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URBANDEV E L O P M E N T

CARMEN LATRELL

5D.I.Y. (do it yourself)tips straight from fresh new de-signer ...

absolute must have signaturepieces for any room

“oh heck no!”antler chandeliers

FLOWERSfor MEN?

MURALSthe new

wallpaper

urban deco or

CONTEMPORARY LIVING

PATTERNSPATTERNS

PATTERNS...Most people shy away from using patterns because of

the fear of doing the wrong thing. Thankfully, its easier than it seems. If you’re plan-

playing it safe, it is best to stick to patterns that have complementary colors within them. Earth tones never fail. They provide the unique quality and simplicity that every self-designer searches for in a compilation piece.

MURALS

by The Last Mochicans

CARMEN LATRELL

Do it yourself extraordinaire Carmen Latrell sat down with us to discuss how she got

started in this business to begin with. As a child she remembers being creative and artsy. “I al-ways saw a room as my very own empty canvas”, Carmen recollects a she spoke of the days when her mother let her play around the house. Her mother would hand her left over fabrics, being that she was a seamstress, and Carmen would carry her “swatches” everywhere trying to match things together. As biology major, Carmen has always been a focused individual. Her freshmen year she took a fashion and merchandizing class just for the heck of it. Her friends had astonishing reactions to her projects not to mention her apart-ment. I’ve always received compliments on my personal dwelling places. Friends have always suggested I take design up for a profession, but I never thought it would actually happen. A friend of my mother seen my apartment and asked me to decorate her room. I agreed, people asked all the time, but I had no idea she was serious. I ended up working for her and she loved it. From there a word of mouth business started. That was my first semester in college. Ever since then it has been an uphill journey. At first I took it slow doing a room for a friend here and there when I could find free time, but one day I just could not stop think-ing about what I would design next. That is how I knew. It consumed me and I couldn’t focused on anything else [laughs]. Oh God, my friends were so sick of me, but its okay now. They get the fam-ily discount.

How did you get started with inte-rior design and how long have you been in it?“I’ve always received compliments on my personal dwelling places. Friends have always suggested I take design up for a profession, but I never thought it would actually happen. A friend of my mother seen my apartment and asked me to decorate her room. I agreed, people asked all the time, but I had no idea she was serious. I ended up working for her and she loved it. From there a word of mouth business started. That was my first se-mester in college.”

What sparked your love for design?I always like doing my own thing and making something new, but when I dis-covered that other people wanted my advice too I was sold. From there, I actu-ally had to do my research because people took me seriously [laughs].

What has been your craziest re-quest?Oh my goodness. There was this one cou-ple that wanted me to include their col-lection of stuffed ferrets. No lie. They had ferrets as pets, all of which passed away and they got them stuffed and wanted me to decorate with them. Yea, I never touched those things.

How would you suggest our read-ers switch the game up?Statement pieces. I love, love, love state-ment pieces. They are slowly becoming essential for groundbreaking room de-signs. They don’t have to be elaborate as long as they tie into the overall ambience of the room. This one is fun but be sure not to over kill it.

What is your muse in starting a new project?I focus on what I want the room to feel like. From the lighting, to the color schemes, to a candle holder; if at anytime the feeling isn’t there, I know I’m doing something wrong and I gotta back-track.

In what way can a self-designer never go wrong?Personally, I’m not one to stick to the rules or stay inside the lines. As long as you remain true to yourself and your taste, it is hard to go wrong. Everyone cannot be a professional level designer, but everyone knows what he or she likes. Moderation is key. Especially when it comes to patterns and themes. To avoid too much confusion, multiple patterns should share a theme, and each room should be limited to only one theme.

Okay. You say its best to stay true to yourself, but what’s an ultimate no-no?Wall quotes. [Laughs] Ugh! Yes, I hate to say it. They’re cute today, hideous tomor-row. Sadly, they’re a trend that people love because it’s like personally stamping the wall with your favorite quote. The harm is, given a few months the fad is over and it looks outdated.

What’s the best advice you’d give to an aspiring designer?Use what you have. You’d be surprised how far creativity can take you. Also try to remember new doesn’t equal better. Hit up local re-sale shops and garage sales for odd items. They’ll be the one of-a-kind pieces that’ll set you apart.

FlowersMEN? orf

There’s a new epidemic sweeping centerpieces everywhere. Floral arrange-

ments just for men. Yeah, you heard right, flowers for men. These exotic

attractions are the newest fuss and they have good reason to be. They are

mostly made of tropical flowers, the most notable being the orchid. The

arrangements include an assortment of plants sometimes even with com-

plimentary bamboo uniquely packed in an one of a kind base. No need to

worry. This is for the mainly man the most elite men have been known to

order their monthly arrangement. The word “flower” no longer represents

a woman. This is a bold statement saying that it is okay to have an exotic

flower piece and still be a masculine man. So for the next special say for the

man in your life rethink your decision. May it be your father, your teacher,

or your boyfriend, it’ll be sure he’ll feel special.

THE

VERDICTIS IN

You all voted & the Antler Chand-eliers are a smash hit. There “the perfect way to bring the outdoors in“, as stated by one of our read-ers during the online poll. We agree! This new trend is a daring expression of love for the outdoors and it adds a wild touch while still keep-ing things clean and classy. Although, they’re the hottest new home accesory, they are quite hard to get a hold of. To hunt down this new item and make it yours, visit www.hangingchandeliers.com

Antlers vs. Chandeliers

CONTEMPORARY LIVING

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2.3.

4.

5.

6.

MUSTHAVES6

1. Elephat Floral Mural by Urban Outfitters

2. Contemporary SofaDaybed by BEDS R US

3. VIntage Coffee / End Tableby Urban Outfitters

4. Modern Orange Floral Chande-lier by Modern Lights

5. Retro Kente Kloth Rugby Zulu Kreations

6. Circular Woodgrass Mirror

MURALS

by The Last Mochicans