Coreenne Colors Blossom

Deco Monkeys Collection Of Panoramiques

Portobello Collection de Chinoiserios

Perfect Pink in Paris [yes millennial]

| Design Works International

So it’s true..all this talk about pink…in fashion and home decor…it’s allover Paris in some creative and updated ways!

Mixing well with most colors, millennial pink is not only for the young at heart..dinnerware at Printemps in Paris💕

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nne de Solene mixed millennial pink solid pillowcases with pink/coral and gray watercolor flowers creating simple sophistication in bedding available at Printemps, Bon Marche and Maison Galleries Lafayette in Paris💕

Millennial Pink staircase at the Conran’s Shop in Paris. Talk about making a statement💕

Tom Ford 2018 Summer Runway Show cleverly mixes millennial pink with hot tonalities of hot pink adding that summer accent color pop💕

Cutest coffee and tea cups at Printemps in Paris..love the round shape product style as well💕

Here’s to pink 💕power! I will be posting from Paris this weekend before heading to Madrid and Lisbon..follow for updates daily!

💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

Organic Influence Overseas

| Design Works International

We continue to see organic icons in many product categories influencing home decor through color, material and pattern.

Bringing “The Outdoors, Indoors” is not just a trend these days, it’s a lifestyle. The connection to nature has never been stronger for most people, especially in times of such uncertainty throughout the world.

Traveling through Paris, London, Amsterdam and Frankfurt last week confirmed that in the coming year we will continue to see more products relating to and influenced by nature.

Zeil, Frankfurt
Munkh Cashmere, Maison Objet, Paris
Edelman, Christmas World, Frankfurt
Zeil, Frankfurt
Keratin, Christmas World, Frankfurt
Zeil, Frankfurt
Werner Vob, Frankfurt, Christmas World
Zeil, Frankfurt

Merci. Have you been?

| Design Works International

Have you ever been to Merci in Paris? You know that lifestyle store that has a cult following from all over the world… which I guess Includes me!!

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Take a detour, you will be happy you did! Located at 111 Boulevard Beaumarchais in Le Marias.

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Merci never disappoints because they are on the cutting edge of style with fashion as well as Home Decor.

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The vibe; bustling with trendy people from all over the world coming to see the newest textures, substrates, colors and style updates.

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Today they were making custom chair tops from a powdery substance that allows you, the consumer, to design your chairs on the spot! Right in the store! Pretty awesome! Pretty millennial! And Pretty Fast!!

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The beauty of these custom chairs is that no two are alike since each one is individually made. With the various color combinations and ombré effects that you can create using these powder substrates…it’s an instant DIY! Each one is an original work of art and a true one of a kind… I am ready to create mine!

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Opposites Attract 

| Design Works International



Photo Credit @nancy_fire

Does “Black and White” really ever go out of style?

No matter what trade show I might be attending, or country I might be traveling to, I always seem to find products in black and white refreshing.

 It might be a resting point for my eye or a way to wipe my overstimulated mind clean after viewing so many patterns and colors…but wherever I am and whatever I post on social media I always seem to get an overwhelming response to black and white imagery!

Do some see it as a safe way to add print and pattern in their lives without too much chaos over adding color? 

Do some favor the simplicity of a graphic statement without color?

Do some see it as a secure way to decorate because it never seems to “Go out of Style”?

In my humble opinion…it could be “all of the above”…..because I personally look forward to finding my next resting point during my upcoming travels…and this is coming from a person who lives in a world of color and pattern!

Inside Out

| Design Works International

Inspiring to see a shift in trends where color can be used in a non-conventional way…from the inside out. 

For many of us dinnerware and tabletop products have been white on white for years so it’s refreshing to see these serving bowls that I spotted in Paris at The Bon Marche last month…updated with a colorful surprise!



           Photo Credit @nancy_fire