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,

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!

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,

Trend Alert! Neon

Posted on February 13, 2015 by Design Works International

Just in time for Valentine’s Day!

We’re spot on with the trends. Here is a sneak peek at some brand new pieces in our collection.

Trending not only in interiors with self expression through personal neon lights, but also in the art scene at Art Basel in Miami.

A Brand New Year

Posted on January 7, 2015 by Design Works International

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

Who Makes the Best Santa?

Posted on December 19, 2014 by Design Works International

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Wait a second or two… Study the photos! Pick your favorite!

Happy Holidays 2015

Posted on December 17, 2014 by Design Works International

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Traveling Trends; A College Town Christmas

Posted on December 16, 2014 by Design Works International

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

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

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!

25 Years In… And We Still Hand Paint

Posted on November 21, 2014 by Design Works International

We are getting in the spirit a little early this year with our HAND PAINTED Holiday Collections. Twenty-five years ago, Design Works International started as a hand paint design studio. The brush and pencil were the tools of the day. Now, technology has affected every aspect of our lives, including what we do here and we are PROUD to say that we are still hand painting many of our designs.

Whether you are influenced by classical or modern artists, being able to create traditionally is essential. From the Cubist portraits by Picasso and Salvador Dali’s Surrealist creations at The Museum of Modern Art, we look to the brush for inspiration.

The Metropolitan Museum of art just opened their exhibit “Madame Cezanne” to showcase the artist’s most painted model. While at the Met we can also find John Singer Sargent’s most important works as well, which include an extensive collection of gorgeous watercolors.

Design Works Intl

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

Tag Archives: Holiday

Dreaming of a Rose Gold Christmas

Featured

8 Ways to Celebrate the Holidays in NYC

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

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