WHEN the owners of Main Street Rose Hall had visions of transforming a space into a three-bedroom apartment where short-term guests can feel at home, they called in the big names — a veritable who’s who of design and architecture.

Oppein Jamaica worked its magic on closets and cabinetry to perfectly complement elegant pieces by FurnitureLand Jamaica. They worked alongside design-oriented architectural firm Atelier Vidal Limited, which has carved out a reputation in the resort living niche. The result was unveiled during a Design Week event in Montego Bay, St James, last Wednesday.

But, as Design Week conceptualiser Novia McDonald Whyte pointed out, homeowners with a more modest budget than villa and hotel owners can also get inspiration from events such as the one that attracted the western city’s movers and shakers.

“Let’s be practical and realistic. How many people can knock down and create a wing just for their shoes? So you come, and you are inspired. You come and you look and you say, ‘Okay, this is how I can do it. I don’t have that elaborate space but I can do this,’ ” suggested Whyte, who is also the Jamaica Observer’s senior associate editor, lifestyle & social content.

“That’s why the consultations are important, because you can ask and they will downsize. Or, for your second home you may want something bigger. It’s about living; it’s about making yourself comfortable,” she added.

Oppein CEO Tanya Buxani agrees on the importance of consultation; it’s an opportunity for her clients to share their uniquely personal point of view.

“We basically bring dreams into reality when it comes to perfecting the home design. We work with a variety of different clients, different personalities, different tastes, different wants, and we take into consideration functionality of space,” she told the Jamaica Observer on the sidelines of the event.

“It’s really about lifestyle. It’s: How do you want to live your life within your space so that you feel comfortable, you love what you have, everything is organised and it just brings a peace of mind? We’re looking at perfecting lifestyle at home,” she added.

In its 30th year, Oppein offers custom-made pieces for clients who want that one-of-a-kind item. For that level of service, Buxani stressed, clients must plan ahead. From design to installation, a project can take six to eight months.

“Please come to us early. Come and really talk to us about what your vision is. It takes time. It takes thought. It takes a full design process to get to the vision that we all agree to — the common goal — so, don’t wait too late,” she urged. “And it’s also good to come with some inspiration to guide the design process.”

It takes less time if stock items for the kitchen — Oppein has four finish options to choose from — or their elevated walk-in closet line are used instead of custom-made pieces. Services can also be tailored to fit clients’ budgets.

“If we’re aware of your budget, we make it work. We’re going to recommend the right finishes for that budget, and accessories that are affordable within your budget,” the Oppein CEO assured. “[Within] two to four weeks you can have a kitchen and you can have a walk-in closet.”

The company’s pieces are sleekly elegant — not surprising as their manufacturing machinery and software are German.

“We use amazing hardware from Austria and Germany also,” Buxani added.

It showed in the apartment unveiled at Main Street Rose Hall, and the Jamaica Observer’s Managing Director Dominic Beaubrun was among those impressed by the work done by Oppein, FurnitureLand, and Atalier Vidal.

“[It’s] an intelligent use of space with an artistic flair that is tastefully done in a manner that I’ve not seen before, in terms of the level of finish. The economy of the use of space in a minimalist manner, I think, is beautiful. The workmanship is fantastic; I’ve not seen something like that in the Caribbean with this level of planning and design,” he said.

Each bedroom has an en suite bathroom, floating TV unit, and vanity/desk combination. There is also a kitchen and living room space plus a laundry room with stacked washer and dryer. Closets are accessorised with in-built drawer safes, lattice drawers for trinkets, and pull-out drawers for shoes. The space is given depth and texture through the use of materials such as melamine, lacquer, PVC and aluminium — and it is illuminated to perfection with integrated lighting.

“It is really something to behold because this is the capability that is domestic, that can be showcased and shown to planners, developers, even first-time homebuyers,” Beaubrun added.

Asked for advice on what’s trending but can still withstand the passage of time, Oppein’s Buxani pointed to the smart use of colour.

“I would go with a neutral palette that can last the test of time, so let’s not go crazy. I’m not saying a pop of colour is not important. It is important, but I would say stick with a more neutral palette, and then you’re gonna appreciate it for a longer period of time,” she said.

For more advice, clients are encouraged to make an appointment to stop by Oppein’s Manor Centre showroom in Kingston.

“We like to tailor the conversations and give you time to discuss requirements so book an appointment and come by our showroom; we’ll happily give you a tour,” added Buxani.