HOMEWORKS 86

Sheer Driving Pleasure

ISSUE 86 NOVEMBER 2017

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ISSUE 86

INSPIRATION IMPROVEMENT STYLE

THE AUTUMN COLOURS ISSUE +Bedroom Special

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CONTENTS HW

® ISSUE 86 NOVEMBER 2017

038

COVER STORY ELEGANT EQUILIBRIUM a stylish yet contained model of contemporary Mediterranean living

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011 013 018 023 031 038 044 050 056 063 075 079 082 086 090 094 097 098

contents

Reader letters and competition The Edit – news My Design Life – Ray Demicoli Cosy Cool feature Valletta in the 21st century Home 1: Elegant Equilibrium Home 2: Life in the Sky Home 3: Barefoot Luxury Home 4: Let there be light Bedroom special Shop Lifestyle news Garden – The Eden Project Food & Wine – Party pieces Travel – Ship to shore Essential suppliers Address book Back Story – The Rug Company 007

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EDITOR’S LETTER HW

This Issue.

With autumn upon us, life turns indoors and the interior of our homes becomes all the more important. Warm colours, texture, mood lighting and materials that are soft-to-touch along with the charm of flickering flames all make for a home that engenders feelings of comfort. On page 023, find ideas to help you cosy up your home for the cooler months including a wide range of stunning statement fires, many with new clean technology that makes it possible to enjoy the ambience of a fire without the mess of a chimney. On a similarly snug theme, this issue features a bedroom special (page 063) with advice and inspiration to help you create a bedroom to help you get a good night’s sleep something that is key to health and wellbeing. Finally, V18 is almost here which prompted us to ask three architects (page 031) what makes Valletta special, and how does such a historic city look to the future without losing sight of its past? Their views make fascinating reading. I hope you enjoy them too.

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 ART DIRECTOR MARC SPITERI DESIGN JONATHAN RYAN

PHOTOGRAPHY ELSA ALLEN ALAN CARVILLE GREG COX WARREN HEATH TONIO LOMBARDI MAS JON WRIGLEY CONTRIBUTORS SVEN ALBERDING MANDY ALLEN JUSTINE BARTOLO KEVIN BONELLO KONRAD BUHAGIAR FIONA CARUANA CARABEZ ELIZA COSTABEL CHRISTIAN HOLLAND GUY LAGUENS

GEORGES MEEKERS DR EDWIN MINTOFF MICHAEL PACE MELINA SCODANIBBIO GRAHAM WOOD SALES & MARKETING ROBIN MILLS +356 2133 9999 +356 9933 2224 sales@homeworks.com.mt PRE-PRESS & PRINTING PRINT IT 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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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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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 85

WINNER

LARA TANTI FARRUGIA 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.

LARA WROTE: “The homes featured in the magazine, offer outstanding elements of both interior and exterior living spaces. Nevertheless, I suggest that a ‘brainwave’ section be included in the magazine where readers can display their own creative ideas, possible tips and suggestions.”

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

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THE EDIT NEWS

TRENDS

ADVICE

SHOPPING

PEOPLE

DROP LIGHTING As the light fades outside, turn on the style with a striking chandelier. Futuna is pared back, just eight conical glass lamps with a bulb but together they create a chandelier that has the capacity to elevate the room in which it sits. Hang the Futuna over a dining table, or in the corner of a room instead of a table or floor lamp. BoConcept

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WOOD EFFECTS

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The Italian brand Dialma Brown combines wood, salvaged from old farmhouses and mountain huts, and combines it with artisanal know-how and stateof-the-art manufacturing techniques to create striking and original pieces of furniture.

The latest collection includes bookcases, dressers and occasional tables. Armchairs can be upholstered in a variety of fabrics from shabby chic or vintage to a more modern design. Available from SatarianoHome

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HANDMADE DETAIL Sculptured wood creates designs that are highly textured and visually strong. This Scarpa sideboard is crafted using traditional joinery techniques with each hexagonal piece cut and added by hand for a piece of furniture that will make a style statement. It’s useful too as four shelves and two drawers give you plenty of storage.

Grey and Adler

A NEW INTERIORS BOUTIQUE Maison + Lumiere is a newly opened store that is full of lovely things for the home. Its collections are wide-ranging, from rustic to contemporary and include unique furniture pieces, rugs, wallpaper, mirrors, lamps, dinnerware sets, decorative items and more 015

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HW THE EDIT

The Colour of Comfort Dulux’s 2018 Colour of the Year is Heart Wood, described as a warm neutral, with a hint of heather. While darker than the usual neutral, according to the brand’s colour experts, it is a versatile shade that allows it to be used as you would a neutral. It works particularly well with warmer, pinker shades of wood such as cherry, and tactile materials including leather and velvet, making Heart Wood a colour that aims to make the home feel like a sanctuary in a difficult world. ‘It provides the comfort and reassurance we’re all seeking, it’s the perfect antidote to the mood of the moment – channeling a real sense of calm and warmth during such times of uncertainty,’ said Rebecca Williamson, Senior Colour and Design Expert. ‘The versatility of the palette gives consumers the freedom to balance softer shades such as cocoa with the deeper, bolder tones of ink blue and purple. Combining these shades in such a way creates a calming backdrop – effectively transforming any space into an environment of comfort and restfulness.’

BANISH WOODWORM Discovering woodworm infestation in your home can be a shock, and if you have to replace beams, flooring and other wooden fixtures, is can become very costly. Now there is another solution – an innovative new Mobile Microwave System that can treat all types on wood onsite without the use of gas or chemicals. From Salvarti Co, it is 100 per cent ecological, non-invasive, effective and can be easily brought on site.

It works by disinfesting the wood with microwaves that absorb the bodily fluids of all wood boring insects from the wooden core to the outer area, eliminating all

insect life stages together with mould and any fungi.

The temperature is set according to the mass of the wood being treated and it treats the wood without absorbing any water molecules in the process. Professional thermal infrared cameras with humidity and temperature readers are also used in order to ensure that the perfect temperature has been reached for the full effectiveness of the treatment.

Projects that the system has been used with are the San Anton Palace, the National Library of Malta and Villa Gourgion.

For more information see www.salvarti.com

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HW THE EDIT

Ray DeMicoli is one of Malta’s most highly-rated architects. After working in Paris for some years, he returned to Malta and in 1976 set up his own architectural practice, DeMicoli & Associates. Acclaimed projects include his own home which was nominated for the Mies Van der Rohe European Architectural award, the offices at the Mall in Floriana, the Joinwell building, Portomaso and Palm City in Libya

I live in…

a house that my wife, Angie, and I built in San Gwann.

We found the land way back in 1991 and it was characterised by carob trees that were more than 150 years old. The brief we set ourselves was not to remove a single tree so we crafted the house around the trees, a decision we bless every day we look over the garden – we feel as though we’re living in a tree house.

elements. Through my knowledge of architecture, I can quickly asses the characteristics of a town or city, it’s the period of economic development all reflected by the architecture.

My working day entails…

trying to return the volley of questions that arrive from all directions. I try to keep this as short as possible so I have some time to design aspects of current projects on the drawing board. I like to work in a pleasant environment.

We have built up the practice founded a positive ‘can do’ vibe; that helps the creative juices to permeate.

I believe the role of an architect is to...

question, challenge and push boundaries, and try to make something special of every task at hand, no matter the scale. The joy of a city is made up of these good collective individual efforts. An architect, though paid by a client, has his first responsibility to society. He must live conscientiously with what he proposes. Architects have the power to create really amazing spaces.

The most useful item in my home is…

the power supply - without it everything stops. However, I have quite a list of useful gadgets such as my air-pressure wine opener (left), fabulous juicer and reclining bed.

I make my coffee with…

a tiny Illy coffee machine. I have one at the office and at home. I miss it except when in Italy.

I could not live without…

Angie; she is my rock and anchor, with a positive outlook and always ready to help .

I jot my ideas down on…

my iPad but I also sketch and design on tracing paper, or anything available.

I am inspired by...

architecture here in Malta, Italy, and the Mediterranean but primarily the sea. Malta would be another Pantelleria [volcanic Sicillian island] if it was not for the natural harbours, and because of our location as a frontier of Europe the destiny of the island was set for over 2000 years.

I have sailed all my life all over the Mediterranean; sailing is like riding a bike in a city as opposed to driving.....you have the time to soak up all that is going on around you.

This sensitivity brings alive the buzz of sea-faring activity in the Med in by-gone times, appreciating nature and the

Brunelleschi’s Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral, Florence

My favourite architect is...

impossible to say as in every country and in every era architects of calibre have emerged since the early ages.

Early builders and master masons were confronted with the limitations of materials, transport and technology. Over the years, rules of mathematics and proportion elevated the building trade to the realm of architecture.

I am a big fan of the Renaissance particularly the work of Brunelleschi and Alberti. I am also deeply grateful to Professor Quentin Hughes for imparting to us the value of heritage. Contemporary firms that I really like are Renzo Piano and Peter Zumthor.

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THE EDIT HW

Museum of Old and New (MONA) in Hobart, Tasmania

My favourite buildings are...

fun ones that have an inbuilt sense of being tongue-incheek which resolves conflicts and turns these conflicts into spectacular solutions. One such building is the Museum of Old and New (MONA) in Hobart, Tasmania.

Commissioned by David Walsh, a professional gambler and art collector, his encounter with Melbourne-based architect Nonda Katsalidis created a masterpiece. It was a continuous process of building an ever evolving building, and reacting to new needs as they arose.

My favourite interior design classic is...

the Vitra office chair by Charles Eames (below). It is an absolute classic; the lines of the profile of the steel structure is a great sinuous curve. I purchased ten for our boardroom in 2000, and 17 years later they are still brand new and the most comfortable chairs that I know of.

Unfortunately in some highly-rated restaurants, a delicious dinner is spoilt by a sore throat from trying the communicate above the cacophony of reflected conversations.

The work I would like to be remembered for...

ha ha - I hope it is still to come! Many architects completed their best work in their sixties so I am right in the zone!

However, when we finished Portomaso, we had many international firms asking us to work on similar projects overseas, and we had architects visit from as far away as Australia and Sri Lanka. Putting a marina at the heart of Portomaso (below) seemed crazy but really, it was probably the master stroke that made that project.

The public building I most love to visit …

there are too many to count and it is unfair to select a few. I am amazed at the sheer number of excellent buildings that are churned out not just by ‘starchitects’ but also by small scale studios all over the world - creative solutions and design development the result of deep analysis. It’s wonderful to see such amazing response to current trends.

In interior design I appreciate the quality of the design thread and design development more than grand scale and bombastic high budget interiors. I am impressed by a clear strategy that is an honest response to a situation.

Conversely I can tell you what I dislike tremendously: seeing light source directly in one’s eyes, restaurants or public spaces for gatherings without any concern for reverberation, and attenuation of sound absorption.

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THE EDIT HW

Human_Construct Maltese artist Kane Cali has his first solo exhibition entitled Human_Construct at Blitz this month. Following nine years in the UK which included time at the Royal College of Art (London), he returned to Malta and took up a lecturing post at MCAST. In 2015 he began the process of regenerating a small, abandoned space in St Ursula Street, Valletta, and founded the Kane Cali Studio which is a space for research into materiality and experimentations with technology, with the aim of creating a synthesis between the two.

Here, Kane talks about his new exhibition...

Photography: Alexandra Pace

What is Human_Construct about?

‘The project has become an evolution of thoughts and observations surrounding questions of identity within a digital era. Who, where and what are we as we communicate representations of ourselves within digital filters, most of which are social media platforms. Some may argue a case for selfinitiated evolution, others question its ability to dehumanise us, taking us away from ‘natural’ and more biological forms of contact.

By adopting a techno-utopian premise – one that suggests advances in science and technology might be a means to the understanding of social differences – the work returns our gaze with futuristic perspectives. Borrowing a neoclassic aesthetic to reference a new potential ‘age of enlightenment’, the work appears bold and white with one contrasting difference: it is mainly made of white Portland concrete, a material of our time, arguably the world’s more popular material and one that is less precious and more utilitarian. Alongside this, are cast crystal, porcelain and marble, all given equal importance, to emphasise the world’s new gold: data.

Can you describe the works within the research project?

‘Neoclassical influences regurgitated through digital filters, a collection of data captured and built by machines (3D scanning and 3D printing), all finished by hand. The aim of the project was to realise various forms in a range of materials to better explore the malleability of data translation. Included are busts cast in concrete, slip cast ceramics, cast glass objects created through lost wax casting, a series of prints on high quality archival paper, marble and concrete relief works and also holographic works (works made of light).’

What inspired you to create Human_Construct?

‘Our incessant need to circumvent reality through the creation of a new one. It is something that has always been with us as a species, however within the past few decades it has been made more evident through digital mediums. This new space exists within a threshold that presents both fear and curiosity, and this is something I have also been attracted to.’

Human_Construct is on between November 18 - December 8 www.thisisblitz.com 021

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Surfacing the most beautiful spaces

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

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THE EDIT HW

COSY COOL

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When it’s cold outside, you need to warm your interior. Here’s how...

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ON FIRE Nothing makes a room feel warm and cosy than the dancing flames of a fire. Today you don’t need a mantelpiece for there are plenty of stylish free-standing options including those that add a design element.

If you have no room for a chimney, you can still have a fire with a bio-ethanol fireplace – bio-ethanol is a renewable energy source produced by a sugar fermentation process and creates real flames without smoke. You don’t need an electrical or gas source either.

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1. Uppsala - A perfect combination of steel and majolica with hand-worked bas-relief, this fireplace is a modern interpretation of the traditional circular heath. There are no metal profiles in the glass surrounding the grate to obscure the view of fire. The glass panels are electrically operated. Bathroom Design 2. Bellfires 3 Sided Room Divider - Balanced flue built-in gas fire with a double burner, remote control (thermostatic) and polished glass. Comes in different decoration. Il Camino 3. Max Blank High quality German technology wood or pellet burning combination stove.

Works without electricity, entirely clean and provides comfortable heating. Il Camino 4. Delta 2 Czarny matt black bio-ethanol all-mounted fireplace. Sunsource

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Studiomodagroup

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The Colour of Comfort

Top left: Juliet 1500 bio-ethanol. European, quality TUV certified fireplace. Sunsource Top right: Legionis bioethanol fireplace from Sunsource Far Left: Gruppo Palazzeti wood-burning stoves from Renergy Left: Gruppo Palazzeti wood-burning stoves, from Renergy

Far left: The Rocal Born is a stylish three-sided wood burning stove that boasts a powerful 18kW output and a 78% efficiency, from Tekno Left: A contemporary gas fireplace with a closed hearth and three-sided element. ‘4 Fireplace’ Trisore, from Tekno

DOWN UNDER Underfloor heating provides radiant heat giving the highest comfort levels at an even temperature, throughout the room. Compared to other heating systems, maintenance costs are low, it is energy efficient, environmentally friendly, more hygienic, gives better all round comfort, can be used with most floor surfaces and offers flexible room temperature control. Underfloor heating has been proven to give energy savings of between 15-40 percent.

Full under floor heating solutions from Tekno 025

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SIMPLE IDEAS. INSPIRING DESIGN.

Affordable Quality.

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THE EDIT HW

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RUG UP A beautiful rug will instantly warm a room and add style. How large you go depends on the arrangement of your furniture. If your sofa or armchairs are against a wall, your rug should be large enough to fit under the front legs of your furniture. However, if your furniture is set in the middle of a room, opt for a rug that is fits under all legs of your furniture.

For a rug under a dining table, measure the length and width and add about 60cm on all sides. Pattern or solid colour? Choose the former to add decoration, keeping your upholstered furniture plain. A rug with a solid colour needs pattern to lift it, either with patterned furniture or cushions.

1. Fuller heather by Linie Design, Joinwell 2. Atmosphere by Limited Edition, camilleriparismode 3. Genova by Sitap, Grey & Adler 4. Hand-knotted vintage rug, over-dyed for a new look.

Maison+Lumiere

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EXTRA PADDING Layer in style and warmth with textured cushions in a mix of plain and pattern. Cushions are also an easy way to update your space for the new season. When arranging cushions, play with scale by putting together differentsized ones, placing smaller cushions in complementary colours at the front.

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1. Velvet flowers, BoConcept 2. Assorted velvet cushions, Grey and Adler 3. Habitat Agnes cushion, Atrium 4. Butterfly Home by Matthew Williamson, Debenhams

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SEE THE LIGHT Atmospheric lighting is key to making a room feel inviting and becomes even more effective during autumn/winter when evenings are longer. Invest in floor, ceiling and wall lights that give ambient lighting; tea light holders on sideboards or coffee tables add a decorative touch.

1. Floor lamp made of five lights and gold-plated metal. Farrugia Lighting 2. Blurring the lines between an industrial design piece and sculpture, this wall shadow light emits angular light modulations when hung on the wall. Light Design Solutions 3. An eye-catching LED pendant lamp that gives widespread direct or indirect lighting.

Light Design Solutions 4. Swirling colour adds decoration to flickering candlelight. Mdina Glass 4.

MIX IN METALLIC Metallics are great at adding warmth, especially when the lights are low. But don’t overdo it – just an accessory or two will do the trick.

Jazz table lamp, Farrugia Lighting Sun-shaped mirror, Zara Home Brass vase, Lingonberries Coffee Table, made of steel with a copper finish, Grey and Adler

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Valletta in the 21st century

With V18 just weeks away now, we asked three architects Konrad Buhagiar, Michael Pace and Dr Edwin Mintoff what makes Malta’s capital special – and how an historic city can remember its past yet be modern too?

Photo: Dragana Rankovic

Photo: Luis Rodríguez Lopez

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> Konrad Buhagiar is a founding partner of Architecture Project and has been responsible for numerous restoration and rehabilitation works in historic buildings and urban sites and has been Chairman of the Valletta Rehabilitation Committee

alletta was born as a fortified town, designed to keep out the invading Saracen and to keep at bay the advance of the Ottoman Empire.

Its original image therefore was austere, contained as it was by the most magnificent enceinte of walls rising out of the sea to provide the safest shelter to its inhabitants. This does not mean that it was lacking in beauty. Quite the opposite; Laparelli, the architect sent over by Pope Pius to design the new fortified city, based his vision on the architectural and urban planning principles of the Renaissance, and in his report to Grand Master La Vallette, stresses his concept that the main street running down the axis of the new town was to be built for reasons of beauty as a symbol of the harmony and nobility of the population that would come to inhabit Valletta’s walls.

By the eighteenth century, when the fear of an Ottoman invasion has subsided, Valletta became one of the foremost trading centres of the Mediterranean, providing services for ships entering its harbours on the way to and from the Orient. This trade provided the town with all manner of luxury goods, from fine fabrics to varieties of exotic spices, so that the town became renowned for its colourful and sensual lifestyle.

It was during this period, from the seventeenth century onwards that the image of the town began to change. The severe fortified image began to give way to a more open, outward looking sumptuous appearance with gardens being planted on the bastions, baroque palaces replacing the smaller scale sixteenth century residences and the construction of a typically baroque theatre for the entertainment of the citizens.

The British period saw the insertion of the neo-classical style into the urban fabric and, later, echoes of the industrialization of the continent began to appear with new infrastructural projects such as a new market based on the designs of the market in Paris, a lift to transport sailors from the shore to the centre and a new railway to connect the town to the centre of the island.

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HW SPACES All of these changes are evidence that the city followed the evolving trends in architecture taking place beyond its walls, but in spite of this, the constant use of the same building stone, and the unfailing loyalty throughout the centuries to Laparelli’s urban plan, have caused the town to retain its homogeneity and beauty.

Whenever we work on an old building or intervene in a historic setting, we are aware that we are just adding another, possibly not the last, layer to the stratification that is already there. Over time we have begun to understand that there are no two absolute categories called ‘old’ and ‘new’ but that the boundaries are blurred and run into each other.

Our research has recently shown us that success can be achieved by simulating, and accelerating, the erosion created by the effects of the elements, so that the unending deterioration of a finish that results from weathering becomes part of its beginning. In this way, the building is ‘born’ already in an aged state, inferring a sense of timelessness. Both the RPBW’s Parliament Building, for which we were responsible, and the Barrakka Lift exploit this technique.

Today, the efficient communication technologies that connect every inhabitant of the earth to the rest of the globe and the ease with which we can get from one point of the earth to another, have driven the island of Malta closer to the mainland, indeed to rest of the world. The ‘global village’ has become a reality and it makes sense today to assert,

as Joseph Grima, former Editor-in-chief of Domus said, on visiting Valletta, ‘Periphery is the new epicentre’’.

Malta seems to provide that happy medium as is testified by the cosmopolitan atmosphere that is evolving in Valletta and its surroundings, where stressful jobs are coupled with ample space and time for leisure and tranquillity. We are entering a period of what art historian Hans Ulrich Obrist called ‘Posthastism’, where the frantic lifestyle typified by the modern metropolis is exchanged for the slowness that is characteristic of peripheral areas and which, as he states, has always been important for the progress of art.

Valletta as a model Renaissance ‘Ideal Town’ was a springboard to the vision of Francesco Laparelli, as it is spelt out in his reports to the Council of the Order, and its connection to the intellectual and social concerns of Leon Battista Alberti before him. It projected these considerations into the future and it is fascinating to see how the theories and urban solutions of the humanist architects have survived in time, taking root in the codices of the eighteenth century and the pragmatism and projects of the nineteenth, always adapting to new demands and ambitions. In a similar way, I am convinced that Valletta has what it takes to remain alive and valuable, and to be the crucible for a ‘new humanism’ that is growing out of the social and economic crises of the third millennium.

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> Michael Pace is a partner in Forward Architects who have created landmark projects in Valletta such as Fort St Elmo Heritage. He first lived in the city in 2002

alletta was planned and designed from scratch and this has created a city that is aesthetically harmonious. Styles range from austere, for the earlier buildings, to decorative for the later ones. The way it all comes together is one of the things that make it special.

The grid street layout provides beautiful streetscapes and deep street views.

For example, one can stand at City Gate and look all the way down Republic Street and see a point at Fort Saint Elmo. A number of roads tend to be quite inclined, making the beautiful streetscapes even more exciting. A typical streetscape photograph of Valletta is often printed in an exaggerated portrait format, with buildings almost looking like they are stacked on top of each other, rather than adjacent to each other. In some cases, the streetscape does not end with nothingness, but culminates with a further focus, such as a chapel (St. Lucy Street), a square or our Grand Harbour, another gem in its own right.

The beautiful common denominator of all worthy architecture in Valletta is our limestone. The play of light on the buildings gives a completely different sensation depending on the time of the day and the type of day it is. So, for example, looking up the steps of St Ursula Street when the sun is reflecting off them on a late summer afternoon is a different sensation to doing so on a rainy winter morning. Both are beautiful but different in more ways than one, but equally special,.

Zooming in from the streetscape to individual buildings, we can really come to appreciate how the phrase ‘city built by gentlemen for gentlemen’ was coined. A large percentage are masterpieces in their own right.

We are lucky that Valletta was all but abandoned post WW2, and didn’t become popular until fairly recently. This helped it escape the fate of the building booms in the 80s and 00s, leaving it seemingly untouched.

If we want to take the beauty of a city like Valletta successfully into the future without compromising it, we must first and foremost take stock of what we have and respect it. We are not always lucky enough to be commissioned to design a monument. If and when we are, then by all means go for it and make a statement. But when working on existing buildings and spaces in Valletta, we need to forget about our ego. The aim is all about maintaining the delicate balance and respecting a treasure of a city that we have inherited. Successful interventions are all about subtlety and not about how much attention the architect can attract.

I believe that the most successful path to regeneration of a city like Valletta is a slow, accelerating, organic process. A process that allows those who really have a passion for the

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city and can see the potential that is not yet realised, to move in first and bring it to life. When I moved to Valletta some years ago, I would go out on a Saturday night and it would be dark and empty with no-one on the streets. You could see change as it happened over a period of a few short years and now it is very different. Valletta is a destination and it is in demand. Developers and the government have since cottoned on. V18 is, of course, a good thing, but it has accelerated the popularity of the place and, for some, Valletta is nothing more than an investment, part of a property portfolio. This is a different kind of regeneration that appeals

to a different stratum of society; nothing necessarily wrong with this, but unfortunately a side-effect is unaffordable property prices which have stopped the influx of that section of society who moved to the city for the right reasons….

I hope that doesn’t sound too negative. Valletta is still a beautiful city. Planners now have a tough job on their hands to be vigilant and to control the city’s regeneration, maintain the city’s skyline, regulate development and plan its future carefully, so that what we have will not be lost or compromised. Planners and indeed architects do need to care more because some investors might possibly not care at all.

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> Dr Edwin Mintoff of EM Architects is an architect and civil engineer and one of the first Maltese architects to obtain a doctorate Ph.D. in the field of architecture and urban design.

His PhD thesis was on the urban renewal of Valletta

alletta’s beauty lies in the coastline protected by massive fortifications, its stepped streets, its remarkable buildings and the numerous features which echo the island’s turbulent and chequered history. Even the damage caused by the Second World War is a testament to the historic resistance of the Maltese people who were determined to block supply routes between the European continent and North Africa. Valletta is also the venue of many varied traditional and cultural functions which bring together the Maltese people. It is, ultimately, a place like no other, displaying breath-taking examples of baroque, neo-classical and modern architecture.

It is a city well-endowed with remarkable buildings which are a product of the history and culture of the archipelago, and the need to safeguard this architectural heritage is of the utmost importance. This is not only due to the emotional appeal expressed in terms of beauty and aesthetic value but because Valletta’s buildings confer a unique character and identity which retain contact with our past. A historic city like Valletta should adjust to contemporary society by fully exploiting existing activities as well as natural and man-made resources and then capitalizing on the strengths and opportunities presented in such a city. Of primary importance is the safeguarding of the open spaces within the city, and the promotion of increased landscaping and open-space furniture. It is imperative that any new architecture adds a richer new layer to the existing cityscape without damaging the existing historic fabric of the city.

I believe Valletta can only survive if it continues to adjust to contemporary conditions and to the influences of rapid social and technological changes; otherwise it runs the risk of either becoming a museum or being assaulted and despoiled by incompatible modern developments.

A historic city like Valletta should adjust to contemporary society by fully exploiting existing activities as well as natural and man-made resources and then capitalizing on the strengths and opportunities presented in such a city - a positive approach to Urban Renewal. Valletta’s survival depends on its ability to adapt to meet the new demands in its transformation from a fortress of strong military importance to a city which primarily aims to promote peace and social prosperity. An improvement in vehicular movement within such a historic setting still needs to be further addressed. We need to take a closer look at the abandoned underground water cisterns, further exploit the recreational and relaxation opportunities offered by the Valletta coastline, relieve parts of the city from traffic and redevelop certain abandoned sites. These and other measures will only serve to render Valletta more attractive, to draw more people to live in the city and to expand the economic and employment benefits from an already thriving shopping and tourist area, whilst protecting the unique elements which have formed part of the urban vocabulary of the capital for many years.

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The homes in this issue are all very different and show an intriguing diversity in the design of a home. On the following page, architect Godwin Vella took an original approach to a difficult site to build two modern houses that combine a contemporary aesthetic with an expert handling of proportion. On page 044, Adrian Micallef designed every last detail of his penthouse apartment to create a highly original space. Philip Olmesdahl, on page 055, took seven years to decide how he would design his ultra-comfortable and beautiful home, while on page 056, we take a look inside an old property that was once cramped and gloomy but now feels spacious and full of light 037

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ELEGANT EQUILIBRIUM TWO ADJACENT HOUSES, SIMILAR IN STYLE AND LAYOUT CREATE AN ELEGANT YET CONTAINED MODEL OF CONTEMPORARY MEDITERRANEAN LIVING Architect: Godwin Vella Structural Designer: Patrick Calleja Photography: Alan Carville Words: Guy Laguens Styling: Fiona Caruana Carabez

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riginally designed in 2006 but only recently built and finished, this project consists of two adjacent detached houses located in the suburban neighbourhood of Kappara. The development had an unusual configuration, with a short depth and a long façade fronting the public road.

The architect’s response was to create two L-shaped back-to-back buildings on two floors and a semi-basement underneath. While similar in their general layout the two houses are not identical as each unit responds in a different manner to the surrounding environment.’

The L-shape layout allows each house to wrap around a carefully designed outdoor area that enlivens the internal spaces with ample natural light and pleasant outward vistas. At ground floor level, large glass openings all around, allow the easy interaction between the internal and external spaces; a desirable scheme for a Mediterranean climate.

Upstairs the main rooms are generously provided with partially screened and shaded terraces for a quiet relaxing space of one’s own.

The south facing main façades of the houses are dominated by two large cantilevered balconies at first floor level that are partially screened by a series of vertical wooden slats. These two extended forms are strategically placed over the openings at ground floor level to protect the interiors from the harsh summer sun.

In both houses the outdoor areas are abstractly divided into three zones; a swimming

pool clearly contained within a slightly raised cubic structure, a wooden deck that is given a three-dimensional quality by the continuation of the same decking to form the railing, and a landscaped area of carefully placed planters over a bed of slate green pebbles.

The three-dimensional aspect of the design is evident throughout the whole project, from the bold exterior architectural forms to minor interior elements. In this way a varying sculptural experience of form and texture is created as one moves around the buildings. This experience is enhanced by the extension of the rough external plastering to some of the internal walls to generate a seamless continuation of form and substance from the outside to the inside.

Another critical aspect of these houses is the concentration of design solutions to specific areas to stimulate an interaction between the senses and the building. For example, a lowlevel opening in the dining area focuses the eye to the external landscaped side garden of one of the houses. Similarly, the long corridor like space between two blocks is turned into a small sculpture gallery.

The range of materials used is also particularly chosen and controlled. Internally the yellow sheen of birch plywood is combined with green translucent glass, grey tiles, travertine and walnut parquet floors. This simple materiality with a colour scheme of varying tones of grey creates a minimalist palette around which daily living becomes a refuge from the visual chaos of modern urban life.

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The entrance hall of one of the houses features a metal and birch plywood staircase in a light elegant design that enlivens the central part of the dwelling.

The walkway that compliments the staircase animates further the space through the use of glass floor slabs

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At ground floor level all rooms open up on the pivotal pool area through large sliding glazed apertures. This allows an easy informal interaction between the internal and external spaces

The range of colours and materials chosen is purposely limited and controlled to create a calm harmonious environment. Around this minimalist palette daily living becomes a refuge from the visual chaos of modern urban life

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Externally, the simple arrangement of cubic forms and materials recall traditional Maltese architecture. Each element is immediately recognisable and clearly articulated to form a sculptural whole

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At the back of the semibasement level, a small garden area offers an alternative, more secluded outdoor area to the two dwellings

An external staircase connects the first floor to the pool area. The handrail is carefully designed to reflect the three dimensional forms and shapes of the architecture.

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Life in the sky Almost every facet of this apartment, from the walls to the dining table, was designed and crafted by its owner to create an apartment that is superbly space-efficient but also boasts an original and eclectic style Photographs: Tonio Lombardi Words: Rachel Loos

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Room with a view: the main living area is openplan, allowing the lounge, dining area and kitchen to access the vistas. The concrete ceiling has been left unpolished and adds interesting texture; concrete is also used on the floor in the form of polished tiles.

Adrian panelled one wall of the lounge in red deal, the wood extending round the corner to where the wood-burning stove is tucked out of the way. Cut into the wall is a box for logs. As well as wood, the space is also warmed by the colours of burnt orange - inspired by Adrian’s grandfather’s armchair - and mustard. The mirrored door by the dining table allows those sitting with their backs to the window to still enjoy the view

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Kitchen: also custom-built, Adrian created a kitchen island to come out from the wall. ‘I wanted to have something unusual,’ he says. The lower part of the cooking hood has been framed in red deal which adds the warmth of wood but also links it to the rest of the space. Stools have been upholstered, fabric adding a softer feel.

The terrace can be reached via a door in the kitchen ensuring the flow of the apartment works comfortably

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Dining area: the table was designed by Adrian and made by a carpenter. The custommade sideboard and shelving, along with a bottle rack made

by Adrian, create a compact bar area. The pendant lights were also designed and made

by Adrian and complement the industrial vibe

‘I wanted the penthouse to feel as though the outside and inside were one, so as to feel like one is enjoying life in the sky’

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o strong was Adrian Micallef’s vision for this apartment, that he bought it even before the first stone was laid. ‘I wanted to be able to design the walls, apertures and furniture to make the best use of all the space,’ says Adrian. ‘Every detail and feature in the apartment has been custom-designed and built.’

The apartment has 270 degree views and the apartment is orientated to make the most of them with large windows in almost every room. ‘I wanted the penthouse to feel as though the outside and inside were one, so as to feel like one is enjoying life in the sky,’ says Adrian. ‘The aluminium glass doors and windows are floor-to ceiling to capture as much natural light as possible, and each of the three bedrooms enjoys the surrounding terrace, in particular the main bedroom which extends onto the terrace with decking and outdoor furniture.’

The main living space is open-plan and filled with light, and also has direct access to the terrace through a number of apertures.

The interior style is Nordic meet industrial. ‘My aim was to create a sense of natural warmth,’ says Adrian. ‘I love wood and I used wooden panels of red deal on the interior walls and contrasted this with a combination of raw concrete ceilings and concrete floor tiles.’

Warm autumnal shades of burnt orange and mustard also create a sense of comfort, as well as fitting with the colours of the flames

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Bedroom (above): the blue of the wall connects with the sky, emphasising the sense of being up high. The floor-to-ceiling glass doors slide back to give direct access to the terrace.

The pendant light was made by Adrian using discarded pieces of furniture Family bathroom (left): mustard is a strong shade in the bathroom where a feature wall of Maltese tiles is a decorative foil to the surrounding concrete

flickering in the wood-burning stove. ‘The orange was actually inspired by my grandfather’s armchair which is in the living room,’ says Adrian.

Every bit of the space is used well, from the kitchen custom made for a triangular-shaped area to the custommade sideboard tucked into a corner and which functions as a bar.

The apartment is also full of clever touches – the mirrored door behind which is a bathroom, has been placed there so that those sitting with their backs to the window can still enjoy the views, and the lower section of the kitchen hood in the kitchen has been lightly framed in wood to link it to the rest of the room.

Outside, concrete features once more, with raw concrete flooring combined with decking and turf. On one side is an elevated swimming pool, on the other an outdoor kitchen. They both meet a point that is marked by a concrete table that is perfect for entertaining.

The end result is just as Adrian, who lives here with his family, wanted it. ‘I am very happy with it,’ he says. ‘It is very relaxing to be up here - you don’t hear any noise, and the views are breathtaking. And it doesn’t matter how many people are in the penthouse, there’s always enough room!’

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Exterior: a terrace wraps round all most of the apartment. Adrian, below, has divided it into sections that include a custom-built elevated pool with sun bed area, ensuring there is shade for when the sun is hot. There is also a roof garden of olive trees and a variety of plants

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Barefoot luxury Designed for easy-living, this modern house combines robust materials and a neutral palette with strong design elements and plenty of texture to create a home that is a joy to live in...

Photographs: Greg Cox Styling: Sven Alberding Text: Graham Wood

‘Philip designed the house to turn its back on the wind, and create a protected courtyard linking the outdoor and indoor areas, for an inside-outside lifestyle’ Although the house is nestled into the landscape on the river’s edge, it is built at a good elevation with access to the surrounding fynbos.

Its horizontality and light, floating cantilevers ensure an unimposing presence in the landscape. As with the internal courtyard on the lower level, planters have been integrated with the architecture on the upper level, incorporating as much indigenous vegetation as possible and enhancing the relationship between the house and the landscape beyond

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Room to move: the open-plan arrangement of the living areas forms one extended living zone with a fluid relationship between gently articulated spaces. A sense of mystery is created through the various spaces glimpsing each other. The lounge includes custommade sofas in white fabrics, which create an immediate sense of calmness, accented with original Moroccan Berber rugs and colourful kelims

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bout 12 years ago, the Olmesdahl family was walking along the beach at Pringle Bay, near Cape Town. ‘We saw a For Sale sign outside a wonderful old beach house and we instantly fell in love with it and the site,’ recalls Philip Olmesdahl, a director of the Cape Town-based architecture firm SAOTA. The house was near the mouth of a river, looking out over a valley in oranges, greens, yellows and browns as far as the eye can see.

The Olmesdahls nabbed the opportunity, and for the past seven years they have managed to escape to the house from the city as often as possible. Philip says the old brick house was characterful, but run down.

‘It was dilapidated, the landscape was degraded and the house was in the wrong place on site,’ he explains.

He might have been there on holiday, but as an architect, he spent a lot of time pondering designs for a potential new house. ‘Seven years of living on the property presented insights into the complexities of the site,’ says Philip. He watched the path of the sun, thought about the views, and devised ideas to deal with the extremes of the weather that characterises the area.

When the time came to build a new house, he had thought about how to ‘shake off the salty winds’ and

let in the sun and the views. ‘Severe prevailing offshore wind blows up the river,’ says Philip. As breathtaking as the views were, the aggressive extremes of the climate and salty sea air mean any effective design has to strike a fine balance between the impulse to open up, and the need for sheltered spaces.

Philip designed the house to turn is back on the wind, and create a protected courtyard linking the outdoor and indoor areas, for an inside-outside lifestyle. ‘The house faces due north with a large stairwell on the east that floods morning light into the kitchen area,’ he explains. ‘The westerly facades of lounge and terrace look towards [the sea] which gets haloed at sunset, providing fantastic views in the evening.’

The upstairs bedrooms pop up a level in glass boxes to create more fantastic views, even from the bathrooms. Because of the slope and the horizontal emphasis of the design, however, the house remains unobtrusive and sensitive to its setting, nestled in the landscape.

Despite the sleekness and modernist refinement of its forms, the house had to be pretty robust. Philip stuck to simple, unadorned materials such as raw concrete and bagged brickwork, with Rhinezinc

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Dining area: situated at the opposite end of the room that houses both living and dining spaces. On the left of the textured-wallpaper panels behind the Pierre Chapo table is the entrance to the kitchen, while the doorway on the right leads to the bedroom

Open-plan kitchen: the entrance lobby leads directly to the kitchen space, which in many ways is the centre of the home. Its open-plan arrangement includes an island and a breakfast lounge with a comfortable timber framed sofa large enough to seat the whole family. The breakfast lounge includes a central fireplace and is accented by an original Berber rug. The kitchen island is stainless steel with a flamed granite cantilever top. Flos pendant lights add a graphic and playful element to the space

From the top level, a view through an opening in the roof to the central courtyard and lounge below reveals the spatial relationship between levels. Just visible is the Coral tree that grows in the central courtyard and reaches up through the opening in the roof. Not only does this meaningfully integrate elements of the landscape into the architecture, but also allows north light into the core of the home

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Master bedroom: the generous scale of the master bedroom and wraparound windows are designed to capture panoramic views of the mountain and valley.

The calming, neutral colour palette and simple, modest furnishings allow the views to be a central focus

A glimpse of the view of the surrounding fynbos is captured in the mirror of the main en-suite bathroom, which forms an extension of the master bedroom in a liberal open-plan arrangement. The warm textures of lined timber cladding compliments the terrazzo floor and walls

cladding on the first floor for the exterior. He carried these finishes through into the interiors, too, which gives the house a relaxed, grounded character and works well for a downto-earth approach to holiday living. The floors are polished concrete, making an unobtrusive transition from outside in.

Soft leathers, white linens and sheepskins thrown over the backs of the dining chairs bring additional comfort and rich textures to the casual beach style. Fabrics in shades of white and grey create an immediate sense of calmness, accented with original Moroccan Berber rugs and colourful kelims.

Beautiful details like the punched brass cladding of the lounge fireplace are warm and playful, and the art is restricted to certain areas of the home ‘for maximum impact.’

Philip calls it ‘barefoot luxury’ – less preoccupied with luxurious finishes and architectural expression and more about putting the enjoyment of the holiday experience first, and letting a more casual stylish reference follow.

The fluid open-plan arrangement of the living areas helps

Children’s room: the simple, modest furnishings that characterize the bedrooms are evident in this children’s bedroom, too, which has a warm family feel. Colour and pattern are introduced with the rug and chest

to create an easy-going, relaxed atmosphere, encouraging casual interaction between spaces. The way individual rooms flow into each other creates an extended central living area, organised logically but unobtrusively.

Philip says that the kitchen is his favourite room. It is integrated with a breakfast lounge, which has a huge sofa that can seat the whole family. ‘It’s the centre point of the home where we all connect as a family, especially in the mornings drinking coffee or watching the afternoon sunset over the sea,’ he says.

The living spaces all connect with outdoor areas, and the landscaping brings the setting right up to the house – even into it. The central courtyard becomes part of the living space when you open the sliding doors, and it’s planted with fynbos and trees that push through an opening in the roof. ‘That also helps bring north light into core of home,’ says Philip, ‘and meaningfully integrates the landscape into the home.’

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Let there be light Transforming a dark and gloomy house into a light and modern home meant some heavy labour, but the end result has definitely been worth the effort Photographs: Tonio Lombardi Renovation: Christian Holland Text: Christian Holland

Living room: a light filled room thanks to the large pane of glass. The fine ‘sfrakas’ finish in white on the long wall that runs from the courtyard into room, connects both spaces, reflects the light and allows the stone to show through for contrast. The orange adds energy and warmth and the inbuilt shelving gives useful storage. The wood-burner built into the wall keeps the room feeling clutter-free and allows the stainless steel flue to inject a sculptural look. The sofa in from Krea

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Ground floor: once cramped and gloomy, today it is a light and airy space of comfortable proportions, the sense of spaciousness accentuated by the largely neutral palette that includes grey concrete floor tiles. The exposed stone and wooden beams speak to the building’s origins

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hen I bought this 200-year-old house at the end of an alley, my main interest was to annex its garden to the adjoining property I owned. But I soon took a liking to its quaintness, especially as I could see a spaciousness crying out to be liberated from the thickset walls confining it.

The house was split into two with the ground floor reached from the main door and the top floor accessed from external stairs. However, the layout of the house immediately suggested a traditional solution of a living space on the ground floor and a couple of bedrooms on the first floor.

One of my first tasks was to create a greater sense of space in the ground floor. With a very low ceiling, the ground floor felt claustrophobic so I decided to lower the entire floor level by 30 centimetres, digging down into the soil below. In some patches we found hard rock which had to be jack-hammered down to the required level. All the debris had to be removed by wheel-barrow down the alley way which was time-consuming.

Next I raised the ceiling by first taking off all the

flagstones and other tiles from the first floor, as well as all the ceiling stone slabs (xorok) and beams. I then created new cavities above the dismantled ceiling and relayed the beams, slabs, infill and flagstones.

Both these changes created a ground floor that was a larger and more comfortable space. It was still a little gloomy, though, so to bring in the light I demolished the dividing wall which separated the hall from the living area and opened up the back of the property to let the light in. A large glass pane was directly inserted into the wall to do away with the ‘tying- in’ effect of a window frame.

The decision to install a fireplace led me to choose a stainless steel flue and that in turn enticed me to look at a chrome-trimmed sofa, glass and chrome table and grey chairs to complement the concrete grey ceramic tiles. Even the small courtyard sports three stainless steel box profiles that act as a trellis for the mauve wisteria.

I went for a fine ‘sfrakas’ finish in white on the long wall that runs from the courtyard into the living across the frameless glass pane to reflect the light but kept some stone showing for contrast.

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Dining area: situated at the opposite end of the room that houses both living and dining spaces. On the left of the textured-wallpaper panels behind the Pierre Chapo table is the entrance to the kitchen, while the doorway on the right leads to the bedroom

Kitchen: reached through old doors, the kitchen is also filled with light thanks to the skylight which was originally an old float glass ‘tambocc’ salvaged many years ago Shower: retro tiles from Satariano complement the blue of the walls Bedroom: despite the floor being raised, the upstairs still has height which is accentuated by the beams

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Outside space: the now enclosed terrace is re-laid with a mix of original flagstones and local cement tiles in green

The kitchen door was restored to bring out the rich tones of seasoned red deal and is fixed to face inward so that the ‘nice side’ is visible when the door is pushed open into the stone rebate.

The IKEA kitchen worktop only came in two metre lengths and the seam shows up badly since the underside is wenge black. But using contrasting sides gave the kitchen top a playfulness that works with the glossy white cupboards.

The original external staircase to the first floor was now too short to fit the new proportions of the rooms and as the headroom beneath was lower, I dismantled it and raised it which enabled me to tuck in a small toilet which I feel is a must, no matter how small a house is.

A somewhat unique feature of this type of structure is the enclosed terrace on the first floor. Here, I cleaned up the

wall, a small arch constructed to close in the space and the original flagstones re-laid, but interspersed with local cement tiles in green, after inserting a damp proof membrane over the kitchen roof. Over the trellis is an Antigonon creeper which is ideal for Malta as it offers shade and colour in summer and vanishes without a trace in winter.

The 60cm thick wall separating the two rooms on the first floor was also demolished to add space and a gypsum board walled bathroom was constructed with two opposite doors to give equal access from the two bedrooms.

Essentially I believe decisions that relate to space, light and one’s personal comfort zone are the most important and in old properties one often needs to think harder, but the result is always worth it.

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And so to bed...

BEDROOM SPECIAL

We spend one-third of our lives sleeping and this rest is key to our well-being both physical and emotional. During sleep, our body heals and repairs itself and our immune system relies on sleep to stay healthy and strong.

Without a good night’s sleep, we function less well in the day, reducing our capacity to learn and to perform tasks well – and safely. So it is crucial that the bedroom helps us to fall asleep and to sleep deeply and well. Here’s a guide to the elements needed to create the perfect bedroom for a good night’s sleep

JYSK’s range of bedroom furniture includes classic white and natural colours as well as upholstered bed frames. Also available are bedding, pillows, duvets and much more

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CALMING COLOUR To promote sleep, a bedroom needs to make you feel relaxed and the starting point is colour.

While it’s ok to introduce a shot of bright colour with accessories, especially as they can be easily changed to go with the seasons, the colour of your bedroom walls needs to feel restful. Neutrals, earthy tones and warm greys are a good choice as they are easy on the eye and promote a sense of calm. Research has shown that the colour blue is particularly good at encouraging rest, and is even thought to slow the heart rate and reduce blood pressure INTO THE BLUE: according to research, a warm blue is the best colour of a good night’s sleep. Pictured is the award-winning Auping Original bed. It has a deep metal frame and mesh base that comes in two heights and a sleeping position that is ergonomically adapted to suit personal preference.

From Boris Arcidiacono PALE & INTERESTING: the all-neutral colour scheme of this room combines a soft putty shade that’s lifted with accents of a light shade of pale cream. The Platz bed combines a matt brushed or leather finish with a slatted bed base, two soft and informal headboard cushions, for a look that is light and elegant. Find it at Form

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BEDROOM SPECIAL HW DARK AND MOODY: dark grey walls are elegant and also feel restful and look particularly stylish when combined with wood. The Origami bed is inspired by the Japanese art of paper folding, the headboard and footboard of this bed roll up on the sides, creating the appearance of a gentle hug.

Available from Dorelanbed

IN NEUTRAL: neutral walls and picture windows that accentuate nature, give a restful feel and work well with the blue tweed of the bed.

The Carlotta headboard with high bed frame A and upholstered in tweed 702 fabric is from Mattress Collection

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bed IN The most important piece of furniture in the bedroom is, of course, the bed and an eye-catching bed that immediately makes a style statement and sets the tone for the room is a big trend. Think big and bold with oversized headboards and great shapes. Keep accessories around it to a minimum otherwise the look can feel cluttered instead of calm PEBBLE BED: resembling pebbles shaped by water in a river, this bed is unusual and stylish. It is accompanied by two poufs and a seat (or bed table). Dorelanbed

LUXE LEATHER: the rounded corners of the MONO bed by Maronese ACF create a sophisticated bedroom. It comes in different finishes and can be combined with a range of storage options. R Living

DOLCE VITA: a contemporary interpretation of classical style that combines the comfort of a padded headboard combined with the glamour of retro style. Natuzzi at Form

MAYA: headboard with adjustable side wings and low bedframe in Touch 704 fabric. Mattress Collection

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MIES BED: inspired by the architecture of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, this bed in a smoked oak veneer with detailing at either end of the headboard is a striking design. The bed base can integrate storage. Brands International BRETAGNE: a solid poplar and beech frame with mixed-density padding, it is slightly inclined and made even more comfortable by the cushions which facilitate an easy reading position as well as relaxation. Poltrona Frau at Satariano Home

SOFT NEST: a modern design that skilfully revists the style of the classic craftsmanship tradition with large and soft cut-outs and fine tailoring.

Dorelanbed

LETTO: upholstered headboard with a quilted and oak frame in ecru linen fabric. Dialma Brown at Satariano Home

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MATTRESS MATTERS Choosing the bed and mattress that is right for you is crucial for a good night’s sleep.

Alberto Morreti (above), third-generation of the family-owned Italian brand, Dorsal, who have long manufactured slatted bed bases and mattresses, gives his advice...

‘You sleep for one-third of your life so it is important that your bed and mattress suit your body. When you go to bed and your body relaxes, your mind switches off and you feel refreshed. If your body doesn’t relax, you wake up tired. In the same way that there is healthy food and junk food, there is healthy sleep and junk sleep – you are sleeping but it is not quality sleep.

‘Most people decide to change their mattress because they find it’s not comfortable; they have lower back or neck pain which disappears half an hour after they’ve got out of bed and so realise it’s something to do with their bed. Other times, it’s because it’s no longer hygienic. We lose 200 litres of sweat every year, along with hair, dry skin, dead cells; if you cut a 10-year-old mattress in half, you would not believe what you would see!

Dorsal’s mattresses are made in collaboration with physiotherapists for maximum comfort. The Elisir mattress is a fusion of gel and memory foam. The gel of the upper layer guarantees regulation and breathability and helps disperse body heat while lower memory foam layer guarantees comfort. The Grand Soleil mattress is a naturally-based foam made from natural oils such as soy and sunflower for a hygienic and highly breathable mattress. Wellbeing Bedding (Dorsal)

‘When you choose a mattress don’t do it in a rush – they are an investment for a decade. Give yourself a budget and then add 30 per cent on top of that; this is a product that you will use every day for many years.

‘Also remember, the type of mattress you need at one age will be different at another. People in their sixties to eighties have a body that has been working for a long time. Their skin is delicate, they suffer heat and cold more than someone younger, and so for them the aim is to choose a mattress that reduces pain by reducing pressure points.

‘You do need to try a mattress - buying a mattress without doing so is like buying a car without getting behind the steering wheel. You need to lie down on it for about 10-15 minutes, and also try it in your sleeping position – not the one you’re in when you fall asleep but the one you actually sleep in.’

MALIKA HIGH: a stylish and striking bed available in different colours and fabrics and with both storage and non-storage options. Wellbeing Bedding (Dorsal)

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MEMORY FOAM OR POCKET SPRUNG? There are two main types of mattress. Memory foam mattresses take the shape of your body and distribute your weight evenly; they also give you that that relaxing sink-into-bed feeling.

Pocket sprung mattresses contains individual small springs which are held in separate fabric pockets that move independently and support your body by contouring to your shape and supporting those areas most in contact with the mattress. When choosing between the two, opt for the one that feels most comfortable. Here are some to consider...

Vivo is a new top-of-the-range, well-ventilated and comfortable pocket sprung mattress, boasting five zones in its ergonomic core, as well as support in the shoulder area and a separate, flexible hip area. It features PCM (Phase Change Material) which helps regulate your body temperature. Boris Arcidiacono

Mattress Collection’s mattresses are certified as Class 1 Medical Devices having been designed with the help of spinal physiotherapists and university professors at leading hospitals and universities. They offer pressure relieving support, treat bad circulation problems as well as being anti-allergic. Mattress Collection also offers a free 30 day sleep trial.

Wake up rested and refreshed with WELLPUR® from JYSK. WELLPUR mattresses and pillows with pressure-relieving memory foam shape precisely to the contours of your body allowing it to rest in a natural and optimal position. The foam reduces pressure on muscles and joints and allows blood to flow freely so you avoid tension. Furthermore, all WELLPUR Gold mattresses come with a guarantee of up to 25 years. JYSK

Dorelan’s twin-system pocket spring mattress takes increased weight due to its double support – the first layer of springs are soft while the second offers firmer support. Dorelan’s high density memory foam mattresses have an extra layer for maximum support, taking the shape of your body as they ‘hug’ around you, and uniformly spreading and supporting your weight. Dorelanbed

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Beautiful Bedlinen Choose bedding that feels soft to the touch and change it according to the seasons for an easy style update

Photography: Alan Carville Styling: Justine Bartolo for Lillie Helena Interiors Studio Special thanks: XARA Palace, Mdina

Grey patterned bedding, duvet, duvet cover, pillows, pillow cases and fox fur blanket, all Boris Arcidiacono Mauve and velvet cushions, camilleriparismode Sequin cushion, Debenhams Twig table lamps, NEXT Home Vases, ceramic pink roses, stone bird and all artificial flowers and plants, Inside Out

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MOOD LIGHTING Overhead lighting is necessary when you need to see clearly but otherwise, in the bedroom bedside lighting is key to creating an ambient mood as well as giving you light to read. Table lamps are the traditional way of doing bedside lighting and a sculptural light looks particularly strong.

Hanging pendants are becoming increasingly popular as they free up space on the bedside table. Hang them low enough that they feel part of the scheme, but not so low they interfere with what’s on the table. As a rule, larger pendants need to be hung higher than smaller ones, to achieve a balanced look.

For an even more uncluttered vibe, wall lights are the perfect choice. They can either be small and discreet or large to make a lookat-me design statement. Choose one that is adjustable and you can direct the light just where you want it

With its influence unmistakably Arabic, the striking Arabesque family is a modern classic blend, often referred to as transitional. Featuring laser cut scroll work, the Arabesque fittings are hand finished in a soft Silver Leaf Patina. Available to order exclusively from VCT Ltd. 071

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Figure of eight: the sculptural look of the Bucle light, which is based on the concept of the continuity of light, injects a design element to this bedroom look. Farrugia Lighting

So neat: the Nemo adjustable wall light comes with elements in extruded aluminium and opal polycarbonate diffusers for warm and ambient lighting. Light Design Solutions

So neat: the Nemo adjustable wall arbonate diffusers for a warm and ambient lighting. Eclecticist Reach out: the black iconic 265 light by Flos (find it at flowmalta. com) not only provides light but gives a fabulous graphic look that works with the artworks on the wall. It also fits the stylish pared back look of the padded One bed by Novamobili at Satariano Home. The bed is available in a variety of fabrics and the distinctive stitching on the headboard comes in a choice of three different patterns and any colour.

3-Step Touch Dimming: A robust and durable touch lamp. The walnut variety of this contemporary fixture offers a rich dark finish. GLOW

Hang on: a larger pendant is another way of doing a sculptural light in the bedroom. It complements the sophisticated style of the KalĂŠ bed from Satariano Home in which a headboard of fabric, imitation leather or leather is paired with a bed surround in a veneer or matt lacquered finish.

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OUT OF SIGHT A walk-in wardrobe or a smart floor-to-ceiling one is the most effective way of keeping clutter to a minimum in the bedroom. If you have the space in your home, then creating a room that not only contains your clothes, shoes and accessories, but also has space for you to sit is ideal.

A wardrobe connected to the ensuite bathroom and bedroom is a good configuration as it allows for easy movement between them all and follows the rituals of the morning and evening.

If you don’t have the luxury of an entire room, then give as much space as you can to a floor-to-ceiling wardrobe. Sliding doors help keep the footprint of the wardbe to a minimum – important when space is at a premium; mirrored glass will also accentuate the light in the room.

Whatever space you do have, use it all, taking storage right up to the ceiling – there are now pull-down rails that make it possible to access clothes that are otherwise out of reach. Drawers that display items clearly, including jewellery, are a good idea as you can see all options simply by pulling them open. And don’t forget good lighting so you can see into every corner.

Room to move: Loddenkemper Bridge is a highly flexible system that ranges from walk-in wardrobe configurations to those that suit floor-to-ceiling. Available in a range finishes. Joinwell

Touch wood: The Movida walk-in wardrobe is defined by white or cocoa lacquered metal end profiles and brackets, matching the clothes hangers. Other matt laquer finishes available. R Living

Versatile: The Wing collection from Faer offers a wide variety of finishes, materials and limitless design possibilities. Carmelo Delia

High gloss: the Crystal sliding door wardrobe from Novamobili stands out for its generous width and depth. The module is fitted with drawer unit, hanging rail and pull-out trouser rack. Available in mirror and scored mirror versions and in all lacquered glass colours. Profile in brushed steel, bronze and in all matt lacquered colours. The Crystal wardrobe can be recessed, set against a wall or fitted in a corner arrangement. Satariano Home 073

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SHOP HW

SHOP See Address Book on Page 097 for stockist information

Stylish, quality dinnerware and tableware in various designs starting at €16.50 for individual pieces. Available at HENRI Luxury Gift Boutique

From the exclusive Butterfly by Matthew Williamson designer range, this distinctive lamp designed in the shape of a sea crane is finished with a handy flip switch. Available at Debenhams, Tigné

A stunning, environmentally friendly collection of top quality recycled furniture. LUXONAS

That Little Bit Out of the Ordinary. camilleriparismode in Rabat has just been completely revamped. From stunning new curtains, freshly painted walls to lots of new accessories and a surprise or two... visit our shop to get a taste of what it means to experience interiors that are that little bit out of the ordinary.

Pleasure meets art - a hand-painted dining table like no other which can be placed in a classic kitchen as well as a modern one. White legs and 6cm wide solid wood top.

Maison+Lumiere

See Address Book on Page 097 for stockist information

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Chic Rocking Chair from Krea €299

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At One Two One interiors we manufacture beautifully crafted custom-made curtain and blinds, backed up by exceptional customer service. Our beautiful wide width linen sheer comes in 47 delicate shades. Perfect for elegant drapes that complement any dĂŠcor style

Cooler days are upon us. Get ready for the upcoming season with the latest autumn-winter homeware items. Come visit our fully stocked showroom in Birkirkara. Big Ben Interiors

Classical Scene Mirrored Base Unit Made in printed glass scene and steel.

LUXONAS Our custom-made beds & headboards can be made in different sizes and shapes with various options such as under-mattress storage and loose covers. This, along with our vast selection of fabrics and trimmings such as studs and borders, make your options limitless.

Our collection of luxury mattresses are the icing on the cake. Visit camilleriparismode in Rabat to discuss the options with our interior consultants.

A modern contemporary range of walnut veneered furniture, incorporating beautiful, highly polished stainless steel for the frames and legs. LUXONAS

Bring elegance and sophistication with this handpainted jar made from fine porcelain and brass decorative touches. Maison+Lumiere 076

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Offered in a wide range of sumptuous shades, this rich cotton-like plain velvet can be used effortlessly around the home and also comes in FR for contract applications. One Two One interiors manufactures beautifully crafted custom-made curtains and blinds, backed up by exceptional customer service.

See Address Book on Page 097 for stockist information

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SHOP HW

Mdina Glass has just launched a brand new range of exquisite handmade table lamps that come in a range of colours, shapes and sizes and are complete with fittings.

These lamps are perfect for creating a relaxing warm, relaxing ambience in style. They can be bought with or without the shade. Prices start at €95

Amphoras belong to a bygone culture - an artifact that is similar to those obtained from shipwrecks and are preserved in museums. The decoration embedded in the surface of each amphora is the reflection of marine life, making the pattern on each unique and different. Maison+Lumiere

Light meets Art. These amazing “wireflow” lighting installations by VIBIA allow you to create sculptural pendant lighting to create dynamic designs, evocative contrasts and bespoke spaces. VIBIA is available exclusively at camilleriparismode

The TINTO pendant by SLV is made of aluminium, with an E27 socket and is available in five colour variants; green, dark red, white, black and copper.

The pendant length is 1.5m, with a diameter of 26.5cm. It is ideal for various applications in both residential or commercial. ESS Ltd.

A wide selection of unique figurines and decorative objects by the renowned Tom’s Company, available at HENRI Luxury Gift Boutique. The quirky creations make for great original gift ideas for him… for her… or for just yourself! Prices start from €14.20

See Address Book on Page 097 for stockist information

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A range of exclusive handmade glass sculptures by Mdina Glass, ranging from human figures, animals like this amazing Maltese Falcon priced at €305, and other objects. Prices start at €95. Check out the options available at the Ta’ Qali outlet.

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Unique stain repellent technology

Dulux Standard

Dulux EASYCARE

NEW

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OUTSIDE IN GARDENS

FOOD

TRAVEL

THE UNDERCROFT The much awaited renovation project at the Undercroft underlying St Paul’s Pro-Cathedral in Valletta is finally complete. The project, spearheaded by architect Stephanie Cassar, consists of a multi-purpose community space including a small café and visitors’ centre which was inaugurated earlier this month by HRH the Prince of Wales. The exquisite architecture, massive construction and volume have now come alive particularly thanks to the replacement of the floor, restoration of the masonry surfaces and proper use of lighting, which mainly consists of Kalu track lighting by SLV. The aesthetic adopted for the café, whilst being contemporary featuring a bar clad in subway tiles, also includes vintage elements to give the space a welcoming look, synonymous with British tea rooms.

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LANDSCAPE DESIGN GETS COOL Melina Scodanibbio and Eliza Costabel for the Garden Studio

In 2011 the charming Italian city of Bergamo became the venue for an international gathering about landscape and garden design called I Maestri del Paesaggio. We attended that first one and have been keen participants ever since, writes Eliza Costabel from The Garden Studio.

It attracts the world’s top designers who share their vision and salient projects in a two- day seminar – this year, the recurrent themes were global warming, use of endemic species and water conservation.

There are many related events and workshops throughout the summer preceding the event, and each year the beautiful Piazza Vecchia is transformed by a renowned designer according

to a specific theme. This year’s theme was COOL Landscape, which was interpreted in many different ways by Dutch landscape architect Lodewijk Baljon: COOL relative to temperature, and how plants and water can mitigate heat stress in our cities as an effect of climate change; COOL as the sense of relaxation one experiences in a garden, and COOL as appearance, attitude and style. Baljon placed a giant ice cube in the heart of the piazza to measure how fast it would melt... unfortunately, but not surprisingly, it was much faster than anticipated.

Next year the Piazza Vecchia installation will be planned by world famous and influential garden designer Piet Oudolf - definitely something to look forward to!

Architectural Style The waiting is over for two hotly anticipated cultural openings – the Musée Yves Saint Laurent in Marrakech has just opened its doors while a new outpost of the Louvre is about to do so in Abu Dhabi.

Both are designed by French architects. Studio KO is responsible for Musée Yves Saint Laurent, having been commissioned by the late Pierre Bergé, the longtime partner of Yves Saint Laurent who died just a short while ago.

The building reflects the work of its subject, but using local materials and building techniques. The exterior incorporates terracotta brickwork designed to recall the warp and weft of fabric, as well as curved and angular volumes that Studio KO said reference the ‘succession of delicate and bold forms that characterised the work of Yves Saint Laurent’. In contrast, the museum’s entrance hall has smooth white walls that aim to evoke the velvety lining of a couture jacket.

In the UAE, just-released photos of Jean Nouvel’s Louvre Abu Dhabi show a huge metal lattice domed roof that measures 180 meters in diameter. Surrounded by water and spanning huge block white walls, the roof comprises 7,850 overlapping star shapes. Inside, it will cast a dappled light across the gallery spaces, Nouvel calling this a ‘parasol creating a shower of lights’.

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The eden project It’s no longer enough to have a few houseplants dotted in and amongst your decor. Instead, answer the call of the wild and create a fanciful interior where every space defers to nature through an abundance of lush, living greenery Words: Mandy Allen Production: Janine Vermeulen Photographs: Warren Heath

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GARDEN HW

N

o garden, no problem. Ever since the 70s-inspired houseplant revival, our senses have been reawakened to the emotionally and physically restorative effect of plants. But there’s a new trend for displaying indoor specimens that is taking root in spatially restrictive urban settings – a more-is-more approach underpinned by a maximalist mantra. The result is a hyper-stylised and whimsical aesthetic of woodland fairy-tale meets tropical fantasy.

HOUSEPLANT WISHLIST Typically well suited to indoor conditions, the following plants will thrive with the right care.

Air plants • Asparagus Fern • Arrowhead Plant • Bamboo Palm • Betel Leaf Plant • Bird’s Nest Fern • Bromeliad • Button Fern • Calathea • Creeping Fig • Delicious Monster • Devil’s Ivy • Ficus or Fiddle-leaf Fig • Heartleaf Philodendron • Leather Fern • Maidenhair Fern • Mother-In-Law’s Tongue (also known as the dieffenbachia plant or dumb cane) • Peace Lily • Silver Lace Fern • Spider Plant • Star Jasmine • Sweet Viburnum • Tree Fern • Wandering Jew (also known as the Inch plant)

STYLE POINTS & CARE TIPS • The choice of indoor plants and trees is endlessly diverse with wonderful variations in the shapes and sizes of leaves, colouration, texture and the way they grow.

• A tropical mood is easily achieved with plants bearing large, waxy leaves in intense shades of green, while ferns and plants with cascading tendrils such as string-of-pearls and devil’s ivy are delicate and enchanting.

• Group plants the way you would figurines or other objects and display them in living vignettes: potted and arranged en masse in a corner, arranged on floating shelves, on coffee and hallway tables, interspersed in between cookbooks and kitchenalia on pigeonhole shelves, at varying heights on plant stands, in terrariums, under glass cloches, hanging from the ceilings in bathrooms and vertically in contemporary and vintage wall planters.

CARING FOR HOUSE PLANTS • All plants – even hardy air plants – have specific needs. Do your research and ask at the nursery to ensure your greenery thrives.

• Indoor plants will benefit from a monthly boost of indoor plant food.

• Growing conditions to consider include: light (or lack of light), temperature, humidity, watering, feeding and potting as well as repotting.

• Yellow leaves indicate over-watering while brown leaves mean the plant needs more water.

• Care considerations aside, most indoor plants are reasonably low maintenance.

HANGING GARDEN Idea: Windowsills, floating shelves and tabletops are familiar places to show off houseplants, but why not elevate your displays into living installations by opting for unusual containers and surfaces. An old painted kitchen drawer, mounted on the wall, has been planted with a creative composition of leafy flora that has a striking gradient colour effect. In addition, a cascading assortment of plants arranged on a vintage wooden stepladder looks abundant and layered.

How to: Display plants vertically in a wooden box, old drawer or hexagon or triangular shadow boxes and mount on the wall as a solo display or as part of your gallery wall.

To get the look, carefully remove the plant from its plastic pot and set it aside on some newspaper. Make sure the plastic pot fits into your chosen display box and, if using more than one plant,

mark out your desired arrangement.

Remove the pots and drill small holes, two for each pot (more depending on the size and weight), making sure to align the holes in the box with those in the base of the plastic pots. Use gardener’s wire or cable ties to secure the pot/s to the box, then carefully replace the plants and hang up your creation. To water, use a spray bottle.

Ferns (both of the delicate and big-

leaf variety), air plants and cascading plants such as Philodendron, Chain Of Hearts, Devil’s Ivy and Spider Plants are well-suited to vertical growing.

Plants in wall display: bird’s nest fern, button fern, maidenhair fern, silver lace fern.

Plants on ladder: button fern, mother-in-law’s tongue, philodendron, spider plant, asparagus fern, silver lace fern, and a bromeliad.

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HW GARDEN FORESTRY DIVISION Idea: Recreate the earthy delights of a woodland biosphere and create a sitting niche encircled by tall indoor trees with large, waxy leaves, wispy ferns displayed in hairpin-leg pot stands set at varying levels and hanging houseplants with tendrils that playfully trail downwards.

How to: Tall indoor plants can be used to designate a specific zone in an open-plan space, effectively doing the job of a screen without sacrificing the interior flow or natural light.

This reworking of the retro look gets its modernity from leaner lines (the hairpinleg pot stands), a utilitarian side table made chic by its gold metal top, a masculine edge in the form of the midcentury chair and a wink to Scandi chic with a sheepskin area rug.

Create a super-natural

layered effect with plants displayed at varying heights – just as they would grow in the garden.

Books-as-decor, with engaging graphic covers, compliment the setting.

This corner has an abundance of natural light but this selection of plants, given the right care, will also do well in lower light settings.

Plants in image: asparagus fern, bird’s nest fern, button fern, ficus lyrata (Fiddle-Leaf) tree, philodendron, star jasmine.

THE GREENHOUSE EFFECT Idea: Dark walls and a monochrome palette allow the greenery to make a statement in this space that’s put together by botanical artist and floral stylist Janine Vermeulen. A mid-century modern coffee table and graphic rug pay homage to retro style, though the prevailing mood is clean and contemporary.

How to: Prominent in this arrangement of plants is a variety of philodendrons.

‘Philodendrons are my absolute favourite’, explains Janine. ‘The name derives from the Greek philo (meaning love or affection) and dendron (tree) ‘There are so many variations and shapes of philodendron available

and they are very low maintenance, requiring medium shade and an average amount of water. ‘I love both the climbing and non-climbing types.

Popular houseplant varieties including the non-climbing split-leaf philodendron more commonly known as delicious monster, and the climbing variety, heartleaf or sweetheart philodendron.

The latter make amazing hanging plants. They survive in low light, but grow faster and bigger leaves in medium to high light.’

Plants in image: bamboo palm, button ferns, delicious monster, philodendron, magnolia tree, mother-in-law’s tongue, silver leaf ferns, star jasmine, tree fern, silver lace fern.

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GARDEN HW SUSTAINABLE COEXISTENCE Idea: This eye-catching installation is made interesting by the juxtaposition of industrial objects designed for creating precision with the tangled, wildly flourishing greenery.

How to: Pots have been painted black and no other colour except natural wood allows the setting to feel dramatic without being overwhelming.

Trailing indoor plants that spill out of their pots look wonderfully wild

and whimsical. Common vines and climbing indoor plants include heartleaf philodendron, devil’s ivy, betel, star jasmine, creeping fig, arrowhead plant, and wandering Jew. Plants in image: Asparagus ferns, button ferns, philodendron.

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE Idea: Give your entrance over to a profusion of leafy houseplants. The considerable quantity of plants evokes the atmosphere of a Victorian botanist’s foyer; a living cabinet of curiosities that is an antidote to the harsh concrete jungle outside.

How to: The predominance of clean lines and black, white and natural wood creates a serene atmosphere.

Interest has been created by the textures and scale of the varying plants, some of which have beautifully patterned leaves. The sizes of the plants and pots is also varied and these have been interspersed with hanging plants, a philodendron in a modern plant stand and a fern in a

black woven basket – all of which creates a captivating installation.

That 70s interiors staple, macramé, has regained its popularity since the revival of the houseplant but in new and contemporary forms.

Plants in image: Air plant (hanging on hook of coat rail), asparagus fern, bird’s nest fern, button ferns, delicious monster, mother-in-law tongue, peace lily, philodendron (in plant stand), spider fern, tree fern.

NATURAL SELECTION Ideas: A beautiful bay window is transformed into a leafy, inviting wonderland by an abundance of houseplants. In this context, the plants help to enhance a sense of privacy in a densely populated urban setting. The windows afford the plant collection with growth-enhancing light, while the plants help to moderate the room’s temperature – natural air conditioning for eco-aware homeowners.

The joy of plants lies in their extraordinary shades of green and graphic forms. Celebrate this natural beauty by fashioning an installation of hanging and potted specimens as well as terrariums with a geometric modernity.

How to: Choose sculpturalshaped terrariums and a monochrome palette keeps it modern.

Plants on the windowsill: bamboo palm, button fern, delicious monster, ficus millennium, heartleaf philodendron (in macramé),

star jasmine, delicious monsters, silver lace fern.

Plants in the table vignette: In macramé hanging planters: asparagus fern, bird’s nest fern; In terrariums: wild olive bonsai trees, moss; Other plants: bamboo palm, heartleaf philodendron, mother-in-law’s tongue.

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HW FOOD & WINE

Party Pieces Photographer: MAS

Recipes: Kevin Bonello, Group Chef de Cuisine , XARA Collection Wine recommendations: Georges Meekers, Emmanuel Delicata Winemaker

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Serve up these delicious canapĂŠs with drinks and start your celebration in style

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HOT CANAPÉS All recipes make 4 canapes

1.

2.

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4.

COLD CANAPÉS All recipes make 4 canapes

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GEORGES' WINE RECOMMENDATIONS:

N.V. GELLEWZA FRIZZANTE, I.G.T. MALTESE ISLANDS Apéritif is French for a drink that opens a meal: a welcome to your guests that is supposed to open their appetite - not to sate it! A bubbly wine like Malta’s top-favourite Gellewza Frizzante comes in handy to serve alongside a variety of canapés.

The sparkling wine is not sweet but offdry, which is better.

Enjoy this local pink well-chilled in a fluteshaped glass.

2016 MEDINA SYRAH, CARIGNAN, GRENACHE, D.O.K. MALTA This lighter red doesn’t overpower any of the canapés and adds extra scrumptiousness to the beef and mushroom bites. This Rhône-like bright and unoaked red is packed with flavours of juicy red forest fruits dashed with black pepper.

It brings out spice cupboard goodness, and it is nervy enough for the Hollandaise.

Serve cellar cool.

2016 MEDINA VERMENTINO ZIBIBBO, SUPERIOR, D.O.K. MALTA The weight of this slightly heftier fruity white wine handles the variety of canapés perfectly. But it is for its true and delectable Vermentino and Zibibbo characteristics that I’ll unreservedly grab this unwooded Malta-grown white. Super fruity as it is, this white wine complements the briefilled buns wonderfully.

It is dry and crisp: an uplifting wine that also suits the focaccia.

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FOOD & WINE HW 1. BAKED JACKET POTATO FILLED WITH TRUFFLE CREAM CHEESE & CHORIZO

2. BAKED FOCACCIA FILLED WITH ZUCCHINI, TOMATO & GOAT CHEESE

3. ROASTED BEEF MEDALLION WITH OYSTER MUSHROOMS

4. MINI CHICKEN BURGERS

INGREDIENTS

INGREDIENTS

INGREDIENTS

INGREDIENTS

4pc small new potatoes 70gr cream cheese Truffle oil 1tbls finely cut chorizo Salt & pepper

1loaf focaccia bread 2tbls tomato paste mixed with olive oil 1pc green zucchini 50gr grated dried goat cheese Extra olive oil Fresh basil leaves Bamboo skewers

200gr beef sirloin, trimmed and cut into 20gr medallions 50gr oyster mushrooms 1sprig rosemary 1tsp French mustard 50gr Hollandaise sauce Salt Olive oil

METHOD

METHOD Season the beef sirloin with salt, chopped rosemary and French mustard.

Heat some oil in a pan, place the beef in the pan and seal on all sides for couple of minutes till pink. Allow to rest.

In the same pan, saute the oyster mushrooms for 1 minute Cut the cooked beef across, garnish with some oyster mushrooms and serve with Hollandaise sauce.

150gr chicken mince (seasoned with one pinch garlic powder, zest of half a lemon & half a teaspoon chopped parsley) 4 mini brioche buns 2tbl cranberry sauce 60gr brie cheese Iceberg lettuce

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 175 degrees Celsius. With a small melon ball scoop, hollow out the potato from the top, leaving the potato whole. Place the scooped potato in a bowl and season with salt, pepper and a drizzle of olive oil. Place on a baking tray and bake in the oven for 25 minutes, or until cooked. Allow to cool.

In a small bowl, mix the cream cheese with salt, pepper and a little truffle oil. Place in a piping nozzle and squeeze the filling into the cooked potato.

Fry the finely cut chorizo in hot oil, then place it on top of the cream cheese. Re-heat for 5 minutes and serve.

Slice through the focaccia so you have two equal halves.

Brush both inner sides with the tomato paste/olive oil mix.

Slice the zucchini lengthwise into slices 2mm thick. Season with salt & pepper, and olive oil, and roast for a few minutes until cooked.

When cool, place the zucchini slices on one half of the focaccia. Sprinkle with the grated goat cheese and place the other half of the focaccia on top to make a sandwich. Cut into even size square (2cm x 2cm) and serve warm.

5. PRAWN CHEVICHE TARTLET WITH CAVIAR AND LEMON ZEST

6. HUMMUS ON CROÛTE WITH BOILED QUAIL EGGS

INGREDIENTS

INGREDIENTS

4pc mini savoury tartlets 100gr peeled & deveined king prawns 1tsp -mix of dill & chives, chopped Zest & juice of 1/2 lemon 2tbls fish caviar Handful of cress leaves Salt and pepper

4pc white baguette bread, sliced and toasted 100gr hummus dip 2pc quail eggs, boiled, peeled and sliced in half Frizzy lettuce

METHOD

Finely chop the prawns, season with salt, pepper, chopped dill and chives, lemon zest (leaving a little for garnishing) and juice.

Leave to chill.

Once chilled, fill the tartlet with the prawn cheviche, Garnish with fish caviar, lemon zest and cress.

METHOD

Pipe the hummus onto the sliced bread. Top with half a boiled quail egg and garnish with frizzy lettuce.

7. THAI CRAB SALAD BOWL INGREDIENTS

4 very small plastic bowls 125gr crab meat (bones removed) 5gr finely chopped ginger 1tsp mayonnaise Juice and zest of half a lime 1 sprig of tarragon, chopped Handful of leaves (lollo rosso, frizzy & rucola) METHOD

Mix the crab meat with mayonnaise, chopped ginger, lime zest & juice and chopped tarragon. Season with salt & pepper, then spoon the mix into the bowls.

Garnish with fine mixed leaves.

9. MINI CAESAR'S SALAD TARTLETS INGREDIENTS

4pc savoury tartlets 50gr iceberg lettuce, torn into small pieces 30gr crispy toasted streaky bacon 30gr Grana Padano shavings 30gr toasted fine bread 40gr Caesar salad dressing METHOD Mix the iceberg lettuce with the Caesar salad dressing and Grana Padano shavings.

Spoon into the tartlet, top with crispy bacon and toasted fine croutons and serve. to hold. Serve hot.

METHOD Divide the seasoned chicken mince into 4 balls and press with your hands to make a flat oval shape. Cook them in a non-stick pan on both sides until cooked through.

Assemble the burger by first placing some cranberry sauce on a brioche bun, followed by a chicken burger, a slice of brie and a leaf of ice berg lettuce.

Cover with top of the brioche bun and place skewer through to hold. Serve hot.

8. CHICKEN LIVER PARFAIT WITH PISTACHIO INGREDIENTS

4pc white baguette bread sliced and toasted 125gr fine chicken liver parfait Handful of roasted pistachios Zest of half an orange A little finely sliced radish METHOD Pipe the chicken liver pate onto the toasted bread slices.

Garnish with pistachios, orange zest and finely sliced radish.

10. BRESOLA AND MELON BROCHETTE INGREDIENTS

4pc finely sliced bresola 4pc bamboo or plastic skewers 4pc square or round melon balls A little chopped parsley & chives METHOD Season the melon balls with salt, pepper, chopped parsley and chives and some olive oil.

Twist the bresola into a roundish piece and skewer it along with the melon so the melon is at the bottom and both are in an upright position. Chill and serve cold.

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HW TRAVEL

SHIP TO SHORE THIS ISSUE WE CHECK INTO CUGÓ GRAN MACINA, GRAND HARBOUR, AN AMAZING NEW BOUTIQUE LUXURY ACCOMMODATION THAT WAS YEARS IN THE MAKING Project Investors and Developers: Mario Camilleri of Realco & Stephen Azzopardi of SAW Project Architects: Dr Edwin Mintoff, EMA Project Designers: DAAA HAUS Photos: Elsa Allen, Jon Wrigley

Senglea’s 15th century Macina Bastion has been restored to become Cugó Gran Macina, Grand Harbour, a landmark of the Cottonera Regeneration Project and a new member of the IBB Hotel Collection, a hotel group based in Malta currently operating 11 hotels in Germany, Poland and Spain. As a luxurious and ultra-stylish space, Cugó Gran Macina consists of 21 suites, a café bar bistro and a rooftop restaurant that offer a 300 degree view of the Grand Harbour and the three cities of Birgu (Vittoriosa), Bormla (Cospicua) and Isla (Senglea). We spoke to project developer Mario Camilleri of Realco Holdings and designer Keith Pillow of DAAA HAUS to find out about how it came to be…

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What made the Macina Bastion the right site for a luxury accommodation?

MC: It is an iconic building, built by Grand Master Jean Claude de la Sengle, a military engineer, in 1554 in order to strengthen the military defense of Malta. Thereon in the early 1600s Grand Master Alof de Wignacourt built a massive structure, a large wooden crane eventually became known as Macina that was designed to hoist heavy cargo of galley parts, mast rigging and bring them ashore. As well as being a unique building, it has features and views that are rarely seen elsewhere, and with the growing trend of cultural tourism, where people are after unique immersive experiences in a historic surrounding, it is superb. The three cities enjoy uniqueness in the character of their streets, palazzos and churches and host some of the best cultural events of Malta.

How did you go about converting the building into a modern luxury accommodation?

MC: I first saw the majestic building way back in 2000 since it was part of the regeneration project of the Cottonera area and was convinced that it offered a big challenge to revive its potential while respecting its identity; at the same time, I was determined to do it in some way or other. It was not easy, though, dividing large open spaces into individual rooms as we did not want to lose the charm of its architecture and identity.

Over the last years, we worked with EM Architects on a number of possible layout plans. The architects had to make sure that all new interventions were done so as to be visually distinguishable from the remaining original masonry, in particular to the

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reconstruction of the vault damaged during World War II, the introduction of a pool deck discreetly situated on the roof of the Annex Building, and the creation of a bridge and lift connecting the Macina and the Annex Building. In particular, the existing façade has been enhanced with the introduction of dark green apertures adding an additional dimension of interest through the shadow effect with the existing stone façade.

All rooms are luxuriously planned and all enjoy sea views.

We had to go through a very difficult and rigorous planning process until permits were granted. This meant that the project was now a reality and we worked on finding a reputable operator to manage the luxury accommodation once restoration was completed. Our aim was to keep and highlight the original architectural features, from the vaults to the bolts, nuts and pulleys, but also to create a comfortable and luxurious edifice for accommodation.

What were the particular design challenges to overcome?

KP: As in the case with all historical buildings, the main challenge was to respect and preserve the architectural

features of the edifice while including what is necessary for a luxurious boutique luxury accommodation of five star standards. To keep interventions at a minimum, the lift was encased in a free standing steel and glass structure in the courtyard that separates the Macina from the Annex Building.

The space itself was a challenge as it was so vast. We worked in blocks of space and created elevated floors where necessary, using steel and wood materials, including bridges to access different elevated floors, very typical in this building.

What are the design details?

KP: The building was so rich in detail that lots of fancy materials would not have worked. Instead we used a palette of raw natural materials that are strong in character, high in quality and well-balanced, reflecting the building itself. Lacquered raw steel, limed oak, Arabescato marble, slate, lava stone and custom-tinted glass were all utilised in its renovation. Although these are contemporary materials, they sit elegantly within the walls, reflecting light as well as colours within the building.

We used black lava stone for the interior staircase

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TRAVEL HW

which highlights the shape. On the exterior, we framed the apertures in a dark green metal frames in stark contrast with the surrounding walls.

Each room and corridor is unique because of the shape of the building, so bespoke furniture and carpentry was needed throughout. The Daaa Haus team and master joiners of SAW Ltd worked on designing custom furniture for every space in the building.

We chose lighting from designers such as Tom Dixon, Flos & Louis Poulsen as we wanted to make a statement by design. Also, these designs blend in with the style.

These are juxtaposed with bespoke furniture, Italian sofas and beds upholstered in soft wool and finely woven fabrics, further enhanced with such finishing touches such as linen curtains and hand-tufted wool rugs.

The Cugó Gran Macina Grand Harbour has revived this iconic building on the Senglea foreshore and is the first Maltese member of Design HotelsTM. It is a prime example of Maltese heritage delicately adapted to modern luxury. www.ibbhotels.com/cugo-gran-macina-grand-harbour 093

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HW ESSENTIAL SUPPLIERS

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ESSENTIAL SUPPLIERS HW GARAGE DOORS LAMINATE PARQUET WALLS VINYL P

available from stock

de Valier company limited

San Gwakkin Street Mriehel Industrial Estate Mriehel BKR3000

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FLOORING

Vinyl Flooring

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HW ESSENTIAL SUPPLIERS

RUGS

DECORIUM RUG STORE for rugs that make your heart beat faster HANDMADE ORIENTAL - CONTEMPORARY & MODERN - LEATHER COWHIDE AND SHEEPSKIN RUGS 190, Naxxar Road, San Ä wann SGN 9030 - tel: (+356) 21389224 - email: info@decorium.com.mt www.decorium.com.mt -

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POWER BANK Available from A&A Mizzi Limited, Mriehel 21488160 096

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85, Granny Smith Shop Furniture & Interiors, St. Pauls Street, Naxxar Tel: 2141 8984 Mob: 79498174 Email: info@grannysmithshop.com www.grannysmithshop.com

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27/10/2017 15:39

ADDRESS BOOK AA Mizzi Triq is Salib tal - Imriehel, Mriehel.

2148 8168. www.aamizzi.com Agora 268, St. Thomas Street, Fgura.

2180 7000. www.facebook.com/agora. malta.3 Astral Abate Rigord Street, Ta’ Xbiex.

2134 0562. www.astral.com.mt Atrium Mriehel By-Pass, Mriehel.

2147 0000. www.theatrium.com.mt

B&M Supplies Triq Dun Karm, Birkirkara.

2144 0710. www.bmsupplies.com.mt Bathroom Design 358, Naxxar Road, Birkirkara. 2144 1328. www.bathroomdesign.com.mt Big Ben 223 - 225 Naxxar Road, Birkirkara. www.bigben.com.mt Boris Arcidiacono 233 Tower Road, Sliema. 2133 3638. www.borisarcidiacono.com BOV 58, Triq il-Kanun, Santa Venera.

2131 2020. www.bov.com.mt Brands / BoConcept Brands International Ltd, Triq tal - Balal, San Gwann. 2144 4110. www.brands.com.mt camilleriparismode 54, St. Catherine Street, Rabat. Annunciation Square, Sliema.

2010 2030 / 2134 4838. www.camilleriparismode.com Carmelo Delia Valley Road, Birkirkara.

2147 2882. www.carmelodelia.com CAS Ltd 206, Triq il - Kappillan Mifsud, Santa Venera. 2123 0777. www.casmalta.com De Valier St Gwakkin Street, Industrial Estate, Mriehel. Fairline Centre, St Marta Street, Victoria, Gozo. 2149 1111. www.devalier.com.mt CME Finishes 264, St. Thomas Street, Fgura. 2180 7000. www.cmefinishes.com Debenhams, Tigne Point, Sliema www.debenhams.com.mt

Elektro Services Triq -il- Ferrovija, santa Venera. 7905 0568. elektroservicesmalta@gmail.com

Matalan The Strand, Tas-Sliema 2131 0811. www.facebook.com/matalanmalta

Emmanuel Delicata Winemaker, The Winery on the Waterfront, Paola.

2182 5199. www.delicata.com ESS ESS Building, San Gwakkin Road, Mriehal, Birkirkara. 2125 5777. www.ess.com.mt

Mattress Collection Mdina Road, Triq Il-Kbira, Ħaż-Żebbuġ. 2146 1961.

Tal Balal Road, San Gwann. 2146 1962 www.mattresscollection.com.mt

Mdina Glass Crafts Village, Ta Qali. 2141 5786. www.mdinaglass.com.mt

Farrugia Lighting Dun Karm Xerri Street, Iklin. 2141 9111. www.farrugia.com.mt

Muscat Motors Ltd Rue D’Argens Gzira.

2326 4000. www.muscatmotors.com.mt

Fennobed Valley Tower, Valley Road, Birkirkara. 2704 2978. www.fennobed.com

Nestle Triq Pantar, Lija. 2338 9000 www.nestle.com.mt

FGP 109, Valetta Road, Luqa 2167 3627 www.fgp.com.mt Floors of Stone Triq Il-Wied Ta’ L-Imsida 2149 6742 www.floorsofstone.com.mt Form Triq il -Wied Ta’ I - Msida, Msida.

2144 6000. www.form.com.mt Granny Smith 85, St. Pauls Street, Naxxar.

2141 8984. www.grannysmith.com Grey & Adler 9a Triq Toni Bajada. Naxxar.

2740 6407. www.greyandadler.com Halmann Vella The Factory, Mosta, Road, Lija. 2143 3636. www.halmannvella.com Henri 23, Villegaignon Street, Mdina. 2010 6307. Pjazza Tigné, Tigne Point, Sliema.

2010 6306. www.henri.com.mt il camino 48 / 49 Fleur de Lys Road, B’kara.

2144 1689. www.ilcamino.net/en Inside Out Design Finishes Blue Harbour Mansions, Ground Floor, Block D, Ta Xbiex Seafront. 2722 3323. www.insideout.com.mt Joinwell 3, Triq il - Mithna, Hal Qormi 2278 2000 www.joinwell.com.mt JYSK Triq Il -Mosta. Lija. 2713 7364 www.jysk.com.mt Light Design Solutions Ltd Emmanuel Schembri Street, Birkirkara. 2149 6843. www.lds.com.mt

Deco Manufacturing Ltd Bulebel Gallery, 8A, Industrial Estate, Bulebel, Zejtun. 2169 2576. 186, Eucharisitic Congress Road, Mosta. Naxxar Road, San Gwann. 2169 2576. www.decomanufacturing.net

Ligonberries 27, Triq Wignacourt, Birkirkara. 2788 3788. www.facebook.com/ lingonberries.eu

Decorium 190, Triq In-Naxxar, San Ġwann.

2138 9224. www.decorium.com.mt

Krea Mdina Rd, Qormi. 2146 3501 www.krea.com.mt

doimo cucine Valley Road, Birkirkara 2010 1837. www.facebook.com/doimomalta

M. Demajo Timbers Olive Square, Qormi 2148 7078. www.demajotimbers.com

Dorelanbed Triq l-Imdina, Mriehel, Birkirkara.

2144 3872. www.oxfordhouse.com.mt

Eclecticist Pitkali Road, Attard. 99800751. https://www.facebook.com/eclecticist.eu

Masion + Lumiere 23,Triq san Tumas, Hal Luqa. 2788 8200. www.facebook/maisonetlumiere

Luxonas Vjal il-Ħaddiem, Ir-Rabat 2145 1718. www.luxonas.com/

NEXT Home Triq Bisazza, Sliema 2134 4156. www.next.com.mt one two one 21st September Avenue, Naxxar / Que - si - Sana Seafront, Sliema. 2142 2948 /9, 2132 3155/65 wwwonetwoone.eu Oxford House Notabile Road, Mriehel.

2546 4000. www.oxfordhouse.com.mt Raphel Azzopardi 6, Triq l-Uqija,, Ibrag 2137 3812. www.raphaelazzopardi.com Renergy Triq San Tumas, Ħal Luqa 2132 2999. renergy.com.mt

.

Salvarti F15B, Leiden Centre Mosta Technopark, Mosta, MST3000, Malta. 2143 4534 http://www.salvarti.com Satariano Marina Street, Pieta 2149 2149. www.satariano.com Studio Moda 82, Naxxar Rd, San Gwann.

2138 6812. www.studiomodagroup.com Sunsource 231, Naxxar Road, Birkirkara.

2758 1303. www.sunsource.com.mt Tekno 76 Triq Santa Marija, Il-Mosta.

2132 2554 The Glow Company Luigi Catania,Gharghur.7957 2143. www.glowcomalta.com The Mediterrenean Wellbing Company Ltd 5/6 Msida Valley Road, Birkirkara.

2131 6678. www.wellbeingbedding.com The Xara Palace Relais & Chateaux Misrah Il Kunsill, Mdina. 2145 0560. www.xarapalace.com.mt/ Vee Gee Bee Bellavista Road, San Gwann.

2138 5584.www.vgbart.com.mt Zara Home Pama, Valletta Road, Mosta.

2349 6789. Tower Road, Sliema. www.zarahome.com/mt

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HW BACK STORY

THE RUG COMPANY HOW SUZANNE AND CHRISTOPHER MADE MODERN RUGS WORKS FOR ART FOR THE FLOOR Portrait photography: Mary McCartney

B

ack in the year 2000, Suzanne and Christopher Sharp of The Rug Company commissioned 10 leading UK interior designers to each create a rug; it marked the beginning of a revolution in rug design.

The resulting patterns of the Designer Collection as it was called, were very different to the traditional oriental and Persian rugs that had long dominated the up-scale rug market. They featured undulating spots of colour and bold stripes and had a new and modern look.

‘We realised that our clients were looking for something fresh and exciting,’ says Christopher Sharp. ‘We had the idea to bring together the ancient craft of making rugs by hand with quality contemporary design’.

These first designs proved a great success and shortly afterwards, the company developed the idea further, working with fashion designers such as Italian brand Marni and Britain’s Paul Smith, the latter creating what is arguably the company’s most iconic rug; called Swirl, its flamboyant whorl of colour is a twist on the bright stripes of the Paul Smith logo.

In the years since, the Sharps have commissioned designers across many creative fields from the late Alexander McQueen and Diane von Furstenberg who continued the fashion theme,

Swirl by Paul Smith for The Rug Company Hand knotted Tibetan wool

along with interior designers Kelly Wearstler, artist Sam TaylorWood and jeweller Tamsin de Roemer. Despite the company’s showroom in Malta closing, they have showrooms in 13 countries around the world with eight in America alone.

Today the company boasts a gallery of exciting creations, all of which have helped transform the way rugs are perceived – no longer are they accessories, but ‘works of art for the floor’. Along with this status has come their value as an investment. ‘Artists and designers’ contemporary rugs have become really collectable in recent years,’ says Christopher Sharp. ‘The nature of their production – they’re knotted and woven entirely by hand by a small group of skilled craftspeople – means that their production is limited, and that demand outstrips what we’re able to produce.’

Although The Rug Company has become synonymous with contemporary rugs, the business began with traditional ones after the couple spent some years in the Middle East. ‘We started collecting them, and our knowledge and appreciation for them grew,’ says Christopher.

They opened their first shop in Malta – Suzanne was born here; her maiden name is Miceli - before decamping to London to start The Rug Company. The rest, as they say, is history.

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THE AUTUMN COLOURS ISSUE +Bedroom Special

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