Meet Carmen De La Paz, Interior Designer, Carpenter, Decorative Painter, Stone/Tile Artist and Professional Cook. She is owner of De La Paz designs, an interior/exterior design and decorative paint studio specializing in designs featuring decorative finishes and custom furniture for both residential/commercial interior and exterior designs. A “hands on designer,” Carmen does all of her work and handles power tools, a paintbrush, as well as pots and pans.
With years of experience in the design industry and a true talent for colors and textures, Carmen has extensive knowledge in techniques ranging from Venetian Plaster, Wood Graining, Gilding, Stenciling and Furniture Refinishing. Along with a vast knowledge in decorative paint, Carmen has extensive carpentry and craftsmanship skills including stone, cement and tile work. Carmen has designed spaces in Los Angeles, New York City and her hometown of Waukesha, WI. Including residential and commercial.
Carmen is currently in production for the fourth season of the highly rated HGTV makeover series, Hammer Heads (airing Saturday mornings @10:30 AM/PST). With the new season premiering in April, Carmen rejoins fellow carpenters, Steve Hanneman and Marcus Hunt, highlighting her arsenal of decorative textures and finishes along with her carpentry and masonry skills. With every episode the trio creates new ideas and projects starting with and inspired by wood.
Carmen is thrilled to be included in more exciting HGTV projects airing in 2009. Tune in May to watch Carmen help a family attempt to win their dream in the highly anticipated HGTV’s 250K Challenge. Also this summer, catch Carmen’s appearance as the only female carpenter on the next season of HGTV’s Show Down.
Carmen brings the female perspective to the combination of power tools, design and “the concept of “do-it-yourself” – including: tips and tricks for creative woodwork, masonry and decorative textures. HGTV has also featured Carmen’s expert commentary on HGTV’s 25 Worst Landscaping Techniques and HGTV’s 25 Worst Renovation Mistakes.
Not new to combining her creative talents in front of the camera, Carmen has appeared as an expert guest on NBC’s TODAY SHOW – Weekend Edition, demonstrating a series of “Cool Winter Gadgets”
Carmen can also been seen as co-host in John Lithgow’s – Paloozaville - on Magrack. As Mr. Lithgow’s side-kick in the character, Suza Palooza, Carmen guides children and parents through creative ways of learning, in this “how-to” children’s television show based on the book “Palooza,” written by well known actor John Lithgow.
Mientras No Estabas, airing on Discovery Español, features Carmen as the carpenter of the Spanish Language version of the hugely popular make-over show “While You Were Out.” Carmen can also be found on Discovery Español as the host to a series of “How To” vignettes full of ideas for the home called Ideas Para La Casa.
Carmen has also appeared in Holiday Home Invasion for WE Network (Women’s Entertainment Network) as designer and craft expert for an extreme Christmas Makeover full of holiday tips and tricks. Other credits include: Hostess FOX Television’s Children’s show The DJ KAT Show, Broadway Debut at New York City Lincoln Center in the production, “In the Summer House” starring Diane Weist, Liev Schreiber and Frances Conroy.
Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and raised in Wisconsin (yes, there are Puerto Ricans in WI) Carmen is full of pride for her culture and background. An Alumni of Syracuse University, Carmen holds a BFA in Music Theatre. Carmen also studied Broadcast Journalism though the UCLA Certificate program. Also a musician, Carmen plays nine instruments and has an amazing vocal style.
Whether it’s a home renovation project, the flavoring of a sumptuous dish or just little things that can make life easier, Carmen shares tips and ideas with ease, revealing her knowledge comes from practical, hands-on experience. Inspiring viewers to creatively think outside the dots, with the belief anything is possible because, as Carmen would put it…
“We are limited only by our creativity.”
