A creative passion

Krysta Anderson, Lifestyle Writer

Growing up, Doreen Francis never dreamed of becoming an interior decorator. Moving to Canada as a teenager, after completing her studies, she embarked on a profession in real estate. She described her tenure as a realtor as one of very hard work and little rewards.

However, a letter from her sister changed all this. "My sister worked as an au pair for an architect and, after reading her letter about her journey, I found the details of her employer's profession so fascinating that I began thinking about going in a new direction. This motivated me to become an interior decorator," she explained to Outlook.

After making the switch, Francis was motivated and became a leader in the field in Canada. Dedicating 35 fulfilling years to her new craft, Francis learnt from the ground up. After receiving her certification, she became a member of numerous advisory boards. Some of these involvements included; the interior decorating programmes at Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, and Humber College Institute of Technology & Advanced Learning, and the director of the Durham Local Training Board as a business adviser. Francis has played, a major part in developing and institutionalising interior decorating at the academic level as a degree programme in Canada.

Constructive Turnaround

During her numerous visits to her mother in Mandeville, Manchester, Francis began renovations on the house, she noticed a young man working with concrete, a material she was not fond of, but she was a fan of dry walls. "Concrete is just so cold and rigid. So much can be done if the dry-wall process is used instead." However, she was so impressed with his talent with raw material, she answered another calling - training. "I offered him an opportunity to pay for him to go back to night school, only if he gave me the opportunity to train him and hone his craft. I also made the same offer to another young man, and they both accepted. So, I went back to Canada, packed my bags and came back to Jamaica, not as a visitor, but as a resident."

One year and six months later, she told Outlook, her return has been a journey. "It has been a journey. I came back quicker than I thought I would, and it was an adjustment having left Jamaica in 1966. Jamaica did not really feel like home to me, because I had left when I was so young. I was also running a successful interior decorating business in Ontario. I came back to Jamaica for my mom, but I also wanted to make it my mission to impart my knowledge, build a better life for young people, and help Jamaicans as best as I possibly could." Francis is currently training three students, two males and one female. She also started her own events decor business, Elegant Events and Designs, based in Mandeville, her new home.

She told Outlook that events decor was her best viable option rather than interior decorating, because the Jamaican interior decorating industry is not as organised as it is in Canada. She focuses on teaching the principles of decorating. Having worked in the system as well as having her private practice, her students receive hands-on learning experience of colour scheme, planning and organising events - theoretical and practical. Most important, the training her students receive aids them in developing and appreciating the concept of work, which she says is lacking in the modern Jamaican society. "Without training, the society will not be empowered enough to survive and succeed at a higher level. We need to educate people and I find that people are not given that opportunity because of their location. Let us look at work and what work entails. Environment plays a major role in influencing this, and when the parents do not work, then the students are not motivated to do so or they do not develop good work ethics, as they do not fully understand the concept of work. Let us address this as a nation."

In everything, Francis does it at the highest level. "We decorate at the highest level, utilising North American décor right out of the magazine, with a twist in our designs. We also do traditional and contemporary floral arrangements and lighting, and quality customer service is integral. We cater to all the event-planning needs of our clients."

Francis provides décor and event planning services through her company to her Jamaican clientele, "We have a showroom. Here, that is all about the current trends, the glitz and glam, which range from faux crystals to glitter limestone and rhinestone embellishments.

Signature Style

Francis also has her own unique personal style and is hardly seen without her hat. Her relationship with hats developed quite by accident. As she explains to Outlook, "I needed a makeover and contacted a wardrobes specialist. She tried everything, even jewellery, but it never seemed to work with me. Then she introduced the hats and I just loved it. My fondest memory of hats is of Jamaican women wearing their elegant hats to church on a Saturday or Sunday morning, and being a Christian. I appreciated that style. "

Wearing hats in Europe, France Italy, United Kingdom had another significance, which paid off for Francis. "Hats in Europe are directly affiliated with the queen and the women of the royal family, who are known for wearing hats. As I wore these hats to all these important meetings, I found that I got a lot more respect because they were closely associated with royalty."

Future Plans

Francis wants to develop the training in Jamaica, as well as become a motivational speaker, teaching life skills that people can use to function properly in society, and spreading her knowledge and passion for design to others who are in need of her services. "We, as a country, have to wake up before we get stuck even further behind," and that is why she is here to help.