Category Archives: Holiday

Land That I Love

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image via Reader’s Digest

The Fourth of July is right around the corner (quite literally: its tomorrow) and we’ve rounded up a few of our favorite party supplies for your weekend celebration, whether you’re poolside, at the beach, or gathering around the grill in the backyard (or on the rooftop – hello, New Yorkers). Take a peek at some of our picks below!

1. glitter banner 2. cold treat balloon 3. retro-style folding chair 4. melamine tray 5. ice bucket 6. chatty, colorful disposable napkins

SunSquad inflatable pool

And lastly, a few fun little prints from your favorite studio.

Happy Birthday, America!

2018 Gift Guide: Ideas for the Designer in Your Life

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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,

DW


8 Ways to Celebrate the Holidays in NYC

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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!🎄🎅🏼

  1.  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).rockefeller-center-skating-rink.png

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.bryant park

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!

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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.

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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.image.jpg

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.

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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!

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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!

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In the name of print, pattern, & celebration,

DW

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!

Merry & Bright | December Tech Wallpaper

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‘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!

cover-december

Download one, download all.

Desktop Wallpaper

iPad Wallpaper

iPhone Wallpaper

Apple Watch

In the name of print & pattern,

DW

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!

A Guide to Holiday Markets in NYC

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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,

DW

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!

Stars & Stripes

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The 4th of July is coming up and it is the perfect day to showcase your ~cutest~ star and stripes threads! Stars ☆★☆ are a poppin‘ trend this summer and you can easily be festive this year. 🇺🇸 Need some inspo for what to wear? We got you covered!

Below are our favorite festive looks! ↓↓↓

 

 

What are you wearing this year?

In the name of print & pattern,

DW

A Brand New Year

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new year

Design Works International isn’t the only place where things are happening!

Gregorian Calendar – 2015

Buddhist Calendar – 2559

Hebrew Calendar – 5775-5776

Julian Calendar – Gregorian minus 13 days

Design Works International is celebrating 25 years. The new year holds promise as we are growing and changing with our clients and the world around us. We will have a number of new and exciting things for you to be a part of very soon, so keep your eyes focused on us.

Did you know that the tradition of New Year’s resolutions dates all the way back to 153 B.C. January is named after Janus, a mythical god of early Rome? Janus had two faces; one that looked forward, one that looked backward. This allowed him to look back on the past and forward toward the future. On December 31, the Romans imagined Janus looking backward into the old year and forward into the new year. This became a symbolic time for Romans to make resolutions for the new year and forgive enemies for troubles in the past. The Romans also believed Janus could forgive them for their wrong doings in the previous year. The Romans would give gifts and make promises, believing Janus would see this and bless them in the year ahead… thus the New Year’s resolution was born!

Each new year brings a sense that things are starting over. We regroup, reboot, rededicate ourselves. Some of us set resolutions and look forward to what will come. There is a positive and joyous feeling of starting over.

2015 has been designated the International Year of Light and the International Year of Soils by the sixty-eighth session of the United Nations General Assembly. And it is also the last year of the Water for Life decade recognized by the UN

In the Chinese Zodiac it is the year of the sheep.

In Back to the Future II, Doc, Marty & Jennifer travel to the year 2015.

In January Elvis’ 80th Birthday will be celebrated in Graceland.

In February Historic Macau hosts some of the most colorful Lunar New Year celebrations on earth.

In April, NASA’s Dawn spacecraft is expected to arrive at the dwarf planet Ceres.

In August, Singapore celebrates 50 years of independence and Hiroshima & Nagasaki will hold 70th Anniversary Memorials of the bombings.

In September, France will host the World Puppet Festival.

In the UK, the Rugby World Cup will be held.

We hope everyone’s New Year has started well. We look forward to sharing our creativity and passion for art, design and trend with all of you and hope that your creative endeavors are productive, prosperous and joyous…

Most Sincerely, Nancy Fire & the entire Design Works International Studio

Holiday Inspiration

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The Holiday Season is in full swing, hopefully we will all get a little rest, enjoy our families and be able to reboot ourselves. A new year with new challenges and projects awaits. If you are in New York City, there are plenty of places to get inspired. From music and film, to fashion and art, surely you’ll be ready for any creative challenge.

The Museum of Modern Art is bold, diverse and sometimes controversial

The Museum of Modern Art is bold, diverse and sometimes controversial

With Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs has been extended until February 10th, The Paris of Toulouse-Lautrec’s Prints and Posters, 100 Years in Post-Production: Resurrecting a Lost Landmark of Black Film or even Yoko Ono: One Woman Show, 1960-1971 proves that MoMa’s inspiration in incredibly diverse.

The Museum of Modern Art Website

beatles

Ladies & Gentlemen… THE BEATLES!

The New York Public Library for Performing Arts hosts an exhibit chronicling The Beatles first visit to the U.S. Artifacts from their appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show on February 9, 1964 to their final official concert at San Francisco’s Candlestick Park in 1966. Along with the artifacts, many famous musicians explain on video how the band changed their lives. Runs through May 6th, 2015.

The New York Public Library Website

MMA

The Metropolitan Museum of Art remind us of the masters of the past.

 

Always an amazing place for inspiration. From their current exhibitions of Cubism: The Leonard A. Lauder Collection, Tullio Lombardo’s Adam: A Masterpiece Restored and Death Becomes Her: A Century of Mourning Attire in the Costume Institute, there is plenty of inspiration for just about anyone.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

We hope you have a peaceful holiday season and we look forward to seeing you in 2015.