nancy fire

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

Watercolor Wednesday

| Design Works International

Trending at my NYC based studio, Design Works International these days is the return of watercolor and original techniques that relate to a more artsy style and sensibility!

Exciting to see the return of dimension in design by creating imperfect layers of color…we love that “imperfect is the new perfect”! 

Knowing that blues are trending again in home lifestyle products we felt that this nice touch of warm rust complimented our original tile design.



       Image from our Design Works International Home Collection NYC. All rights reserved. 

Playful Products

| Design Works International

So nice to find playful products on my travels these days…really love the spontaneouty of these ceramic bowls for their color and imperfect pattern design. I am not a fan of matching patterns but I do love collections of similar objects….hence loving this ceramic collection!

Photo posted by nancy_fire

     Tile…Texture…Turquoise

| Design Works International



          Photo credit @nancy_fire

Tile: Just love this multi-color herringbone tile floor from The Bon Marche in Paris. Nice alternative to just a black and white floor!

Texture: Perfect update to tones of neutrals when it comes to different wood and wood textures…dyed wood accent colors like this turquoise, indigo and marsala.

Turquoise: With the return of the blues (did they ever leave) Turquoise seems to be the universal tone of the season mixing well with Indigo on the cool side and its compliment Orange on the warm side.

A Few Of My Favorite Things!

| Design Works International

Tiles, Tones of Green and Patina…all design elements that make me smile. This season be on the look out for these trending and beautiful details.

Tiles are now seen in many rooms and not just the bathroom or kitchen…be creative in your design experience!

Tones of green this season are off beat tones of different shades of green working together! No more matchy-matchy hues….

Patina makes me think of aged beauty, but this season it actually takes on a more modern style.



   Trend Board and Photo nancy_fire

Repetition NYC

| Design Works International

Repetition in NYC could mean many things especially after living here for 30 years…as a designer it’s all about  color, creativity and of course chaos, the positive kind!

Finding historic repetition like the detailing in these landmark handrail medallions in mixed metals just made my day! In NYC it’s all about appreciating “the history” that is captured by these everlasting signs of creativity!

I❤️NY!

Photo credit @ nancy_fire

Happy Monday!

| Design Works International

Had to share our “Sunrise over the City”! Beautiful morning of warm tones framing the skyline and Central Park! Looks magical and surreal…what a great way to start the day! Enjoy.



              Photo by @nancy_fire

Bridge Perspective…..NYC 

| Design Works International

Even from a far NYC intrigues me…no matter where I stand I always seem to fall in love all over again with it’s timeless beauty.

Perhaps it’s the subtle neutral tones of the skyline or it’s eclectic architecture that seems to calm my soul. And yes, the chaos of course…the good kind that promotes creativity and promise!

I ❤️ NY!

.            Photo Credit @nancy_fire