DeZign Diva Karen Booker was woven into the conversation for day five of the Jamaica Observer Design Week JA 2018, presented by Kohler.

In attendance at Booker’s presentation, Happiness by Design, held at her 2,000-sq-foot full-service interior design practice at 96 Hope Road, was a gathering of influencers, design enthusiasts, young professionals and creatives.

Design Week JA 2018 conceptualiser Novia McDonald-Whyte led the welcome, then handed over to performing group Tribe Sankofa’s founder/artistic director Fabian Thomas, who interpreted the Happiness by Design theme with a thought-provoking conversation on loving self, loving others and by extension life. ‘Irregardless’ of the many challenges meted out.

In her delivery, Booker stressed the importance of “creating functional yet aesthetically pleasing environments for today’s lifestyle” that transcend tomorrow, challenging patrons to “shed the baggage, burdens, and trials, and step into joy” in order to “happy up yuhself” — #declutterandcomeagain. The DeZign Diva’s major key to decluttering is “…if one thing comes in (ie a new purchase), two must be going out”.

Before closing out the short and sweet address, Booker reminded that her 12 Ocean Boulevard showroom was still in operation, and encouraged regular trips to downtown Kingston in efforts to transform the once-popular social destination.

Entertainer DiMario McDowell ushered in the unveiling of the DeZign Diva Fall 2018 Brand Jamaica Signature Collection with Pharrell’s Happy. Guests enjoyed scrumptious hors d’oeuvres catered by Chef Christian Sweeney and Wisynco-sponsored libations in between conversations about the new collection which features 96” drapes and 20” embellished accent pillows, and throws.