CONVERSATIONS in Design Week Ja 2017 continued at ATL Home on Half- Way-Tree Road in Kingston yesterday evening with partners Victoria Mutual Building Society (VMBS) joining the Jamaica Observer in welcoming eager participants.

Coinciding with a pending launch of ATL’s Prism brand range of television and appliances, #DesignWeekJA2017 brought together designers, real estate professionals, marketers, and homeowners in a lively exposé and exchange of ideas.

Special guest Janelle Pantry-Coke, creative director of Spaces, urged participants in the Design Week conversation to consider functionality and efficiency in design.

“Purge,” she said. “Get rid of clutter, look at your space and decide what should be visible. ”Invest in a tape measure,” she advised. “Do not purchase furniture too big for your space.”

Meanwhile VMBS, in yesterday’s conversations, underlined the need to set specific monthly targets when saving for home purchase.

Assistance vice-president, sales, Conroy Rose explained that VMBS will sit with prospective home buyers to decide on a monthly saving amount while offering up to 97 per cent financing on mortgages.

And for her part, guest speaker Angeline Spencer of Angeline Spencer Home (ASH) eloquently promoted the idea of do-it-yourself projects in the home.

“I don’t see a difficulty in painting the walls myself, or wrapping the furniture,” she told Design Week guests.

“Your home is the largest investment you’ll make in a lifetime, and it should reflect the best of you,” Spencer shared.

#DesignWeekJA2017 kicked off on Sunday, September 24 with conversations at Ashley Furniture HomeStore in Liguanea.

The week’s conversations run until Saturday, September 30.

Spaces, located at Phoenix Avenue in Kingston 10, will have conversations in design today from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm, while Tile City & Kohler will have design consultations at their Constant Spring Road outlet with designer Joelle Smith tomorrow, September 29, and Saturday, September 30.

— Patrick Foster