Upholstery

High Point Market Happenings Day 7- These Sustainable Times! Part One

| Nancy Fire

Style Spotting for the High Point Fall Market was a bit different because of Covid, less attendees and exhibitors but designers and buyers who did attend were positive, upbeat and were serious about committing to product purchases! Exhibitors had more time to spend with customers and it was much easier to navigate market which is comprised of 10 million square feet, roughly 2000 exhibitors (pre-covid) and about 180 buildings! (This market about 70% of the showrooms were open)

The biggest change for me in this market was the presence of sustainable minded products and displays as well as a general focus on products that are more environmentally friendly. With my style spotter focus on sustainability this year I was more than pleased to see this trend more as a lifestyle. Moving forward we are going to see more forward thinking companies do what they can to offer designs that are mindful in their product processes, material choices and transportation footprint from sourcing to selling! Below are a few of my favorite finds that relate to a more sustainable mindset. Part Two will be posted tomorrow as I continue to share more mindful products!

Palecek, IHFC D202 Design Center Floor 2 is a company that is truly inspired by natural materials and has been for years. For them sustainability is not a trend, it’s truly a lifestyle. Pictured here Fritz Rope Side Chair and Bench. Kirk Nix Wisteria Oversized Pendant, Whitewashed. Broderick Dining Table.
Palecek-This oversized pole rattan mirror is hand wrapped in a beautiful gray finish. The texture and dimension of this sustainable piece is beautiful and will sit center stage in any room.
Palecek-Playa Wall Decor is created using cultured saddle oyster shells hand placed in a petal-like design.
Palecek- Lenox desk with rattan accent drawers and metal base, create the perfect work from home interior addition to any room.
Palecek-Live Edge Table.
Kirk Nix Collection By Palecek Bronson Sconce-Each glass globe is hand blown creating an artisan touch to each light fixture.
V Rugs and Home-These raffia accent pillows are a perfect way to bring natural accents into your home.
V Rugs and Home- Leather and fringe accent ottomans.
Beth Webb for Arterios-Sea Island Pendant in linen and rattan.
Arteriors-Uriah Sconce has a thick, seedy slumped glass in a smoke luster finish which cascades down the front of a clear seedy glass wall! Truly a refined organic vibe to any space.
The Lash Lounge Chair by Kara Mann for the McGuire Collection. Wrapped in leather cording with a loose seat cushion in a soft chenille fabric.
Selamat-These Sea Cliff Chairs combine substrates that create a unique and updated product by mixing rattan with lucite with an added dimensional addition of textured performance fabric.
Phillips Collection-Atlas Console Table made in Chamcha wood with a gray stone finish is one expressive accessory piece for your home! The metal figures act as the base of the console holding up the chamcha wood top.
Titan Rugs-This antique rug has been upcycled by over-dying it and removing some of the pile to recreate the color as well as the finish. The original rug was navy and rust.What a creative way to repurpose rugs and give them another life!
Universal-Seaton King Bed featuring two types of woven materials.

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.

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

“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 

HGTV HOME “Celebrating”

| Design Works International


Excited to share that HGTV HOME was awarded “Best Corporate Brand Program” at LIMA this year and yesterday on Instagram we hit 50K in followers! Proud to be affiliated with such a creative and dedicated team at Scripps Networks Interactive and of course all our HGTV HOME Partners! As Design Director of HGTV HOME, as well as Creative Director and Founder of Design Works International NYC, I am blessed to be working with such creative, talented and dedicated individuals!❤️

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!

  
    
    
   

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!