DO TRY THIS AT HOME!

Photos by Sean Mallia

The saying goes ‘Don’t try this at home’. Well, for this time only, we suggest you try it. MONEY speaks to Nick Vassallo, project and construction manager, and Philip Farrugia, architect and interior designer, at Domos—an interior design and project management company that converts properties into luxurious and beautifully designed spaces.

Where did the name Domos come from?

Nick - Deciding on a name is always quite a challenge. We wanted to find a catchy name that would be not only easy to use within the business field, but also be relevant to what we offer. Initially, the name was a play on words related to providing a professional SERVICE for interior DESIGN and project MANAGEMENT uniquely and seamlessly, which derived from our core business philosophy. We also wanted our company name to be associated directly to our specialisations which are high end residential and commercial properties. So, the word ‘DoMoS’ which translates to ‘houses’ in Latin fitted in perfectly, finally establishing our company name.

What is the vision and background of the company? And how did this come to be what it is today?

Philip - The company was established in March 2016, through the collaboration between Nick Vassallo, a project and construction manager with more than a decade of experience in the field and Philip Farrugia, a young architect, who focuses on detailed design and high-quality interiors. They teamed up to offer their collective services to a niche clientele looking to take their project to another level by offering clients an overall service experience towards their final scope of creating their desired environment. Initially, what started as a two-person team from a single room in Valletta, progressed towards taking over the offices next door, and further expanding to eventually outgrow this space. In March 2018, Domos relocated to their current premises in Balzan, where their design and management studio is currently operating from.

How does your firm stand out from the rest when it comes to interior design? How do you leave your mark?

Philip - The process is handled by a team of qualified professionals throughout, where each phase is well-managed with extreme attention to detail to achieve the ultimate goals required by our clients. We are confident in our ability to communicate with our clients to obtain as much information as required to turn their vision into reality. Only after we fully understand our client’s also a vast client base each with its own needs, wants and ideas requirements, interests and style, can we give them a solution tailored specifically for them.

We feel fortunate to form part of a sector that is extremely diverse, not only due to the ever-changing design elements but

It’s finding the balance between upscale design and practicality that compels our clients to use our services—finally managing to create the clients’ unique space, which at times would only require those few personal touches to make the house their home.

Can you mention a project which is significant for your firm in terms of accomplishments?

Nick - One of our most satisfactory projects is a residential apartment recently completed in Valletta. We converted a then rundown, dark and gloomy apartment in the familiar Vincenti Buildings into a gem of a property for our client. Together with the clients remarkably sophisticated vision and refined tastes, we managed to achieve a unique balance, ultimately creating a peaceful flow throughout the entire luxurious property. This project is one of many residential properties we have proudly accomplished to date.

We have also had quite a few significant projects in the commercial field, including collaborations with firms such as well-known betting companies, gymnasiums, bars and clubs, restaurants and lidos.

The fact that most customers are turning to eCommerce websites to shop online leaving an impact on commercial and retail design jobs. Are such design jobs on the decline as a result, or is there still a good demand when it comes to engaging firms like yours to handle the design of commercial/retail outlets?

Philip - The eCommerce world does have its impact within our sector as it allows anyone to tap in and self-design space effortlessly and from the comfort of their own home. The critical part where we believe we can be beneficial is the implementation and fine-tuning the elements to work together. In this industry, achieving a balance between quality, time and cost is the trickiest factor. In our opinion, this is where a well-trained eye is useful—taking nothing away from the advances in the eCommerce world, which we too occasionally use to our clients’ advantage. There have been instances where a client requests a specific brand which is not available locally and therefore; we have used eCommerce to source accordingly.

What keeps you motivated in such a competitive industry?

Nick - We feel fortunate to form part of a sector that is extremely diverse, not only due to the ever-changing design elements but also a vast client base each with its own needs, wants and ideas. Our team is continuously craving new challenges which each project creates at every phase of the process, from the innovation of unique design features to coming up with quick and efficient solutions whilst managing the works on site. For us, this is what keeps us passionate and makes each new project just as exciting as the last.