Day two of #DesignWeekJA2019 saw Merge: A Rebirth of Old, the interior design showcase with Angelie Spencer Home (ASH) principal Angelie Martin-Spencer collaborating with some of her favourite local designers and artisans — Tamara Harding of MaraMade Designs, Dana Baugh of BAUGHaus Design Studio, Victoria Silvera of Touch by VLS, Bianca Bovell of Norbrook Home, and David Myrie of Exquisite Wicker.

The evening, hosted at the Worthington at the Spanish Court hotel, began with a welcome by drennaLUNA designer Arlene Martin, and remarks by Design Week conceptualiser Novia McDonald-Whyte. However, before Martin-Spencer took to the stage to address her guests, a video of the interior designer’s Merge creative process was debuted. The short film, shot and edited by Slick Studios, was first-rate and an indica of what was to unfold that evening.

The execution of Merge was, in a word, exquisite. It was sort of event that one could easily experience at Heimtextil in Berlin, Art Basel Miami, Maison & Objet in Paris, or the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) in New York City.

Martin-Spencer was inspired by antique wallpaper and the idea of upcycling old furniture. These, merged with the contemporary work of local designers and artisans, resulted in an epic showcase of local design, talent and imagination.

Ceramicists Dana Baugh and Victoria Silvera showed both objets d’art and everyday pieces that would imbue life to even the most sombre of spaces. Tamara Harding showed her evolution as a furniture designer and though she’s still deft at using resin, had some new eye-catching (and envy-inducing) pieces. Bianca Bovell has parlayed her jewellery design skills into creating intricate home décor pieces that could comfortably sit beside Georg Jensen on the shelves at Selfridges. And the whimsical David Myrie again showed that wicker furniture is as beautiful as mahogany.

Merge will be discussed within design circles for years to come. It not only highlighted the talent that’s right here in Jamaica but also showed that local designers and artisans could pass muster against the best in the world.

Design Week JA 2019, presented by Kohler, is made possible with the support of Tile City, NHT, NCB, Rapid True Value, Berger, ARC Manufacturing Ltd, and the Spanish Court Hotel.