Summer Shows & What We Saw

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This week New York was bursting with more creativity than usual with multiple trade shows across town. Our team split our time between showcasing our own art at PrintSource and scoping out the latest retail collections at NYNow and Shoppe Object. Keep reading to see a few of the trends we spotted along with some of our favorite finds!

Conscious Design

One of the best things we saw trending at the shows was a commitment to being environmentally conscious. Products that replace single-use items, use sustainable materials, and can be reused or disposed of in an earth-friendly way were highlighted.

Colorful, sculptural water bottles and reusable straws made of silicone, metal, and glass make re-use fun with options to match your personality

A popular material showcased in travel cups and food containers uses bamboo pulp from recycled chopsticks mixed with melamine.

Recycled glass is making a comeback while cork gets a modern makeover
Colors pulled from the earth influenced items in browns, clay pinks, terracotta, and sage
Modern terracotta planter

Have Some Fun

Playful products in fresh colors, fun materials, and unexpected shapes remind us all to have a little more fun

An abundance of tinted glassware replaces clear, colorless drinkware and vases
A magnetic glaze makes these ceramic pencil holders (or bud vases!) even more useful
Straining pasta brings us a sense of peace, too
We first spotted these lights in Paris at Merci and were so excited to find them in the States – they’re made from real bread and are lightweight, mobile lights for what’s sure to be an illuminating conversation stater
This is not your average Christmas – and we couldn’t be more excited about it. Bring on the magic!

The Color Factory Recap

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We have been to just about every pop-up in NYC…

Rosé Mansion

29 Rooms

The Museum of Pizza

Dream Machine

Candytopia

Deadpool 2: Believe in your Selfie Museum 

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…and we have to say that The Color Factory comes in as #1 on our list for many reasons!  The coolest thing about our adventure was that they implemented scannable QR Codes where a professional camera will snap your photo and send it straight to your email. Less time on your phone = more time enjoying the experience with your friends!

We wanted to share with you some of our favorite moments from our time there…

Tickets are still on sale through October 14th. CLICK HERE to get your own!

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Have you been to The Color Factory yet?

Check out our massive highlight on our Instagram @designworksinternational to see more photos and videos!

In the name of print & pattern,

DW

It’s All in the Details

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Denim is getting a 𝖗𝖊𝖛𝖆𝖒𝖕 with 𝕖𝕞𝕓𝕖𝕝𝕝𝕚𝕤𝕙𝕞𝕖𝕟𝕥𝕤, 𝚝𝚛𝚒𝚖, and sparkles that are making them statement pieces in every wardrobe. Patches or tassels are added to make jeans unique and express peoples personal aesthetic! The details matter and we love to be inspired by people’s creations.

Here are some favorites:

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What denim pieces are you currently loving? 💕

In the name of print & pattern,

DW

Do it for the AmsterGRAM

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What a time! We spent a few days in Amsterdam last week and were floored by how much culture, beauty, and fun the city has to offer. Of course, the city has a reputation for its nightlife and lax culture, but looking beyond that, there was so much inspiration around every corner. We were having so much fun, that we barely even picked up our phone to Instagram & share our experiences with our followers… which is why we thought we would update you through this quick blog post!

Here are some of our top 5 favorite things about Amsterdam:

Vincent van Gogh Museum: The not so hidden gem of the city. We spent over 3 hours here exploring and learning all about Van Gogh’s life and artistic history.

Droog: A very cool gallery/store/coffee shop/garden. If you go to Amsterdam, check it out and have some homemade ice cream!

Trend Spotting: Around every corner, there was a new pattern, substrate, or icon to see.

SkyLounge: Rooftop Bar of the Hilton to see all the ~views~ of the city.

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Canals: What the city is known for…every street a picturesque moment.

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In the name of print & pattern,

DW

How to Add a POP of Color to Any Outfit

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If you struggle with boring outfits, this is the article for you! It’s easy to add a POP of color to your wardrobe so that you can show the world your ~fun~ side. All you need is a few simple accessories, creativity, and your beautiful self!

Colors and textures can catch the attention of anyone and there are endless possibilities to take your outfit to the next level!  Take these tips to look colorful at your next outing. 

EARRINGS: Earrings can be a statement, so why not make them FUN! Pom-pom and tassel earrings are my favorite because they come in so many colors. Here are some for inspiration.

 

 

ESPADRILLES: Espadrilles are a huge trend this summer because they are cute and comfortable. They can easily change a bland outfit! Here are some of my favorites.

 

 

BANDANAS: Bandanas are inexpensive, colorful and can complete any outfit. They can be used as a headband for a bad hair day or even function as a unique belt!

 

 

Hope these tips inspired you to live life colorfully!

In the name of print & pattern,

DW

Trend Spotting at ICFF: Color

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We eat, breathe, and live color here in the studio and peeping color trends coming to market is a really exciting thing for us. But even if you’re not as into the ins and outs of color as we are, we have some cool new products to share with you that just happen to be in some pretty happening hues for 2019. Keep an eye out in the coming year for some of the shades seen below.ICFF Trends 2.001.jpeg

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Trend Spotting at ICFF: Fresh Ideas

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Last week our trend scouting team attended the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (or ICFF, since that is quite a mouthful) here in the city and we spotted some great color, beautiful materials, and unique ideas for everything from furniture and lighting to outdoor sets and floor coverings. We’ll be highlighting some of our favorite trends this week in a series of posts and we want to kick off with a recap of our favorite fresh ideas.

ICFF Trends.003.jpeg Rounded ends, overstuffed shapes, and soft curves are making their mark on everything from sofas and ottomans to bookshelves and mirrors. Unexpected and organically shaped, these pieces make a sculptural statement while also looking oh-so-comfy.

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Reminiscent of building blocks or totems, stacked effects are showing up on furniture and accessories. We love this technique for an opportunity to add dimension or showcase mixed materials.

ICFF Trends.002.jpegA new company we met for the first time is Coquo, who specializes in freestanding, modular kitchen pieces that can accommodate appliances and be unified by whatever countertop you please. Check out the incredible space they created in a New York apartment below. We’ll take one in each finish, please!

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ICFF Trends.001.jpegOne last favorite for now, since summertime is upon us, is this great freestanding outdoor kitchen unit in a concrete-look finish. That planter on the end (and those baguettes) had us dreaming of fresh ingredients, icy drinks, and a summer cookout.

Stay tuned for our post on color later this week.

 

Pets > People

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If you do a quick google search on millennials and pets, you will get results like this…

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Honestly, it is not that surprising. The $69 billion pet industry has already grown three times larger than its size in 1996, and Millennials are fueling the increase. Pets are being deemed the “starter children” for millennials because of cost, freedom, and fuzzy cuteness factors. This “pets > people” mentality is directly affecting pet product.

 

 

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Pet owners want customization options and fun print & pattern on everything from collars to dog & cat beds. Here are some of our fav inspiration photos and AWESOME Pet Products.

 

 

 

Hope this inspires you for your own furry friend!

In the name of print, pattern, & pets,

DW