Travel

Artisan Aesthetic Lisbon Style

| Design Works International

Bucket List Worthy!

Inspiration is everywhere in Lisbon, especially if you love Azulejos Tiles. Today these tiles are dominant in every Portuguese city and embedded in its history and culture.

The word “azulejo” means “small polished stone” and although they are not a Portuguese invention, by the 18th century no other European country was producing as many tiles as Portugal. Over the years, azulejo tiles have become an art form used for a variety of design applications both in exterior and interior home design.

Spending time in Bairro Atlo and Principe Real, two older areas of Lisbon, I spotted various azulejo tiles on homes in different color combinations and patterns. Below are a few of my favorites.

Heading back to our art/design studio in New York City, Design Works International, feeling inspired and excited to create our newest textile collections….and we just might have the perfect name….Artisan Aesthetic!

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.

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💕

<<
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!

💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

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

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!!

1

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

2

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

3

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

4

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!!

5

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!

6

Creative Color, Medellin Colombia

| Design Works International

A Designer’s Paradise….vibrant colors fill the streets and artisan shops of Medellin Columbia-also known as the City of Eternal Spring because of its moderate temperatures all year round. Situated in the Aubbrua Valley and surrounded by green mountains, this progressive Latin American city is quickly becoming an international cultural destination.

The food scene is fantastic with both local and international flavor. Carmen, one of my foodie favorites offers elaborate meals created by husband and wife team Carmen Angel and Rob Pevitts who trained at Le Cordon Bleu in San Francisco.

A must see on the art scene is the Museo de Arte Moderno, this industrial chic space houses exhibitions that change every quarter. On the premises you should visit their two museum stores that showcase local artisan products that are affordable and curated beautifully!

The Art Hotel, a boutique hotel situated in the El Poblado area, is a perfect place to rest and relax while enjoying your stay in Medellin, Colombia!

New meaning to “wearing many hats”!

Ode to Artisans with these indigenous Colombian hats found at Museo de Arte Moderno.

Music is part of everyday culture.

Ode to Atisians with traditional Colombian patterns on ceramic found at Museo de Arte Moderno.

Vibrant stripe handwoven hammocks.

Ombre Artisan Baskets

When your transportation matches your graffitied wall.

Streets of Medellin

Celebrating Street Art

Product Personality at Maison Objet Miami

| Design Works International

I was probably the biggest skeptic when I heard two years ago that my favorite overseas show was heading to Miami for its debut in America. It’s been two years now, I have attended both shows, walked all aisles, met new designers, found innovative products and love chillin’ in Maimi…so I guess I am no longer a skeptic and more of a fan!

Happy to share some global greats from this past Maison Objet show which took place in Miami May 10-13.

Neutral Nuances (top left) Porada, Roberta Schiling, Morada, Porada

Artisan Accessories (top left) FOS, Ritz and Marwitz, Ritz and Marwitz, FOS

Playful Products (top left) Studio Poli, Fermob, Matrone, Dransfield and Ross

Take A Seat (top left) Fenabel, Fenable, Serge De Troyer, Fenabel

Weaves and Watercolor (top left) Dransfield and Ross, Bertz, Forza Home, Dransfield and Ross

A Kid For A Day at “Kind + Jugend” in Cologne Germany!

| Design Works International

Hard to recall the last time I felt like a kid for a day…so thank you Kind + Jugend for showcasing some of the best international kids products in Cologne Germany this week!

Great to see such innovative and creative products taking center stage for 2016! The color story was varied from “the softer side” creating a more vintage sensibility to a more “bold and bright” geometric style for a more outgoing sensibility.

Serba displayed knitted 3-D character dolls on an updated scenic printed bed set.

Keoka’s take was more of a mid century modern changing table that had us all at hello…dreaming of how we could use this piece even if our kids were full grown!

Tede from Berlin had the most amazing wooden toy animated bikes in beautiful dye based finishes creating some of the nicest color palettes that we viewed at the show.

Dip Dap from Lativa had a more modern take on a toddler bike made of digitally printed wood with a repeated bear motif.

3 Sprouts from Canada represented by Duux went for a more graphic oversized character approach on home decor fabric storage containers.

Kids 11, a client of mine located in Atlanta debuted many new innovative toy and gear offerings along with their new packaging and logo update.

Tuc Tuc from Spain was truly a trend setter with there newest black and white geometric strollers!

ChildHome had one of the most curated and fresh looking booths at the show for color, style and substrates! Look at this cute fabric tent!

Neo NATO had a fun graffiti wall display outside their booth.

Green Tom had the coolest all organic and green strollers made from post consumer recycled products….so innovative and refreshing!

Camarelo had the most graphic splatter print stroller in black, orange, green with accents of blue.

TwistShake is extremely innovative with there colorful and multi-functional bottles and containers!

More pics and info on the Kind + Jugend Show tomorrow on my Designworksstyle.com blog

@childwoodchildwheels

@greentomworld

@koeka_official

@duux

@twistshakebaby
  Serba

  Keoka   Tede

 Dip Dap   3 Sprouts

 Kids 11

  Tuc Tuc

  ChildHome  Neo NATO

 Green Tom

  Camarelo

 TwistShake