HOMEWORKS 91

COLOUR

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ISSUE 91

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YEARS

ISSUE 91 SEPT 2018

homeworks.com.mt

COVER

MODERN HISTORY Pg. 030

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NEWS AND FEATURES Readers Letters And Competition The Edit My Design Life - Justin McGuirk Name To Know - Jaime Hayon Colour Confidence HOMES Modern History In the Pink Technicolour Dream Second-Hand Rose BEDROOM SPECIAL Introduction Bedroom Beauties Child’s Play Teen Spirit Time for Bed: Beds And Mattresses

our favourite colour combinations...

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CONTENTS

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COLOUR

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BEDROOM SPECIAL cont...

Wardrobe Envy Cover It Up - Bedlinen Accessorise - Bedroom Accessories A Light Touch - Lighting Feature

091 Playing With Fire: Fireplace Feature 101 Shop

107 108 110 114

LIFESTYLE Garden: Set To Work Garden: Colour In The Garden Food and Wine: In Flavour Travel: The Cumberland

118 Essential Suppliers 121 Address Book 122 Insta Eye Candy - Malta Type 007

IL NOSTRO MONDO

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EDITOR’S LETTER

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This Issue.

Right now colour is in fashion. The A/W homeware collections are full of jewel shades and wallpaper is saturated with rich tones.

Yet, while many of us are happy to experiment with fashion in our clothing, we are less confident when it comes to our homes.

But colour is integral to a room as one’s choice can set a mood.

Colour experts will tell you that muted tones of grey/blue will create a relaxing mood as they look and feel harmonious and calming, while more energising shades, such as those in the red and yellow spectrum, give energy and dynamism. White is akin to a blank canvas and therefore a good colour to use for a creative space in which you do not want to be easily distracted.

With the theme of this issue being colour, I hope it inspires you to use it.

The homes featured on these pages do so with aplomb. The home of designer Francis Sultana, a wonderfully restored palazzo, is filled with every colour of the rainbow. My favourite feature is the artwork of painted beams in the sala nobile, a splash of colour in an unexpected place that creates a wonderful decorative touch in the room.

For advice and more ideas on colour, we spoke to Atelier Maison, an award-winning design company who use colour as an architectural feature both inside and out.

On a different note, if you’re looking to refresh your bedroom, there are 20 pages of ideas in our Bedroom Special and, with the weather cooling, there’s nothing cosier than the flickering flames of a fire, and we have plenty of ideas there too.

I hope you enjoy the issue

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, executive editor (Marc Spiteri) nor publisher accept responsibility for any material submitted, whether photographic or otherwise. While we endeavour to ensure that firms and organisations mentioned are reputable, the publisher, editor and executive editor can give no guarantee that they will fulfil their obligations under all circumstances. © 2018

EDITOR RACHEL LOOS ART DIRECTOR MARC SPITERI DESIGN JONATHAN RYAN PHOTOGRAPHY ALAN CARVILLE GREG COX FRITZ GRIMM SEAN MALLIA MAS

JAMES MCDONALD JULIAN VASSALLO REGULA YSEWijn CONTRIBUTORS KATJA ABELA PAULA AGIUS-VADALÁ SVEN ALBERDING LISA GWEN BALDACCHINO TAMZIN FERDINANDO DOMINIQUE HERMAN GEORGES MEEKERS PEPPE MICIELI NICOLE PISANI JOSETTE SCHEMBRI VELLA MELINA SCADONIBBIO

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MICHAEL BONNICI 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 MICHAEL WROTE: ‘After reading HOMEWORKS for so many years, my wife and I finally decided to renovate our dated home, room by room. No doubt, we’ll be making reference to HOMEWORKS for ideas we could use. One particular area of interest for me at the moment is automation. I like the idea of being able to control different areas in my home from a controller or a smart phone. As we start to ponder the renovations, it would be useful to read about how one should approach installing automation, especially keeping in mind slightly older Maltese homes built from limestone brick. Thank you.

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NEWS TRENDS ADVICE SHOPPING PEOPLE

EXOTIC TRAVELS

Ceramic tableware is back, and the brighter and more patterned the better. Thanks to the influence of social media, what we serve our food and drink on has become as important as the contents.

Wedgwood’s Wanderlust collection will certainly create a beautiful vignette. TKS - The Kitchen Store

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THE EDIT

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2019: TIME TO SPICE UP YOUR LIFE Along with Pantone, the Colour of the Year from Dulux also brings us a view of the future from an emotional perspective. The company brings together a panel of colour designers, design specialists, trend forecasters, architects and editors from around the world to discuss what people want from the spaces around them, distilling their thoughts into a universal theme and mood that is then embodied in a colour.

This year, the colour chosen is Spiced Honey, a warm neutral with amber tones. Unlike 2018, when the unpredictability of the world resulted in a desire to retreat, the Dulux panel believe that in 2019 people are ready to go forward with optimism. ‘In 2019, as a society, we want to reach out, engage with our communities, make things better and “be the change” – anything from supporting charities to small acts of neighbourly kindness,’ explains Heleen van Gent, Head of the Global Aesthetic Centre, who chairs the ColourFutures™ panel annually. ‘It’s time to act and Spiced Honey enables transformation, inspiring a positive, emotional change.’

How to use it?

‘Spiced Honey has a raw, natural quality that works like a warm neutral, which makes it so adaptable to pairing with different materials and styles of decoration,’ says Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director for the Dulux brand in the UK. ‘Its rich caramel tones visually turn up the thermostat a few degrees and so it’s perfect for creating a relaxed cosy atmosphere in places where we like to think, dream, love and act.

‘It looks especially good when teamed with whites and off whites in furniture and furnishings which gives it a contemporary feel.’

Along with Spiced Honey, the panel also created four different colour palettes - called Think, Dream, Love and Act - each of which works with the hero colour. ‘The colour palettes tell different stories of colour and the way we will be using it in our homes in the year ahead,’ says Marianne. ‘Think, Dream, Love and Act are the trends that capture a new spirit of resilience and optimism in a world that had us retreating to our homes and hiding behind the sofa in 2018.’

SOFT SHELL The shell-shaped chair has become an ontrend design style, and this one, the Cassia armchair designed by Mauro Lipparini for Natuzzi, is beautifully elegant. The seat rests on a solid wood base which wraps around the seat, combining traditional style with modernity. Upholstered in leather, fabric or a leather-fabric mix with either a solid walnut or smoked oak base. Form

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MONKEY BUSINESS

Exotic motifs in rich colours feature strongly in modern wallpapers - use them to give rooms an eye-catching design focus. At SatarianoHome (above right), the Curiosa range of papers from Arte star colourful tropical flora and fauna such as parrots and monkeys. The latter can also be found in Cole & Son’s third collaboration between the renowned wallpaper brand and the Italian luxury design atelier, Fornasetti. Available at Loft (above left), the collection’s 12 designs feature a range of Fornasetti’s whimsical motifs from mischievous monkeys to architectural features and clouds

Bar stools are big with breakfast bars found in many a kitchen/diner.

The new Afteroom stool in black powder coated steel comes with or without an upholstered stool.

Go bright for a dynamic splash of colour. Core Plus

NOW YOU SEE IT...

Following the success of their mini-kitchen, H Decor now presents a range of beds for small spaces. The collection includes this revolving double bed (also comes as a single) which is equipped with a safe and intuitive system by which with a simple movement, the shelf rotates and a bed swings into the room.

Piston-aided movement then helps to lower the bed safely. Also available are desks that turn into beds, as well as tables that fold down from the wall. H Decor

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Justin McGuirk is the chief curator at London’s Design Museum and the founder of Design Curating & Writing at Design Academy Eindhoven. In 2012 he was awarded the Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale of Architecture for an exhibition he curated with Urban Think Tank. This month, he is a keynote speaker at Valletta 2018 Foundation’s series of annual conferences

I live in…

A 1920s factory building in Hackney, east London. The thing I most love about it is that it has huge windows and amazing light. Of course that means it’s absolutely frigid in winter – frankly, I wouldn’t recommend it.

Shelving system designed by Dieter Rams

The most useful item in my home is...

Probably my bookcase, a shelving system designed by Dieter Rams. We have way too many books. I’m supposed to follow a one-in-one-out system but I’m not disciplined enough.

I take my coffee...

I don’t drink coffee. I love this Mediterranean idea that my day must include a leisurely coffee-taking ritual, but the truth is I’m lucky to squeeze in a few sips of English Breakfast tea in the morning before I run out of the house and jam myself into an already dangerously overcrowded Tube train.

It’s hellish, but I get to decompress walking through a small forest in Holland Park on my way to the Design Museum.

I could not live without...

Chocolate. No, baklava. No, wait, chocolate. No, definitely baklava. Actually, it’s chocolate.

I jot my ideas down on...

Well, I do own some Moleskin notebooks (I’m enough of a cliché for that) but when I’m really working, I use yellow legal notepads that I buy in America. I’m not sure where this came from – probably from watching Robert Redford take notes in ‘All the President’s Men’, when I was a kid.

I am inspired by…..

Writers mainly. Having said that, now I have the nightmarish task of selecting only a few to illustrate my answer. I’ll avoid the novelists and mention a few thinkers who have influenced my own work: the Czech philosopher Vilem Flusser, the British architecture critic Reyner Banham, the French philosopher Roland Barthes, the German writer Walter Benjamin and the Polish journalist Ryszard Kapuscinski.

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Top and above: the Design Museum in its new premises in south-west London

My working day entails...

Too many meetings. Working at the Design Museum – any museum – seems to involve an endless stream of meetings. I oversee several exhibition projects at once, and it is incredibly rewarding to see how an idea evolves over time, how it resolves itself into an arrangement of objects, how the curator gives those objects a narrative and how exhibition designers give the gallery a different spatial character each time. It’s impossible to stop learning because every exhibition is so different from the last. I love it.

THE EDIT

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Inside the Torre David installation

The exhibition I am most proud of...

The first exhibition I curated was an installation about Torre David, a 45-storey skyscraper in Caracas that was squatted by more than 3,000 people. The exhibition tried to demonstrate the radical potential of squatting empty skyscrapers in a city where millions of people live in slums on the periphery. This was exhibited at the Venice Architecture Biennale in 2012 and it won the Golden Lion that year.

*

The public building I most like to visit is...

SESC Pompeia in Sao Paulo

The designer I most admire…

Impossible question, but today let’s say it’s Lina Bo Bardi, an Italian who emigrated to Brazil after the Second World War and became one of the country’s most significant architects.

She was heavily influenced by the culture of Bahia and northern Brazil, and she let its craft, its rhythms and its people shape her practice. Her work is impossible to categorise – she didn’t have a signature style but was always evolving her ideas. My favourite project of hers is the SESC Pompeia in Sao Paulo, an old factory complex that she converted into a social and cultural centre, with a swimming pool, canteen, theatre and spaces for art classes. It’s not only an extraordinary, bold and playful work of architecture, it puts people at the heart of every moment. It’s wonderfully generous.

Chairs that are part of the Autoprogettazione series by Enzo Mari

My favourite interior design classic is...

In 1974, the Italian designer Enzo Mari set out to challenge the idea of the interior design classic. He designed a series of furniture that people could make themselves using just timber planks and a few nails – he would send them the designs if they sent him a stamped envelope. It was called Autoprogettazione and it was a radical gesture – it was also very striking furniture.

To continue my Tube theme, Westminster Underground station has the most incredible elevator journey down to the trains. It’s a high-tech, Piranesian dream in which you feel like you’re entering the belly of the machine.

The everyday item that is genius in design...

My iPhone swallowed them all up.

Radical Cities Revisited Justin will deliver a keynote speech, called ‘Radical Cities Revisited’ during the closing session of Valletta 2018’s annual international conference titled ‘Sharing the Legacy’, taking place between October 23-26.

In 2014, Justin published a book called ‘Radical Cities: Across Latin America in Search of a New Architecture’ which documented the work of a particular generation of architects and politicians who were using new approaches to tackle the rampant urban inequality and divide between the ‘informal’ city (slums) and the ‘formal’ one. This new wave of urban interventions, from housing and public spaces to unconventional forms of transport, proved influential the world over. But, a decade on, how is their legacy enduring? Were they the beginning of a new approach to urban inequality or a brief hiatus in business as usual?

You can hear Justin at 2pm on October 26. For more information: conference.valletta2018.org

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MIAMINICE

New from BoConcept is this stylish Miami modular sofa, its gentle curves, pared down details and a light silhouette, giving it a great look and inviting feel. Designed by Anders Nørgaard, it is built around three module types - a oneseater (two size options), a corner unit (with left or right armrest) and a pouf in two sizes. Display them individually or use the under-frame clips to click them together. Available in leather or fabric.

BoConcept

SOFT TO TOUCH Alexandre Turpault is a chic bedlinen brand that has just launched in Malta. The French company has been producing the finest linen and linen/cotton bedlinen since 1847. Its Alma bedlinen (pictured above) features an elegant coloured ribbon that’s available in 30 shades, and with a high thread count, the soft, light texture of jacquard combines with the softness of cotton sateen for bedlinen that’s exceptionally comfortable against the skin.

Exclusively at Boris Arcidiacono

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JUST ADD TEXTURE If you’re after a cool industrial vibe or the richness of wood on your walls, then consider panels that look remarkably like the real thing but are much easier to work with. The panels, which resemble either brick, concrete, stone and timber, boast the same natural textures and features of the original, and contain more than 50 percent natural pigments with resin and fibre, making them very durable and fully waterproof and impermeable. They’re good for indoors and outdoors and come with a 10-year guarantee as well as being maintenance free.

Sunsource

NAME TO KNOW

Portrait: Klunderbie All other images: Hayonstudio

Jaime Hayon

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Frame chair

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Catch chair

DESIGNER PROFILE

The Spanish designer made his name with colourful, fun creations but has also become one of the world’s big talents and in high demand to design everything from furniture to interiors and art installations

is work has been called eclectic, baroque, surrealistic and fantastical - it is certainly sought after.

Having started his career 15 years ago making a set of plastic designer dolls, Spanish designer Jaime Hayon (pronounced ‘Hi-me Hi-on’) has today worked for many of the world’s biggest and most innovative design companies including Fritz Hansen, Magis, Bisazza and Moooi, as well as creating interiors for hotels and shops and also art installations. ‘There’s Hayon the artist, Hayon the product designer, the interior designer, the furniture designer but there is only one, and that is me,’ he jokes.

Very much a maximalist, his work is often full of colour. A major influence is Memphis, the early Eighties Italian postmodernist design collective that favoured the colourful and the abstract along with asymmetrical shapes.

Hayon works from sketchbooks, articulating his design ideas on paper, in beautifully detailed illustrations which are reminiscent of artists such as Picasso. This way of way of working is ideally suited to his philosophy which finds the idea of purely functional form dull and uninteresting. ‘It is

important to remember that my design is made for humans – to be used by humans,’ he says. ‘I believe that design should provoke emotions. Design should make you feel good.

Create happiness’.

To this end, the Catch chair for & Tradition, for example, aims to feel like an embrace (in discussing it, Jaime shows an image of two penguins hugging each other, and a bear hugging a tree).

Hayon, who speaks Spanish, English, French and Italian, was born in 1974 in Madrid to a Venezuelan mother and Spanish father.

Aged just 13 and bored with life in the city, he left for San Diego, where he worked for a company making skateboards, immersing himself in the design-led subculture.

That was the start of his tendency to work with mavericks. He won a scholarship to study industrial design at the L’Ecole Nationale Superieure des Arts Decoratifs, the prestigious ‘grande ecole’ in Paris that was, at the time, headed by Philippe Starck.

In 1997, aged 22, Hayon was invited to join Fabrica, the Benetton-funded design and communication academy, working closely with the legendary and highly controversial

image-maker Oliviero Toscani (he of the United Colours of Benneton ad campaigns), and there Hayon was quickly promoted from student to head of their design department.

In 2003 Hayon struck out on his own, and his first exhibition, called Mediterranean Digital Baroque, a surreal installation of ceramic plants and animals in shades of pink, yellow and blue, brought him his first real taste of international recognition.

Having collaborated with a number of historic companies, such as Lladró (ceramics), and Baccarat (crystal), today he also enjoys playing with traditions. ‘I like taking them and using them as ingredients to create something new,’ he says.

His figurines for Lladro subvert the usual innocent subjects of ballet dancers and children to create ones that are sinister yet fascinating.

Most recently, he has been creating the Frame range of chairs out of rattan for the Spanish company Expormim. Last popular in the Seventies, rattan is enjoying a resurgence, and in a bright colours Jaime’s collection feels modern, but also a little cheeky - which is certainly the Hayon way.

Interior of La Terraza del Casino hotel

Rug for Nodus

Figurines for Lladró 023

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Colour Confidence

Want to add colour to your home but nervous to try? Paula Agius-Vadalรก and Katja Abela from the award-winning design and architecture firm Atelier Maison offer their advice...

Photographic contrinbutors: Sean Mallia, Michael Calleja (Studio Konnect), Three Wise Men, Atelier Maison

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What does colour add to an interior?

Colour can affect the whole mood of a space. As soon as you add a colour, the feel can change completely. Light colours reflect light, and certain details show up more in light colours (above left).

Dark colours absorb light, therefore certain details can be lost, but dark colours can help in other ways. For example, in an art gallery where you would want the art to stand out, a dark background can help. Or metallic accents or inserts that contrast with a dark shade can result in a rich, expensive-looking design (above right).

Colour can help portray the homeowner’s character, giving the space its own personality. We once used teal, aubergine and sunshine yellow for a client who liked complimentary colours.

They worked together in harmony and while they might not be everyone’s cup of tea, they gave the space a unique look (below).

When designing an interior space, we treat colour as another architectural element, one that has a function. In certain projects, we use colour to help define spaces. In one home, in order for a long wide corridor to feel less long and never ending, we stained the bamboo floor dark blue where the corridor turned into a lounge and eventually in the office at the end of the corridor. This way colour helped give definition and identity to the different spaces (left, right, below right).

What colours work best in Malta, given the light and climate?

The colours we associate with Malta would be earthy colours, which are found in the natural landscape – terracotta and rust, olive, sand and stone, gold, sky and ocean blue, and small splashes of shades such as yellow, purple and pink.

When you look at older vernacular, you could say that they almost resemble the natural landscape – a stone facade with splashes of colour in the form of apertures and pretty flowers in the window. This colour scheme is still relevant today.

When limestone is present – whether in an interior or in an exterior – we treat it as being a warm yellow, and so any other 025

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In the island’s newer buildings we see more concrete - a cool shade of grey, and as with the limestone, other colours or materials used with the concrete must make sense and complements the grey (right).

The Manikata Church by Richard England comes to mind when thinking about architectural colours in Malta. The terracotta building looks so harmonious in the surrounding landscape. In fact, we took inspiration from the Manikata church when creating a colour scheme for an extension to an old house of character. The earthy terracotta colour of the extension complements the yellow of the existing stonework beneath (below right).

What do you need to take into account when planning to work with colour?

When planning to work with colour, it is always a good idea to come up with a mood board, showing the colours and materials that could possibly be used. A mood board allows you to see it all as a whole so you can identify what does not work well together – in which case remove or replace whatever is causing the problem.

An interior should be seen as a composition, and all the elements forming part of the composition need to work well together. Looking at a space holistically ensures you to get the best end results.

Identify any limitations present on site and work around them – for example, any furniture or art pieces that may already be present in the space, or will be used in the space. Any existing materials should also be seen as a ‘colour’ – for example wood is seen as brown, stone is seen as yellow. If these items are there to stay, treat them as another colourful element that forms part of the overall composition of the space - and any colour that is added has to work with them, or rather, complement them.

What mistakes do people commonly make with colour?

A classic mistake we find is that people consider that black and white are neutral colours. They aren’t.

Let’s talk about white…We find that white in particular is a very stark colour. It doesn’t mean that you don’t use white at all. On the contrary, white can be very versatile, but it also depends on the type of white. There exist cool whites, warm whites, grey whites, and so on.

For example, we like to use white in old houses where the walls are uneven - due the lightness of the white shade, all the rugged and irregular surfaces along the walls become really visible, with the light and dark patches of shadow.

It is always important that colours are tried and tested on site. The amount of natural light, or lack of it, is a crucial part of choosing certain colours. When choosing a colour, it is so important to try out a sample on site, as lighting can make a colour look different (below).

People tend to go for the safer option, which is not always the right choice.

Colour doesn’t have to be scary. When using colours, we like to use saturated colours which result in a neutral colourful palette. Spaces have a lifetime, so using saturated colours would help make the space feel timeless.

Everyone falls into the trap of focusing on one particular part of the interior, and obsessing about it. But it’s a good idea to take a step back and look at the space as a whole, as you would a painting. Colours cannot be chosen in isolation - they need to play a part in the overall composition.

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HOMEWORKS picks out some of our favourite colour combinations...

Green room

Multi-coloured marvel

Be bold

Stand out style

A soothing colour that brings a sense of nature inside, it works well with other earthy hues. Here, a sofa in mossy green is complemented by a rug along with cushions in a range of greens and patterns. The leather armchairs and floorlight with an amber-coloured base add depth

Murals or artwork which take up an entire wall are an increasingly popular way of introducing colour and pattern into a room. Bolder and more eye-catching than just a picture, they really do take centre-stage

A strong colour or combinations of colours as seen here with this artwork on one wall is enough to bring the energy of rich colour to this room. The cushions on the sofa below visually connect the wall to the room, allowing the rest of the room to be predominantly white

As Atelier Maison mentioned, dark colours can make an effective backdrop. Here the painted black units in a kitchen make the colours of crockery and other objects really zing

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AMSTERDAM SOFA

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Our smorgasboard of colourful homes begins with the stunning palazzo belong to designer Francis Sultana. Throughout the house, colour is used with authority in a sympathetic yet modern renovation of this historic home. At the other end of the size scale, on page 042, is the apartment where Valentino Architects took the bold but brilliant decision to go pink. Rich colour reigns supreme in the home on page 048, and a clash of traditional Maltese and mid-century modern creates a fabulous retro apartment on page 056.

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Modern History

Francis Sultana’s home in Valletta is a feast for the eyes - a dazzling blend of Baroque architecture and contemporary verve Photography: James McDonald Portrait Photograph: MAS Words: Lisa Gwen Baldacchino

Library: a large space, one side is given over to a living room arrangement, the more sober fabric of the sofa lifted by animal print accents and the contrasting armchairs. The centrepiece of the room is the triptych by Francis Bacon 031

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alking through Valletta, it’s inevitable that one finds oneself fantasising about the treasures and stories behind the many coloured timber doors of the Baroque city’s honey-coloured architecture. Aside from the public buildings or boutique hotels, one is rarely afforded the chance of peeking inside these late 16th or 17th century palazzi and townhouses. But on the rare occasion that one does see what lies inside, the contents of the space and the sheer size and volume are often beyond one’s wildest imagination.

This is very much the case with the home of designer Francis Sultana, and his partner, gallerist David Gill. Tucked away on one of the narrower roads of Valletta, the neutral-coloured front door belies the grandiose and complex space within, where the original 16th century architecture has been made even more magnificent by the lavish, colour-rich design that seamlessly flows from Oriental to Mediterranean, to contemporary Baroque, all the while recalling sumptuous Venetian interiors; and within these highly curated spaces, a mouth-watering art collection that includes pieces by some of world’s most exciting artists.

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The Library: the bookcase,

by Francis, is topped with ceramics by Andrew Lord. The Mattia Bonetti desk with chairs in a Luigi Bevilacqua velvet

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Sala nobile: strong sense of symmetry, coupled by an eclectic yet harmonious fusion of textures and soft furnishings both characterise and enhance the formal sitting room, which sits below a subtle yet defining installation adorning the 26-foot ceiling. The site-specific art piece, by Daniel Buren, encases the original beams with a series of playful geometric forms. The sofa is by Francis, and the cockatil tables, console, armchairs and lights by Mattia Bonetti 033

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Sala nobile: large mirrors, in Baroque curves, help give definition to windows which are dressed in blue curtains.

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One of the world’s foremost designers, Francis grew up on Gozo, leaving for London when he was 19. His links with Malta, however, remained strong, and for many years he returned regularly to his childhood home to visit his mother. When she passed away, he realised he needed to create his own reason to stay in touch with the land of his birth. Today, although London-based, he is Cultural Ambassador for Malta and sits on the board of the Malta International Contemporary Art Space, a new museum set to open in 2021.

He and David bought this palazzo, originally the residence of the Knight, Francesco de Torres - bailiff of the Auberge de Castille - some 12 years ago, and the last six years have been dedicated to its complete renovation. ‘From the moment David and I saw the house, I knew exactly what had to be done, restored, replaced and added,’ says Francis. ‘As it had not been lived in since the end of the Second World War, it had retained some of its original Baroque details, and I was struck by the presence of a courtyard, a rare thing in a fortified city where land was always at a premium. I wanted to renovate it in a way that did not remove its original character. Yet it had to work as a house, today.’

Art gallery: amazing pieces of art can be found throughout the palazzo, epecially in the inbetween spaces. These include a Jason Rhoades neon installation at the top of the stairwell (above), a pendant light piece by Olafur Elisasson and a vertical sculpture by Eva Rothschild 035

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Dining room: a stunning space of blue hues interspersed with red accents. The walls, on which Francis has emblazoned a pattern of alternating gilded towers and eight-pointed crosses in bass relief, are reminiscent of St John’s Co Cathedral, the source of inspiration. Around the table by Garouste and Bonetti are chairs by Mattia Bonetti. In the sitting room (above right) is a painting by Aldo Mondino; the cabinets in the kitchen (right) were designed by Francis and have a cararra marble worktop; in the breakfast room (far right), one of the 19th century chairs from around the table

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HW SPACES Guest suites: beautiful pieces of furniture and rich fabrics adorn the guest rooms of the palazzo.

Here, too, art is key to the home’s look and vibe. In this room hangs a piece by Jean Cocteau

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Entrance hallway: a pendant light

by Andre Dubreuil hangs in the entrance. The shade of green mixed

by Francis can be seen around the woodwork. A colourful animal print runner leads the way up the stairs

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The large internal courtyard can be seen as one enters and is dominated by an imposing 70-year old Brazilian palm tree. Almost statuesque, it reaches the mezzanine, where it tickles the ironwork of the internal balcony. Surrounding it are several rooms and doorways; wanting to be able to enjoy the yard throughout the seasons, Francis added a second, glass door to the original solid apertures - an antiporta - which allows light to seep into an otherwise dark entrance.

Towards the rear end of the courtyard, there is also a perfectly camouflaged elevator alongside a traditional spiral staircase which leads onto the mezzanine where the former concubine quarters were located and which have now been transformed into an all-inclusive guest suite. ‘All the internal doors and apertures are new; and all the joinery, including the cabinets in the kitchen and pantry, follow the design of a single, small mirrored door, located on the concubine’s floor,’ says Francis.

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One of the ‘yard doors’ also leads to an ample basement, where Francis has managed to deftly install an indoor pool for use during the winter months. ‘A bit of madness to have a pool in the basement,’ he quips. Originally a stable - still detectable from the ramp cum staircase save for the two rows of coloured masks by Djordje Ozbolt, the space has been left relatively bare. In addition to the stable and the concubine quarters, the house also incorporated a granary which was discovered during the renovation works.

The palazzo almost deserves to be appreciated for the apertures alone, of which there are hundreds. The many doors, windows and entryways are all linked chromatically and the choice of colour – a unique shade of dusty green, mixed by Francis himself – imparts a certain calmness, and harmonises all the distinct elements at play, as well as perfectly melding with the colour of the limestone.

Although clearly a functional, lived in home, the many cutting-edge design and contemporary art pieces are reminiscent of a vibrant gallery space. This is especially true of the in between spaces, such as landings and walk-throughs. On the second floor, the landing leading to the grand salon and dining room features a giant art piece by Paul McCarthy, a pendant light piece by Olafur Eliasson and a tall vertical sculpture by Eva Rothschild; whilst a whimsical text-based, neon installation by Jason Rhoades hangs against stark white-washed walls, dominating and climbing the height of the secondary internal staircase leading to the couple’s private sleeping quarters.

Despite the renovation and the alterations, Francis believes the house ‘still feels very Maltese. Too many people try modernising houses in Malta in a way which simply doesn’t work,’ he says. ‘I truly wanted to create a historical interior; one that breathes’.

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Swimming pool: two rows of coloured masks by Djordje Ozbolt decorate the pool in the basement of the palazzo.

Hurricane lamps by Francis

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IN THE PINK

A BOLD PALETTE WAS THE STARTING POINT OF AN INTERIOR THAT USES COLOUR BLOCKING TO DEFINE AND ENHANCE THE SPACES WITHIN Architects: Valentino Architects Photography: Julian Vassallo Words: Lisa Gwen Baldacchino Hallway: the original floor tiles greet the visitor; the eye is then led through the apartment to the green of the back yard. On the wall hangs a painting by Seb Tanti Burlo; it personifies the original name of the property, Lorry, which has been retained

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e’re somewhat accustomed to pink apertures, albeit chiefly of the pale / pastel kind, as well as pink ground-floor façade walls, but pink interiors? This is on another level completely, and it takes a bold property owner, coupled with a daring architecture / design team to create a colourpacked space, which combines pinks, greys and blacks with accents in green and mustard. But that is precisely what has been done here.

Small spaces can be incredibly tricky, as are conversions of Maltese builds dating to the early 1900s. Yet there is a certain effortlessness in the way Valentino Architects transformed this somewhat cramped three-roomed space into a one-bedroom apartment that not only feels open plan, but also deceivingly spacious.

Rather than taking individual colours, the design team treated the space collectively. It drew inspiration from Le Corbusier, amongst others, using colour to define space and zone areas, with painted walls working with the floor tiles to outline and delineate the build’s original dividing walls, thereby also keeping the build’s history alive.

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‘The pink walls were a bold decision which act as an extension of the client’s character’

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Open-plan living space: the use of colourblocking can be clearly seen in the main living space. In contrast to the pink of the living room, the kitchen with its white walls and ceiling and cement tile flooring, is warmed by the floor-to-ceiling oak cabinets that contain serve as a pantry and storage. The island, with its slate worktop, acts as an extra cooking space, but also as a dining table 044

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However, the conventionally structured space has not only been injected with colour - the sense of the outdoors has been brought inside, and together these design ideas allow the rooms to breathe and flow seamlessly from one to another. ‘We really wanted to play with the space, to manipulate it – this was accentuated through the ‘hidden’ pink bed- and bathroom doors which, despite their overt pop of colour, are minimal, understated,’ says Sandro Valentino. Continues Julian Vassallo who, with Sandro, led the project from the outset: ‘The pink walls were a bold decision which act as an extension of the client’s character, who is also particularly fond of the idea of creating ‘green spaces’ through landscaping.

Bedroom: kept simple, the raised bed is reached via poured concrete steps, the grey colour theme running through the room. Houseplants add a refreshing green

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HW SPACES Back yard: cement tiles cede into concrete planters for a cohesive look that keeps the space feeling uncluttered.

Wrapped around by the house and neighbouring wall, the outdoor area has a real sense of privacy

original layout

The ‘back yard’ is the first aspect to seduce the eye - it is spied on walking in the front door as the build now possesses a clear and uninterrupted line of vision from the entrance and hallway, on to the plant-laden exterior. Interestingly, the team chose to reduce the outdoor space in order to prioritise and create a Zen-like Japanese-style bedroom looking out onto the back yard, and which, through their astute intervention, has now taken on a quasi central yard quality, due to so much activity now surrounding it on more than one side.

An opaque glass wall divides the bedroom and the bathroom, an aspect which was only seriously considered due to the temporary nature of the property and its tenants. ‘Being less personal, as in not constituting a space to be lived in and experienced by the same people on a daily basis, meant that we had a greater degree of liberty,’ explains Julian. And they have used this freedom well.

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current layout

Aquachiara - Private wellness by Cea

Mosta Road, Lija t. +356 21412222 e. info@ssbathrooms.com

www.ssbathrooms.com

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Technicolour dream

Zebra print carpets form a foundation for designer pieces from Europe, creating a dynamic interplay of colour, pattern and texture in this light-filled and vibrant home Photographs: Greg Cox Styling: Sven Alberding Words: Dominique Herman

Entrance: in the double volume front entrance is this colourful and striking artwork. By a French artist and bought in Belgium, it is made from wine corks, sections of hosepipe, pieces from the inside of a computer and piano keys

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Living room: Andrea mixed the family’s European furniture with local art and fabrics plus finds from her stock of vintage and auction buys. The teal blue wall was matched to the custom coloured carpet in the living room.

The family’s sofa from Brussels was reupholstered in Mark Alexander empire fabric – also matched to the carpets. The black and white Fauteuil style chairs were lacquered and reupholstered in a Diane von Furstenberg-type dress print.

The ceiling mouldings were custommade, the homeowner cutting out a magazine image of what she had in mind. The faceted table is the ‘joker’ and the hollow base table the ‘vera cruz’, both by India Mahdavi

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Dining room: the swan chairs are a vintage find of Andrea’s and form part of the stock she accumulates at auctions and vintage shops awaiting the right clients. The table is

by Italian brand Baxter, the ceiling lights are original Serge Mouille and the wall lights by Flos. The brass Étagère is from the marché aux puces in Paris and the chairs flanking it are chinoiserie decorated carver armchairs from Andrea’s stock

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SPACES Entrance: the double volume front entrance with oak floors.

The round hanging light was over a very large dining table in the family’s old house. When there’s lightning outside, the structure of the lamp dapples the walls with patterns

‘I love colour – there’s always colour. There’s always things that don’t match – but match. It’s about mixing and layering and not making it obvious and predictable’

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TV room: a black lacquered unit, vintage bamboo rocking chair and Minotti corner sofa in the TV room that steps down from the kitchen. The tiger’s eye and metal side table is by South African sculptor James B Hannah

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nterior designer Andrea Graff and her team had no time to waste when they renovated this house. ‘We had four months to totally strip this home, redo seven bathrooms, redo the entire interior of the home,’ she says. ‘Everything was planned meticulously before and we had the most unbelievable builder.’

To complicate things further, while Andrea was in Cape Town, the homeowners, a family of six, were in Brussels and so Andrea communicated with them via phone calls, weekly Skype sessions and emails.

The time restriction and distance were mitigated by an instant rapport between Andrea and the homeowners, in particular the wife. ‘It was a total joint venture,’ says Andrea. ‘She’s possibly been the client that I’ve wished for my entire career. She just got me. We did so many daring things. It was just a dream come true.’

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Above, kitchen: the walnut and stainless steel Bulthaup kitchen features a charcoal ducoed island. Beneath it are custom-cut hexagonal marble tiles set like an irregularly shaped carpet into the pre-stained charcoal oak floors imported from Belgium. The counter chairs are by Pezula Interiors and the wall lights by Flos. ‘It’s the best kitchen that I’ve never had,’ says the owner Right: the leather daybed is from Italian company Baxter. Next to it is a ‘karaba’ lamp

by French designer India Mahdavi Far right, hallway to kitchen: the French doors were custom made and ‘look as if they’ve been in the house forever,’ says Andrea. ‘Strangers’, the yellow sculpture, is

by Capetonian sculptor James B Hannah 052

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The last house the family lived in was a study in white, grey and black; this time they wanted ‘an easy living house’ – one that was practical for a large family. ‘It was the first time that we had a house under the sun so we wanted a colourful house, a fun house,’ explain the homeowners. ‘We chose Andrea because we wanted colourful things and Andrea is colourful.’

She certainly is. There are teal blue walls and carpets in the living area, bright yellow walls in the guest room, bright lime green walls in the boys’ bathroom, and a variety of black and white fabrics and tiles creating a kaleidoscope of pattern and animal print. ‘There is a continuity,’ Andrea says. ‘I love colour – there’s always colour. There’s always things that don’t match – but match. It’s about mixing and layering and not making it obvious and predictable.’

Left, main bedroom: the bed was bought at Italian brand Baxter and the Life picture in New York. The ‘Don Giovanni’ lamp is by India Mahdavi and the iridescent dragon fabric silk bed cover by Jean Paul Gaultier Below left, main bedroom: the sideboard is custom-made and the standing lamp

by Serge Mouille. Hand printed zebra carpets, are in all the bedrooms. ‘Animal skin is one of my obsessions,’ says Andrea Below centre and right right, master ensuite: the master bathroom floor is clad entirely in Norwegian rose marble.

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Above, guest bedroom: the guest suite features a custom made headboard upholstered in Christian Lacroix fabric, vintage bamboo chairs and a Nguni skin Far left: the simplicity of the Tolomeo lamps by Artemide work well with the busy fabric headboard Left, guest bathroom: the guest bathroom features a gold glazed basin that’s teamed with potoro silver marble, and above an antique mirror. The wallpaper is Ralph Lauren’s grasscloth wallpaper. Against the dark background, the gold is accentuated for a quietly glamorous look

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SIMPLE IDEAS. INSPIRING DESIGN.

Affordable Quality.

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Rose Second-Hand

IT MAY BE COMPLETELY

FURNISHED WITH VINTAGE FINDS BUT A CONFIDENT USE OF COLOUR AND PATTERN GIVE THIS MIDCENTURY MODERN APARTMENT A CONTEMPORARY FEEL Photography: Alan Carville Words: Rachel Loos

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omeowners Godwin and Dorian first saw this apartment back in 2013. Despite it being in Floriana, which was definitely not a property hotspot at the time (how things have changed!), they liked it, and being a bit of a property fiend, Godwin was keen to acquire it. But it was not to be. With Godwin having recently moved from Gozo and Dorian having returned from Europe, and having just bought a home together, there were not the funds to buy again.

Fast forward three years, and the apartment was still for sale. A friend was property-hunting so Godwin and Dorian suggested he look at this flat. But while the friend decided he preferred a house, Godwin and Dorian, having seen the apartment again, were smitten. ‘It was the start of a love affair,’ says Godwin. ‘We loved the high ceilings, the floor, the abundant light, the apartment’s comfortable feeling.’

Despite its shabby condition, Godwin could see the potential the moment he stepped through the door. ‘Standing there I could picture what needed to be done, which walls to pull down, where to put the kitchen, the bedroom...’

During this second viewing, Godwin went up to the roof. ‘And I found myself on the highest point of Floriana, able to see the Three Cities and as far as Siggiewi, Mdina and Naxxar,’ he says.

Everything about the apartment was perfect and in a better financial position this time to last, a deal was struck.

When he began measuring, Godwin realised that the apartment had been built to exact specifications. ‘The measurements kept repeating themselves: from one room to the next, or they were the fractions of a larger measurement; even doors and apertures were not spared the equation, everything was in whole, half, thirds or fourths,’ he explains. ‘I think it’s this that gives the apartment its feeling of comfort.’

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Living room (left): the original Maltese tiles appear as a rug on the floor. The blue of the sofas and the palm leaf wallpaper (online from Murals Wallpaper; muralswallpaper.co.uk) are not an obvious match but the boldness of the colour and pattern do work. ‘We kept the curtains a plain grey so as not to overload the space,’ says Godwin. The sideboard was bought second-hand online. The light is an early 19th century Maltese street light that he rescued and rewired. The lampshade was bulky refuse found two streets away Kitchen (left bottom): tucked away in the corner is the ‘Tetriskitchen’ that was custom-made by a carpenter. ‘It is over four short walls so it had to be thought through carefully,’ says Godwin.

Instead of going for a pale colour he decided to go for a dark wood effect. ‘I couldn’t hide it so I decided to go the other way and make its cubic mass stand out,’ he says Bedroom: this room is furnished with an original mahogany leaf set known as ‘tal-fuljetta’. ‘It’s sadly not valued anymore as they are too bulky to fit in today’s small bedrooms,’ says Godwin. The plastic ‘jewel’ lampshades (from Birgu Sunday Market) add a dash of fun

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Godwin demolished one wall to create an open-plan main living area, and also the walls to the two closed balconies in the living room and bedrooms to create extra space and to bring in yet more light. The apartment and roof space were linked with an internal metal spiral stairs.

When it came to furnishing it, Godwin made a pledge that he would not decorate the apartment with new, shop-bought furniture and accessories. A self-confessed interiors magpie, the apartment reflects his eye for beautiful things that other people don’t want, especially those from the 1950s/60s. ‘We are a nation obsessed with the Baroque and the old,’ he says. ‘The more recent styles are not as appreciated as they should be. I salvage what people throw away. I walk the streets looking for things people take out for bulky refuse, or I buy from house sales and street markets, both locally and away. Everything in this place has a history and when I look at an object, it reminds me of the story behind it.’

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Spiral stairs: a new staircase, given a shot of style in bright red, leads to the roof terrace and its stupendous views Bathroom (below): this is the only room where everything is new. ‘We wanted the cleanliness of white tiles but softer so we chose a bevelled smallish tile,’ says Godwin. ‘And because the room is small, we painted the ceiling blue to make it feel less like a white box. The door’s back is a full mirror that also helps make the space feel bigger’

People selling items online are also rich pickings. The beautiful metallic blue sofa and armchairs were bought second-hand, (they were as new, having spent half a century covered in plastic). ‘The sofa set was a gamble given the tiles on the living room floor but I wanted them as soon as I saw them,’ he says.

Their rich colour, combined with the palm leaf wallpaper, show how a bold use of colour and pattern can make a strong design statement. The wallpaper was actually destined for the bedroom, but ‘we felt it was wasted in the bedroom where it would be hidden away,’ says Godwin.

It took almost two and a half years to renovate the apartment, and it was only finished in June this year. Godwin rents it out for short lets but he and Dorian can often be found relaxing on the sofa or on the roof terrace having a bbq with friends. ‘I don’t rent the apartment out for long lets because I want to be able to use it myself,’ he says. ‘We will never sell this apartment; I’ve put so much into it, it is part of me.’

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...nowhere else

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

www.flamingo.com.mt

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BEDROOMSPECIAL 20 pages of inspiration and advice from gorgeous bedrooms to beautiful beds, mood lighting, stylish wardrobes and accessories

Gent: defined by grandiose lines and

an elegant look, this modern, upholstered bed is fitted with a soft and oversized headboard for great comfort and a chic look. As the headboard fits all other BoConcept bed frames, it can also be combined with a storage bed frame.

Brands International 063

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Bedroom beauties!

WHAT MAKES A GREAT BEDROOM? BE INSPIRED

BY THESE REAL LIFE ROOMS THAT ARE BIG ON STYLE AND COMFORT...

SHIMMER & SHINE A high statement headboard creates a stylish focal point in a room and a panelled headboard, flush against the wall is a popular option.

Here, the shimmery fabric makes for subtly glamorous furniture piece that also catches the light

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BEDROOM SPECIAL

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COLOUR POP A soft dark grey is the perfect backdrop to make most colours sing, and painted behind a bedroom wall and combined with colour creates a lovely mood. Also looking smart is the low-slung pendant that acts as a bedside light and the side table as a bedside table with a difference. A large floor to ceiling mirror is a great decorative accessory that’s practical too - it makes a room appear larger and also accentuates the light

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MONOCHROME MIX Adding a graphic pattern instantly gives a room strong character and here, an ethnic-style print in monochrome adds pattern in a sophisticated way. The colours of the wallpaper are picked up in the fabric of the bed itself as well as the bedlinen

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LOUNGING AROUND For a truly personal space, there’s the bedroom that’s also a living room. In this room, the pale grey headboard matches the sofas, the living room area zoned by the rug. Splashes of colour lift the look to create a luxurious feelgood space

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WHITE OUT This bedroom is all about sleekness, with a polished concrete floor and a bank of glossy storage, a shelf within the storage unit keeping it all streamlined for the ultimate uncluttered look

FADE TO GREY White walls are contrasted with a palette of dark greys and a touch of wood to create an elegant and restful room 068

FARO

Bedroom

SIMPLE AND CHARMING The Wiemann Faro bedroom is characterized by its contemporary semi-solid oak German made quality finish. Complemented by a wardrobe with its bronze mirror glass as well as several other pieces, the Faro bedroom also offers various lighting options to illuminate the elegant wood grain providing added practicality.

Notabile Road, Mriehel | T: 2546 4000 | www.oxfordhouse.com.mt

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BEDROOM SPECIAL

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Child’s Play A CHILDREN’S ROOM NEEDS TO BE INVITING, BUT ALSO BE FLEXIBLE AND FUNCTIONAL...

‘My Hangout’ bed, by Danish brand Lifetime Kidsrooms. Joinwell

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or a child, the bedroom is a key space in their life. ‘It’s the only space that they feel is really ‘theirs’ in the entire home,’ says interior architect Janice Fiorentino of (X,Y,Z) Architecture & Design. ‘It has to provide comfort, shelter and inspiration.’

A successful design project reflects the personality of those who are going to live there, and this applies to children’s spaces as well as those for adults. Communication is key. ‘Each project has its own story – its own different characters,’ says Janice. She often speaks to her junior clients to help figure out what makes them tick. ‘Children as young as say, five years old can talk about their favourite colours, themes, and fictional characters for example, which reflect their character, thoughts, and likings,’ she says. ‘Sometimes it can be quite inspiring and you get to understand better the personality of who you are designing for, and where and how they feel most comfortable. Obviously it will be architect’s task to interpret all their thoughts, along with the parents’ input, and design the ideal space for them not just for the next year or two, but possibly for another ten years as they grow older.’

As for the all-important layout of a children’s space, this depends on how it is going to be used. Is it a place to sleep and to play or just sleep? Does there need to be a desk for homework and an extra bed space for sleepovers? Special places to read are a popular choice with a cosy nook created in a corner of a room or even an indoor tent that gives a child a space to curl up with a good book.

For Janice, natural light is important. ‘It has positive effects on a child’s mood and calming complementary tones where colours are used,’ she says. ‘Most of all, I feel that very importantly that a child’s bedroom should have a well-designated “empty space”. The furniture within the bedroom might remain the same, but this space with a soft carpet will transform along the years from a little rocking horse space, to a LEGO playing area, to a multi-cushion corner for playing board games with friends, to teen bean bags planning their next adventure...’

Brightly does it: this small bunk bedroom was designed by Janice Fiorentino for two very young children. ‘The room was originally designed to be the walk-in wardrobe, but due to the proximity to the master bedroom, the parents decided to have it as a temporary sharing bedroom for their little ones. Customised carpentry ensures best use of spaces, especially when small in size.’ (X,Y,Z) Architecture & Design 071

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See double: Furlan adds great functionality to children’s bedrooms with storage that includes wall units and walk-in wardrobes, along with modular designs that maximise space and have the potential to evolve over time. Oxford House

Just right: Rimobel offer endless sleeping and storage solutions thanks to its modular system that allows you to combine the look and theme throughout. The colours, sizes and styles are all customisable and can be designed to fit your child’s room. Ranges available are compact beds, nest beds, baby cots, bunk beds, wardobes an furniture for teenagers. R Living

KID ABOUT

* *

Include lots of storage - the more there is, the more places there are to put things that would otherwise be left lying all over the floor. For smaller rooms, beds that incorporate storage are a good way of incorporating storage and leaving enough floor space for the child to play.

Unlike adults who often shy away from colour, young children love it, finding it fun and stimulating. Introduce it with paint and wallpaper, as well as accessories such as rugs and bed linen.

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Just hanging about: the ‘My Hangout’ bed, by Danish brand Lifetime Kidsrooms, can be set up however you want it – a standard bed with play area on top; a bed at the top, in the treehouse, with a play area at the bottom; or a bed on each level to suit two children. Beneath the bed you can add a pull-out bed that’s ideal for sleepovers or a drawer for additional storage. The bed guard is also removable to ensure that your children will not outgrow this bed, while various other customisations are available to make the bed even more personalised. Joinwell

Smart style: the FAER Play collection has a wide range of solutions for all room types, allowing you to personalise a child’s space with its new colours and designs. It also caters for all age groups, from young children to teenagers. Carmelo Delia

* *

Creating a shared space for siblings can be tricky. One way of making it work is by using the same style beds and bedding, but giving each child their own space within the room, such as a shelf, a desk and a pinned display board, to make their own.

About five to seven years is about the maximum amount of time a room with last - there is a big difference between a four-year-old and a teen. But you can future-proof a room with timeless furniture and then only have to change smaller things such as wallpaper and accessories.

...

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TEEN

SPIRIT

Creating a room for opinionated teenage girls can be tricky. Josette Schembri Vella explains how she did it...

Photography: Fritz Grimm

Sweetly stylish: the mood of this bedroom is set by the feature wall in Cole & Son’s Prism wallpaper which introduces subtle colour. It is carried over into the vanity area contained within large wardrobes, the doors made from an open-grain wood painted pale grey that’s looks chic. The bed is a double, also for sleepovers.Loft

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hen Loft’s Josette Schembri Vella set about decorating the rooms of two teenage girls, the biggest issue was ensuring that the look of each of the rooms lasted more than one season. ‘The trends that they love today, will they like them next year?’ she says.

To future-proof the rooms as much as possible, Josette persuaded the teens to go with largely neutrals shades as a background, and then introduced colour and pattern through accessories that can be easily and inexpensively changed as fashions come and go.

‘When designing a room, we like to use colourful rugs and wallpaper and murals bring a room to life,’ she says. ‘And a lot of storage is also important’.

For the older teen, Josette worked the space so there was room for a bed and a sofa bed for friends. ‘There are always sleepovers to take in account,’ she says. The bed was raised, with the space below given over to a sofabed that is also the place from which to watch television - and the perfect gathering place for a teen.

BEDROOM SPECIAL

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Go glam: this teenage girl’s room is super-stylish and glamorous, but also very practical. In front of the television is a sofa bed for when she has a sleepover. Above, on the wooden frame, is her bed which is reached via steps. Along another wall is a long desk that also works as a vanity. The curtains have been re-worked, the red and pink border of the past removed and a new elegant one in grey and gold added. The neutral backdrop is perfect for the accent colours of blue, gold and grey. Loft

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5/6, Msida Valley Road, Birkirkara Tel: (+356) 2131 6678 Mob: (+356) 7784 5484 Email: info@wellbeingbedding.com

www.wellbeingbedding.com

BEDROOM SPECIAL

Time for bed

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The bed is the statement piece of design in a bedroom but it has to do more than just look good - it has to give you a restful night’s sleep too. These ones look good - and feel good too...

Siri: with its rounded lines, the Siri bed from Novamobili has a simple, timeless design. Available in veneered wood.

Satariano Home

Essential: with its slender lines, slightly curved headboard, and various colour options, the Auping Essential is a contemporary bed that fits every bedroom. Choose from a flat or electrical adjustable bed base with two or three motors, along with an Auping mesh base, combined with an Auping mattress that offers exactly the right distribution of body pressure, ensuring you get a good night’s sleep. Awarded the Good Industrial Design in The Netherlands. Boris Arcidiacono

Ruché: French chic courtesy of Ligne Roset, the stylish quilted frame brings an unusual and eye-catching element to the bedroom. Fino 077

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Time for bed

Onda: designed by architect Claudio Bellini, it features a distinctive headboard - a single padded piece that is an integral part of the structure - for a look that is as comfortable as it feels. Form

Kongsberg: an elegant solid wood and fabric frame with attractive buttoned look. Available in 90, 140, 160 or 180 x 200cm. JYSK

Nice: an inviting large headboard that folds around for an enveloping feel and excellent tailoring make for a stylish and comfortable bed. Cascone 078

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Funny: by Italian company Loiudic & D, an elegant bed with a buttoned headboard.

Carmelo Delia

Sofia: an unusual and striking version of a fourposter bed from Spanish company, Lola Glamour.

Customisable in size and finish. Satariano Home

Mezzo: this upholstered bed from BoConcept comes with hidden lift-up storage underneath and an optional upholstered and tufted headboard; available in over 100 fabrics and leathers.

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Time for bed

Catania: a subtle champagne shade combined with Nocce, a new soft-grained walnut finish.

Also available is a new dressing table unit. Oxford House

Simplicity: create a smart and comfortable bed, choosing from a range of headboard shapes and fabrics that coordinate with all Dorsal slatted supports.

Wellbeing Bedding

Smart Beds: a range of fold-down beds for small spaces but which come with full size mattresses for comfort as well as practicality.

This model features a bed that’s tucked away behind a sofa during the day, the bed then easily pulled down when needed. H Decor 080

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HOW TO CHOOSE A MATTRESS Clayton Borg from Mattress Collection explains what you need to look for when buying a mattress

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s a general rule, if your mattress is over 8-10 years old it’s probably time to consider buying a new one. There are high quality mattresses that last longer but generally, the way to tell that your mattress has come to the end of its life is that you’re waking up in pain, not sleeping through the night or don’t wake up feeling rested.

Mattresses are like any other products on the market, there are low, medium and high quality ones to choose from.

There are also a variety of materials used such as springs, foams, latex and memory foam. In most studies, memory foam seems to win overall. Memory Foam (pictured right) is a new age mouldable material that responds to weight and temperature which means it will mould to the shape of your body and relieve pressure on your joints.

All this choice can be quite daunting which is why it’s easier to buy from a shop that has qualified staff that understand all these different materials and can guide you to the right mattress for you.

When visiting a mattress shop, lie down on the mattress for a good few minutes. When lying down, turn to the sleep position you sleep in the most and see if it’s comfortable and supportive.

What firmness do you need? If you sleep on your back or stomach, go for a medium to firm mattress. If you’re a side sleeper, you’re best opting for a medium mattress. Our bodies are not straight, our shoulders stick out as well as our hips and the right mattress should take the shape of your body and not the other way around.

Do not choose a mattress because it is the most expensive.

Generally softer mattresses are more expensive than harder ones, so it is important to choose the right mattress for you.

Do not pick the hardest mattress either. That myth has long been debunked. There is no perfect formula or ‘best’ mattress for everyone.

Try to budget a bit extra for your mattress. People tend to spend a lot of money on their bedroom and then neglect the mattress, but it is the item in your bedroom your body most needs. Ask yourself how much you spent on your sofa and how much time you spend on it. Then ask yourself how much time you spend on your mattress.

Depending on your weight and body type you may need a specific type of mattress to create the ideal feel and support that your body needs. There are also mattresses designed for very heavy people where extra support is added underneath to create a stronger support structure that will last many years.

Medically approved mattresses are usually much higher quality mattresses.

They’ve been tested by doctors and when being made tend to use a lot less harmful chemicals. Remember you are sleeping on this mattress for a number of years so buying the healthiest one is a good idea.

Lastly look for benefits that are offered with your mattress purchase such long guarantees, free delivery, free installation or a free sleep trial. The sleep trial is probably one of the best add-ons you can get when buying a mattress as it gives you a chance to sleep on the mattress for a good few weeks and then change it to a different model if you’re not happy.

Finally, don’t forget to measure your existing bed before going shopping, it will save you time and headaches.

Beds and mattresses from Mattress Collection 081

BEDROOM SPECIAL

WARDROBE ENVY

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STORAGE IS VITAL TO CREATING A RELAXING MOOD IN THE BEDROOM AND A WARDROBE THAT IS LARGE ENOUGH FOR ALL YOUR CLOTHES IS KEY - AND A STYLISH LOOK HELPS TOO

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1. Vedde: grab yourself a slice of Scandi style with this smart wardrobe that combines quality with affordability in a spacious bedroom storage system. JYSK | 2. Wing collection: from Faer, this range of wardrobes offers a wide variety of finishes, materials and limitless design possibilities for main bedrooms. Carmelo Delia | 3. Perry: Reveal or conceal, store away or display - Novamobili’s Perry hinged door wardrobe is made from toughened glass – smoked or stop-sol – with a bronze-finish frame and built-in handle. The wardrobe can be recessed or set against a wall.

Satariano Home | 4. Ghost: a discreet profile with an integrated handle in a brown/bronzed finish, this sliding door wardrobe by Jesse is available in a variety of different finishes. Form | 5. Bespoke: looking for something specific? Get it made to measure exactly as you like. JDS furniture has years of experience creating professional joinery works of all sizes and styles. JDS Furniture | 6. Arizona: in Alpine White Santana oak, this streamlined sliding door wardrobe has a self-closing door system. Oxford House 083

Style

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- KITCHENS - BEDROOMS - SOFAS - LIVING ROOMS - OFFICES

Vialino Ltd Valley Road, Birkirkara Malta BKR 9021 +356 2147 2882 | +356 2144 0492 (Stores) info@carmelodelia.com

w w w. c a r m e l o d e l i a . c o m

BEDROOM SPECIAL

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Cover up!

Add bedlinen for a decorative finishing touch...

Jewel colours: bring this season’s colour palette into your bedroom with Schlossberg’s Autumn Glowing collection. Inspired by the colours of an early autumnal day - leaves, blossoms and berries, lit by the golden glow of the sun, feature brilliant tones in blue and green, as well as the rich reds and violets.

Boris Arcidiacono

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All white (above and top): the cool elegance of white will always be popular. Flamant’s Home Linen Collection includes 100 per cent cotton and stonewashed sateen cotton. Flamant

Pure pattern: Cosy up your bedroom with a richly textured and patterned throw in stunning colours from Designers Guild. Design House On the fringe: Paisley wool and cotton blanket, Zara Home Check-mate: Checked double-sided blanket in flannel and cotton, Zara Home 085

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Accessorise!

Furniture and accessories to style up your bedroom...

Rock on: relax in the bedroom in the Scandi-style Nebel rocking chair in dusty blue upholstery.

JYSK

Boxing pretty: these Haagen boxes in shades of blue and grey are perfect for storage. JYSK

Mirror, mirror: with its pure and light curved shape and iconic expression, GUBI’s timeless F.A.33 Mirror, designed by Gio Ponti, adds subtle elegance.

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Cool storage: in matt white lacquer, the Lugano chest of drawers is a sleek and streamlined piece of furniture. BoConcept

Blue mood: blue is a lovely shade for the bedroom, inducing a calming and relaxing mood. This muted shade and delicate pattern are Harlequin’ Metaphor pattern. Stem Interiors

Art deco glamour: a soft biscuit shagreen dressing table adds timeless glamour to a bedroom. Stem Interiors

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A LIGHT TOUCH

Bedroom lighting has to satisfy a number of functions. It has to help you get up in the morning and sleep well at night. It also has to be bright enough for getting dressed and at the end of the day, encourage you to relax, and give you sufficient light to read by. Here’s how to get it right...

AMBIENT LIGHTING

Ambient lighting is natural light that flows in through windows, along with added artificial light, together ensuring it’s bright enough for you to see at all times. A ceiling light that casts light around the room is the most common choice of ambient lighting, and if you wire it to a dimmer switch, you can control how much light you get.

Another option is floor lamps although you are likely to need a number of them, strategically placed, depending on the size of the room.

TASK LIGHTING

Dressing tables are rare these days, with most people choosing to groom themselves in the bathroom. If, however, you do opt for a space in the bedroom, you need to light the mirror in a similar way you would in a bathroom - a light on either side of it allows you to see better, and does not cast harsh shadows that age.

BEDSIDE LIGHTING

Other than ambient lighting, the most crucial form of lighting is bedside lighting. The soft, pools of light create a relaxing mood at the end of the day, telling your body that it will soon be time to sleep.

If you love to read in bed, you need to have enough light by which to do it comfortably. Again, lights that can be dimmed are a good choice as you can turn them up for reading, and down when you don’t need the brightness.

When choosing the height of a bedside lamp, you need to take the height of your bedside table into account - when sitting up in bed,

the bottom of the bedside lamp shade should reach eye level, with the light shining on your lap, not your eyes.

Pendants that hang low are an increasingly popular bedside lighting style and they are an excellent choice if your room is small as without the need for a table light, you can opt for a smaller bedside table.

Finally, when choosing a bulb, avoid melatonin-producing blue light as these will confuse the circadian rhythms of your body.

Instead opt for warm white bulbs (see below).

CHOOSING LIGHT BULBS: LUMENS AND COLOUR TEMPERATURE

Instead of being measured in watts, light is increasingly measured in lumens - the latter measures brightness while the former calculates the amount of energy used, and with LEDS and compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) now popular, the level of brightness is a more accurate measure of how much light a bulb will give you.

For a bedroom, the total suggested lumens is between 2000 4000, depending on how large your bedroom is. However, there are also suggested levels for different zones in the bedroom - the recommendation for bedside lighting is 100 lumens while for getting dressed it is 1680 lumens.

Colour temperature is the scale that tells you how ‘warm’ (yellow) or ‘cool’ (blue) a light is. It is measured in Kelvins (abbreviated to K), and the higher the number, the ‘cooler’ the light so 6500K is at the cool end of the spectrum and resembles daylight, while a wax candle has a very warm glow of about 1000K. A very warm light of 2700K and is the one recommended for bedrooms.

Above Image: Anglepoise Type 1228™ desk light, wall mounted light and floor light combine Sir Kenneth Grange’s original - with some highly refined updates. camilleriparismode 088

BEDROOM SPECIAL

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1. Sherwood and Robin: designed by Matteo Ugolini, these lovely and unusual lights in white ceramic feature squirrels scampering down to bright and shining acorns. Light Design Solutions | 2. Nacho: a retro-style light that’s available as a chandelier, table lamp, wall light, floor lamp as well as a pendant with one or four arms. Made from black metal with brass parts, black cable and clear globe glass shades, all with filament type LED bulbs as shown. Spot On Supplies | 3. NUD Bolt: a stylish bare bulb that is great slung over a hook (this is Muuto’s The Dot). Bulb from Stem | 4. Choose a lamp with an interesting design and you instantly style up a bedroom. Champagne or antque brass will give a room warmth. Stem | 5. LED Bubble: take the bare light bulb look one step further with this bulb that reminds you of blown bubbles. Stem | 6. Industrial style: the warehouse look is still going strong with a range of pendant, floor and table lamps to choose from. JYSK | 7/8. The Book and Read bedside wall fittings by Italian brand Ideal Lux are a combination of practicality and smart design. The fittings consist of a metal powder-coated frame in black or white, with a directional reading LED light, a USB socket and, in the case of the Book with a glass diffuser, a general area light too. ESS 089

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Any Storage Bed Fixed Slats

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Any Storage Bed Remote Adjustable Slats

5.0 5.0 of 5 stars 300+ reviews

FIREPLACES

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PLAYING WITH FIRE

A fireplace gives a room a design focus but it does far more - flickering flames evoke an emotional response that makes us feel warm, safe and cosy when it’s cold outside

Legionis bio-ethanol fireplace is mounted on the floor by the wall to perfectly mimic a traditional mantlepiece and fire. Sunsource

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BIO-ETHANOL FIRES The game-changer in fireplace technology has been the introduction of bio-ethanol, an eco-friendly fuel extracted from plants, the only by-products released during burning being water vapour, carbon dioxide (the equivalent of a candle burning) and heat. With no smoke or ash, the bio-ethanol fireplace has no need for a flue or chimney so a fire can be installed into any room or building as long as there is ventilation. Which means that now the joy of dancing flames is available to everyone‌

Delta 3 is a black, wall-mounted bio-ethanol fireplace that can be installed in minutes, like hanging a picture to a wall. TUV-certified with a three-year warranty. Sunsource

Cone, below, is a bio-ethanol wood fireplace that can be used indoors and out thanks to built-in wheels. Made in Italy with a natural oak finish, Cone makes a stunning centrpiece. Bathroom Design

Vesta Minor, right, is a bio-ethanol fireplace made in natural oak and stainless steel. It’s modular design makes it easy to carry from one room to another. Bathroom Design 092

FIREPLACES

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BIO-ETHANOL VAPOUR (BEV)

Planika Modular Ethanol Inserts. Caruana & Cini

Planika’s intelligent bio fireplaces with patented BEV Technology™ are the most advanced products in the industry, offering the cleanest possible burning process without any smoke, smell or ash. As well, BEV Technology™ gives unlimited possibilities for placement in the home due to its safe properties. How does it work? Planika BEV ethanol fireplaces are fireplaces that burn vaporised ethanol. Unlike VS standard ethanol burners that are highly flammable, BEV is a patented advanced technology consisting of a number of safety features: the actual flame is not in contact with the fuel storage; the fuel storage is totally sealed; flames are created by mechanical vaporisation of the fuel which makes the flame more controllable, safe, and without a smell. This allows you to switch off the unit at any time without worrying that any fumes will be emitted into the room.

The advantages of burning ethanol vapours are less consumption / higher heating capacity with no waste of fuel.

A mechanical pump will not allow you to fill the fuel storage if the fireplace burner is hot or when the tank is full (it shuts off automatically to avoid spillage).

Other safety features include a carbon dioxide sensor (it shuts down automatically if the carbon dioxide level in room is high); a fuel level sensor (indicating the fuel level in the storage tank); a spillage sensor (does not ignite if there are drops of liquid on the fireplace outer body); a tilt sensor (shuts down automatically in case of the unit being tilted); a TV protective sensor (shuts down automatically if it senses electronic input); a child lock; a sleep timer; a temperature sensor (shuts off automatically in case temperature around the unit rises more than its standard operating level); and a device lock.

The Planika fire comes with high flexibility in design and installation. As well as not requiring a chimney, it is easy to install. It can also be designed in one long flame of fire which can be customised in any RAL colour. Caruana & Cini

Planika Lincoln, a plug & play bio-ethanol fire that resembles a traditional fireplace. Caruana & Cini 093

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GAS FIREPLACES With the flip of a switch, turn on a gas fireplace for a realistic and cosy fire but without logs, smoke and fumes. Gas fireplaces burn with up to 90 percent efficiency so there is practically no pollution.

They are cost-effective as well as clean

Barbas Bellfires gas fireplaces can be built in many different ways using polished or anti-reflective glass. Simply press the button to light the fire. IL CAMINO

The gas fires of Element4 are designed and produced in the Netherlands. This is reflected in a top quality finish, stylish design and practicality. Fires can be equipped with the latest technologies and fit perfectly within a sleek and modern interior or rural, robust setting. A choice of styles and designs such as corner, front, 3 sided fireplaces or room dividers. Tekno Airconditioning Ltd

Planika Valentino gas fireplace. Caruana & Cini The automatic gas fireplaces by Planika combine many intelligent features and uniquely authentic decorative accessories for a safe and beautiful fire. Available for both indoor and outdoor spaces, they are made of light and durable stainless steel. Installation is easy, time-saving and does not require any additional construction work. Advanced electronic components combined with multiple safety sensors monitor the operation of the fireplace and turn the device off in case any malfunction is detected. It does not give off exhaust gases or pollution – it is a natural, clean source of heat. A room can be heated up by the warm air discharged from the furnace through two concentrating additional pipes. The ambient temperature is also increased due to the emission of heat through the glass shield enclosing the fireplace. In order to reduce gas consumption, the user can chose from two available eco-functions. Caruana & Cini 094

No. 1, Tower Road, Sliema - Tel: 2258 2951 PAMA Shopping Mall, Valletta Road, Mosta - Tel: 2349 6789 PAVI Shopping Complex, Manuel Dimech Road, Qormi - Tel: 2270 0000

WWW.ZARAHOME.COM/MT/

FIREPLACES

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Ecoforest Cordoba Glass ducted air insert: with Wifi and internet-based control, you can adjust the programming remotely. A Multifuel system, it uses pellets, almond shell and olive stone. Vacuum cleaning, it has multiple safety systems, a cleaning-free aluminium-finned heat exchanger and automatic modulation of combustion air, supply of pellets and convection air. Caruana & Cini

PELLET STOVES AND INSERTS Pellet stoves and inserts are clean, easy to use and care for, and produce heat efficiently. They give off almost no smoke making them cleaner than wood. Turn them on at the push of a button and they are totally programmable too Ecoforest pellet stoves and inserts: These heating devices are designed to cover both aesthetic and energy needs easily, quickly and economically, through the use of 100% renewable fuel such as pellets, olive stone and almond shell and as a renewable source of energy they contribute to lower carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere.

With up to 94% efficiency, they provide the most economic heating solution on the market and can heat one room or different areas of your home. They also have a clean and simple exhaust flue system with minimal installation limitations and reduced installation costs as compared to a traditional wood burning fireplace.

They also give the real flame ambience of a wood fireplace without any of the hard work. You can start your pellet stove through a click of a button or even manage your Ecoforest products remotely and at any time thanks to your internet connected smartphone.

Ecoforest pellet stoves and inserts are available in a variety of distribution technologies - air, air ductable and water distribution systems.

The Ecoforest team have the highest quality control and accreditation granted by ECA, Nemko and the Fraunhofer Institut.

Engineered hardware backed up by custom designed electronics and software controlled make the company Europe’s pioneers in pellet stove technology. Caruana & Cini

Ecoforest Boston ducted air insert.

Caruana & Cini

Ecoforest Paris air stove.

Caruana & Cini

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WOOD FIRES For some, real fires and wood-burners are their first choice, the crackle and scent of wood an important part of the experience

Manchester: by Piazetta, this stylish surround with an integral bench is made from a single hand-made majolica element, and is available in a wide range of colours.

The marble base can also be customised. The fireplace has three glass panels and no metal trim for a perfect view of the fire. Bathroom Design Luna by M-design, a contemporary design with wood fireplace.

Caruana & Cini

Luna wood burner by M-Design serves as the perfect room divider.

Caruana & Cini

M-Design: a wide range of wood fireplaces with modern design and flawless craftsmanship - Flat, tunnel, inserts, free standing and corner layouts are available. They are designed to ensure an efficient and controlled combustion of the wood with primary and secondary combustion systems, achieving reduction of pollutant emissions into the environment, in compliance with the European standard for closed fireplaces. Caruana & Cini

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We are opening a new showroom at

226 Mdina Road, Qormi, come and see the new range of Ceramics by GROHE, one of the world’s leading providers of sanitary fittings.

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Alfred Hili & CO. LTD

COMPANY LOGO

Address 1 - 17, Guze Galea Street, Ħal Qormi QRM 2106 Address 2 - 226, Mdina Road, Qormi Tel +(356) 2723 4527 E-mail: sales@alfredhili.com Web: www.alfredhili.com

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A R MONY CUCINE I TA L I A N D E S I G N F U R N I T U R E

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SHOP See Address Book on page 121 for stockist information

Zenna Lifestyle from Harlequin Fabrics offers an eclectic fusion of classic mixed with contemporary, flamboyant married with elegant. With a range of prints, weaves and wallcoverings, Harlequin fabric is ideal for upholstery, curtains and blinds. STEM

Meridiani Living Interiors is a new brand at camilleriparismode. The Italian brand is synonymous with contemporary design, impeccable craftsmanship and attention to detail and their collections include sofas and dining tables. The Meridiani collection can be found exclusively at camilleriparismode

‘Galerie’ is a panoramic wallpaper collection from La Maison Pierre Frey which can be repeated infinitely on wall to magnificent effect. Designed and drawn by hand, the wallpaper sublimates the wall, opening up to another dimension. The Pierre Frey interior collection can be found exclusively at camilleriparismode See Address Book on page 121 for stockist information

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Dutchbone is a new brand inspired by interiors from around the world. Warm tones inspire this affordable collection; a touch of nomad with a splash of roughness, products blend hand-crafted and industry. New at Form

Zuiver interiors is now in Malta offering a large collection of products that are on trend, fresh, young and original and which will easily blend with any lifestyle. New at Form

The Goccia modern pendant light from Nova Luce is made from clear glass and black metal.

Available from AJ Electric

Decorate your home with the finest materials. At Big Ben Interiors you will find a huge variety of designs , patterns and textures for curtain fabric, bedding and flooring. Big Ben Interiors also offers a range of services to ensure that you get the best results. We are ‘The Heart Of Your Home’. Big Ben

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The Essence of ‘Home’ Flamant’s collections offer a multitude of styles, encompassing a broad design spectrum. From classic, country to modern vintage and contemporary urban design, Flamant merges past and present in perfect harmony making tradition and innovation, simplicity and design meet. The result is a vast and diversified collection of products, allowing for the creation of a very personal interior. Flamant

See Address Book on page 121 for stockist information

SHOP

Miele quality appliances are tested to last for 20 years which is why Miele customers around the world remain loyal to the brand and recommend it to others for dependability and durability. Miele appliances comes with a sevenyear warranty. Exclusively available from Forestals

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Tokyo is a highly finished dining table that will complement any contemporary space..

Thick metal legs define its simple and modern style.

Protrade

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Smeg appliances combine technology, style and design - it works in partnership with world famous designers - to create elegant solutions to the demands of contemporary living. Smeg appliances come with a five-year warranty. Exclusively from Forestals

A contemporary interpretation on traditional, oriental lamps with delicate hole patterns to create atmospheric lighting whilst addressing the walls in an amazing shadow pattern. Prices start from â‚Ź95. Maison + Lumiere

Infinity is a new brand from Italy that specialises in the production of high performance slabs in porcelain stoneware up to a maximum measurement of 1620Ă—3240 mm. The slabs are composed exclusively of natural minerals and raw materials from controlled and certified quarries. The range includes marble-style materials, as well as cement-look, wood-effect, metallic and a classic, solid white, in various textures. It is currently available at a thickness of 12mm and will soon be available at a 2cm thickness. Halmann Vella See Address Book on page 121 for stockist information

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HW SHOP Baroque Silver washbasin by Swarovski, part of a range of top counter washbasins. It measures 400 x 150 mm. Visit us to see more of this marvellous collection. B&M Supplies

A ceramic where the organic structure of cement meets the technology of laminated porcelain stoneware, creating original, surprising and appealing surfaces. An innovative and refined collection that can be adapted to any architectural and design context, for unique spaces with a strong narrative . Available in five colour shades: Concreto Extra Light, Light, Medium, Dark and Rust. S&S Bathrooms

GROHE ceramics collection features a wealth of features such as soft close technology. You can be sure of ultimate hygiene with our bathroom ceramics thanks to features such as PureGuard antistick and anti-bacterial surface technology which inhibits germs and makes cleaning easy, plus rimless technology, a quick release seat for fast cleaning and a Triple Vortex Flush for selective WCs. Alfred Hili & Sons

Henry glass doors offer flexible systems and numerous finishes for glass doors, both decorated and plain. Made in Italy, the doors are tailor-made for perfect integration into any environment. CASCONE Home Solid wood bespoke bedroom furniture in Victorian, French or Colonial styles in vintage or distressed finishes, made according to old joinery traditions. Clients can choose from a wide choice of finishes and we also accept clients own designs.

GrannySmithShop

Wrought iron beds A diverse selection of quality heavy duty wrought iron bedsteads with orthopedic bases. The range includes modern, contemporary and classic styles. Lengths can be customised.

Standard finishes are in white, black and solid brass. These bedsteads are available in single, double, king size and queen. Prices start from €700.

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Belle main bedroom is available in various sizes. A modular system that offers many possibilities in utilising the room space. The height of the wardrobes stands at 244cm. The bed is available with or without storage. €1995.00 which includes a six-door wardrobe, chest of drawers, mirror, 2 x bedside tables and heavy duty storage bed. GrannySmithShop

See Address Book on page 121 for stockist information

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Philips 8300 Series 55” 4K UHD Android with Ambilight Smart Television. Dive into your favourite content with the Philips 8300 NanoLED TV. Experience vibrant, lifelike colour and sharp 4K UHD picture, even when you’re facing the TV at an angle. Make movie and games night feel more immersive and ambilight. The Philips P5 perfect engine delivers an image as brilliant as the content you love. Details have noticeably more depth, colours are vivid, while skin tones look natural.

The contrast is so crisp you’ll feel every detail, and motion is so smooth that you’ll never lose sight of the ball, no matter how fast the play. High dynamic range premium is a new video standard that enhances colour, depth and dimension. It redefines in-home entertainment through advance in our application of contrast and colour. €1099. Klikk

Fitness Basic and Fitness Memory A seven zone mattress with a range of support sections, the cover is made with bio-ceramic, a fabric wide used in sportwear for its thermoregulating, anti-odour and anti-bacterial properties. Dorsal mattresses are exclusively available at Wellbeing Bedding ‘The Kiss’ fresco is a masterful, handpainted reproduction of the famous painting

by Gustav Klint that has been painted on a wall and then cut away. The size is 70 x 170cm, at €1,150. Maison + Lumiere

SH OP Krups Espresseria is a new, fully automatic bean-to-cup coffee machine. Compact and robust, it makes perfect coffee every time. Just add the coffee beans and at the touch of a button, the machine does the rest, to give coffee lovers the best espressos and cappucinos.

No mess, no fuss. A & A MIZZI

Anker Nebula capsule gives a remarkably bright, vivid picture and colour resolution. With a 360° speaker, equipped with a powerful omnidirectional speaker to pump out sound in every direction. The New Anker features a seamless aluminium body that ensures greater durability to effortlessly go wherever you do. It has a stunning image quality combining a 360° speaker to deliver heart-pounding sound, wherever you sit. €499. Klikk

House DJ The DDJ-RR has a compact design and intuitive layout with large jog wheels, illuminated on-jog indicators and tactile performance pads. This two-channel controller comes with dedicated controls for Rekordbox Dj, such as slip mode, release fx, sequence load, and deck select so you can switch between all four rekordbox dj decks with the touch of a button. The Performance pads set colours for your hot cues in rekordbox then trigger with high quality rubber pads. €689. Klikk See Address Book on page 121 for stockist information

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GARDENS

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Set to work

TIME SPENT IN THE GARDEN NOW WILL BEAR FRUIT IN LATER MONTHS. PEPPE MICIELI AND MELINA SCADONIBBIO FROM THE GARDEN STUDIO GIVE THEIR ADVICE Words: Peppe Micieli, Melina Scadonibbio thegardenstudio.com.mt

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ctober is a month of preparation when we have to roll up our sleeves and get our garden ready for the winter months.

First of all, the lawn. You can gradually reduce the number of times you mow the lawn, but do remember to remove any cut grass as this could result in fungal diseases.

The high summer temperatures and lack of rain will certainly have encouraged the formation of dry and yellowish areas and this is the right time to thicken and revive the grass in just two easy steps: de-thatch, that is remove, the layer of dead turf grass tissue with a vigorous raking. Follow this by re-seeding the area; the cooler climate and rain will help the seeds to germinate more quickly. If you use an irrigation system, which is a good way to avoid dry spots, decrease the flow and frequency.

For those who love flowers, this is the time to plant tubers, rhizomes and bulbs so you can enjoy abundant blooms from the beginning of spring - plant lilies, daffodils, tulips, allium, crocuses, buttercups, irises, hyacinths and muscari. Keep the final height of the floral stems in mind so that they are all visible. You can also sow poppies, cornflowers, sweet peas and Speronella.

Have fun by creating cuttings from your favourite roses, as well as Hydrangeas, Lantana and Bougainvillea, with the help of a pinch of rooting hormone.

In the home vegetable garden, start preparing the soil and pots for the autumn sowings which are really numerous in temperate areas like ours: beetroot, beet, carrots, broad beans, fennel, endive, peas, parsley, radicchio, rocket, spinach, escarole.

Keep an eye on the moon. In a waning moon, sow vegetables you want to have a longer life, that is, to delay flowering, such as lettuce and other cut herbs, but also carrots, cabbage and onion.

A waxing moon is ideal for sowing radish, broad beans and peas.

Another job is to finish picking the last of the aromatic herbs for drying and, if you’re lucky, the last of the tomatoes and peppers.

November is when the plant world starts to fall asleep.

Wait for your plants to lose the last of their leaves before pruning - this is very important as the plant needs to transfer minerals necessary for it to face winter from the leaves into the reserve tissues. Moreover, early pruning stimulates the formation of early buds and inhibits the formation of flower buds in fruit trees.

At the end of the month spread some granular potash fertilizer both on the lawn and in the flowerbeds with hedges or shrubs, as well as under fruit trees: this will help strengthen the roots during the winter rest.

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Photos: Peppe Micieli, Melina Scadonibbio thegardenstudio.com.mt

HW GARDENS

A

utumn is a great time of year for planning the garden, for planting, transplanting and reshuffling after the heat of summer has subsided. Planning also means ensuring a succession of interesting things happening in the garden for the months to come, and colour is often considered the most noticeable and desirable element.

The problem is that flower colour is temporary, lasting a season at the most, so one needs to find alternative ways to introduce it.

First of all, consider all plant parts when making up your colour palette - fruit, berries, bark and buds all play a part and draw attention to a particular plant at different times of the year. In short, look for pops of colour rather than expecting plants to bloom all year round.

Striking effects can also be achieved using only interesting colours of foliage: all shades of green from chartreuse to emerald, silver, grey, blue, maroon, red, yellow and even black - not all together of course! So even a bloomless garden can still have an amazing colour scheme.

How to combine colours is really a matter of personal taste, but in general, the most pleasing effects are the ones that use a limited

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palette. A riot of colours can result in a slightly chaotic composition which, particularly in a small garden, can be tiring. In fact, special effects can be obtained by using certain types of colour in certain types of spaces. For example cool colours, by appearing to recede, can make a space appear larger than it actually is as well as having a calming effect. Conversely, warm colours are lively and dynamic and appear closer than they really are making a space feel smaller.

Maximum impact is obtained by planting drifts of the same plant rather than a variety of single specimens. At a much larger scale, imagine the marvel of a field of lavender, poppies or sunflowers. The same effect can be achieved at a smaller scale in the garden, especially when it comes to planting bulbs and annuals.

Nature is often our best teacher - a lot can be learnt by noticing plant and colour combinations in the wild and then recreating them with commercially available plants.

Lastly, with 2018 being the year for vibrant hues in the garden, introducing bursts of colour has never been easier. A coat of paint can transform dull looking garden furniture, sheds, structures and walls and colourful pots and soft furnishings are a wonderful complement to the planting.

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HW FOOD & WINE

In Flavour

Classic ingredients are given a delicious twist in these mouth-watering recipes by star chef Nicole Pisani

Now working in London, Nicole Pisani remembers her Maltese roots in a new book that celebrates the staple ingredients of salt, butter and bones Recipe Developer and Food Stylist: Nicole Pisani Wine recommendations: Georges Meekers, Emmanuel Delicata Winemaker Photographer: Regula Ysewijn Props Stylist: Tamzin Ferdinando Salt Butter Bones can be purchased from Agenda, WHSmith This page, Goat’s Cheese Gnocchi Carbonara - recipe on page 113

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FOOD & WINE

HW

RIB-EYE TATAKI

with soy sesame dressing and toasted rice Serves 4 (as an appetiser)

INGREDIENTS

METHOD

300g rib-eye steak Sesame oil Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Spring onion, julienned Toasted rice, to garnish Soy sesame dressing 25ml tamari sauce 25ml sesame oil Zest and juice of 1 lime 1/2 tsp finely julienned pickled ginger Pinch of nori flakes

Trim the fatty ‘eye’ end off the rib-eye steak. Keep this for adding to a beef stir-fry.

Rub the steak with oil, season and in a really hot pan sear very quickly and equally on each side. Take out of the pan and rest. When cool, wrap in cling film very tightly and rest in the fridge for up to 2 days.

When ready to serve, cut thinly with a sharp knife, arrange the slices on the plate and drizzle with sesame oil. Bring up to room temperature.

Mix all the dressing ingredients together, then drizzle over the meat and garnish with fresh spring onions and toasted rice.

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HW FOOD & WINE

CURED DUCK BREAST

with purple potatoes and roasted pickled cherries Serves 2

INGREDIENTS

100g sea salt 100g coconut sugar 3 tsp allspice A handful of black peppercorns Pinch of crushed red chilli flakes 2 duck breasts 200g purple potatoes (or new potatoes) 8–10 Pickled Cherries Butter, for cooking 1 tbsp Damson Jam

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METHOD

Combine the first five ingredients and place half the amount in the bottom of a plastic container. Add the duck breasts, skin-side down, then cover with the remaining spice mix. Leave overnight in the fridge.

Preheat the oven to 180°C, gas mark 4.

Clean the potatoes and put in a saucepan of water, boil until cooked. Drain and season.

Meanwhile, put the pickled cherries on a baking tray, add a few little pieces of butter over the cherries and roast in the oven for about 8 minutes.

For the duck breasts, wash off the brine thoroughly and place skin-side down in a cold ovenproof frying pan. Turn up the heat under the pan. When the pan is very hot and the skin has begun to colour, turn the breasts over.

After a few seconds, turn back onto the skin side and transfer to the oven for 4 minutes.

Take the duck out of the oven and spoon the fat and juices that have been released in the pan over the duck; do this several times so the duck is well coated (a process called monté that adds shine, flavour and richness). Turn the grill on to high while you rest the duck for about 8 minutes before slicing. Drain on kitchen paper and then flash grill to warm through before serving. The resting tenderises the meat and if you have the patience is really worth it.

To serve, ‘smudge’ the plates with damson jam, lightly crush the potatoes and place on the plate. Scatter the roasted cherries over the potatoes before topping with the slices of duck.

FOOD & WINE

HW

GOAT’S CHEESE GNOCCHI CARBONARA Serves 4

INGREDIENTS For the gnocchi 3 egg yolks 250g goat’s cheese 90g pasta flour, plus extra for dusting 1/2 tsp (not heaped) ground nutmeg 1 tsp (not heaped) all spice

METHOD Whisk the egg yolks until frothy. Crumble in the goat’s cheese and bash with the whisk until you have an even consistency.

Sift the flour into a bowl, make a well and add the egg-goat’s cheese mixture.

Combine and knead into a dough. Cut the dough in half and on a floured surface with floured hands roll each half into long sausages about 2cm diameter. Cut into bite-size gnocchi on the slant.

Bring a pan of water to the boil and reduce to a simmer. Add 8 gnocchi at a time to the water and when they rise to the top, remove with a slotted spoon and rest on kitchen paper. You can make these ahead of time and keep them in the fridge, with

For the carbonara Olive oil, for frying A few picked sage leaves knob of butter 100g home-cured bacon, cut into small lardons 1 red onion, cut into burnoise 50ml hot vegetable stock 2 egg yolks 50g Parmigiano Reggiano, grated Fresh herbs, to serve kitchen paper in between each layer.

To make the carbonara, heat the olive oil in a large frying pan and add the gnocchi, turning occasionally for a few minutes to heat through and colour. Add the sage leaves to the pan along with a knob of butter, remove from the heat and set aside.

In another pan, fry the lardons until they begin to colour and add the chopped onion.

When caramelised, add a good splash of vegetable stock. Now add the gnocchi and sage leaves from the other pan, and toss the pan as the stock evaporates. Take off the heat and stir through the egg yolks.

Serve in bowls with ribbons of Parmigiano Reggiano and a few picked herb leaves.

GEORGES’ FAVOURITE

Wine Pairings

RIB-EYE TATAKI (LEFT) 2017 VICTORIA HEIGHTS SHIRAZ ROSÉ, D.O.K. GOZO, SUPERIOR The salty and savoury quality of the dressing will play tricks on most red wines. This firm rosé, made from hand-picked Shiraz grapes from Gozo, is a more appropriate choice, especially since the meat slivers are served as an appetiser anyway. This dry pink offers plenty of vibrancy and a very slightly tannic finish, which nicely envelopes the flavour-packed beef.

CURED DUCK BREAST (MIDDLE) 2017 MEDINA MERLOT, D.O.K. MALTA, SUPERIOR Carry on serving the sumptuous rosé, if you’d like. But it’s this bottle of red wine that I’ve picked which will really make people smile. This unoaked Merlot is ripe, and thus delicious with this duck dish if you’re looking for a fruity, cherry-flavoured match. This lovely crimson red has just enough sharpness to cut through the rich flesh. No bones about it.

GOAT’S CHEESE GNOCCHI CARBONARA (RIGHT) 2017 GRAN CAVALIER SAUVIGNON BLANC, D.O.K. MALTA, SUPERIOR Granted, goat’s cheese is a difficult match at times, but the fattier sauce allows for just a touch richer wine choice. Delicata’s awardwinning flagship and ‘best in class’ Gran Cavalier Sauvignon Blanc will work miracles. It sits at the fuller-flavoured end of the spectrum of white wine options. It won’t overpower but, with bags of forward citrus flavours, this dry white treat is guaranteed to butter up your guests.

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HW TRAVEL

The Cumberland

THIS ISSUE WE CHECK INTO THE CUMBERLAND HOTEL TO DISCOVER THE BACKGROUND TO ITS DESIGN...

Photographs: Brian Grech

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TRAVEL HW

The Cumberland is a modern boutique hotel in the centre of Valletta with the roof terrace offering views of the Grand Harbour. It opened this year and its renovation was done by the multidisciplinary design practice Daaa Haus. Here, one of the company’s interior designers, Daniel Cassar, explains how they did it...

What’s the history of The Cumberland Hotel?

The majestic Cumberland Hotel building has been gracing St John Street in Valletta since the late 16th century. Originally built and inhabited as a majestic city palazzo, it was later converted into a hotel that saw its peak in colonial times when Valletta was a hive of activity with British servicemen and travellers flocking its narrow streets. When we opened the front doors three years ago it was apparent that this gem needed to be revived.

How did you renovate it?

The client spent three years stripping back layers of this hotel and restoring and rebuilding from the basement up. The facade was cleaned and repointed and lit beautifully.

Inside we retained the stone feature arches in the lower rooms and reception area, we converted garrigors into luxury showers and the original marble staircase and hallway tiles were restored and re-instated.

Luckily the client understood the importance of restoration and he was open to taking the time to do so.

What was the starting point of the interior design?

Immediately, the setting felt decadent and as we walked up the original marble and wrought iron staircase we were reminded of how majestic this place once was and could be again. We immediately wanted to create a modern, sophisticated, Art Deco-inspired hotel - timeless with great contemporary details.

The regal dark blue and brass palette seemed to complement this concept, so we set about making a strong design statement.

What are the stand-out features?

The building now has 22 unique and different bedrooms - not one layout is the same and many feature mezzanines, retractable apertures and large terraces.

The rooms in the older part of the hotel retain and feature the original vaulted ceilings, Maltese stonework and shuttered apertures, all married with mid-century lighting and custom joinery and furniture.

As we move to the top two floors the rooms are modern with large picture

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HW TRAVEL

windows, and large outside terraces with custom tiles.

The floors of the bedrooms are in warm wood tones, chosen to complement the natural lighting in each room.

Marble and chevron patterns feature throughout the bathrooms are all marble with Italian 3D chevron tiles on the walls and the statement head boards in each room feature a marble motif or a golden chevron fabric while rust and ochre fabrics soften the look.

The hotel boasts an impressive roof top with a bar, conference suite and large terrace for dining, sunbathing or just taking in the amazing harbour view from an EMU sunbed or the hot tub.

The entrance hall and lounge are as special - large velvet sofas and custom wallpaper complement the hand tufted Danish carpets and beautiful Gubi lighting.

What is the style of the restaurant?

The fine dining restaurant 64 Gun is

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adjoined to the hotel on the ground floor and takes up the vast basement below it.

We were lucky enough to have a raw beautiful space as our starting point - cavernous vaulted ceilings carved from the rock below Valletta. All beautifully restored and cleaned, this setting is the star feature of the restaurant.

The palette here was very natural and raw, terracotta tiles, clean white walls and deep russet tones look modern and clean. Ton cane back chairs in raw oak and granite table tops with brass bases are sophisticated and unique for Valletta.

Everywhere are brass features such as the cocktail bar and contemporary lighting which can be seen through the large contemporary apertures at the front of the building. It sits beautifully alongside the wonderfully restored facade, and whole building now shines in Valletta’s John Street. www.cumberlandhotel.com

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ADDRESS BOOK

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

2148 8168. www.aamizzi.com

Ecomaxx 276, Triq il Baltiku. 9994 7280. www.ecomaxxmalta.com

AJ Electric 3rd September, 1798 Street. Mriehel Industrial Zone, B’Kara. 2149 4594. www. ajelectric.com.mt

Alfred Hili & Sons 17, Triq Guze Galea, Ħal Qormi. 2723 4527. www.alfredhili.com

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

2182 5199. www.delicata.com

Astral Enterprises Abate Rigord Street, Ta’ Xbiex. 2134 0562. www.astral.com.mt

FGP 109, Triq Valletta, Luqa. 2167 3627. www.fgp.com.mt

B&M Supplies Triq Dun Karm, Birkirkara.

2144 0710. www.bmsupplies.com.mt

Fino Fino Buildings, Notabile Road, Mriehel.

2549 3000.www.fino.com.mt

Bathroom Design 358, Triq in-Naxxar, Birkirkara. 2144 1328. www.bathroomdesign.com

Flamant Pjazza Tigne, The Point, Sliema.

2395 7630. facebook: FlamantMalta

Proman Interiors The Business Centre, N/S in Regional Rd, Msida. 2131 0334. www.promaninteriors.com

Flamingo Flamingo Complex, Cannon Road, Qormi. 2279 4000. www.flamingo.com.mt

Protrade Triq Is-Sebh,Qormi, 2148 7644. www.protrademalta.com

Form Triq il -Wied Ta’ I-Msida, Msida.

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S&S Bathrooms Triq il-Mosta, Lija. 2141 2222. www.ssbathrooms.com

Satariano 122, Triq il -Wied Ta’ I - Msida, B’kara. 2149 2149. www.satariano.com

Granny Smith 85, Triq San Pawl, Naxxar.

2141 8984. www.grannysmith.com

SatarianoHome Triq Marina, Pieta. 2149 2149. www.satariano.com

H Decor Mgarr Road, Xewkija, Gozo.

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Big Ben 223 - 225, Triq In-Naxxar, Birbirkara.

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ESS ESS Building, Triq San Gwakkin, Mriehel. 2125 5777. www.ess.com.mt

Maison & Luminere 23 Triq San Tumas, Ħal Luqa. 2788 8200. www.maisonetlumiere.com Mattress Collection Tal Balal Rd, San Gwann 2146 1962/ Mdina Road, Triq Il-Kbira, Ħaż-Żebbuġ . 2146 1961. www.mattresscollection.com.mt Next Bisazza St Sliema. 2132 2841. www.next.com.mt Oxford House Triq L-mdina, Mriehel.

2546 4000. www.oxfordhouse.com.mt

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2143 7445. www.ledmalta.com.mt

Halmann Vella The Factory, Mosta, Road, Lija.

2143 3636. www.halmannvella.com

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Stem Interiors The Quay, Ix-Xatt Ta’Xbiex, Ta’ Xbiex. 2133 2019. www.steminteriordesign.com

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Carmelo Delia Valley Road, Birkirkara 2147 2882. www.carmelodelia.com Caruana & Cini Capuchins Street, Victoria, Gozo. 2155 1918. www.caruanacini.com

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

Klikk Triq Dun Karm, B’kara Bypass, B’kara.

Klikk (Concept store), Tal- Barrani, Zejtun.

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2755 5525. www.casconehome.com

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

Chic Living Triq Durumblat, Il-Mosta. 2141 4090. www.chicliving.com.mt

Light Design Solutions Ltd Triq Emmanuel Schembri, B’kara.

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Debenhams The Point Shopping Mall, Tigne/ Main Street Shopping Complex, Paola. 2247 2000. http://debenhams.com.mt Dino Fino Al Sadi Fino Company Ltd, Triq -ilFerrovija, St.Venera. 2124 0100. www.dinofino.com

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2099 9966. www.loft.com.mt M.Demajo (Timbers) Ltd Olive Square, Qormi. 2148 7078. www.demajotimbers.com

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The Point, Sliema. The Duke gozo. www.tks-onlinestore.Com Vee Gee Bee 2 South Court, Vjal ir-Rihan, San Gwann. 2138 9690 / 2138 1380. www.vgb.com.mt Wellbeing 5/6 Msida Valley Road, Birkirkara.

2131 6678. www.wellbeingbedding.com Zara Home Pama, Valletta Road, Mosta.

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HW A LAST LOOK

#insta_eye candy Get an extra shot of design high from one of our favourite Instagrams

@maltatype

The instragram of Malta Type showcases a collection of found typography and signs adorning the streets of Malta & Gozo. It aims to highligt the typography as historic artefacts that often go unnoticed by the public in a saturated urban environment.

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