GREEN HOME

September 11, 2019 | 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

September 7, 2018 | 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.

Tonal Touches Parisian Style

September 6, 2018September 6, 2018 | Design Works International

Curated Color with Tonal Touches..perfectly explains my last two days shopping stores in this amazing city. Paris never disappoints..especially when it comes to creative color.

Retail Redo Overseas in Paris and London

February 2, 2018February 2, 2018 | 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

Graphic Greats…Black and White Prints and Patterns in Paris

September 9, 2017October 2, 2017 | 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.

Perfect Pink in Paris [yes millennial]

September 9, 2017October 2, 2017 | 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

March 10, 2017 | 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.

Merci. Have you been?

January 24, 2017January 24, 2017 | 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!!

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

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

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

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!!

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!

TRENDING In Paris..Global Greats In Fashion and in Home Decor

September 1, 2016September 6, 2016 | Design Works International

We have been talking about global influences in fashion and in home decor for the past decade but this season global is more than an influence, it’s a lifestyle that is melding the borders of countries.

No longer are we singling out a certain cultures style or influence, we are celebrating all cultures as a lifestyle.
In prints we are combining color palettes that are unexpected and celebrating the craftsmanship of many countries by embellishing with embroidered and appliquéd accents.

In fashion we are seeing a melange of fabrics working together on one garment with updated global color palettes.

In home decor, texture is important either printed or embellished with 3-D fabrics.

It’s time we celebrate these global greats as a new way of mixing craft, style and art both in fashion and in the home.