Embrace the Rainbow

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June is Pride Month and this year we’re seeing big brands embrace the rainbow more openly than ever before. Multicolored logos, unique hashtags, and brand collaborations are popping up with limited-edition looks and collections of brightly colored wares to support the LGBTQ+ community. Designers and independent retailers have openly worn this issue on their sleeves in the past but larger corporations are now starting to throw their weight behind the cause with special campaigns and initiatives with, well, pride.

The Pride Shake at Shake Shack

Shake Shack is pledging $25,000 to The Trevor Project, the world’s largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ young people. All proceeds from their retail collection will be contributed to this donation.

Check out a few of the brands we’ve highlighted in this post, not just for their great Pride products but for their commitments to supporting equality and inclusivity, and know that you can trust your purchase will put its money where its mouth is.

Macy’s Pride + Joy

Macy’s is helping to raise awareness and critical funds to support The Trevor Project’s efforts to end suicide among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) youth.

Madewell x Human Rights Campaign ‘Love to All’ Pride Tee

Madewell is proud to donate 50 percent of the purchase price of this rainbow tee to the Human Rights Campaign, America’s largest civil rights organization working to ensure LGBTQ people are safe, equal and free in every community.
Pride Unicorn Pool Float by SunSquad at Target

Target partners with organizations that support the LGBTQ+ community, including financial contributions and team member volunteerism, throughout the year. And in celebration of Pride month, Target will contribute $100,000 to support GLSEN.

Looking for the latest trends?

`Nancy is live in Germany at Heimtex RIGHT NOW! Soon she will be in Las Vegas and she’ll be posting from everywhere!

For the latest trends in textiles, wallpaper, bedding, and art for the Home Industry follow Nancy on all her social media sites.

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Beach Vibes “Happy Neutrals”

Fun to blend printed patterns into your neutral mix with subtle pops of color that do not overwhelm your space. Great update if your looking for a more natural way to add pattern to your home focusing on subtle color alternatives like mixing taupe with blue and grey!

When mixing patterns in your home it’s important to balance the ratio of solid color as it acts as a buffer between patterns…

At Design Works International, our focus is pattern but we like to share tips for those who are new to mixing pattern in your home and feel that these images are a great example.

This inspiration comes from 2 locations in Sag Harbor Long Island: Beach Bungalow on 26 Main Street and Fisher’s Home Furnishings on  144 Main Street.

Spring in NYC

The calendar says spring, and it looks like old man winter has finally packed his bags (fingers crossed). Luckily the annual Macy’s Flower Show is on and we can walk the two blocks to be inspired by the color and the beauty.

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Pillow Perfect-Subtle Updates

By Nancy Fire

Trying to find that perfect update to a simple solid sofa….try subtle accent colors and fresh graphic prints with embroidered dec pillows like these beauties I spotted in NYC at Barneys Home! Taupe, navy and white…a winning color combo for this updated yet classic style.

 

Fusion of Fashion & Home – Marsala

Sephora has just added some beautiful products in Marsala for their Color of the Year program.

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At Design Works International we have long believed in the concept of Fusion of Fashion & Home as it relates to design and color. Pattern, color, aesthetic overlap into every industry. The designer that designs specifically for fashion or home is not as common as in the past. Now as all industries provide consumers with products that allow them to link all aspects of their life. Evidence is the new Sephora line and the Fusion of Fashion & Home Marsala below.

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Color, Chaos & Creativity – Nancy Fire’s Traveling Trends Blog

Nancy Fire, Creative Director of Design Works International NYC and Design Director of HGTV HOME, is now blogging as well as she travels the world. We encourage you to follow her on her travels as she finds the latest design trends and blogs from print shows, conferences and throughout the cities she visits. With her background in photography and wonderful eye for design, she’ll be showing you the latest things to help you with your own designs and trends. Click here visit her new site and subscribe.

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Traveling Trends; A College Town Christmas

 

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Cornell Campus, Ithaca NY. Above the shore of Cayuga Lake. The first snowfall of the season

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Great typography at Petrune

The mood was perfect; snow falling, cool crisp air and a town of “small shops” all ready for the quick approaching holiday season. Ithaca is truly a college town, located in central New York and home to Cornell University and Ithaca College. 28,000 students fill the city when college is in session. These students, as well as Ithaca’s local community, like to “shop small”; both in a place called The Commons as well as College Town.

 

The basic vibe of this college town is updated vintage with a modern twist. A great example is Petrune, a store which just opened its second location in Brooklyn on 223 Fifth Ave. Trending at Petrune are great mixes of clothing; “Classic Clothing from Every Decade” and very hip home accessories and vinyl records. The wall decor and typography are college town appropriate with sayings like “Boys Club, Bro Shop or vintage bowling alley graphics. In Ithaca, Petrune is located at 126 The Commons and their website is www.petrune.com

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Awesome finds at The Vintage Industry

 

 

Another great find in Ithaca is The Vintage Industry located at 113 West State Street; buying and selling antiques and vintage items. Their vintage window display was so fab that anyone walking by had to check out what was inside. I spotted a Santa cookie jar and Mr. & Mrs. Claus salt and pepper set that were in pristine shape and so awesome and unique.

Olivia Royale

 

 

This is Olivia Royale, owner and designer of The Art & Found Shop located at 117 East State Street at The Commons is a fair trade, sustainable clothing indie brand store that designs many of their clothes right in the store.  When asked what was trending, she said “Our plaid free flannel cardigan is because it is a style that is cozy and comfy especially as it is wore as a wrap.”

 

 

 

 

 

Tell us about your Favorite College Town Christmas….Happy Holidays!