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This Sunday, our friends at Able Collective are hosting a fundraising event to aid Syrian refugees that have either been displaced or trapped by the violent civil war in Syria. For Our Neighbors will happen from 2pm-7pm at Handsome Coffee Roasters in downtown LA and will include music, food trucks, artisan beer and wine, a gift market, and an appearance by activist Sara Jawhari.

One-third of Syria's population has been driven from their homes by violent conflict, including 5 million people who remain inside Syria and 2 million who have fled across the borders.

This weekend, take the opportunity to join your local community to support a community that is facing violence, disaster, and displacement. We here at The Work Mag encourage you to do your part as a global citizen-- any action, no matter how small, is still an action.

For Our Neighbors- Aid to Syrian Refugees Sunday September 29, 2013

2pm- 7pm Handsome Coffee Roasters

582 Mateo St

Los Angeles, CA 90013

What do you do?

Avenue Interior Design specializes in full service hospitality based interior design for bars, restaurants, nightclubs and hotels nationally.  We also have a fun blog/designer resource website, I Heart Design by Avenue where we take an inspiration image and select furnishings, lighting and accessories from online sources and build a (hypothetical) room around that image.

How did you get to where you are now?

AD (Andrea DeRosa): A lot of hard work and equally as much luck. My family really nurtured my creativity growing up - my bedroom became my unofficial first project when we moved to a new home when I was 7 and it evolved constantly throughout my teens. I've never second-guessed my career path. As business owners, we've been extremely fortunate to have a number of established companies who've embraced our style and the way we work. AM (Ashley Manhan): Hard work. Starting your own business definitely takes a lot of dedication and hours. I’m a firm believer in putting in the time and never being too entitled to get my hands dirty. I came from a good family with strong values and a great worth ethic, so I always wanted to follow in those footsteps.

What made you turn to this direction?

AD: Like many industries, interior design came to a near halt in 2009.  We created the I Heart Design brand to cater to the cost conscious residential market during the lagging economy while we worked on securing our first hospitality client. AM: I've always wanted to have a company of my own but I knew I needed experience in my field. When the time was right I couldn't wait to be my own boss.

Was this always your dream job?

AD: Being able to work in any design related industry is really a dream. You're constantly traveling, meeting other designers and the industry is always in a state of flux. It's great to be in an industry where constant change is encouraged. AM:  Yes! 100%

How much of the week is work, how much is play? AD: The line between work and play is often fuzzy. We work long hours, especially on job sites.  But it’s always a novelty to be away from home and we make sure to immerse ourselves in the culture wherever our projects take us. AM: Thankfully my business partner, Andrea, has quickly become one of my greatest friends. When we're at the office staying until midnight it never feels like work. Do you listen to music during your workday? AD: Absolutely. Anything goes and it is usually dependent on what we're working on.   AM: We live in pandora, switching stations throughout the day.

How do you find your inspiration and do you find it easy to stay organized?

AD: Fashion is a huge source of inspiration for us. We love experimenting with color, texture and pattern, which is largely driven by the fashion industry. Architecture is also a great subject to draw from. Staying organized is imperative but luckily we love to organize- it's a trait our clients highly value. AM: I definitely find inspiration everywhere, fashion, travel, etc. Lately I've loved finding it in artwork, new and old, you can never go wrong taking things from history.  I find it pretty easy to stay organized, because I have no choice! Having order keeps me sane, it’s definitely not a chore.

How important is your work, and do you feel it defines you?

AD: My work is hugely important to me. It's beyond rewarding to see a project successfully installed and well received by both the client and the public. But my work doesn't define me. If anything, I would I say I define it.   AM: My work is very important at this time in my life because I know I'm just at the beginning, building everything I want. Of course it may define part of me but family, friends and love are always going to be the priority.

What has been the most exciting thing you have done with your work, and what is a dream situation you'd like to find yourself in?

AD: Securing a new client and seeing that first project realized is the best. A new aesthetic to engage is always exciting. Entering into the world of product development would be a dream! Furniture, fabric, accessories, we want to do it all. AM: Seeing a design come to life is a pretty rewarding experience, most recently I've been installing the SLS South Beach, running around the hotel unpacking furniture with a giant smile on my face. I feel like a kid in a candy store, but with expensive furniture from Paris.

How do you define your personal style, work and clothing, etc. AD: It's hard define. It's different every day and across the board- my personal style, my work and my clothing differs greatly. My style/clothing is generally relaxed and fun. My work is high paced and I take it much more seriously.   AM: I believe my personal style is always evolving. With my clothing it depends on the day and mood, sometimes I take a more casual bohemian approach, other days I love a feminine tailored look. With my work I try and be as diverse as possible, appreciating all styles.

What's something someone may not know about you? AD: I'm obsessed with lip gloss. I cannot live without it. AM:  I love to cook to dinner for friends and will take any chance to make a meal. I also love jack russell terriers, especially mine, Stuart.

Anything else you would like to say or for us to know?

AD: I'm typing these answers under the blazing Miami sun at our current project de jour, SLS South Beach. It's all a dream.

Lastly, contact info:

www.iheartdesignbyavenue.com

ROARK // SS 2012 Everyday more and more young designers are pushing the boundaries on how they choose to create brand awareness. You kind of have to these days. So much of everything has been done and our attention spans are about as long as my furry stepson's, on a hot day, while sitting in the sun. ROARK is one of those brands that holds my attention. If it isn't through their interesting and innovative clothing design, it's through their brand identity and lifestyle. They are a strong group of genuinely kind people with a creative bond. Check out their latest creative gem. ROARK is a design collective living in Los Angeles, California. This is their Spring / Summer campaign video, directed by Michael Rothman and styled by Douglas Vanlaningham. The collection "Flight" speaks on behalf of evolution of the self. It honors the struggles and celebrates the victories that come with individual progression. Collection is available in Berlin, London, Moscow, Los Angeles, Seattle.

You remember our Sitting with Electric Flower, RIGHT?  Well they just released their first single as a band here : GET IT!  Electric Flower is Imaad Wasif (Lowercase, The New Folk Implosion and was a touring member of the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s) and Josh Garza (Secret Machines).

Be sure to support artists that make your arms, legs, and brains move!