About Design Works International

Design Works Style is the industry blog of Design Works International, a lifestyle design studio in the heart of Manhattan.

Trending: Pattern Mixing

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Posted on January 9, 2019 by Design Works International

We’ve been seeing bold and colorful pattern combining everywhere, and it can be a bit daunting to get so adventurous with your outfits. But this trend is so fun and achievable within any wardrobe, here are some of our favorite outfits for inspiration!

Pairing larger stripes or polka dots with dainty florals is an easy way to start pattern combining– neither print is too crazy or unusual but they pair together for a super unique outfit!

Sticking to a monochromatic color palette is another easy way to wear your patterns! Playing with different scales of pattern is also helpful in creating an outfit that stands out.

Once you’re a pro at pattern mixing, give some of these outfits a try! The bolder & funkier, the better.😎

Show us your best pattern mixing outfits on instagram @designworksinternatinal! Bonus points if you find a cool background like the one above to elevate your look.😉

In the name of print & pattern,

Design Works International is a lifestyle studio located in the heart of Manhattan that’s been helping to define and capitalize on trends for over 30 years. Originally (and still) a print studio, the in-house artists at Design Works International are busy every day exploring, inspiring, and creating to bring you original prints that are on-trend and sure to sell!

Let’s All “Tri” to Keep Our Resolutions! | January Tech Wallpaper

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Posted on January 4, 2019 by Design Works International

Happy New Year everyone! Check out our new tech wallpaper for January. We all have those New Year Resolutions we want to keep, so let’s stay inspired by changing out our tech backgrounds to start the year off right.

Download one, download all.

In the name of print & pattern,

Wellness Trend: Hygge Lifestyle

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Posted on January 2, 2019 by Design Works International

New year, new you, right? Learn how the Hygge Lifestyle can make you a better person in 2019.

Hygge is a Danish term that means “creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people”. This can vary from person to person, and it is associated with the contentment that comes from living well, finding balance, showing gratitude and spending quality time at home with loved ones. This concept has swept across the UK from Denmark and is making its way to the US. I think we can all use more hygge in our lives! Here are some tips to embrace your inner hygge:

If you don’t already have one, create a cozy space in your home to read, drink a cup of tea, and spend time with friends and family. Hygge is all about comfort, and having a space like this is a great step to embrace this.

Bake a cake like this Nordic one or cook a comforting meal to share with friends or family. Many of our busy schedules don’t allow time to cook something wholesome and delicious, so taking the time to do so is almost therapeutic, plus your home will smell amazing!

Tip: the Danish go phone-free for shared meals and time together, challenge your friends and family to this next time you gather!

Hygge your home with more blankets, comfortable materials, candles, plants, and anything else that makes you feel happy and good! Soft and natural light is valued in Danish culture, so open your curtains and use all of your favorite candles.

Create something, spend time outside, watch your favorite movies and find happiness and balance in your hygge!

In the name of print, pattern, & hygge,

Dreaming of a Rose Gold Christmas

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Posted on December 13, 2018 by Design Works International

For the past few years, we’ve been drifting away from traditional red & green Christmas decor and substituting with new fun colors, textures and sparkle. This year we are seeing tons of blush and rose gold for a modern touch and to add pizzazz to Christmas decor.

It can be super easy to add this color into your home for Christmas. Use a rose gold wrapping paper or metallic bow for presents, use pale pink ribbon to accent your tree, or even use copper Moscow mule mugs for your coffee or hot chocolate on Christmas!

There are also so many fun DIYs in incorporate this trendy color, such as spray painting ornaments or mason jars, or cutting out and framing a metallic reindeer from scrapbooking paper as seen below. Even adding a simple throw pillow (which will also be super stylish year round) can tie this beautiful color into your Christmas decor!

Here’s some inspiration, happy decorating!!

In the name of print & pattern,

2018 Gift Guide: Ideas for the Designer in Your Life

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Posted on December 7, 2018 by Design Works International

Also known as The Things We’d Love to Get (hint, hint). All kidding aside, these are our picks for the gifts to give and get this season for the creatives in your life. Our studio is a mix of designers specializing in print, pattern, color, and interiors – and we’ve all unanimously agreed we’d be thrilled if some of these gifts found their way under our trees and menorahs this year.

Under $25

one. all the tools of the trade can be organized in style with this compartmentalized pencil cup

two. technically a baking dish, this tray is so fun we’d consider using it as a catchall for keys and accessories when we’re not whipping up a batch of brownies

three. this gradient puzzle comes in various colors for a real test of your color vision

four. let your caffeine fix speak for you with this statement mug

five. a multipurpose desk accessory, this pad of paper has clever cutouts to house various tools, keeping all your clutter in line while you jot down whatever comes to mind

six. another gem from the jOTBLOCK line, this sketchpad has colored pencils built-in and at the ready for whenever inspiration strikes

seven. is it just us or do our phones keep getting bigger and bigger? Get a handle on yours with a PopSocket grip and you can even customize it like we did with one of our original prints

eight. you can never have enough clips around and these will glam up any pile of paper you can throw at them

Under $75

one. this hanging organizer would look great above your desk, beside your front door, or even in the kitchen for quick access to supplies and easy organizing

two. mismatched and multicolored, these glass dessert bowls are a fun and colorful way to enjoy a beverage or serve up a sweet snack in a unique and artistic way

three. Sketchbox is a subscription service that lets you try out different art supplies every month

four. vibrant and French, we think this sketchbook will challenge you to fill it with equally alluring creativity

five. hydration is a necessity and, in our world, so is style. Enter the Sowden water bottle from Hay

Under $150

one. Native Union does some beautiful things with tech accessories and this wireless charging dock has both brains and beauty

two. as designers we spent most of our day staring at our computer screens. Which is why some of us swear by Felix Gray eyeglasses, which are engineered to filter blue light and eliminate glare to reduce eye strain and those awful late afternoon headaches. (Pro tip: remember to take them off when matching color)

three. never come back to a cold cup of coffee or tea again – the Ember mug is a temperature-controlled ceramic mug that will maintain a set temperature for about an hour or all day if you use the included charging coaster

four. a digital artist’s best friend: the stylus. Some members of our team have this Apple Pencil on their wish lists for Santa this year

five. cord control just got even better looking: another gadget from Native Union, the Eclipse charging station will charge up to three devices simultaneously at maximum speed

six. the original Instagram, Polaroids are back in style and we’re all wishing we had one of their new instant cameras in our hands

In the name of print, pattern, & warm, fuzzy holiday wishes,

8 Ways to Celebrate the Holidays in NYC

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Posted on December 6, 2018 by Design Works International

New York City is a magical place to get in the Christmas spirit and celebrate the holidays. Tourists and locals alike can enjoy all of New York’s festive parks, restaurants, window displays and more. Whether it’s your first time visiting NYC or you’re a local looking to experience more holiday cheer, this list is sure to help you make the most of this holiday season!🎄🎅🏼

Ice Skate!

Nothing screams “winter!” like lacing up a pair of ice skates and going to your favorite rink. Luckily, NYC has multiple ice skating rinks, such as Bryant Park (our fave– its FREE if you bring your own skates & its part of the park’s Winter Village), Wollman Rink at Central Park (amazing views of the city and the park), Brookfield Place (you can see the Statue of Liberty from the rink!), and of course, Rockefeller Center (the most famous rink in NYC, right near so many other holiday attractions).

2. Check out a holiday market

We have a whole separate post about all of the best vendors and attractions at the four major holiday markets: the Union Square Holiday Market, the Columbus Circle Holiday Market, the Winter Village at Bryant Park and the Grand Central Holiday Fair! Each of these markets has hundreds of vendors selling food, drinks, and handmade and unique arts, apparel, jewelry, accessories, and many more.

3. Go to a show

Two of the most iconic shows to attend during the holidays are the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and The Nutcracker at Lincoln Center. Each of these shows is incredible and a great way to relax after a long day of shopping or ice skating!

4. Eat & drink festively

One of the most popular rooftop restaurant & bars in the winter is 230 Fifth, AKA Igloo Bar, which is famous for its heated igloos that can fit up to 12 people! This allows you to enjoy an amazing rooftop view while staying warm. Another great festive spot if Rolf’s. This German restaurant is decked out in tinsel, lights, ornaments, icicles– a Christmas dream.

5. Visit the windows on 5th Ave

High-end retailers such as Barneys, Hermes, Tiffany & Co, Cartier, Bergdorf Goodman, and Henri Bendel create absolutely stunning window displays that tell stories and exhibit their best and brightest new styles. This year, some retailers such as Barneys are pushing activism in a beautiful way, with the words “Make Change” shining through their display. Saks puts on their famous annual “Theater of Dreams” light show on the side of their building, which is a spectacle for tourists on their way to and from viewing the Rockefeller Plaza tree. Our favorite store to visit is Cartier– their displays are always incredible, and their flagship store has FREE hot chocolate and a candy bar to build your own bag of Cartier Red colored candies.

6. Help someone in need

Maybe you and your friends can decide to skip gifts this year and use the money to help people in need instead. This can be anything you want it to be: volunteer at a soup kitchen, a senior citizen home, a hospital, or even an animal shelter. There are so many ways to help make your community a better place, use this holiday season to make a change! We promise this will be 100% better than giving or receiving ANOTHER Starbucks gift card from your friends.

7. Meet Santa

You can meet Santa in most shopping malls, but in our opinion, Macy’s Santaland is the best. The 8th floor of Macy’s Herald Square is dedicated to all things Christmas. You can interact with elves while exploring, and of course meet Santa. Fun for kids & adults!

8. Shop for gifts!

After you meet Santa in Macy’s, explore the other floors and do some shopping!😉Holiday markets are also great for special and unique gifts, and NYC has every store that you may want to shop at within blocks. But remember that the holidays are all about doing these fun activities with friends and family, and spending time with loved ones!

In the name of print, pattern, & celebration,

Merry & Bright | December Tech Wallpaper

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Posted on December 1, 2018 by Design Works International

‘Tis the season for festive wallpaper! Enjoy these freebies for the holiday season.

We have over 10.5K followers on Instagram and would love to show off our blog followers! Tag us with the hashtag #DWallpaper in your Instagram highlights that you have your tech wallpaper up and we will feature you on our page!

See you on the gram!

Download one, download all.

In the name of print & pattern,

A Guide to Holiday Markets in NYC

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Posted on November 29, 2018 by Design Works International

The holiday season is one of the BEST times to live in or visit NYC! Many parks around New York create holiday markets, fairs, and shops with hundreds of vendors from local shops, restaurants, boutiques, and cafes. From ice skating to eating and shopping, the options are endless at these fun festivals around the city.

The Union Square Holiday Market is located on the south side of the park, and it is the perfect place to search for unique holiday gifts while enjoying a variety of amazing food and drinks. This market also features live music, a “Warming Station” to make the cold weather more bearable, and a Kids Art Studio. We recommend stopping by NY State of Mind for trendy NYC themed apparel and accessories, Black Lamb BK for adorable shadowboxes & greeting cards, and Shaya NYC for beautiful handmade jewelry.

Another favorite is the Winter Village and Holiday Shops at Bryant Park. This holiday festival is well-known for its ice skating rink (which is free if you bring your own skates!) and a beautiful Christmas tree, which is lit on December 4. This park is also home to over 150 booths with amazing food, handmade artwork and jewelry, and even an outdoor beer garden. Min & Mon sells funky, textured and colorful handbags and keychains that everyone should check out. The “Good Vibes Station” is another essential for both New Yorkers and tourists, selling silk screened and painted prints from the artists of from EWBA (Everything Will be Amazing).

For those who can’t stand being outside in the cold, the Grand Central Holiday Fair is perfect! Enjoy forty amazing booths with handmade and unique goods within Grand Central’s Vanderbilt Hall. Kent Stetson Handbags is a must see- his incredible clutches and bags feature interesting and unusual images of food, animals and other objects. Tuff Kookooshka sells adorable cold weather gear such as jackets and hats for children, while Case Island Glass exhibits incredible, colorful glassware.

The Columbus Circle Holiday Market is also great due to its proximity to Central Park, as well as many other holiday attractions in the city. Be sure to stop by Jet Set Candy for New York themed jewelry and charms, the famous Strand Book Store for books and stationery. Texturables by Claudia Rosillo sells beautiful handwoven blankets and textiles made by Claudia in Uruguay. They are simple and comfortable, and would make an amazing holiday gift!

Let us know what your favorite holiday market is!

In the name of print, pattern, & holidays,

Design Works Intl

Trend // Color // Product // Textiles // Fashion

Author Archives: Design Works International

About Design Works International

Trending: Pattern Mixing

Featured

Let’s All “Tri” to Keep Our Resolutions! | January Tech Wallpaper

Featured

Dreaming of a Rose Gold Christmas

Featured

2018 Gift Guide: Ideas for the Designer in Your Life

Featured

8 Ways to Celebrate the Holidays in NYC

Featured

Merry & Bright | December Tech Wallpaper

Featured

A Guide to Holiday Markets in NYC

Featured

About Design Works International

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New year, new you, right? Learn how the Hygge Lifestyle can make you a better person in 2019.

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