HOMEWORKS 82

ISSUE 74 AUGUST 2015

ISSUE 82

INSPIRATION IMPROVEMENT STYLE

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THE PARED BACK THE ARCHITECTS ISSUE ISSUE + kitchen & dining special

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Italian Masterpieces GRANTORINO SOFA. DESIGNED BY J.M. MASSAUD. SALONE DONNA ELENA, PALAZZO CORSINI, FIRENZE. poltronafrau.com

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O 10 PE th N -1 WE 2t E h KE M N ar D ch

THE GREATEST SUCCESS IN THE KITCHEN IS TO FILL YOUR STOMACH WITH IMAGINATION

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CONTENTS HW

® ISSUE 82 MARCH 2017

042 COVER STORY A LONG STORY - An elongated shape that needed smart thinking to turn it into modern, stream-lined yet comfortable family home

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contents

Reader letters and competition Edit – News My Design Life – Mike Ross Home 1: Homexperiment Home 2: A Long Story Home 3: Rooms with a view Home 4: Cool, calm & collected Kitchen special Shop Lifestyle news Gardening - Glass houses Food and wine - Eastern promise Travel – Take the Waters Address book Essential suppliers Back Story - String® 007

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Surfacing the most beautiful homes

The Factory, Mosta Road, Lija. T: 21 433636 www.halmannvella.com

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EDITOR’S LETTER HW

This Issue.

Welcome to our first issue of 2017.

As always, starting over in a new year makes you think afresh and so this issue’s theme is how to live a less cluttered life, with a home that encourages a calmer frame of mind and a sense of tranquility. From our ongoing appreciation of Scandi style, to our increasing love of wooden floors to the decluttering tips - think joy! - of Japanese expert Marie Kondo, this issue gives you lots of ideas for paring back.

The homes in this issue all have a sense of calmness, with a great deal of thinking having gone in to creating spaces that look good and work well, allowing the everyday things of life to be stored neatly, and when necessary, out of sight.

This issue also features a kitchen special, to help you design this most important room in the home. With pages of inspiration plus design advice from an expert architect, you can get planning right now!

PUBLISHER MARC SPITERI HOMEWORKS is published by Writeon Limited. and is a registered trademark of Writeon Limited. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the Publisher is prohibited. All rights reserved. Dates, information and prices quoted are believed to be correct at time of going to press but are subject to change and no responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions. Neither the editor no publisher accept responsibility for any material submitted, whether photographic or otherwise. While we endeavour to ensure that firms and organisations mentioned are reputable, the editor can give no guarantee that they will fulfil their obligations under all circumstances. © 2017

EDITOR RACHEL LOOS PUBLICATION COORDINATOR MARIA ROSA TANTI ART DIRECTOR MARC SPITERI DESIGN JONATHAN RYAN PHOTOGRAPHY CHRIS BRIFFA ALAN CARVILLE

GREG COX HAARALA HAMILTON MICKY HOYLE MAS DAVID PISANI LUIS RODRIGUEZ ELISA VON BROCKDORFF CONTRIBUTORS SVEN ALBERDING JUSTINE BARTOLO KONRAD BUHAGIAR SABRINA GHAYOUR LISA GWEN BALDACCHINO HOLLY KNOWLES GEORGES MEEKERS MARIA MERCIECA GRAHAM WOOD FRANK MOSES

SALES & MARKETING ROBIN MILLS +356 2133 9999 +356 9933 2224 sales@homeworks.com.mt PRE-PRESS & PRINTING PROGRESS PRESS DISTRIBUTION MILLER DISTRIBUTORS POSTAL ADDRESS / E-MAIL WRITEON LTD. 89 TIGNÉ STREET, LEVEL 2, SLM3170, MALTA info@homeworks.com.mt

GET IN TOUCH HOMEWORKS is distributed to all outlets that carry the Sunday newspapers. We’d love to hear your opinions - what you love, what you love less, and what you’d like to see more of! Email us on info@homeworks.com.mt 009

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The research of equilibrium between design and comfort is the key element to a great kitchen. Artika – its shapes convey harmony and simplicity. Perfect spaces are created for a family that demands freedom of movement in the most important part of the house.

Flamingo Complex, Cannon Road, Qormi Appliances: 2279 4205 / 2279 4216 Furniture: 2279 4207 / 2279 4217

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READER’S RESPONSE HW ®

GIVE US YOUR FEEDBACK AND WIN FORWARD YOUR IDEAS OUTLINING WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE PUBLISHED IN HOMEWORKS. THE PERSON SUBMITTING THE MOST INTERESTING IDEA OR CONCEPT WILL RECEIVE ‘THE HOMEWORKS BOOK - A COLLECTION OF CONTEMPORARY MALTESE INTERIORS AND ARCHITECTURE, WITH OVER 300 PAGES OF VIBRANT AND STUNNING PHOTOGRAPHY, WORTH €40.

Send your ideas to: HOMEWORKS Feedback, Writeon Ltd., 89 Tigné Street, Level 2, Sliema, SLM 3170, Malta or email: info@homeworks.com.mt

ISSUE 81

WINNER A complete range of vehicles

INSPIRATION IMPROVEMENT STYLE

for all your needs • Kangoo available as a panel van capable of carrying a load of 800kg or a crew van for 5 people.

• Trafic and Master available as Panel Vans with a loading capacity of 1030kg to 1540kg.

• Trafic and Master are also available as passenger vans with 8+1 or 16+1 seating configuration respectively.

BERTU AQUILINA IS THE WINNER OF THE HOMEWORKS BOOK - A COLLECTION OF CONTEMPORARY MALTESE INTERIORS AND ARCHITECTURE, WITH OVER 300 PAGES OF VIBRANT AND STUNNING PHOTOGRAPHY, WORTH €40.

Reg. No. S063

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Seller of Vans Kind’s

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ISSUE 81 NOVEMBER 2016

Still Europe’s No.1

Auto Sales Ltd - Kind’s Mosta Road, Lija LJA 9011. Tel: 23311126 / 23311131 Mgarr Road, Xewkija XWK 9012. Tel: 21550962 Email: sales@autosales.com.mt

ISSUE 81

BERTU WROTE: THE SMALL SPACES ISSUE

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“I think it would be interesting to show the readers of the magazine the progress of a house or a room starting from the room/house in shell form to the final product giving details of the processes one must go through sequentially”

HOMEWORKS

ONLINE AND ON YOUR MOBILE FIND IN-DEPTH FEATURES THAT CAN’T BE FOUND IN THE MAGAZINE, UNCOVERING INSPIRING INTERIORS, ARCHITECT-DESIGNED HOMES AND THE LATEST NEW PRODUCTS. YOU CAN ALSO READ ALL THE MAGAZINE ISSUES ONLINE. DON’T MISS OUT ON THE EXCITING NEW WAY TO BRING YOU MORE INSPIRATION, INNOVATION AND STYLE. VISIT

WWW.HOMEWORKS.COM.MT

NEEDS YOU! Readers are invited to submit interesting photographs and a brief description of their homes, which may be distinct in their architectural design. Of particular interest are homes that offer outstanding elements of both interior and exterior living spaces.

HOMEWORKS will select the best

submissions for future features.

Send a photo and information to the attention of: The Editor, info@homeworks.com.mt

SOCIAL MEDIA

www.facebook.com/HOMEWORKSMALTA www.twitter.com/HOMEWORKSMalta www.pinterest.com/homeworksmalta 011

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THE EDIT NEWS

TRENDS

ADVICE

SHOPPING

PEOPLE

HOT DESKING An organised frame of mind is always helped along by a great desk and the Fred by Potrona Frau is certainly a beauty. Light-weight, it has an uninterrupted leather surface that curves to the front without any supports. The frame and desk drawer are solid ash, stained a smart wenge shade, the latter mounted on metal soft-close runners. Team it with the Ginger chair for a total look. Satariano Home.

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THE EDIT HW

S C A N D I S AGA

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Our love of Scandi style shows no sign of abating - its pared back yet warm design aesthetic continues to dominate the design world as well as homes where an unfussy yet chic look is desired.

Danish brand BoConcept (from Brands International) has long been known for its quiet elegance, epitomised by the design classic Imola chair (3). From the new collection, the Florence dining chairs (2) come in a range of colours and leg options, the design pushing the limits of what can be done with standard veneer to create a comfortable chair that is also stackable.

The Jazz sideboard (5) plays with finishes and veneers as well as marbles and lacquers to create a beautiful piece of furniture.

Another very now Danish brand is Gubi (from Loft) which is digging into the archives to revive long forgotten designs. The now cult Adnet Mirror (1) with its leather strap was originally created in 1950 by Jacques Adnet for the French fashion house, Hermes.

Also popular is the Gräshoppa floor lamp (4) designed in 1947 by Greta Grossman, its tubular steel tripod stand tilted backwards and an elongated aluminium conical shade ball-jointed onto the arm so light can be directed where it is wanted.

OTHER SCANDI BRANDS TO KNOW ABOUT Hay launched in 2002, this Danish brand is known for its stylishly modern furniture and accessories that are inspired by the 1950s and 60s. Find it at Loft. Ferm Living fabulous textiles with a strong graphic look from Denmark. Find it at Eclecticist. Menu this Danish brand is strong on super-stylish accessories. Find it at core. Muuto Finnish brand popular for its clever, stylish and highly original designs.

Find it at Auntie Lucy. Bloomingville another Danish brand, its hallmark is beautifully simple products that add chic to the home; www.bloomingville.com 4.

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HW THE EDIT

A Minimalist Life

Want to declutter but don’t know where to start? Then be inspired by Marie Kondo who caused a worldwide sensation with her books, ‘The LifeChanging Magic of Tidying Up’ and more recently ‘Spark Joy’ (both published

by Vermillion). In them, the Japanese organisation consultant sets out her decluttering strategy which involves grouping possessions into subject groups such as clothes or kitchenware, and then going through every one, keeping only those that ‘spark joy’ and ruthlessly jettisoning those that do not. Here, in an extract, she explains how the concept of ‘joy’ works…

If you don’t know what brings you joy, start with things close to your heart.

At her first lesson, my client sits frozen before a mountain of clothing. A white T-shirt is clutched in her hand, and a garbage bag lies ready to one side. She puts the T-shirt back on the pile and picks up the grey cardigan beside it. After staring at it for ten seconds, she slowly raises her eyes. ‘I don’t know what “joy” feels like,’ she says finally.

The key to my approach is to keep only those things that spark joy and to discard the rest. Does it spark joy when you touch it? While some people find this criterion easy to grasp, many wonder what it actually means, and my clients are no exception.

When that happens, I give them this exercise.

Pick the top three items in this pile that give you joy. You have three minutes to decide.

In the case described above, my client paused for

a moment to think. ‘The top three . . .’ she muttered. Then she rummaged through the pile, pulled out five items, and spread them in a row.

After rearranging them several times, she returned two of them to the pile, and, just when her time was up, announced firmly, ‘These are the top three from right to left!’ Before her lay a white dress with a green flower print, a beige mohair sweater, and a blue flowered skirt.

‘That’s it!’ I told her. ‘That’s joy!’

I was quite serious. The best way to identify what does or doesn’t bring you joy is to compare. In the beginning, unless your feelings are very black-andwhite, it’s hard to decide if something brings joy when you look at it by itself. When you compare it with a bunch of other things, however, your feelings become clear. This is why it’s so important to sort only one category at a time, starting with clothing.

Let me share another special trick for identifying what gives you joy when you are just beginning to sort your clothes: start with the ones that you wear close to your heart. Can you guess why? Because that’s where you feel joy—in your heart, not in your head. The closer your clothing is to your heart, the easier it is to choose. For example, bottoms, such as pants and skirts, are easier than socks; tops, such as blouses and shirts, are easier than bottoms. Technically, lingerie, such as brassieres and camisoles, are worn closest to the heart, but most people don’t have enough to make a proper comparison.

Therefore, my rule of thumb is to start with your tops.

If you feel unsure about any piece of clothing, don’t just touch it; hug it. The difference in how your body responds when you press it against your heart can help you recognize if it sparks joy.

Try touching, hugging, and

gazing closely at any items about which you are not certain. As a last resort, you can even try them on. If you have many outfits you want to try on, it’s more effective to put these in a separate pile and try them on in one go when you’ve finished sorting your other clothes.

It can be hard to recognize what brings you joy at first. One of my clients took as long as fifteen minutes to check the first piece of clothing she picked up. Even if you feel like it’s taking you a long time, there’s no need to worry. Differences in speed simply reflect differences in length of experience. If you take sufficient time to explore your own sense of joy at the beginning, the speed with which you make decisions will accelerate rapidly. So don’t give up. If you keep trying, you, too, will soon reach that stage.

Extracted from ‘Spark Joy’ by Marie Kondo, (Vermillion)

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Pama Shopping Complex

A | 38/1, Emmanuel Schembri Str, Birkirkara, BKR 1810 T | 2149 6843 E | info@lds.com.mt

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THE EDIT HW

Valentino Architects certainly thought out of the box when they created this self-contained living space that is clever both in its conception and creation.

Architect Sandro Valentino explains ‌

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HW THE EDIT How did this living space come to be?

Our client wanted to make use of a little-used room in the Sala Nobile of his Sliema townhouse. At first, we considered the insertion of a mezzanine floor into the four-metre high volume but that idea was abandoned for this far more innovative solution - a compact multi-function space that was brought to life by the hands of a talented carpenter. We liked the idea of it having a dual nature: closed versus open; traditional versus contemporary; day versus night.

Was it difficult to design and build?

It took a while for us to generate the aesthetic - we finally decided to go for a traditionally panelled exterior and a more clean and minimal interior. The whole process took around a year, from the first site meeting to the delivery of the loose furniture.

How does it work?

It is a timber box of 2.6m X 2.6m X 2.6m whose panels

open, fold and stack away, disappearing into the sides to reveal a living space of a sofa that faces a lounge chair and ottoman outside as well as a wall-mounted television. Behind the sofa is space for a desk and chair and bookshelves for books. Beneath the sofa are storage drawers that pull out from beneath. More storage can be found behind a series of foldable timber panels - a coffee machine for a hot drink at the touch of a button as well as cold drinks and a whiskey collection; another stores neatly hung jackets and shirts. Open the last panel to reveal stairs that lead to the box’s roof which houses the sleeping area, its simplicity reminiscent of bedrooms in Japan.

How does the client use it now?

It is one of his favourite rooms of the house - he uses it as his main bedroom! www.valentinoarchitects.com

The front panels open and foldaway to reveal a sofa and behind it, a desk

Open a panel to reveal stairs that lead up to the bed (above left). Clothes are stored behind another (below left)

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NEWS HW

GOING GREEN Beetle Lounge Chair in Pierre Frey Mauritius, Loft

This year Pantone chose Greenery, a zesty, energetic shade, as its colour for 2017, deeming it ‘the colour of hopefulness, and of our connection to nature.’ So how do you use it? A green of this strength is best as an accent, for example adding a punch of colour in the living room with a cushion or a hero piece of furniture such as an accent chair. In the bedroom go for bedlinen, and in the bathroom towels or a bath mat. House plants, currently a strong trend, are also perfect for adding colour to the home – and real life greenery!

Green, however, is a hugely versatile colour – one moment fresh and energising, change the shade a little and it can feel calming; go darker and its brings a moody elegance to a room. So if Greenery doesn’t grab you, then check out the many shades of green out there. You’re bound to find one you like.

Green Egyptian towels, Debenhams

Urban Jungle Green Geo Stripe Bed Set, Next

Surround Sound If you’re looking for a chic speaker, then Bang & Olufsen’s new Beoplay M5 is worth a look. Designed by award-winning Danish designer Cecilie Manz, it’s a powerful standalone speaker with multiroom audio capability. It looks great too – the speaker is clad in a premium and acoustically transparent woolblend fabric from Danish high-end manufacturer Kvadrat and can easily be replaced to fit your interior decoration. The elegant metal plate also acts as the control, allowing for a seamless finish.

The Beoplay M5 is available at Astral, who exclusively stock Bang & Olufsen at their newly refurbished showroom in Abate Rigord street, Ta’ Xbiex.

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HW THE EDIT

With a client list that reads like a Who’s Who of popular music, including Elton John, Paul McCartney and Sting, Mike Ross has won awards for every aspect of his varied career as a graphic designer, art director, photographer and director. His album cover for Joe Jackson’s album ‘Look Sharp’ is ranked number 22 in the best 100 album covers of all time

by Rolling Stone magazine. He moved to Malta from London just over 12 years ago.

I live in...

Officially it’s a ‘duplex maisonette’ but it’s big and so it feels like a house. In my life, it’s the home that I’ve lived in the longest. The interior is full of North African influences – especially the lighting. It’s a whole different place when the sun goes down. I spend a lot of my time on my roof terrace cactus garden which overlooks my adopted village of Qala with a wonderful uplifting view of two islands from a third,

sea on two sides, Comino and Malta in the distance, from Mellieha to St. Julians, far enough away to still look pretty.

The most useful item in my home is...

My oak plan chest. It’s voluminous and, while being a beautiful piece of furniture in

its own right, it holds - and hides stacks of sheets of paper, posters, photographs and artworks that I want ready access to, without having to have them lying around.

I take my coffee…

Very seriously indeed. The first few of the day have to be Arabicstyle which involves boiling the coffee up with finely ground cardamom seeds in a brass or copper pot in a pleasing ritual which enhances the whole experience. Sometimes I make it on a little camping gas stove when I go for an early morning swim. Nothing beats a fresh coffee when you’ve just come out of the sea.

I could not live without...

See above - and the most indispensable thing in my life, my music. Also my books, mostly film, art, and photography, but generally a vast number of “picture” books collected over nearly 50 pre- ‘Google Images’ years, when, if you needed reference visuals, you had to go out and buy a book or two.

I jot my ideas on...

I have quite a collection of ‘backs of envelopes’ with scribbled germs of ideas. I keep everything. Spanish spiralbound notepads with squared paper by Miquelrius are my current favourites. They used to have the most wonderful logo which beautifully, cleverly and typographically said something visually pertinent about the product’s unique attribute, namely serious spiral binding, but they foolishly ditched it in favour of something boring and anodyne.

I am inspired by...

My muse, music and the musicians that write and make it.

Same goes for Art. I’ve kept scrapbooks for 50 years in which I stick anything that catches my eye. Some old magazine

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THE EDIT HW I

My working day entails...

Involvement in some capacity with the large collection of music memorabilia which I’ve been accumulating for over 40 years (such as the Paul McCartney signed Russian album, above), and am now selling bit by bit. It all needs organizing, photographing and cataloguing which is a monumental task. I’ve usually got some sort of design project on the go and I attend regular life drawing and etching classes. This year I will start painting too.

The public building I most like to visit...

Tate Modern, The Royal Academy, The V&A Museum and The National Portrait Gallery in London. Both the stepped pyramid and funeral complex of King Djoser at Saqqara in Egypt (below right), and Khafre’s Valley Temple at the feet of the Sphinx (below left) seem to me to be especially

love them both for what they contain.

The designer / photographer I most admire is...

I’ve always loved the work of Peter Brookes (above right), known as an illustrator and cartoonist, but fundamentally a great ‘visual thinker’ usually with a slice of humour. In my own field I rate Mick Haggerty very highly, an English LA-based designer and illustrator who specialised, like me, in album cover design. The difference is that he’s a true artist and what I like most about him is the way he thinks. One of my favourite album covers of its time, of which he was co-creator, was Supertramp’s ‘Breakfast in America.’ One of my favourite photographers, with whom I was privileged to work many times, is Brian Griffin. He just looks at things in a different, often surreal way. I also love the epic images of Brazilian photojournalist, activist and environmentalist Sebastião Salgado.

My favourite interior design classic...

My French Jieldé Work Lamp which I bought in London about 30 years ago. Designed

by Jean-Louis Domecq in the fifties, it’s tough, supremely practical and looks great – industrial chic before the concept was even thought-of.

The design I’m most proud of...

I’m probably best known for the album cover for Joe Jackson’s ‘Look Sharp’. A pair of pointed white shoes photographed in a squeezed shaft of light, which made it look as though the shoes themselves were the light source. It won me the first of my three Grammy nominations. This year I designed my first album cover for 12” vinyl in over 25 years. I met Karel Fialka when he was recording an album here in Gozo and when I heard the music I realised that this was the perfect project for an idea that I’d been waiting for the right opportunity to use. The right artist, the right music, and the right lyrics all came together at the right time. I think ‘Peace v War’ is as good as anything I’ve ever done. Regarding my photographs, a courtyard that I photographed in a Nubian village in Egypt is a simple abstract monochromatic tonal composition and

modern architecturally. Le Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris with Monet’s ‘Water Lilies’ is not so much a building as a transcendental experience. Likewise, the Musée Rodin –

you have to look closely to see that it’s actually a real place.

The everyday item that is a genius design...

The corkscrew – say no more.

cutting might suddenly take on a surprising new relevance 30 years later. Now I also keep digital scrapbooks. I love trees and plants and flowers and photographs of them, especially

by Karl Blossfeldt and Robert Mapplethorpe (above). Inspire means ‘breathe in’. Your output is influenced by your intake, so it’s important to pay attention to what you absorb because it becomes part of you and what you subsequently put out.

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EDIT HW

Wonderful Wood

Parquet flooring is becoming increasingly popular in Malta – wood is natural, feels good and with so many varieties it’s possible to get just the tone you are looking for. It’s perfect for the pared back look as it helps create a backdrop that is both warm and textured even when walls and fittings are neutral. However, when considering wood there are a myriad of choices. Here’s what you need to know…

Hardwood or softwood?

Hardwoods, such as oak and walnut, are best as they are more durable and stable than softwoods (birch, beech and pine). Tropical hardwoods are becoming more popular for their strength and interesting grains, but they tend to be more expensive. ‘It’s undeniable that for high-traffic rooms, particularly in homes with children or pets, hardwood is the superior flooring choice,’ says Alexia Cutajar from M Demajo Timbers.

Solid or layered (engineered)?

Solid wood is, as the name implies, a plank made entirely of wood, of a thickness between 10mm and 18mm. It can be sanded and re-finished many times but is generally not recommended if you want to have under-floor heating. With layered or engineered parquet, the surface, or top, layer is made of solid wood, while the lower layers are made of strips of softwood, plywood or MDF. It is less expensive than solid parquet and the finish is attained without sanding or varnishing.

The manufacturing process makes it very stable, so it expands and contracts less than solid wood

when affected by temperature and humidity which makes it suitable for under-floor heating.

It can be re-sanded and finished but fewer times than solid wood.

Which variety of wood is best?

This depends on how much usage your floor is going to get - the more usage, the stronger the wood needs to be - and the look you are after. Generally lighter woods make a room appear more open and airy; medium is better for a warmer, cosier look while dark woods give a more refined elegant feel. These are some of the most popular…

Oak: a strong wood with a beautiful grain that can take a variety of finishes, from light to dark. Light oak, which is a sustainably soured European hardwood, is a popular choice for lighter coloured floor. Oak is available as layered parquet.

Walnut: this wood has a lovely rich tone but North American walnut is at the softer end of the hardwood spectrum so it is prone to dents. It is available as layered parquet.

Wenge: a dark, exotic hardwood from equatorial Africa that’s extremely

hard-wearing. Its liquorice, dark brown/black shade with gold undertones matures to a rich black/brown patina.

Teak: a strong hardwood with a typically straight grain and rich colour. It has a high oil content making it more resistant to moisture so is a good choice for a kitchen.

Iroko: another exotic African hardwood that is very strong.

It has a deep golden toffee brown colour making it right for rooms where a mid-range, rich colour is wanted.

Bamboo: although a grass, bamboo with its soft, golden colour, is rapidly growing in popularity especially as it is a strong sustainable choice. ‘High quality bamboo will wear as well and last about as long as traditional hardwood floors,’ says Alexia. ‘For those drawn to a clean, modern aesthetic, bamboo flooring lends itself to that style perfectly.’

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feel beyond the water

Psaila Street, Santa Venera +356 2147 2241 www.bridgepoint.com.mt

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THE EDIT HW

What was on at the fair THE FIRST MONTHS OF THE YEAR HERALD THREE BIG DESIGN FAIRS – MAISON & OBJET IN PARIS, IMM IN COLOGNE AND THE STOCKHOLM DESIGN FAIR. HERE ARE A SELECTION OF PRODUCTS THAT EVERYONE WAS TALKING ABOUT…

SHAKER IT

At Maison & Objet, design studio Pinch plugged into the current trend for Shaker style furniture to create the Rodan table. A couple of weeks later, at the Stockholm Furniture Fair, an exhibition called Furnishing Utopia, showcased Shaker-inspired works by 20 designers, alongside historic objects from the Shakers themselves.

The Shakers were a religious sect founded in England in the 18th century, and the furniture they made was known for its plain aesthetic – the ladder chair is a good example. The past year has seen a revived interest in their style with increasing numbers of designers taking on its functional look. Pinch’s Rodan table was inspired by the boxes used by the Shakers to store small items. Made from the one material – either black American walnut, white oiled oak or black-stained ash - it has a solid wood base and top with a lipped edge that’s attached using the swallowtail technique for an overlapping, tapered join. This technique was developed by the Shakers to allow the wood to expand and contract.

SOFA SO GOOD

The Bob sofa was named as best product at the Stockholm Furniture Fair Editor’s Choice awards. A chic modular sofa made from slim cushioned slices, it was made by designers Thomas Bernstrand and Stefan Borselius for the Swedish furniture company, Blå Station. Made up of 26 centimetre-wide sections, its six different modules can be arranged into a variety of shapes, ranging from an armchair with armrests to a corner sofa, all of which look laid-back cool.

TIME WILL SMELL!

It’s definitely a clock with a difference – designer Patrick Palcic’s timepiece, launched in Cologne, doesn’t rely on hands to tell the time but on perfume. Called Es Liegt was in Der Luft (There Is Something in the Air), instead of hands, this olafactory clock has 12 small holes punctured around the perimeter. Each hour is assigned a different fragrance which is stored in the mechanism behind the clock face. The copper dish turns so the perforations hit the noon position at hourly intervals, triggering a drop of the scent to be released. This trickles down the face of the clock, which is heated up so the scent evaporates into the air. It also oxidises the metal, leaving lighter markings on the surface.

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What was on at the fair HOLE IN ONE

Beautifully sculptural, this loop-shaped lamp, called Loop Giant, was inspired by a mini-golf obstacle spotted by designer Timo Niskanen when he was out walking his dog. Launched at Stockholm by Finnish brand, Himmee, it stands almost two metres tall, and has an aluminium body with LED lights placed within its inner surface. Made bespoke, it is available in black as well as white. A scaled down version is also available as a table lamp.

LOOKING FIT

Don’t have room for a gym or finding setting up a faff? Then Swedish brand Tingest has the answer. Unveiled in Stockholm, its collection of gym equipment is designed to look so good, it can be displayed around the home, to be picked up when needed. Included in the collection are a bamboo hula hoop, slimline kettlebell and marble dumbbells with a flat section on the weight so they don’t roll.

BRIGHT IDEAS

French brand Petite Friture got into colour at Maison & Objet, launching an eye-catching collection of furniture and accessories that were displayed in a brightly coloured set that was created by Mexico-based illustrator Ana Montiel.

Among the designs in the Villa PF collection are HOFF, two modular stools and two modular armchairs that can combine to make a sofa, from duo Morten & Jonas; Studio Vit’s Cast lamps, made from a concrete base and a spherical glass shade; and from Constance Guisset, a series of mirrors that resemble a face wearing tasselled earrings.

FROM FEET TO SLEEP

At IMM Cologne, Birkenstock, the German brand best-known for its footwear, presented its first bed collection which, it says, applies the Birkenstock principles for walking and standing to lying down and sleeping.

‘Just as the Birkenstock footbed fits the natural form of the foot, the form of these sleep systems is attuned to the entire body,’ said a spokesperson for the brand. ‘Their exceptional support ensures healthy and restful sleep.’ The beds were created based on research

by Germany’s Ergonomie Institut München and the company worked with the Austrian upholstered furniture manufacturer ADA. The six styles of beds are made of three elements – a base, dual-layered mattress and slatted frame. The bases and mattresses fit in Birkenstock bed frames, one of which, called the Montreal, features a solid oak base patterned like the tread of Birkenstock’s famous open-toed sandals.

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Over the next 24 pages we showcase homes that have mastered the art of being stream-lined and smart, but also feel like a home. Architect Chris Briffa shows us his own home that combines both a modern sensibility with a recognition of the past in clever and creative ways. On page 042, a rental apartment designed by Archi+ Architects’ Studio, who created a stylish home out of a vast space. In South Africa, on page 050, is a home that is a great example of how wood can create a wonderful family home and on page 056, architects m+ design take a run-down farmhouse and transformed it into a light-filled and visually striking home.

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Homexperiment ARCHITECT CHRIS BRIFFA’S HOME IS AN INSPIRING AND INVIGORATING MIX OF TRADITIONAL AND MODERN, CREATED OVER TIME AND STILL CHANGING Photographs: Chris Briffa Words: Lisa Gwen Baldacchino

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Living room: Chris’s Red Blue Shelf was debuted as a prototype during Malta Design Week 2011; the asymmetrical linearity, coupled with prime colour accents, give a strong focus to the living area in the open-plan space. The Extra Soft by Living Divani is a modular sofa which doesn’t have a front or a back, but rather is composed of a number of units which can be configured according to space and need

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Kitchen: the ‘kitchen workshop’, B2 concept by Bulthaup, reduces the kitchen to three sculptural elements: the kitchen tool cabinet, the workbench and the kitchen appliance cabinet

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‘...you gradually sense the ‘shift’ towards a more contemporary sensibility, once you start ascending the stairs, to the mezzanine and first floor levels’

A

lthough Chris Briffa has been living in his five-storey Valletta townhouse for some eight years, the space never stands still, instead constantly undergoing a myriad of changes, especially those needed to accommodate a growing family.

But it would be wrong to think of his place simply as a ‘house’. In 2009, when he first moved in, it could have been classified as such. However, since then, much has changed and Chris has purchased as many as five adjacent units, on either side of the original property, which have now been translated into his architecture practice as well as a soon-to-be design gallery. Each of the three distinct components have, and still are, evolving according to necessity.

The ground floor of the house constitutes the oldest part of the middle property, and as such, Chris wanted to leave it as intact as possible; this meant restoration rather than alteration. In fact, you gradually sense the ‘shift’ towards a more contemporary sensibility, once you start ascending the stairs, to the mezzanine and first floor levels. Chris explains how he wanted to do something different on each floor. Rather than adopting a formulaic approach to the whole space, he wanted to react to the dynamic of the architectural fabric, most especially, the natural light as well as the different temperature conditions. His son’s room, for example, is a small cosy space, overlooking the internal courtyard.

The second floor is a high-ceilinged space, originally made up of two distinct rooms but now an open-plan multi-functional space that’s highlighted by a number of aesthetic yet highly-functional pieces. This is the heart of the home, not just because it hosts the kitchen but because it is their ‘performance’ space, where Chris and his partner cook breakfast, lunch and dinner, where they

entertain, where they relax and cosy up to the stove in winter. Besides the well-equipped vedo non vedo, kitchen, the space also doubles up as formal / informal living and sitting room, but also contains a small dining area, which is partly, yet neatly tucked into the balcony space.

The upper floors have an altogether different flavour.

The top-most floor houses a gorgeous artist studio – the perfect nook and hide-out for those days of creative take-overs. This floor was an addition to the original structure; the concrete floors and ceilings being a bit of a give-away. The stone walls have, however, been cleverly re-appropriated from the sala nobile rooms on the second floor. Again flooded with gorgeous natural light, this room looks out onto the roof and terrace areas. Having previously lived in an apartment, Chris craved a good outdoor space – this was ultimately a determining factor and the quality which initially inspired him to purchase the property.

In-keeping with his reputation, the three restrooms which Chris has designed in his house, whether for guests or for personal / family-use, range from retro and whimsical, to sauna-inspired Scandinavian, or even vertigo-inducing.

The office / practice is the last piece of the puzzle – one which Chris has been painstakingly piecing together. Although there was no real intention at the time for the properties to become his new business premises, over the course of the last year Chris Briffa Architects was moved from the property on Republic Street, to St Paul’s. So far, the first floor has been completed, however, Chris already has grand projects in mind for the spaces, including a possible move of his family home to the top floors. But that’s another story altogether.

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Studio: situated at the top of the house, this upper level was added to the existing structure. While the floor and ceiling are concrete, the stone of the walls is from the sala nobile rooms from the second floor

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Office: Chris’s office (pictured above) is on the ground floor, the original Maltese tiles visually strong against the pale walls and concrete ceiling Entry hall: the original features of the ground floor (left) create a plain but elegant entrance

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Bathrooms: one of the most distinct features in this home is the glass bridge (left) which Chris devised as a contemporary intervention to connect the bedroom to the bathroom. The bridge houses the vanity unit, which stands atop transparent glass flooring with a drop of two-and-a-half floors beneath. Above, the Scandi-style bathroom has a wonderfully relaxed vibe 040

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358, Naxxar Road, B'Kara BKR 9040, Malta Tel: (+356) 21441328 I Fax: (+356) 21447188 www.bathroomdesign.com.mt www.facebook.com/bathroomdesignmalta

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A LONG STORY

THIS APARTMENT CAME WITH ONE HUGE CHALLENGE – AN ELONGATED SHAPE THAT NEEDED SMART THINKING TO TURN IT INTO MODERN, STREAM-LINED YET COMFORTABLE FAMILY HOME Architects: ARCHI+ Architects’ Studio Photographs: MAS Styling: Justine Bartolo Words: Rachel Loos

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Living room: on a pale travertine floor, the deep blue and mustard yellow of the sofas from BoConcept sing out. Nicchie wallpaper from Cole & Son backs the shelving that’s custom-mad by Fino - not just attractive, it also ensures the shelving looks interetsing even when empty

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Dining table: the curving shape of the dining table from BoConcept fits with the shape of the apartment and the open design of the Hay chairs, from Loft, avoids a heavy feel. Reflecting the style of the chairs and helping to define this part of the apartment is the beautifully sculptural Vertigo statement light, available from Camilleri Paris Mode. As in the bar area, the wallpaper is Boemia by Cole & Son.

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‘WE DECIDED NOT TO HIDE THE CURVES AND INSTEAD TAILOR THE DESIGN TO FOLLOW THEM’

Kitchen: the curving console separates the kitchen area from the entrance area. In the kitchen, the units were custom-made, by Fino, as they had to follow the deep curve of the shell. They’re made from layered plywood sheets, then finished in oak veneer with black accents. The units hide the all the kitchen paraphernalia. The glass splashback in a soft green lifts the space. The kitchen space includes a breakfast bar as well as a kitchen table for casual dining, and as a place for children to do their homework. On either side of the console are pendant lights from Elektra.

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hen architects ARCHI+ Architects’ Studio saw the shell of this apartment in Ta’Xbiex they had a choice: go with its existing unconventional curves or straighten everything out with the use of soffits.

‘We decided not to hide the curves and instead tailor the design to follow them,’ says project manager Anthea Huber. ‘Like us, the client was excited to create something different from the norm even though the apartment was for the rental market.’

This bold decision has resulted in a handsome space that combines the stylish edge of industrial chic with a light elegance. Polished concrete and travertine flooring are warmed by oak veneer and generous floorto-ceiling curtains, and statement lights and strong wallpaper add character.

However, even before the décor could be considered, the apartment’s configuration had to be decided on. An unusually long space of 280 square

metres, one end overlooks a marina in Marsamxetto Harbour which made it the logical location for the living room, with the private spaces - three bedrooms and bathroom - at the quieter other end. But this meant that the entrance, situated in the middle of the apartment, opens directly into the kitchen. ‘This was one of our biggest challenges,’ says Anthea. ‘We could have had the kitchen where the living room is now, but that would have wasted the view, and we wanted a more cohesive feel to that part of the apartment. In the end, we had no choice but to have the kitchen where it was – so we needed to create an area that felt like an entrance to a home.’

The solution was a long console with a combination of open and closed shelving that obscured the view of the kitchen from the front door. ‘And it’s angled in such a way that it does not stop light flowing into the whole space from the kitchen windows,’ says Anthea.

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Master bedroom: a floor of polished concrete gives an industrial vibe which is softened by the abstract mural of mountains that covers one entire wall.

Floor-to-ceiling curtains have again been used, this time to hide the bathroom which is open to the bedroom, as requested by the client. Pendant lights, a group of bulbs for a very now look, were used instead of table lamps which would have felt insubstantial in such a large space. The carpentry in this room, and the second bedroom, were done by BoConcept’s custom furniture division.

The ensuite bathroom can be reached through a door or by pulling back the curtains which makes a light-weight partition. The toilet is contained behind a door for privacy, but the bath, shower and basins can be opened up to the bedroom. The bathroom was done by NIC Design and supplied by A2 Ceramics.

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Second bedroom: a bespoke wallpaper in black and white adds a great graphic look to this bedroom, and the yellow line is a clever way of creating a faux headboard.

Slats in the ceiling add texture and segue from white into walnut when they reach the bathroom

was making the vast space feel like a wwcomfortable home. ‘We needed to control the space otherwise it would have felt cold, and look as if we had simply thrown furniture into an enormous room,’ says Anthea.

Key to the comfort factor are deeply pleated, floor-to-ceiling curtains in off-white which give a textured softness and a relaxed feel. ‘They can be opened and closed to split the space as wanted,’ says Anthea.

Colour is another crucial design element, the sofas in the living room a mix of deep blue and lime green, and in the kitchen a splashback of pale green glass.

Storage is ample but stylishly done.

In the living room and bar area, a line of integrated shelving is backed with wallpaper for an extra hit of decorative flair, and in the kitchen, units are built into the curve, an elegantly smooth ‘wall’ hiding away the pantry as well as the main appliances, all of which gives the space a stream-lined feel.

The attention to detail continues in the bedroom where pattern and texture have been carefully used to give each room its own character, with an abstract wall mural decorating the master bedroom and graphic black and white wallpaper a highlight in another bedroom. Lucky are the family who make this apartment their home.

Third bedroom: microcement walls teamed with plywood panelling,

by Fino, give this room its distinctive look and modern artworks, which hang on tracks and hide the TV, add cheerful colour

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ROOMS WITH A VIEW The starting point of this home was the mesmerising vista, and the end result is a stunning home where the fusion of wood, glass and concrete create a coolly stylish interior that complements what can be seen through the window Architects: Meyer + Voster Photographs: Greg Cox/ bureaux.co.za Words: Graham Wood/ bureaux.co.za

The outside: the entrance is doublestorey, leading to the staircase. The gabion walls featuring natural rock are used throughout the hardscaping of the exterior and complement the off-shutter concrete and untreated Western Red Cedar on the faรงade. The bedroom wing is angled to hug the garden to the north and lush, wild, naturalistic planting comes right up to the house, integrating it into the landscape.

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‘We went to quite a of trouble during the planning phase to ensure we maximised the home’s potential for views. Matt spent a lot of time on the old site standing on carefully measured ladder rungs surveying views from a standing and seated position.’

Living room: the use of wood for the floors, ceilings and joinery functions as an extension of the architecture, introducing a level of detail and refinement to the design, and a subtle transition from architecture to interiors. The screen between the kitchen and TV room, for example, conceals the TV and fireplace. The bookshelf behind the sofa is used to display items from Matt’s collection of artefacts collected over two decades of backpacking around the world.

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Divider: the main living areas – the kitchen, dining room, and the living room – are largely open-plan, but the two separate spaces created by the raised roofs and the subtle division created by the fireplace between dining and living room define each space and gives it its own identity.

hen Matt and Victoria Bresler first went to see the site of their house in the Constantia Valley, bordering Cape Town’s historic Groot Constantia wine estate, it was because of a photograph Matt had seen in the property pages of a newspaper. It showed three palm trees and a hint of vineyard in the background. ‘The house wasn’t even in the photograph,’ says Matt. When he got there, he could see why not. ‘I spent two or three minutes inside the house, and an hour on the roof looking at the view,’ he says.

Matt and Victoria soon realised that to do justice to the amazing vista of vineyards and mountains meant building from scratch. The existing house had been sunk low into the plot with no views to speak of or sense of connection to its remarkable setting. Trees and large bushes all along the fence severed the house from its potential views even more emphatically.

The couple, who have three children, commissioned architects Jan-Heyn and Tiaan Meyer to design them a home.

Before they could consider the design of the house, however, Jan-Heyn and Tiaan had to figure out how to access the view that Matt had seen from the roof of the original house. ‘We went to quite a of trouble during the planning phase to ensure we maximised the home’s potential for views,’ says Jan-Heyn.

‘Matt spent a lot of time on the old site standing on carefully measured ladder rungs surveying views from a standing and seated position.’

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Dining and kitchen: these areas form an open-plan arrangement designed to look out over the deck and take in the views of the vineyards. In the kitchen, it is particularly evident how the fixed furnishings – the joinery, cabinets, etc. – and the architecture are so much part of each other. The concrete, visible here in the feature ring-beams holding up the roof structure, has been polished, but left unadorned, softened by the wooden ceiling and kitchen cabinets. The loose furnishings, too, are designed to express their texture, with the effect that they add another layer to the architecture rather than merely filling a room. The pendant lights above the dining table are Rock suspension lamps by Diesel Living with Foscarini.

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Master bedroom: the master bedroom at the end of the bedroom wing has spectacular views of the garden, over the vineyards and to the Table Mountain range beyond. The angled, stepped formation of the rooms makes it possible for them each to have a north- and westfacing aspect. While the floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors enable the views, privacy is created with sliding cedar screens. There ceilings in the bedrooms are of raw off-shutter concrete. The anthropomorphic Sitting Lamp is by Graeme Bettles.

Ensuite bathroom: here the glass doors can be stacked away so that the bath is projected outwards on a plinth and immersed in the garden.

The garden on the border has been designed to create a vegetal screen for privacy, but also blurs the boundary between the Bresler’s property and the landscape beyond.

The solution was to raise the level of the ground. ‘We brought in quite a lot of soil to bring the house up to a level that took full advantage of the views of the vineyards,’ says Jan-Heyn. At the same time, he was aware of how important it would be for the house to be integrated with its site. ‘You have to come up with clever landscaping solutions to bring the site back up to the house so that it doesn’t feel like an apartment in the air,’ says Jan-Heyn, ‘so that it’s actually still a family home with seamless connection to gardens and pool.’

They also wanted the house to sit comfortably in the landscape so it was set far back on the plot, and while from one angle it appears as a double storey, from the vineyards, it’s a long-low-slung, ground-hugging form with two monopitch flip-up roofs over the living areas.

From the front door, one ascends via a staircase in a glass box. On the upper level, the living areas are to one side and the bedroom wing to the other. ‘The building creates views, moments when you pause to turn and look back,’ explains Jan-Heyn. ‘You can glimpse the sea to the south as you ascend the stairs, and you are also aware of the beautiful, naturalistic gardens that comes right up to the house, almost as if you’re immersed in it. Once you’ve fully ascended the 053

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Garden: from the bottom of the garden or from the vineyards, the house appears as a low-slung single storey.

This ground-hugging design was chosen partly in deference to the spectacular and historically-significant setting, which borders on the Groot Constantia vineyards. Tons of soil was brought in to raise the level of the ground, and the hardscaping and planting aim to ground the architecture in its setting, so that it wouldn’t appear disconnected from its site Decking: The wooden decks in front of the living area provide a clear, raised space between house and garden, while decked steps drop to the lawn and the poolside pergola. The glass front of the house was an obvious choice to allow the house to take full advantage of the views. Matt says that he often finds himself gravitating to the outdoor sofa on the deck, which they extended some time after the house was completed.

Pool: the swimming pool was one of the only features of the original house that was retained but marbled in a darker colour to make it appear less artificial in the landscape. The raised bedding gives privacy from the pathway on the other side, but the ClearVu fence rather than a solid wall, ensures the views of the vineyards are unobscured..

stairs, you are confronted with the house’s expansive vista to the north - over the vineyards towards the mountains. The elevated positioning means you get no sense of this setting when you first arrive, so it is often quite a surprise for guests.’

An off-shutter concrete wall is the most definitive architectural feature here. ‘Lots of effort went into getting that wall beautifully cast using sand-blasted spruce to impart a wood-grain finish to the concrete,’ says Jan-Heyn. The materials used were important throughout. Much of the façade at the back of the house is clad in western red cedar.

Inside, the concrete of the ceilings, pillars, ceilings and ringbeams is softened with wood – the solid oak flooring, the cedar ceilings of those angled roofs in the living areas, and much of the interior oak joinery. Un-treated cedar, which weathers to grey over time, is also used for slatted entrance gates, window screens, the front door and the pergola.

The north-facing aspect of the house (toward the vineyards) is mostly glass. The two flip-up roofs impart character, while the bedroom wing is angled inward to hug the garden. The bedrooms form a stepped or zig-zag arrangement to allow for views in two directions instead on one and to catch both the northern as well as western sunset light. The bedroom wing is flat roofed, which makes it less

conspicuous, and it floats on a raised platform.

Below the living areas, the ground drops away more radically and the architects used this ‘natural void’ for the guest suite, wine-cellar, staff accommodation and various services, including garages.

The interiors form another layer of the architecture.

‘You can’t separate the interior design and the architecture from each other,’ says Jan-Heyn. ‘From the beginning, we considered how the architecture and fixed furnishings would connect and fit together.’ For example, the unit between the kitchen and the living space is an extension of the architecture, concealing a TV and a fireplace, the other side forming a coffee station with space for Matt’s collection of espresso cups. ‘The building was basically quite neutral,’ says Jan-Heyn. ‘The furniture, furnishings, decorations and art is where there is distinct character and colour.’ They include local design, much of it influenced by mid-century modernism, such as the sofas, coffee table and dining room table. Much of the interior design is made with natural wood giving the house a real sense of comfort.

Today, Matt and Victoria have the home they wished for.

‘I feel a great sense of pride when I look back,’ says Matt. ‘I think we’ve done justice to the views and the setting.’

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Cool, Calm & Collected

AN OLD FARMHOUSE HAS BEEN GIVEN A CONTEMPORARY MAKEOVER TO CREATE A SPACIOUS FAMILY HOME WITH A TRANQUIL MOOD Architect: m+design Photographs: : Elisa von Brockdorff, Alan Carville, David Pisani Styling: Maria Mercieca Words: Holly Knowles With thanks to Joinwell, BoConcept, Carreblanc, Shabby Chic, Atrium, Greenscapes

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Living room: in the sunken living room, the white floorboards add subtle texture. Beyond, the pale concrete terrace provides plenty of space for chairs, sun loungers and the luxury of a custom poolside shower, while bespoke outdoor lighting highlights the original limestone walls

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Dining zone: on the upper area of the large expansive space is the formal dining area, houseplants adding a refreshing splash of green. From here, and the living room below, the old walls outside can be clearly seen, tying in with the old stone in the internal walls

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ooking at it now, it’s impossible to imagine this home as it once was – a rundown farmhouse, many of its rooms used to house animals. But the original building had charm, and this needed to be kept. ‘The biggest challenge was to conserve the original building while making the place habitable,’ says architect Maria Mercieca of m+design. ‘Crucial to keeping this old building’s authenticity and character was deciding which walls to preserve and clean up (some walls were packed with soil and pointed using ‘deffun’) and which to plaster using traditional and natural products. Building a proper drainage system that ran below the house and allowed water to seep naturally was also a major task.’

The chic finishing touches came towards the end of a sevenmonth long renovation that saw the 1960s house on the corner of a street in Balzan transformed from a rundown and dated property into one that is thoroughly modern and designed to work for the family that includes two young children.

The homeowner also wanted her home to have an uplifting feel of openness and lightness. ‘This sense of spaciousness and visual continuity was achieved by constructing a glass skylight to close off a large outdoor space, making it habitable and also linking it to existing outdoor rooms,’ says Maria. ‘The choice of using white as the dominant colour, contributes to creating this mood and a variety of

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SPACES HW Reading room: a chaise longue and arching Flint floor lamp (both from Joinwell) along with a soft-to-touch rug and BoConcept coffee table create a lovely space for reading.

Lounge: a sofa grouped around the traditional fireplace at the other end of the kitchen makes this a cosy area for the cooler months.

A traditional rug and stylish bench (right) give warmth to the marble floor

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With so much open social space, a semi-secret mezzanine nook at the opposite end of the kitchen comes as a welcome surprise – a room to escape to read or to work, that seemingly floats at first floor level.

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Bedroom: with its largely neutra palette, the bedroom has a tranquil feel. Above left, the bookcase that hides the chimney flue. Above right is the ‘floating’ mezzanine level

textures create a sense of interest in a very subtle way, so as not to detract from the feel of openness while creating visual continuity between indoors and outdoors.’

A mix of carrara marble and white timber floors is elegantly neutral, the different textures also creating different zones within the property’s expansive footprint. Beneath the double height central space, the glass ceiling bringing a contemporary feel to the historic building, is the sunken, open-plan living area that’s equipped with custom storage and a bespoke builtin entertainment centre, with large glass doors that open out onto the terrace.

The kitchen is located on the ground floor, just off the central living area and is made cosy in winter by the existing traditional fireplace that has been incorporated into the design. A bespoke unit above that acts as a book case is cleverly designed to hide the fireplace flue. Artificial lighting in the unit creates a warm light which brightens the dining area and kitchen. With so much open social space in the home, a semi-secret mezzanine nook at the opposite end of the kitchen comes as a welcome surprise – a room to escape to read or to work, that seemingly floats at first floor level. Another, smaller, cooking station is positioned nearer the patio doors to make

entertaining outside as convenient as possible. Here, too, is a small room used as a gym, and a large marble accented bathroom that boasts original features and exposed stone.

The living space sweeps out into a pale concrete pool area, complementary materials ensuring a smooth transition between the two spaces. Custom outdoor lighting highlights the rough beauty of the Maltese limestone walls while the concrete gives a tactile smoothness. Reflecting the building’s heritage are mature olive, orange, almond and pomegranate trees, alongside a backdrop of restored stone walls.

The upstairs is reached by a stone staircase that has been painted with a white breathable resin, but with traditional Maltese wrought iron railings for a nice mix of old and new. A mezzanine walkway winds around the light and airy first floor rooms and views of the surrounding countryside make each of the three bedrooms a quietly luxurious place to wake. The master bedroom features a marble and glass cube that houses a sleek en suite bathroom, while another bedroom is given a splash of colour in the form of an en suite in a vivid green-blue mosaic. A studio room is a creative refuge for the farmhouse’s owner and another private space in an otherwise truly familyorientated property.

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Zebra blinds are the latest in light filtering window treatments. The modern look adds a stylish functional effect to your living room, bedroom or office, while at the same time controlling the amount of light you want in the room.

BLINDS • AWNINGS • PERGOLAS • SHUTTERS Blinds & More specialises in the manufacture of creative window coverings and custom-designed retractable shade products, to suit today’s building design styles.

41, Naxxar Road, San Gwann SGN 9030 • Tel: +356 2787 8700 • Mob: +356 9988 0479 Email: sales@blindsandmore.com.mt • Web: www.blindsandmore.com.mt

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KITCHEN SPECIAL HW

KITCHEN COOL It is one of the most important rooms in the home, with the capacity to define your living space, so it’s important to get your kitchen right. Over the next 11 pages, be inspired by beautiful kitchens, such as this one from Doimo Cucine that combines practicality with stylishness and design flair, plus we’ve advice on what makes a great kitchen, as well as chic tables for that on-trend open-plan look….

Doimo Easy is a smart-looking kitchen and a great option if you’re after an affordable, quality, modular kitchen. The vast choice of finishes, from polymers (glossy and matt colours or wood effect) to lacquers (glossy, matt, super matt and metal effect) as well as contemporary melamine, allows for a variety of compositions. Gruppo Doimo, Valley Road, Birkirkara

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KITCHEN NEWS

NEW LOOK The Carmelodelia showroom has a fantastic new look, now displaying a wide range of kitchens from super-stylish brands including the 50th anniversary collection from Cucine LUBE and new models from Creo Kitchens.

BULTHAUP COMES TO MALTA German kitchen brand, bulthaup, will open its first standalone flagship in Malta in May, in line with the company’s plans for stores in strategic and metropolitan cities around the world. Its presence on the island is considered a further step in the development of a highend property market with a sophisticated offering. The dedicated store, bulthaup Tower Road, will be located on the Sliema promenade, and will showcase the bulthaup concept of the refined kitchen living space – pictured here is bulthaup 3 in which a variety of hand-selected materials allows you to match your kitchen to the character of your space. The team will assist international and local individual clients, as well as developers and architects, with the planning and development of unique tailor-made kitchens. As well, with fully functional kitchen spaces equipped with the kitchen equipment and appliances alongside an outdoor dining area, the showroom can be transformed into an exclusive private dining venue for its clients and partners – the perfect way to enjoy the bulthaup experience. For more information please contact info@auntielucy.com 064

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AWARD-WINNING

Halmann Vella, Malta’s leading supplier of surfaces, has been named a National Champion in the European Business Awards, and is now a contender for the Award for Environmental and Corporate Sustainability. The company has reduced its annual CO2 emissions by 52 tons per year through an installation of solar panels and filtering and reusing 200,000 litres of water per day. The European Business Awards are Europe’s largest business competition, and celebrates business excellence and best practice in the European Business community.

TAP IN

There are some stylish new taps on the market. Grohe’s Minta Touch, from B&M Supplies comes with EasyTouch Technology that instantly reacts to the slightest touch, letting you turn the tap on and off with just the tap of the wrist or forearm.

GREENHOUSE EFFECT Using wallpaper in the kitchen for exciting pattern and colour is a growing trend. Here, a flamboyant palm print has been used to give an otherwise plain kitchen eye-catching style. It is protected against splashing water etc from a low up stand in the same material as the worktop, plus a glass splashback that does not interfere with the design.

From Bridgepoint is the new BP02Akwadott kitchen pull out that’s ideal for large sinks as it means you can reach every corner of the sink, while the BP70 is a dual function kitchen tap with hot and cold tap water and the reverse osmosis outlet all in one tap.

SINK DEEP Copper has become a popular metal for its warmth - extend this into the kitchen with this new copper sink from Bridgepoint. Its rounded corners make it looks less angular and also make it easier to clean. It can be installed over mount, flush mount or under mount.

The New Road collection of taps, from Bathroom Design, boasts sleek design with a mixer than is more environmentally friendly than any other produced to date. Also new from Bathroom Design is the eye-catching Marmo by IB Rubinetti. In two marble finishes of White Carrara and Black Marquina with components available in seven finishes including brass, rose gold and chrome.

BY OSMOSIS Systems that allow you to drink pure drinking water from the tap and growing in popularity. An Ecosoft Reverse Osmosis undersink system has a five-stage water purifying system that guarantees to provide the healthiest and most purified drinkable water without the need to store or order bulky water containers.

Carries a five year warranty on the motor. Contact A&A Mizzi Limited.

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KITCHEN INSPIRATION

BE INSPIRED BY THESE TREND-SETTING KITCHENS…

OUT OF SIGHT Pared right back and in two sections to frame a living room space, almost everything in this Arte kitchen is hidden away, neatly stored in drawers and cupboards that smoothly pull out and in. Form

ALL WHITE This SCIC Conchiglia Gem kitchen with glossy lacquered panels has no protruding handles for an all-white, stylishly smooth finish. Satariano

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KITCHEN SPECIAL HW THE DECONSTRUCTED KITCHEN The non-kitchen look reaches its zenith with bultaup’s b2 which reduces the kitchen to three sculptural elements: the kitchen tool cabinet, the workbench and the kitchen appliance cabinet. Auntie Lucy

LIGHT INDUSTRY

Industrial chic has been softened for a vibe that works outside the warehouse setting. Credo teams matt lacquer fronts with a concrete effect worktop and a real wooden floor. Oxford House

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CURVY

A unique contemporary kitchen cabinet design program without handles, DUNE

by Pedini is defined by asymmetrically curved base units echoing flowing forms found in nature. Flamingo Complex

BACK IN STYLE Retro shaped tiles such as these (Cento Per Cento collection

by Imola Ceramica at B&M Supplies) give a kitchen a warm, welcoming feel. Combine with modern lighting and pale wood for a contemporary chic.

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ON DISPLAY

The trend for open shelving has been given an elegant twist in this Filo kitchen with smoked glass and dark wood working together to create a smart look. Form

SMOOTHLY DOES IT

Worktops are all about durability and a smart sleekness - this Dekton Aura surface that has no joints or cut for a flawless finish. Worksurface from Halmann Vella; kitchen by Casaform Furniture.

NEAT & TIDY

The perfect small space kitchen, the Cabinet Kitchen

by Arte is compact but perfectly formed and can be tidied away in a cupboard when done. Form

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ALL IN ONE The living room seamlessly merges into the kitchen in this Immagina Lux kitchen that with the appliances and pantry hidden behind large cupboard doors, creates a kitchen that looks anything but functional. Carmelo Delia

PALE & INTERESTING

Wood gives instant warmth to a functional space – go light for a kitchen that feels relaxed. R Living

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DARK BEAUTY The drama of black is celebrated in this Doimo ASPEN kitchen that’s finished in black satin glass. Doimo Cucine

SPACE SMART The galley kitchen gets stylish with the Avenue, by Aster Cucine. A mix of white surfaces give textural interest and are teamed with glass-fronted storage for an open feel. Brands International 071

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Photographs: Luis Rodriguez

The strength of this scheme lies in the combination of the typical atmosphere of a Sliema Victorian house, coloured patterned tiles and high ceilings, with an ‘industrial chic’ structure that houses both a central island carrying the appliances and a screen dividing the dining area from the preparation space. Traditional butter jars, Punic urns and other erstwhile utensils traditionally used in the kitchen, decorate the steel and glass vertical structure to create a museum-like screen that hides the messy area from the dining room. This contemporary intervention adds an element of interest to the traditional spaces, balancing the old furniture and classic materials such as porcelain and marble with a nineteenth century industrial aesthetic, both elements wrapped in the leafy light that streams in from the garden.

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What’s the secret to a well-designed kitchen? Architect Konrad Buhagiar of AP gives his insight….

What are the characteristics of a well-designed kitchen?

A kitchen is like a laboratory where the raw produce of Mother Nature is peeled, chopped, sliced, boiled and generally manipulated to create new compositions of colour and flavour. In this way our basic animal survival instinct to eat is metamorphosed into an experience that generates both kinship and pleasure. A well-designed kitchen is, therefore, a functional space where workspace and storage are available and efficient and where the aesthetics of the interior create an ideal, uplifting backdrop to the activity of cooking and dining whether alone or in company.

What issues should be considered when planning a kitchen?

The first step towards a successful kitchen is the choice of the space that is to house it. Abundant natural light is fundamental and desirable as this facilitates the preparation of meals and enhances the pleasure of eating them. Adequate space is clearly a must, allowing easy movement within the space, easy access to the various appliances and storage areas and providing extra areas for accessories, such as dressers and sideboards that while not strictly connected to preparation, add quality to the feel of the space. As well, efficient connection to the dining areas, both interior and exterior, will contribute to the desired dining experience, whether it be private and formal or more open and convivial.

Good planning is vital for a successful kitchen. You need to have a good idea of how you will use it (and how many people will use it), the type of meals that will be cooked, and the nature and scale of the preparation needed – will you mostly be cooking for one or two people or does it need to be able to accommodate preparation for many more? If it’s also a dining area, you need to know the number of guests you will want to seat. All this will provide the right basis for the correct choice of appliances, the right assessment of the workspace required and the desired spatial and visual connection between the preparation and eating area. In the latter case, excessive distance and changes in level

are to be avoided at all cost. Inadequate lighting is also a big mistake and understanding the lighting requirements for easy preparation and comfort is also necessary.

Are there materials should be avoided?

There are no materials that cannot be used.

Hygiene is clearly an imperative and all materials such as timbers and marbles that are absorbent and stain retaining should be treated to eliminate these weaknesses and to facilitate cleaning.

What are the stages of designing and installing a kitchen?

The creation of a kitchen, like any project involving the coordination of several requirements, services, spaces and materials, is composed of two main stages: conception and design followed by execution.

With the first stage, the ambitions of the client, the needs and vision of the end-user and the expertise of the designer or architect come together to fix the variables: the choice of appliances and materials, the manipulation of light, the furniture layout, the storage facilities etc.

This is recorded in drawings which, in turn, will serve as a basis for the design of the infrastructure, the mechanical and electricity layout and plumbing design in particular.

This is a complex entail in the case of a kitchen.

The second stage is the execution which will require a good amount of project management since the overlapping of trades - the carpenter, joiner, tile layer, plasterer, plumber and electrician, and marble layer - is happening in a short time and in a confined space.

How can an architect help?

An architect, like an artist, is trained in the art of composition. S/he can put together elements of colour, texture, material, light and movement in such a way as to provide the atmosphere and feeling of space that the client is envisioning. Architecture, however, also adds the fundamental element of function to the tangible composition of material items, creating the best balance between utility and delight.

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GREAT LEGS WITH OPEN PLAN DINING SPACES MORE AND MORE THE NORM, DINING TABLES HAVE GONE FROM BEING QUIETLY ELEGANTLY TO MUCH MORE OF A STRONG DESIGN STATEMENT. GEOMETRIC STYLE LEGS ARE A PARTICULARLY BIG TREND, RANGING FROM GRACEFULLY CRISS-CROSSED TO BOWSHAPED AND A CHIC TRIPOD THAT LOOKS GREAT WITH A ROUND TOP. WITH TABLES LIKE THESE, KEEP THE CHAIRS SMART BUT NOT OVERLY SHOWY.

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Prora table with legs inspired by the shape of a ship’s bow, by Bonaldo. Form.

Bruno comes in a variety of combinations and finishes. Oxford House Bo Concept’s boat-shaped Milano table now with a new porcelain finish. Brands International Black stained oak table by Hay. Loft Glass topped Ruth table with chrome legs for metallic shine. Atrium

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SHOP

See Address Book on Page 095 for stockist information

The Babila armchair by Pedrali Babila takes inspiration from classic and timeless objects. The functionality of the polypropylene shell or the absolute comfort of the upholstered version can be combined with legs in ash wood, steel tube or a steel rod sled frame. Available from Oxford House Ltd

For those looking for statement pieces Lola Glamour offers an exclusive collection, from chests of drawers, chiffoniers, sideboards and bedroom furniture to the office. Lola Glamour is a feeling and an attitude, a reinterpretation of the classical shapes and styles into individual and unique furniture pieces. Available exclusively from SatarianoHome The Vic armchair by Pedrali is a comfortable and elegant collection of upholstered armchairs. The back is contoured up from the seat, the resulting gap giving the chair a lightness and ease of handling. The legs in solid ash wood are perfectly jointed thanks to a carter under the seat. The seat and the backrest can be upholstered with leather or fabric for a contrasting or even look.

Available from Oxford House Ltd.

Arte Wall Coverings 2017 collection of wallpapers and wall coverings is ideal for completely reshaping, updating or revitalising a room with an unlimited combination of palettes, textures and materials. It gives you a boundless imagination to transform your space into a masterpiece. Available from SatarianoHome 075

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With a sophisticated choice and unparalleled choice of products, F. Moquette Interiors Ltd is a leader in Cipriani by Studio G, a collection of newly arrived decorative weaves. Strong geometric the world of interior design with the patterns are combined with textured weaves and chenille fabrics produced with marled and mostchoice important brands inproduct fabrics,variety, With a sophisticated and unparalleled contract coloured yarns. Six designs are available in eight colour groups. Exclusive to Interiors Ltd iswallpaper, blinds and much F. Moquette one of the best company in Italymore. leaders in the world of One Two One Interiors interior design with the most important brands in F. Moquette Interiors Ltd. fabrics, wallpaper, blind and much more.

F. Moquette Interiors Ltd, 23 Parish Street Naxxar, at Armonia Showroom

Today Dorsal reveals a simple secret for long life: sleep well in the most natural way. DorsalStudio has produced Elisir, an innovative line of mattresses and pillows with heat regulating features Wellbeing Bedding

Suite is Dorsal’s new line of spring mattresses incorporating the company’s production philosophy: Italian craftsmanship, careful choice of top quality materials and a love for details and finishes.

This is the heart of Suite, a project featuring exclusive design, refinement and style. Wellbeing Bedding 076

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Savannah is a new collection of beautifully woven fabrics, available in 30 colours, each with a distinctive multi-coloured silk look (euro 35.90 per meter), and exclusive to One Two One Interiors. We also offer a made-to-measure curtain and blind service as well on site consultations by our design consultants.

See Address Book on Page 095 for stockist information

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SHOP HW

The living area is the place where all the family meets. At Big Ben Interiors you will find all the necessary soft furnishings to make this room comfortable; such as throw overs, cushions, carpets, curtains and more. Visit our premises to view the vast selection of soft furnishings and learn about the services available.

FEYDOM sofas and accessories are created by designers for the designer in all of us! Our transformable sofa system will suit any space. Be a creator of your own sofa!

Solid mahogany wood tables and chairs in a distressed look are available in various finishes and designs. We offer a fully customized service including orders for contemporary, classical and modern tables and chairs using quality timber and expert craftsmanship. Granny Smith Shop

Only â‚Ź1,175.00 and in stock!! Complete bedroom set including 6 door wardrobe (240x55x240), chest of drawers (105x42x75h), mirror (90x2s60h), two bedside tables(45x35x43) and storage bed with hydraulic lift up system. Takes mattress size 160x190.

Delivery and assembly included. TCA apply. GrannySmith Shop

A wide variety of cast iron and solid brass bedsteads with fully orthopaedic slat base. Sizes are available in 90, 135, 150 and 180cm. The base can be adjusted to two different heights and there is also a variety of colours and designs to choose from ranging from contemporary, classic and modern. Granny Smith Shop

See Address Book on Page 095 for stockist information

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Colour and retro lines for style icons: appliances that embody the glamour and rounded forms of the 1950’s. Smeg ‘50s Retro Style products - including a series of small kitchen appliances, refrigerators and freezers, dishwashers and washing machines have become recognised as cult objects and standard bearers of the “Made in Italy” design quality that is famous all over the globe for its blend of art and functionality. Smeg – Forestals

Generation 6000 is Miele’s latest collection of kitchen appliances and has been designed with those with a passion for food in mind. Pureline features glass-fronted appliances while Contour Line has an emphais on stainless steel appliances. The range includes ovens, microwaves, steam ovens, hobs, cooker hoods, refrigerators and even coffee machines. All Miele appliances are covered by a five year warranty. Miele - Forestals Artesa Marble Hot Stone Grill Set. A perfect sharing centerpiece for dinner parties and couples. The natural 39x21x2cm marble hot stone is heated in The oven and then placed on the wire stand with heat protective wooden board with dual inset gel fuel burners underneath. The wooden base has integrated wire side handles for safe carrying and the marble stone has juice draining border channels.€59.95 Topline

Introducing the new Hotpoint Ariston built-in oven featuring innovative features such as Touch Control for smooth control at your fingertips thanks to touch sensitive panels that give you total control over your oven.

The oven features telescopic extendable shelves which are selfsupporting so you can take dishes in and out.

Other features include automatic bread function/fan grilling/ pizza/defrosting/grill.

Hotpoint Ariston

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KitchenAid® mixers are the choice of generations of cooks from beginners to professional chefs.

They are ideal for cake mixing, egg whisking, cream whipping and to knead bread dough.

Available in 27 different colours, the KitchenAid® Artisan Mixer brings style to your kitchen. KitchenAid – Forestals

See Address Book on Page 095 for stockist information

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SHOP HW

The new BIG WHITE 2017 from SLV includes more than 600 novelties for a variety of applications including residential, outdoor and commercial. SLV’s product range showcases innovative designs, whether for professional or decorative lighting solutions.

The catalogue is an essential tool in any design office. ESS

The Wetro luminaire is made from handblown glass plated in copper or vapour coated in black finish. This light fitting is ideal for hanging above a breakfast bench or dining table. The Wetro luminaire comes in three different dimensions that can be combined as a cluster or aligned depending on the area. Find it at Light Design Solutions

Perfect Fit Blinds are a relatively new invention and consist of a blind within a four-sided aluminium frame that wraps around the glass of your PVC window. Perfect Fit Blinds look particularly well in areas such as conservatories and sunrooms or other areas where there are several uPVC windows or doors side-by-side. Perfect Fit Blinds are also a great solution if your windows open in to your rooms such as the ‘tilt and turn’ window. Blinds & More

BeoSound 1 is a portable wireless speaker system in a rock-solid aluminium exterior (one pictured, in brass finish) crafted for mobility and an impressive 360-degree sound performance that fits wherever you want your music; on the shelf, casually on the floor, by the coffee table or even outdoors. It’s unobtrusive and casual design lets it blend into any interior with a subtle touch of delicacy and ease.

Available from Astral

Parador vinyl floors are highly durable and waterproof, making them perfect for kitchens and bathrooms. Vinyl flooring by Parador make extremely silent floors, have non-slip surfaces for added safety and comfort, and create a warmer and more comfortable environment to walk barefoot all year round, and is perfect for both residential and commercial applications. Parador can be found exclusively at Brands International Ltd.

SWING LVT is different from other vinyl floors. It can replicate the charm, look and grain of ‘hardwood’ floors, and also comes in replica ‘stone’ tiles, You will find a variety of over 30 designs to choose from. Apart from its beauty, it stands out for it high durability and stability, easy maintenance and installation, water resistance, and health and safety characteristics. Available from GRF

See Address Book on Page 095 for stockist information

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The Masiero Palm wall lamp is an innovative design that makes it possible to combine and create different compositions. It comes in a wide range of colours and textures, from wood to metal. Find it at Light Design Solutions

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OUTSIDE IN GARDENS

FOOD

TRAVEL

FUSION FEEL The iconic Halfway Inn in San Gwann has been brought back to life

by Emma Warrington, the chef known for her blog, Emma’s Kitchen Project. Before she could start dishing up, though, a total renovation was needed with partition walls demolished, ceilings replaced and the layout rearranged, plus new plumbing, electrics, bathroom and, of course, kitchen. The result, though, is laidback stylish thanks to the combination of traditional and industrial. The walls have been left white, allowing the pattern and colour of the original Maltese tiles to sing out, but the addition of black through the stained wooden counter – made from the original panelling - to the menu board and tables and chairs, gives the traditional a sharper edge. The lighting enhances this feels, from the spotlights on the darks beams to the pendant lights hanging above the counter along with the steel and glass windows. Wood, however, adds a softer touch, warming the design style and pulling the look together for a space that’s full of character and definitely a place to linger. emmaskitchen.com.mt

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Let Them Eat Cake LSA International’s Aurelia collection of glassware is perfect for entertaining as the weather warms up. Beautiful, handmade clear glass drinkware with matching jug and wine carafe, Aurelia features an optic effect that enhances the superior reflective qualities of the glass. The fine lines and delicate feel of the collection are accentuated by the long, slender stems of the glasses. Included in the collection are cake stands that add will definitely add an elegant touch to afternoon tea. One Two One

FINNISH CHIC

Going to Paris soon? Then how about staying in this hotel that is decidedly different. The Koti hotel gives guests a chance to immerse themselves in a totally Finish experience, sleeping in one of six sound-proofed wooden cabins and sharing meals around a communal table. ‘I wanted to highlight the Finnish way of sharing,’ says designer Linda Bergroth, who conceived the idea of the hotel that’s situated at the Institut Finlandais on the city’s Right Bank.

The cottages range from large enough for just one person to family size, and all share bathroom facilities. On arrival guests are given a robe and slippers and in the morning they are awoken by lamps that simulate natural daylight.

A typically Finish breakfast is then taken around a long oak table with bench seating. ‘People are nor forced to speak but can be together quietly,’ says Bergroth. ‘Not talking is completely ok.’

Koti is part of the Mobile Home 2017 project, which explores the meaning of home with installations at the Finnish Institutes in Benelux, Berlin, London as well as Paris.

The Koti Hotel is open until May. kotisleepover.com 082

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free life cover on all personal loans We all have dreams and wishes in our lives to refurbish our home, buy a new car, or enjoy being at sea on a new boat we have always wanted. Make your dreams a reality with a BOV Personal Loan.

your success is our goal

BOV PERSONAL LOANS

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A4 ENG D.indd 6 Ad 20 BOV.indd 83

All personal loans are subject to normal bank lending criteria and final approval from your BOV branch. Benefit of free life cover applies to a maximum of â‚Ź25,000 per loan, until age 69 or until loan account is closed whichever is the earlier.

Terms and conditions apply.

Issued by Bank of Valletta p.l.c., 58, Triq San Ĺťakkarija, il-Belt Valletta VLT 1130

01/06/2016 9:17 AM 28/02/2017 11:04

HW GARDEN

glass HOUSES THE TREND FOR HOUSE PLANTS HAS SEEN TERRARIUM GARDENS BACK IN VOGUE – AND THEY’RE PERFECT FOR GREENING A SMALL SPACE. HERE’S HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN MINIATURE BIOTOPE Words: Sven Alberding Photographs: Micky Hoyle

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I

t all began with one Dr Nathaniel Ward, way back in 1829. Ward was a physician in London and, like the rest of the empire, obsessed with collecting things.

Colonies, animals, plants — Britain’s thirst for all things exotic was in full swing. Transport took long, often many months, and most birds, bees and trees didn’t make it to HQ London.

But then came a chance discovery – keeping moths’ cocoons in sealed glass bottles, Dr Ward found a fern had germinated inside, as well as grass. And so the Wardian Case, as the sealed protective container or biotope is now known, was born.

CASE CLOSED

The premise of Ward’s discovery was simple: to grow plants in closed glass cases, where condensation provided moisture and humidity, while dead leaves and other debris supplied nourishment.

Ward found that the longer the containers were kept closed, the better the plants grew and after some experimentation, he was able to grow exotic plants, the flora thriving in a container that protect it from the generally unsuitable growing conditions of Victorian-era London.

But the Wardian Case wasn’t just a tank of pretty flowers.

Since most plants being shipped between continents died from a lack of fresh water and the constant salt spray at sea, the invention was immediately put to commercial use.

Wardian cases were installed on ships to travel the high seas. Tea plants were smuggled out of Shanghai and shipped off to British India, destination Assam. Rubber trees left Brazil for the colonies of Ceylon (now Sri Lanka) and Malaya.

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More and more people live in urban environments, with little or no access to an outside green space of their own, and terrarium gardens are perfect for creating a slice of nature inside HOW TO MAKE A TERRARIUM GARDEN

The great thing about terrarium gardens is that they are easy to install and maintain —and light on the bank account too.

• Get started with any glass container of your choice with an opening that’s big enough to fit your hand through. Clean it properly and rinse off any soap.

• Begin with a base layer of pebbles, followed by some horticultural charcoal. The charcoal is particularly important in closed cases because it keeps the air clean of any fumes due to decomposing plant material.

• On top of the charcoal goes a thick layer of potting soil and voilà, you’re ready to plant.

• Also try adding some moss in areas between plants to retain more moisture in the soil..

WHAT TO PLANT

Plants suitable for terrariums must fulfil three basic requirements: they must enjoy high humidity and low to moderate light levels, and they must remain relatively small.

Here’s a list of the top 10 plants that will love a glass house: • Ferns; • Selaginella moss; • Miniature orchids; • African violets; • Tillandsias — air plants; • Carnivorous plants; • Helxine soleirolii — peace in the home; • Coleus; • Cyclamens and; • Pileas

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THE FROG WHO LOVED ME The 1970s saw a revival of the Wardian case, but now it was called the terrarium garden. While macramé wall hangings adorned the lounge and bell-bottoms swept the disco dance floors, the terrarium garden was another must-have of the decade.

Now, however, the case was no longer closed; instead it was a decorative display in glass, a way to view roots and shoots in a contained environment. And, it seems, with the supply of oxygen came an added attraction - a frog.

Mostly green and feasting on flies supplied by the kids, he was part of the family and provided for endless hours of entertainment for all.

FAST FORWARD With the current trend for all things green and growing, it’s no surprise that the terrarium garden has made a comeback once again. This time it’s not about the frog but about space.

More and more people live in urban environments, with little or no access to an outside green space of their own, and terrarium gardens are perfect for creating a slice of nature inside.

In creating our terrariums we kept the lid off most of the time, but if you prefer the idea of a closed case, just add the lid for more control. Just follow the instructions (left) and you’ll soon enjoy a biotope in your home.

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HW FOOD & WINE

Eastern Promise

Sabrina Ghayour has become a cookery star for her way with flavours from the East. Here are three delicious recipes from her latest book, Sirocco‌ Recipes: Sabrina Ghayour Photography: Haarala Hamilton Wine recommendations: Georges Meekers, Emmanuel Delicata Winemaker Sirocco (Mitchell beazley) at agendamalta.com

Pictured: Prawn, Tenderstem Broccoli, Feta, & Almond Salad. See page 091 for recipe 088

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FOOD & WINE HW

CHARGRILLED OCTOPUS WITH MAPLE CHILLI DRESSING & PISTACHIOS Serves 4

‘People are often squeamish about cooking octopus but, rest assured, it is incredibly easy and the results are very rewarding. Just expect about 30–40 per cent shrinkage when cooking.’

INGREDIENTS 2 kg Octopus (I prefer just tentacles from a large octopus, rather than whole small ones) 3 heaped teaspoons rose harissa 5 tablespoons maple syrup Olive oil for drizzling 50 gr pistachio slivers or 75 gr pistachios, chopped (skin on is fine) Sea salt flakes 0.5kg baby rainbow carrots

METHOD Bring a large saucepan of generously salted water to the boil, add the octopus, reduce the heat to medium-low immediately and simmer for 2 hours or, if using a whole octopus, for 3 hours. Drain and plunge the octopus into cold water.

In a small saucepan, combine the harissa and maple syrup and heat gently. As soon as the mixture begins to bubble, take the pan off the heat and set aside.

Heat a griddle pan or a heavy-based saucepan over a high heat. Dry the octopus pieces using kitchen paper

(don’t worry if some of the skin begins to rub away) and cut them into manageable lengths that will easily fit on to your griddle pan. Rub all the octopus pieces with olive oil to coat them well.

Cooking in batches, sear the octopus on the hot griddle for 1–2 minutes (depending on the size of the pieces) or until char marks appear. Transfer to a plate.

Slice the octopus according to your preference and arrange on a serving plate. Drizzle the sauce liberally over the octopus slices, drizzle with a little olive oil and scatter over the pistachios to finish.

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HW FOOD & WINE

NECTARINE PAVLOVA WITH MINT, ALMONDS & TEA SYRUP Serves 6

‘The great thing about a pavlova is that it can be made in any shape you wish and topped with anything you like.

I like to make mine in the same shape as my oven tray to make it easy to slice and serve.

Alternatively, you can just give everyone a spoon each and let them dig in!

INGREDIENTS

METHOD

6 large egg whites 300 gr caster sugar ½ teaspoon vanilla essence 1½ teaspoons white wine vinegar 3 teaspoons cornflour

Preheat the oven to 180°C, Gas Mark 4. Line the largest oven tray you have with baking paper.

In a large, clean mixing bowl, beat the egg whites using an electric hand whisk until they form soft peaks. Slowly incorporate the caster sugar a little at a time and continue whisking until it has all been incorporated and the mixture is thick, glossy and forms stiff peaks. Add the vanilla essence, vinegar and cornflour and fold in gently (do not beat) using a spatula until evenly combined. Empty the mixture on to the prepared oven tray, shape into a rectangle and smooth the surface over with the spatula. Place in the oven and immediately lower the oven temperature to 120°C, Gas Mark ½ and bake for 1 hour.

After an hour, turn the oven off completely, but leave the meringue inside the oven as it cools (this usually takes a couple of hours).

In a small bowl, combine the sliced nectarines with the chopped mint and set aside.

To make the tea syrup, place the tea bags/leaves in a jug with the boiling water and allow to brew for 3–4 minutes, stirring well, then strain into a small saucepan. Stir in the caster sugar, then place the pan over a medium-high heat and reduce the liquid to a syrup – this will take 10–15 minutes or so.

Whip the double cream with the vanilla paste and the icing sugar until firm. Spread the cream on to the meringue, arrange the nectarines on top, drizzle the tea syrup over and sprinkle with toasted almonds and extra chopped mint to serve

For the topping: 3 large or 4 small ripe nectarines, peeled and sliced Generous handful of mint leaves, finely chopped, plus extra to garnish 600ml double cream 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste 6 tablespoons icing sugar 40 gr flaked almonds, toasted For the tea syrup: 2 Earl Grey/Darjeeling/Assam tea bags or 2 tablespoons of your favourite tea blend 250 ml boiling water 6 tablespoons caster sugar

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28/02/2017 11:14

FOOD & WINE HW

PRAWN, TENDERSTEM BROCCOLI, FETA, & ALMOND SALAD Serves 4-6 ‘I absolutely love broccoli and wouldn’t usually think to pair it with seafood, but there is so much flavour and texture in this salad that it is terribly moreish. This dish works well as a starter, for lunch or as part of a main meal. It’s a great salad for picnics, too, because even when chilled, it is really quite satisfying.’

INGREDIENTS 100 gr blanched almonds 400 gr tenderstem broccoli 400 gr raw, large Madagascar prawns, peeled but with tails left on Finely grated zest of 2 unwaxed lemons 1 heaped teaspoon rose harissa 4 tablespoons olive oil 200 gr block of feta cheese 20 gr dill, fronds and stems finely chopped For the dressing: 4 heaped tablespoons clear honey Juice of 1½ lemons 2 tablespoons olive oil Sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper

METHOD Preheat the oven to 190°C, Gas Mark 5. Line a baking tray with baking paper.

Place the almonds on the prepared baking tray and toast them in the oven for 10 minutes, then remove and set aside.

Bring a large saucepan of water to the boil and blanch the broccoli for 5 minutes. Drain and plunge the broccoli stems into cold (but not iced) water to arrest cooking. Drain and set aside.

Combine the dressing ingredients in a bowl, seasoning well with salt and pepper, and set aside.

Heat a griddle pan over a high heat. Place the prawns in a large bowl, add the lemon zest, rose harissa and olive oil, season well with salt and work the mixture into the prawns. Leave the prawns to marinate for a few minutes, then lay them on the hot griddle pan and cook for 2 minutes on each side or

until they turn pink and are cooked through.

Remove the prawns from the heat.

Choose a nice large platter and arrange the broccoli and prawns on it. Crumble over the feta cheese and scatter the almonds on top.

Give the dressing a final stir and drizzle it over the salad. Scatter over the chopped dill and serve.

GEORGES' WINE RECOMMENDATIONS: PRAWN, TENDERSTEM BROCCOLI, FETA, & ALMOND SALAD (above)

CHARGRILLED OCTOPUS WITH MAPLE CHILLI DRESSING & PISTACHIOS (page 89)

NECTARINE PAVLOVA WITH MINT, ALMONDS & TEA SYRUP (adjacent)

2015 MEDINA GIRGENTINA CHARDONNAY, D.O.K. MALTA

2015 MEDINA SYRAH CARIGNAN GRENACHE, D.O.K. MALTA

2015 CLASSIC COLLECTION CASELLA MOSCATO, I.G.T. MALTESE ISLANDS

Opt for a crisp white wine with plenty of zest and zippy citrus flavours to deal with the dressing.

Delicata’s original blend of Girgentina with Maltagrown Chardonnay works well: its pleasant stone fruit laced with whiffs of new-mown hay will also nicely harmonise the veggie flavours. The wine and salad mirror each other in their sappiness.

Often opposites attract, but in this case like likes like.

Instead of the obvious white wine match, this light dry red wine pulls off some wizardry putting the focus on the chargrilling and dish seasoning.

This young peppery and herbal scented blend of Syrah, Carignan and Grenache with a silky texture accentuates the sweetness and the caramelisation of the syrup. The grilled octopus meat marries well with the fruitiness found in this scrumptious un-oaked Maltese red.

I suggest something a little different with this light and exotic dessert.

Delicata’s Classic Collection Casella Moscato entices with complementing fragrant floral aromas with a subtle hint of citrus fruit, candid peel and honey: the perfect supplement to most moreish meringues. The mint is a bit of a wild topping for this and any other wine, though. Served cold this wine delivers all the right lip-smacking goodness.

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HW TRAVEL

Taking The Waters In Budapest, enjoying a rejuvenating dip comes with an architectural feast for the eyes

B

udapest is known for its beautiful architecture – and its Thermal Baths which are the largest medicinal baths in Europe.

The original baths date back to Roman times, however these are in ruins now. Instead, while bathing gaze upon the lavish architecture of the 16th century Ottoman Empire as well as those from more modern times including the equally decorative Art Nouveau period.

Hungary’s capital sits on a network of 70 thermal springs, and the baths are fed by their water that is rich in calcium, bromine and magnesium. ‘Taking the waters’ has long been a part of Hungarian life, and in ancient times travellers would come from far and wide to enjoy their rejuvenating properties.

The baths are made up of a series of pools, mostly indoor but some outdoor, with temperatures ranging from just warm to hot, as well as ice-cold plunge pools. There are also massage rooms and saunas.

The pre-war baths are the most beautiful. As well as an

enjoyable bathing experience, lose yourself in the maze of rooms that are decorated and painted with dolphins and mermaids on the walls and ceilings. Many locals have found these baths to be so inspiring, they have re-created the designs at home!

There are a number of different baths– some have different entrances for men and women, others are for both sexes. While the baths are very much for locals, there are also a fair number of tourists so while the majority of the signs are in Hungarian, there are those in English too.

Valuables and your day clothes can be stashed safely in a locker room – the key in the form of a security bracelet or pinned to your swimmers. It is recommended that you wear flip-flops as the tiles can get slippery. Take a bathing suit; you can rent towels or make do with a sheet that is provided.

Remember to tip your masseuse if you have a massage. In summer, pack sunscreen and a bottle of water to drink.

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TRAVEL HW

Szechenyi Medicinal Bath complex , the largest medicinal bath in Europe, built in 1913

THE BATHS TO VISIT Szechenyi Baths: the most well-known of the baths, visited by over a million international visitors every year. It open in 1913 and is made up of 15 thermal baths and three swimming pools, both outdoor and indoor, as well as saunas.

GellĂŠrt Baths: an Art Nouveau extravanganza, its pools are particularly stunning.

Rudas Baths: octagonally-shaped and one of the oldest and recently renovated, but men-only most of the time

Gellert Thermal Bath, traditional Hungarian thermal bath complex with spa treatments. The bath house has beautiful Art Nouveau architecture dating back to 1918

Veli Bej Baths: A Turkish bath renoated in 2011 but still has the original clay pipes for pumping in the water.

KirĂĄly Baths Ottoman-era and so authentic, but showing their considerable age. Very atmospheric though.

Helia, Aquincum and Margitsziget: the modern baths for a more serious and clinical experience - with none of the architectural splendour

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CME.indd 1

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ADDRESS BOOK A&A Mizzi, Triq is-Salib tal-Imriehel, Mriehel. Tel: 2148 8168 www.aamizzi.com Astral Enterprises, Abate Rigord Street, Ta’ Xbiex. Tel: 2134 0562 www.astral.com.mt Auntie Lucy LTD, Tower Road, Sliema Tel: 2131 7387 www.auntielucy.com B&M Supplies, Triq Dun Karm, Birkirkara. Tel: 2144 0710 www.bmsupplies.com.mt Bathroom Design, 358, Naxxar Road, Birkirkara. Tel: 2144 1328 www.bathroomdesign.com.mt Big Ben Interiors, 223-225, Naxxar Road, Birkirkara. Tel: 2144 7347 www.bigben.com.mt Blinds & More, 41, Naxxar Road, San Gwann. Tel: 2787 8700 www.blindsandmore.com.mt

Debenhams, The Point Shopping Mall, Pjazza Tigne’, Tigne’ Point, Sliema.

Tel: 2247 2000 www.debenhams.com.mt Decorium, 190, Naxxar Road, San Gwann. Tel: 2138 9224 www.decorium.com.mt Eclecticist, Pitkali Road, Attard.

Tel: 9980 0751 www.ecleticist.eu Emmanuel Delicata Winemaker, The Winery on the Waterfront, Paola.

Tel: 2182 5199 www.delicata.com ESS Building, San Gwakkin Road, Mriehel, Birkirkara. Tel: 2125 5777 www.ess.com.mt Feydom Interiors, 190, Ground Floor, Marina Road, Pieta. Tel: 20990980 www.feydom.com.mt FGP, 109, Valletta Road, Luqa.

Tel:2167 3627 www.fgp.com.mt

BOV Centre, 58 Triq il-Kanun, Santa Venera. Tel: 2131 2020 www.bov.com.mt

Flamingo Complex, Cannon Road, Qormi. Tel: 2279 4205 www.flamingo.com.mt

BoConcept, Brands International Ltd, Triq tal-Balal, San Gwann.

Tel: 2144 4110 www.brands.com.mt

F. Moquette Interiors, 23, Triq il-Parrocca, In-Naxxar. Tel: 9933 6555 www.fmoquette.com

Bridgepoint LTD, Old Railway Track, Santa Venera. Tel: 2147 2241 www.bridgepoint.com.mt

Forestals Group Of Companies, Mriehel Bypass, Mriehel. Tel: 2343 6000 www.forestals.com

CAS LTD, 206, Triq il-Kappillan Mifsud, Santa Venera. Tel: 2123 0777 www.casmalta.com

FORM, Triq il-Wied Ta’ l-Msida, Msida.

Tel: 2144 6000 www.form.com.mt

Carmelo Delia, Valley Road, Birkirkara.

Tel: 2147 2882 www.carmelodelia.com CME Finishes, 264, St. Thomas Street, Fgura. Tel: 2180 7000 www.cmefinishes.com CORE, Triq Mannarino, Birkirkara.

Tel: 2144 3449 www.core.com.mt

Granny Smith Shop, St. Paul’s Street, Naxxar. Tel: 2141 8984 www.grannysmith.com GRF Design Concepts, 117, Triq L-Assemblea Nazzjonali, San Gwann.

Tel: 2137 7378 www.grfmalta.com Halmann Vella, The Factory, Mosta Road, Lija. Tel: 2143 3636 www.halmannvella.com

Light Design Solutions Ltd, Emmanuel Schembri Street, Birkirkara.

Tel: 2149 6843 www.lds.com.mt LOFT, St Paul’s St, Naxxar.

Tel: 2099 9966 www.loft.com.mt M. Demajo Timbers, Olive Square, Qormi. Tel: 2148 7078 www.demajotimbers.com Cucine Doimo, Valley Road, Birkirkara.

Tel 2010 1837 Muscat Motors Ltd, Rue D’Argens, Gzira. Tel: 2326 4000 www.muscatmotos.com.mt Muscat Pools, Muscat Building, Triq Gammari Camilleri, Mgarr.

Tel: 2158 2761 www.muscatpools.com Next Home, Triq Bisazza, Sliema.

Tel: 2134 4156 www.next.com.mt Olimpus Music Ltd, Valletta Road, Mosta. Tel:2133 2093 www.olimpusmusic.com One Two One , 21st September Avenue, Naxxar. Tel: 2142 2948/9 Que-si-Sana Seafront, Sliema.

Tel: 21323155/65 www.onetwoone.eu Oxford House, Notabile Road, Mriehel.

Tel: 2546 4000 www.oxfordhouse.com.mt Topline, St. Andrews Road, St. Andrews. Tel: 2137 2256 R. Living, Mriehel Bypass, Qormi.

Tel: 2149 9699 www.rliving.com.mt Satariano Home, Marina Street, Pieta.

Tel: 2149 2149 www.satariano.com The Mediterrenean Wellbeing Company Ltd, 5/6, Msida Valley Road, Birkirkara. Tel:2131 6678 www.wellbeingbedding.com

095

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HW ESSENTIAL SUPPLIERS SUPPLIERS

AIR CONDITIONING POOLS

AIR CONDITIONING

A++

Specialising in Pool & Spa Construction, Finishing & Repairs, Roof Top or In-ground Pools

Starting from:

PENTAIR POOL EQUIPMENT - REVIGLASS MOSAIC GLASS COPINGS & TILES - MARBLE OR CERAMIC NATURALCHLOR SALT CHLORINATION SYSTEMS HIDROTEN POOL FITTINGS

€ 475.00 - 12000 btu (not incl installation)

T: (356) 21488168/160 E: info@aamizzi.com W: www.aamizzi.com

096

A-Z__Homeworks 96

Phone: 21 582761 Fax: 21 586242 Mob: 99457491 / 79258227 Email: pools@muscatpools.com Web: muscatpools.com

TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SECTION PLEASE PHONE: 21332133 99999999 OR EMAIL: sales@homeworks.com.mt.mt TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SECTION PLEASE PHONE: OR EMAIL: Info@writeon.com.mt

28/02/2017 12:05

ESSENTIAL SUPPLIERS SUPPLIERS HW CMYK / .ai

contemporary rugs

cowhides

sheepskin rugs

home décor accessories

leather rugs

handmade oriental rugs

create the ultimate and up to date chic in your home...

DECOR

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190, naxxar road, san gwann SGN 9030 - tel: (+356) 21389224 - email: info@decorium.com.mt - www.decorium.com.mt

GARAGE DOORS

TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SECTION PLEASE PHONE: 2133 9999 OR EMAIL: sales@homeworks.com.mt.mt

A-Z.indd 97

097

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HW BACK STORY

®

STRING SHELVING

BY NILS STRINNING

I

CREATED BY ONE OF THE FOUNDING FATHERS OF SCANDINAVIAN DESIGN, THIS SIMPLE BUT STYLISH DESIGN IS STILL COVETED BY ARCHITECTS AND DESIGNERS AROUND THE WORLD

t began as a hopeful entry in a competition, but went on to become a design classic. String® shelving may have been first produced almost 70 years ago, but its uncomplicated design is so beautifully modern that it fits perfectly into the contemporary home.

String® was designed by Sweden’s Nils ‘Nisse’ Strinning who responded to a competition held by Bonnier, then Sweden’s largest publishing house who, wanting to encourage the buying of books, asked for a shelf design that was affordable plus easy to transport and assemble.

Strinning, considered one of the founders of the Scandinavian designed movement, beat off 193 entries, winning for his modular system of adjustable shelves and wire panels that were lightweight but at the same time robust, and simple to expand when more books needed storing. He combined this functionality with a stylish

aesthetic of elegant side-panels in neutral shades that contrast the solid shelf. It felt fresh, modern and forwardlooking which was well-received in the aftermath of the Second World War. As well as winning the competition String® quickly became a design hit, particularly among the young, and was even installed in the newly built headquarters of the United Nations in New York in 1950.

The idea originated as a humble dish rack – on the hunt for a practical and useful dish rack to dry dishes (considered more hygienic than using a tea towel) Strinning created a wire rack (also a best-seller at the time). Three years later, he coated the steel wire with plastic and the base materials for the String® system were created.

Strinning, who died in 2006, always aimed create an object that was a ‘timeless classic’. String® certainly is that.

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Nothing completes your home better than the sound of a Yamaha piano Visit our showroom to see our full range of Yamaha acoustic and digital pianos olimpus music - valletta road, mosta - 21332093 - www.olimpusmusic.com - info@olimpusmusic.com

Inside Back - Olipmpu Music.indd 99

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aLL-new JaGUar f-pace

aBoVe aLL, It’S a JaGUar.

from €49,900 Welcome to Jaguar as you’ve never seen it before. Now you can enjoy the dramatic drive and beauty Jaguar is renowned for, with added practicality.

Inspired by F-TYPE, its powerful, muscular looks give the All-New F-PACE a head-turning road presence. And it delivers the connected steering feel and sharp, responsive handling of a sports car too, thanks to its aluminium double wishbone front and Integral Link rear suspension. A master of sporting performance and everyday practicality, F-PACE raises the game.

Potent, agile and responsive, All-New F-PACE is pure Jaguar.

NOW WITH 5 YEARS WARRANTY from Muscats Motors, sole agent for Jaguar in Malta. jaguar.com.mt Muscats Motors Ltd. Rue D’Argens, Gżira. GZR 1368.

2326 4584/5. info@mml.mizzi.com.mt

the art of performance

Back Cover - Jaguar.indd 100

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