HOMEWORKS 79

ISSUE 74 AUGUST 2015

ISSUE 79

INSPIRATION IMPROVEMENT STYLE

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THE COLOUR ISSUE

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al fresco

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CONTENTS HW

® ISSUE 79 JUNE 2016

082

COVER STORY TRAVEL Newly-opened 55 Senglea, fully concierged holiday suites in the heart of the Grand Harbour in Senglea

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contents

Reader letters and competition Edit – News My Design Life – Luciano Micallef Meet the Creatives – Andrea Pullicino The Venice Architetural Biennale Tropicana Cool In Fashion Travel Stories A Light Touch Shop Lifestyle news Brighten Up Food & Drink – Raw Colour Travel – Green with Envy Essential suppliers Address book Back Story - The Bookworm Shelf 007

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Concrete pendant lights 100% hand casted and individually painted. The lamp shades unfold their ultimate unpredictable colour finish after a drying period of 30 days. Each lamp is unique in its kind – its surface texture, tone and colour – a small piece of art!

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EDITOR’S LETTER HW

This Issue.

There is something joyous about colour.

It has the ability to raise the spirits, to make the mundane interesting, and as one of our homeowners says, ‘it is the elixir of life.‘ While Scandistyle monochrome has become a strong trend over the past few years, colour has never really gone away. And perhaps the ubiquitous of monochrome is behind the resurgence of Memphis, the early 1980s movement of clashing colours and graphic pattern that was a dynamic antidote to the neutrals of the time (read more in News). The summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro has also played its part in making colour centre-stage, designers going mad for all things tropical - and more than a little kitsch as you will see in Tropicana Cool. I hope this issue will inspire you to get into colour. The homes and gardens all showcase how to use it with confidence and we also have lots of advice and ideas.

Have fun!

PUBLISHER MARC SPITERI HOMEWORKS is published by Writeon Limited. and is a registered trademark of Writeon Limited. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission from the Publisher is prohibited. All rights reserved. Dates, information and prices quoted are believed to be correct at time of going to press but are subject to change and no responsibility is accepted for any errors or omissions. Neither the editor no publisher accept responsibility for any material submitted, whether photographic or otherwise. While we endeavour to ensure that firms and organisations mentioned are reputable, the editor can give no guarantee that they will fulfil their obligations under all circumstances. © 2016

EDITOR RACHEL LOOS PUBLICATION COORDINATOR SOPHIA SPITERI ART DIRECTOR MARC SPITERI

PHOTOGRAPHY ALAN CARVILLE LOIC DI BIASI TONIO LOMBARDI MAS LUCIANO MICALLEF ANDREA PULLICINO ALLEN VENABLES

SALES & MARKETING JENNIFER ABELA +356 2133 9999 +356 9933 2224 sales@homeworks.com.mt

CONTRIBUTORS HOLLY KNOWLES/ GEORGES MEEKERS MONIKA RUTISHAUSER MELINA SCODANIBBIO JOE VELLA

DISTRIBUTION MILLER DISTRIBUTORS

PRE-PRESS & PRINTING GUTENBERG PRESS

POSTAL ADDRESS / E-MAIL WRITEON LTD. 89 TIGNÉ STREET, LEVEL 2, SLM3710, MALTA info@homeworks.com.mt

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

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READER’S RESPONSE HW ®

GIVE US YOUR FEEDBACK AND WIN FORWARD YOUR IDEAS OUTLINING WHAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE PUBLISHED IN HOMEWORKS. THE PERSON SUBMITTING THE MOST INTERESTING IDEA OR CONCEPT WILL RECEIVE THIS ‘SMALLWORK METAL DESK LAMP’ DESIGNED BY BIG-GAME DESIGN STUDIO MADE FROM (ANODISED) ALUMINIUM SECTIONS COMBINED WITH CUTTING EDGE LED TECHNOLOGY FOR OPTIMAL LIGHTING, VALUED AT €95, COURTESY OF Habitat at the Atrium.

Send your ideas to: HOMEWORKS Feedback, Writeon Ltd., 89 Tigné Street, Level 2, Sliema, SLM 3710, Malta or email: info@homeworks.com.mt

ISSUE 79

WINNERS

DUNSTAN EDWARD IS THE WINNER OF THIS ‘WATCH ME’ WALL CLOCK, VALUED AT €85, COURTESY OF BoConcept.

DUNSTAN WROTE: ‘I have just put in a new kitchen and have a wall completely empty. It is facing the light entering from 3 windows. I’d like to see ideas or get advice on how to decorate or treat this empty wall.’

HOMEWORKS

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

WWW.HOMEWORKS.COM.MT

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

HOMEWORKS will select the best

submissions for future features.

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

GET THE BOOK! A Collection of Contemporary Maltese Interiors and Architecture Over 300 pages of vibrant and stunning photography from homes featured in HOMEWORKS. Order online on our facebook page

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

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bathrooms & tiles | shower cubicles | saunas | sofas | solar | air-conditioning | furniture

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HW

THE EDIT NEWS

TRENDS

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THE EDIT HW

Mad for Memphis Back in 1981, the Memphis Movement exploded onto the design world, its bold and flamboyant use of colour and pattern a subversive snook to the prevailing trend for neutral and safe design. aunched at the ilan urniture air in , the invitation pictured a kitsch B movie-style dinosaur which was a taste of what was to come a mix of bright colours, abstract patterns, geometric motifs and clashing styles that was inspired by Pop rt, rt Deco, frican tribal prints and s kitsch, and which was applied to

everything from furniture to lights, textiles and accessories. he movement, apparently named after the Bob Dylan song Stuck nside f obile ith he emphis Blues gain’, was headed by visionary Postmodern designer ttore Sottsass, and included architects such as ichael raves, lessandro edini and ichele de ucchi and designers such as athalie du Pas uier. n iconic image shows Sottsass, surrounded by the movement’s cool young designers, in a boxing ring-shaped pit, the ropes decorated in typical emphis colours along with black and

white stripes and lights in the corners. ts impact went beyond interior design to fashion, graphics and even video games. t resonates today in a rules-can-be-broken attitude and a revival of its colours and shapes. artell’s artell oes Sottass’ collection includes chairs upholstered in emphis fabrics as well as a selection of vases, stools and a lamp that were designed by Sottsass in but never produced until now. Du Pas uier has created emphis-style prints for Danish brand ay amongst others, and Danish design uuto has introduced emphis style into its collections. ore recently, the exterior of a oscow restaurant was completed with a emphis-style interior. unky For more see memphis-milano.com.

Kartell’s collection celebrates the colours and patterns of Memphis and includes designs by Ettore Sottsass (left and above right).

Muuto’s Memphis-style pepper-grinder (right) and the graphic black and white exterior of the Moscow restaurant (far right)

SEE RED he white wood combination of dining chair is very much a trend right now and is particularly strong when teamed with an all-wooden table or one that has the same colour composition. ive the look a bright twist with the red seat of the pica- co chair. he seat is available in a fixed version, swivel or with swivel-and-return movement, allowing the seat to ping back to its original position all on its own. xford ouse.

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HW THE EDIT

Take Five A cushion is fast way to add character to a room – here are five that will definitely brighten your day Christian Lacroix

The Atrium

Zara Home Stoccarda by Missoni

Manco from Brands

SHARP SHOT Introduce punchy colour into a monochrome living room with Natuzzi’s Tempo sofa in yellow. With its chic modern lines and accompanying dark grey powder-coated metal finish, it’s perfect for adding a shot energy to an otherwise tran uil scheme. Form.

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HW THE EDIT

my design life Luciano Micallef is arguably Malta’s most talented and commended artist. Known for his bold and abstract use of colour, as well his own paintings he has designed postage stamps, posters and books covers and been commissioned to create many works of public art. He is also known for his portraits including those of prominent personalities such as the President and Prime Minister of Malta and Luciano Benetton…

I live in...

‘I live in a house that I built during my studies almost 35 years ago. Naturally I could only afford a modest and simple house then. I had presented my house as a project for my design course that I was undertaking at the Academy of Arts in Florence during my painting course. I included a studio and some years later I added a gallery.

Therefore, my house consists of a living space together with a studio and gallery, what in Italian is referred to as “casa bottega”. Over the years the house changed as my needs and preferences changed, therefore it is a house that has been in constant transformation.

Everything in my house is handmade by myself and this gives me immense satisfaction. After the construction no workmen have stepped in as I have done it all - not just the plastering but also the furniture, including doors, light fixtures and as well as the shower tiles. This all started

because as a student I could not afford to buy furniture so I began making small pieces until I became more and more ambitious which later lead to an obsession. What I needed I made, and I designed my furniture according to what I could execute, in terms of ability, tools and materials.

Over the years I have had to accept, with some reluctance, an industrially made sofa and chairs to replace those that I originally made but over time got worn out or damaged.

However, there are very few items such as these.’

The most useful item in my home is…

‘I do not consider that I have any particular object that I consider very useful or indispensable. I do not like to possess anything because it is a burden and everything is so ephemeral. I would refuse to become dependent on gadgets and fancy apps that allow you to switch on the lights or open the curtains on a smartphone. Such items would turn us not just into slaves but we also lose freedoms and abilities to think freely. Ultimately we lose our creativity. I consider empty spaces to be the most useful in my house, like an empty canvas where I may improvise. In an empty space the mind may roam and operate with lesser constraints.

I make my coffee with…

‘Though I am not an avid coffee drinker I do not stick to any formula or pattern. I regularly visit Florence and have a different set up there.

I go to a bar close to the Piazza della Libertà and as soon as the barman sees me he prepares the coffee the way I like it without me having to utter a word.

Even after months of absence I do not need to say anything because the barman knows that I prefer my cappuccino without any of the froth on top and quite hot.

I am not interested if this is the proper way or not. At home it is different because I change throughout the day from English Breakfast Tea, to a coffee later in the morning, then again herbal tea and then later another type of herbal tea. I love to change because in this manner I appreciate the variety and avoid the habit that could easily deprive me of the taste.’

I could not live without…

‘I could not do without colour, preferably vivid colour. I have a strong preference for coloured objects, fabrics, and of course paintings, however never coloured walls which I

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THE EDIT HW consider unnecessary. Walls should serve as a neutral base on which objects are allowed to speak their personality and perform their act. Light is synonymous to colour and I have often insisted that if there is light within you, you will see colour everywhere.

Colour reflects mood, passion, intensity.’

I jot down my ideas on…

‘When I was much younger I used to jot down ideas related to design or painting, however in the recent years I only jot down thoughts and reflections related to observations of my daily living. A painter is an observer. I make paintings which serve no practical function therefore they become metaphors that define my way of seeing as well as living. I find it more interesting to translate into words experiences that are often intangible yet through paintings may take a tangible form.

Painting itself is like jotting down notes about the various stages of my life which eventually I try to translate into words.

There is a kind of cycle, colour+paint+words+colour.’

I am inspired by…

‘I am immediately tempted to say that silence is the most inspiring, however, this is when one is seeking inspiration from within oneself. On second thoughts I would consider that human beings are inspiring. I am interested in the behaviour of people, with all their contradictions. I am interested in the lives of others because all that we do is for others. I paint not just for myself but to connect with others.

My working day entails…

‘The first thing I do every morning is walk into my studio and contemplate the last work I left behind the evening before. I work throughout the day intermittently since I need to allow for the work to dry or simply to leave it for a while. Painting is similar to an endless monologue with myself where questions are raised, arguments are brought up until one arrives at some sort of a conclusion. Then I stop and stare and the painting itself presents other questions and then I need to answer such questions by painting further. The process of making a painting consists of various stages of corrections. I have to keep on correcting until I come to a point where I do not need to correct any longer and the painting is complete.’

My favourite art work is...

‘It is so difficult to mention my favourite artworks because they change so very often. For a very long time I used to find the works by Alberto Burri most exciting; though I still like the works, I have lost the excitement.

Needless to say, my biggest concern I have is with my own very work. I would say that the most exciting work is the one yet to be discovered, since it is unknown. In the past few years I have started working with glass which is a cross between sculpture/painting and design. These pieces are in fused glass which is then kilnfired for the second time to mould them into the shape I desire. They hold a special significance because they are perfect metaphor to how I interpret life presently - glass resists to high temperatures and yet it remains fragile, it changes according to the mood of light of its environment, its transparency renders it part of its context. The result is unpredictable as it fires in the kiln at high temperatures. I open the kiln and there is always a little surprise. The result cannot be altered, just like what happens in life - you simply have to adapt to it because it will not adapt to you.’

The public building I most like to visit…

‘Buildings that I prefer visiting most are museums for contemporary art. There are quite a number of wonderful

building scattered all over the world - there seems to be a serious competition for building the most prestigious museum to house important collections. I have a preference for the art museums designed by Richard Meier as well as Renzo Piano. Meier prefers his own trademark of white and pristine spaces that allow for wonderful shadows to model the interior. Piano on the other hand does the opposite since he never seeks to present any trademark that identifies him.’

My favourite interior design classic is…

‘I notice that more often than not objects of design that held great prominence lose their appeal in a relatively short time while objects of design that are very simple tend to retain their appeal for a long time. The Bauhaus managed to achieve this despite their constraints. The Bauhaus armchair designed by Mies van Der Rohe in 1927, and which is still in production, reveals the effort of putting in less in to achieve more. It is aesthetically beautiful like a flowing pen and ink drawing, consisting of curved lines meeting at crucial points to form the chair. It is also a very comfortable chair. It is timeless.’

The work I’m most proud of…

‘More than pride I feel huge satisfaction for the many works that I have executed over these many years; designing stamps, designs for UNESCO, UN posters, books, various portraits of public figures such as Roberto Benigni, Ornella Muti, Luciano Benetton and so many others.

I am pleased with the many public commissions that are scattered in many locations on the island as well as the murals I did for the new public schools. However, one particular project remains in my heart. In 1994 I decided to build my own gallery to honour the works that I was producing. It is a modest space with natural light throughout the day. I added a second level that extends on to an outside terrace. It is a white space with wooden floors which I made myself. I often step in here and examine my own works. Many who visit have expressed the same feeling of calm and serenity that I value.

I quote Chris Abel, the well-known writer for architecture who wrote a forward for the gallery’s inauguration: “Stepping up into the far end of the gallery, the visitor finally takes in the main space, the single line of paintings pulling the eye around in one bold sweep. The quality of the natural light which suffuses this simple white volume, bringing out the colours of the paintings in all their intensity, is a marvel in itself.”’

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THE EDIT HW

How to do Colour

NERVOUS ABOUT GOING BEYOND A NEUTRAL COLOUR PALETTE? THEN BE EMBOLDED BY THE ADVICE FROM THE EXPERTS....

BE CONFIDENT! Designers Guild is known around the world for its brilliant use of colour, both bright and neutrals. Here, its founder and Creative Director, Tricia Guild OBE, gives her advice on how to decorate with strong colour Designers Guild; www.designersguild.com Design House

• Less is definitely more when it comes to stronger tones – confine the number of different colours to a maximum of three in one space.

Also, make sure you always have a more sludgy colour such as our slate blue, TG blue, Portobello grey or Tuscan olive in the mix as it adds surface for the stronger colour to bounce off.

• Strong colours can be overwhelming and the use of white will also diffuse the strength and add a pause or breath within the room allowing other colours to sing. We always keep ceilings and floors white or neutral if we are using stronger colours as this gives the space harmony and balance and can prevent the scheme from looking unbalanced and ill-considered.

• Consider texture and colour - use them in different ways for a varied spirit and mood.

Texture can also change the character of a colour - a blue in silk, for example, is more glamorous and vibrant than in linen which has a raw more beauty.

• Most important, with strong colours you must love those you choose to live with. But, there’s no point loving turquoise, only to live with white because you are nervous of it taking the plunge. If you really love a colour, chances are the passion will last.

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How to do Colour DO THE CLASH! Creative Director at Dulux, Marianne Shillingford explains how to make clashing colours work

Dulux Malta www.vgb.com.mt

• Colours are like the members of an orchestra and you need to be a good conductor to make them work well together. It’s all about tone and balance, so if you are combining a hot orange such as Flame Frenzy 5 with sharp yellows and golds, break up the heat with pattern and a cool white background such as Chalk Dust. This stamped effect triangle design is a more creative (and much less jarring) way to create a symphony of colour out of every clashing element in the room.

• Combine the different shades in your furniture, wall colour and accessories in a piece of hand-made abstract artwork. Match the shades in your home to paint colours by using the free Dulux Visualiser app and buy tester pots to create a canvas. This canvas was created by painting the colours along the edge of thin strips of wood and then stamping them onto the surface to create a fragmented grid pattern. Just like a great tie or jewellery, it’s the little details that draw admiring glances and complete the look.

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N G I S DE E L A S

BUY MORE

SAVE MORE BoConcept, Triq tal-Balal, San Gwann

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We want you to make the most out of your space.

That’s why our DESIGN SALE is filed with great deals on some of our very best products!

Bring new life to your dining and living spaces. To find out more about all of our DESIGN SALE offers check out boconcept.com.mt or visit our store in San Gwann.

The Design Sale ends 30th July 2016

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www.boconcept.com.mt

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info@boconcept.com.mt

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This is not just a toilet.

This is my throne, my seat of inspiration.

My most inspired ideas come to me in the silence of my kingdom. It is my space, I rule.

Choose wisely.

Vivo Bathrooms & Ceramics Ltd, Geronimo Abos Street, Iklin vivo.com.mt | facebook.com /vivobathrooms

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THE EDIT HW

MEET THE CREATIVES

ANDREA PULLICINO CERAMICS ANDREA PULLICINO HAS CREATED HER OWN STUDIO CREATING BEAUTIFUL AND ARRESTING CLAY POTS….

How did you come to be a ceramicist?

I’ve worked with clay most of my life, through evening classes with local ceramicists (the first at nine years old), renting studio space and finally, working from my own studio. Over the past six years I shifted from fulltime to freelance work and a commitment to a minimum number of hours per week to work with clay. I also purchased second hand e uipment came across until finally had my own studio. In 2014 I pursued a Masters degree in Ceramics at Cardiff School of rt and Design. ere finally found my voice as an artist working with clay.

What do you love about the medium?

Clay is as easy as it is challenging.

I think it is this contradiction that draws me in, and keeps me excited.

It is so malleable, responsive and expressive, but it can also be very hard headed, unpredictable and technically challenging. It’s a total collaboration where neither the clay nor me fully control the other and yet the outcome always makes sense.

Tell us about your work…

I am both an artist and a designer, and both require very different approaches to a medium. I love the fact that with

clay I can switch between the two and that they can also mutually feed into each other. In my practice, the ‘design’ output is functional work, whilst the ‘art’ output comes in expressive sculptural forms. However, it’s the overlap which really excites me - functional work that is expressive and art pieces borne from functional shapes. During my Masters course I challenged my technical abilities and broke all the rules I had been taught, pushing the material beyond the limits I knew and handled it in ways that seemed almost destructive.

I kept pushing the boundaries and working in a very intuitive, expressive way, until finally had a language to work with.

Are studio ceramics becoming more popular?

Right now there is a resurgence in ceramics both in the craft world but also, more importantly, in the art world. A recent New York Times article ascribed the recent rise in popularity to the fact that in this digital age where so much is mass-produced, handmade ceramics resist this uniformity and add warmth to an otherwise very sterile marketplace.

What are the challenges of being an artist?

Being an artist in my opinion is not about technical ability, but about having something to say and knowing how to say it through your medium. Technical skills can generally always be learned, but the ability to be an observer and a critic who is also able to translate meaning into objects is not something everyone is capable of. Being a ceramic artist is a constant battle between mastery of technique, which is crucial to successful outcomes, and being able to express thoughts and ideas beyond literal representations of objects. It takes years of learning, as well as years of unlearning – unlearning obsession with perfection and full control, and allowing the message to reveal itself through the sensitivity of the work.

What is your long-term aim?

To be a self-sustaining artist, to be able to support my art practice with my design pieces: so by making functional and more commercial objects I can sustain studio space and time to work freely on my art, without being bound by funding objectives, making money, or being hampered by deadlines. www.andreapullicino.com 025

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FALL IN LOVE WITH YOUR HOME AGAIN JUST ADD

For inspiring ideas on how to Show Your Home Some Love go to dulux.co.uk Download our Dulux Visualizer App or visit our Dulux Colour Centres

St. Sebastian Str. Qormi Tel: 21486705

Fp 10 VGB.indd 26

Castaldi Street, Zabbar Tel: 21691641

Mriehel Bypass, Mriehel Tel: 22988000

Vjal ir-Rihan, San Gwann Tel: 21389690

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NEWS HW

The 2016 Venice Architecture Biennale

The 15th Venice Architecture Biennale, which opened late last month, is curated by Chilean architect Alejandro Aravena. Known for his social housing work with Elemental – a ‘Do Tank’ he founded in partnership with the Chilean Oil Company and the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile to tackle social issues in South and Central America - the theme of his Biennale is ‘Reporting from the Front’, and it aims to highlight global issues that he believes architects are able to influence or solve, and in so doing, improve the quality of life in the built environment.

Sixty-one nations created large pavilions exploring this theme and the top prize, the Golden Lion, was awarded to the Spanish Pavilion for ‘Unfinished’ which focusses on the impact of the 2008 worldwide financial crash that hit Spain particularly hard. Conceived by architects Iñaqui Carnicero and Carlos Quintáns Eiras, it features photographs of ‘contemporary ruins’ – construction projects that were started but never finished - displayed within the centre of the pavilion in steel frames that hang from the ceiling. In rooms around the central space are photographs of 55 new and completed projects that show how architects have adapted to working under economic constraints.

The Golden Lion for best exhibition went to Paraguay-based studio Gabinete de Arquitectura which build a brick and timber arch to illustrate how cheap materials and unskilled workers could combine to create good and useful architecture.

Aravena himself used more than 90 tonnes of waste generated by the previous year’s Art Biennale to create two introductory rooms.

All the pavilions are open to November 27. www.labiennale.org/en/architecture

Photo: Guillaume Dreyfuss

A CABINET OF CURIOSITIES Also in Venice are Architecture Project who are displaying a ‘cabinet of curiosities’ as part of the Biennale’s ‘Time Space Existence’ exhibition. In it, objects and images are brought together in a ‘report from Malta’ which shows the creation of the multiple social narratives particular to its projects.

Experimental processes on the theme of ‘The Severed Head’ aim to encourage interaction with the viewer, along with artistic representations of severed heads that are connected to the buildings that the practice has been involved with over the years, from a 16th century clay head of St Paul found inside the well of a house in Zejtun to the Beheading of St John by Caravaggio in the Co-Cathedral, as well as contemporary depictions of severed heads by Maltese artists Madeleine Gera, Aaron Bezzina and Alex Attard. ‘The head is icon, artefact, and symbol, metaphor and religious object,’ says AP. ‘It is, especially, the locus of thought that technologies of brain scanning today can turn into a springboard to new architectural creations.’Time Space Existence Exhibition is open to public until November 27 at Palazzo Mora in Cannaregio, Venice.

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Sweet Rosé Bring integral colour to your bathroom with the new Artis collection of surface-mounted washbasins by Villeroy & Boch. Developed with the German-Danish interior designer Gesa Hansen, the 12 shades in the collection were inspired by the colours of Paris as it changes through the seasons - from the fresh green of spring to a summery yellow, from autumnal pinks (such as the rosé shade pictured) to a crisp wintry blue. he coloured outer surface features an exclusive silk-matt gla e and a precise and fine rim while inside the basin, classic white creates a glossy sheen. Bathroom Design/ www.facebook.com/bathroomdesignmalta

STYLISH STRIPES

Made of luscious sustainable silk from India, Malabar Fabric’s Atilia collection is full of gorgeous hues that makes it perfect for adding colour through curtains. For a more restrained look, go for their cotton Cocomaloo. Find them at The House Shop.

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WORK OF ART

Photography: Allen Venables

Who says offices have to be dull? For AAT Research which researches, designs, develops and sells quality medical solutions, architects Archi+ Architects’ Studio created an office that is bursting with colour. ‘The AAT Research team is dynamic and very energetic - the brief was to create a state of the art space with a home office feel for a comfortable and fun space that eased long hours in the office,’ says Anthea Huber, associate at Archi+ Studio. ‘Colour enabled us to segregate one space from the next even within such a large open-plan area.’

Paint, wall prints, fabrics and flooring were among the materials in which colour was used in the design, the corporate logo abstracted into a geometric pattern that was used throughout, in particular to create a striking steel partition and sliding door in bright yellow. ‘The colours transitioned according to location,’ says Anthea. ‘At the entrance, a red and blue palette greets the user; gradually the reds change to oranges which change to yellows as one moves further into the offices. This enabled us to give the individual teams – IT, Research and Development, Marketing and Sales, Finance - their own identity.’

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TROPICANA COOL INSPIRED BY THE FORTHCOMING OLYMPIC GAMES IN RIO DE JANEIRO, DESIGNERS HAVE INDULGED IN STRONG PRINTS AND VIBRANT COLOURS WHICH ARE PERFECT FOR SUMMER DINING….

Styling: Monika Rutishauser Photographer: Alan Carville Shot on location at Satariano Home

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PRETTY FLAMINGO Flamingo wallpaper, outdoor coffee table, tall black vases, large glass vase with candle, and coral ornament, all from SatarianoHome. Parrot cups and spoons from Henri XK. Tree lamp from Next Home.

Green Bollywood chair from Butlers. The Coincasa cushion from The Atrium.

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EAT WELL

Outdoor table and bench, all vases, wooden tray, cushion and pendant lights from SatarianoHome.

Tablecloth, placemats, napkins, pink plate, ice party picks and ice cream spoons from Butlers.

Butterflies, blanket, tumblers with straw, sundae dishes, white bowl and cutlery from Next Home. Tall drinks dispenser from Mdina Glass.

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THE GREEN ROOM

Outdoor sofa, coffee table, black vase and Buddha from SatarianoHome. Coincase cushions from The Atrium.

Lanterns from Mdina Glass. Wine glasses, bowl, fleece throw and butterflies from Next Home.

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One home at a time.

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If you’re after inspiration on how to use colour, then the homes over the next 21 pages will give you plenty of ideas. Over the page, Patti and Giuseppe Piazzi use colour in a variety of ways from wallpaper to paint to furniture and accessories to create stunning rooms and gardens. On page 048, Cha Cha Verbeeck and her husband Eric have created an apartment full of colourful memories, the inside complemented by a spectacular terrace featuring cacti, created by The Garden Studio.

If you’re unsure about too much colour, then the family home created by interior designer Adrian Micallef on page 056 shows how you can use just a little to make just the right impact.

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IN FASHION

PATTI AND GIUSEPPE PIAZZI HAVE CREATED A HAVEN IN GOZO, WHERE THEIR BOLD MIX OF COLOUR AND DESIGN CLASSICS HAS CREATED A VERY NOW LOOK AND FEEL Photography: Loic Di Biasi Styling: Patti and Giuseppe Piazzi Words: Rachel Loos

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‘WHENEVER

WE TRAVELLED SOMEWHERE WE WOULD GO SHOPPING AND SHIP EVERYTHING BACK TO A HUGE GARAGE WE HAD IN MILAN. WE DIDN’T HAVE ANYWHERE FOR IT AT THE TIME BUT WE KNEW ONE DAY WE WOULD FIND THE RIGHT PLACE FOR IT ALL.’

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Barumbara room: the delicate shade of pink in this room was created using a traditional painting method of mixing white paint with a powdered pigment which was then painted onto roughly plastered walls for texture. Adding a vibrant touch are the table lights which were found in a garage sale in Arizona. The artwork, commissioned by Giuseppe, is done by a local artist. Ghawdex room (below) was left in stone because of the beautiful arches. ‘But all the stone can feel gloomy so I added colour to pop it up orange and red feel more funky,’ says Patti.

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atti Piazzi may wear fashionista head-to-toe black, as you would expect from someone who was at the heart of the Milan fashion industry for decades, but she understands the power of colour. Throughout Thirtyseven Gozo, the boutique hotel that she and her husband Giuseppe own and run, it is used boldly and with confidence to create a seriously stylish yet laidback look that’s very much the vibe of the moment.

The couple have given life back to an old farm they bought in 1992. Rundown and crumbling with a garden of rampant prickly pear, Giuseppe had presented the keys to Patti as a birthday gift. For the next 15 years they renovated it, often using old techniques and materials, the time they spent here giving them pause in their fabulous but frenetic careers as model agents that inevitably involved constant airplanes and hotels.

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The Palm room: Wallpaper on one wall, behind the bed, as an accent gives the room subtle colour, and feels modern thanks to the table lights.

pink onal

en r table e by wdex of can up atti.

Flashes of colour can be found throughout with rugs and artwork, and through wall coverings, even in the bathroom where a marine life theme adds an appropriate island touch.

When HOMEWORKS first featured the couple, back in 2008, they had recently taken the decision to give up their careers and live in Gozo permanently. ‘The business had reached a natural end,’ Giuseppe said at the time. ‘For three or four years we knew it was happening. It had changed too much.’

Sitting around sipping limoncello, however, was not an option. ‘We knew we could not live on an island and not do something,’ says Patti. ‘You can be enamoured of an island but you also have to keep busy.’ So the decision was taken to turn their farmhouse into a boutique hotel that would give visitors what they themselves had got from Gozo, a chance to breathe in a place that offered a simple but high-quality lifestyle.

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Living room: dominated by Maltese stone, it is a tranquil pause from all the colour. Another calm space (far right) to rest the eyes. In the dining area (top right) Patti spent six months trying to find the right wallpaper. She was considering banana leaves, seen in a New York restaurant, until a friend sent her a picture of this. Made-to-measure, the veins of the leaf add interesting visual texture for real character.

Thirtyseven Gozo began slowly, with one wing of the main house completed to offer four guest rooms. Today it comprises thirteen and has garnered rave reviews from visitors around the world. ‘All the love we had for our previous business, fashion and design, clicked and this became our obsession,’ says Patti.

Its style is an eclectic mix with colour introduced through paint, wallpaper and furniture, along with objects found in markets and high-end boutiques. Colour, says Patti, is the elixir of life. ‘It brings a joy of life, a sense of positiveness,’ she says. ‘And here it also helps gives a modern vibe to the old stone.’

She chooses colours according to what she loves, pairing unusual combinations such as orange and pea green, because of the dynamism it brings, but at the same time balancing

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What was once a forest of prickly pear is now a tranquil pool area, the fresh blue of the pool picked up in the sunloungers around it.

Lush planting including palm trees from Palermo, giant hibiscus from Maui and aloa vera from Marrakesh help create the relaxing vibe.

An Alice in Wonderland effect comes into play in the garden with the giant green pot, sourced from italy, in which sits a towering palm. It is one of many quiet corners that can be found

the loud with the quiet, to create spaces that feel elegantly luxurious. What visitors see reflects the past 30 years of Patti and Giuseppe’s life. The couple have a discerning eye, buying furniture and accessories that are today design classics such as glass by Venini and Eames chairs. ‘Whenever we travelled somewhere we would go shopping and ship everything back to a huge garage we had in Milan,’ says Patti. ‘We didn’t have anywhere for it at the time but we knew one day we would find the right place of it all.’ And they have.

Acapulco chairs, found by Giovanni, work beautifully with the garden bench, and together with the cushions create gorgeous colour combinations outside.

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TRAVEL STORIES

MANY YEARS SPENT SAILING THE GLOBE HAS GIVEN CHA CHA AND ERIC VERBEECK A UNIQUE COLLECTION OF OBJECTS WHICH THEY HAVE BROUGHT TOGETHER TO WONDERFUL EFFECT IN THEIR HOME IN PORTOMASO Photography: Alan Carville Words: Rachel Loos

Outside lounge: a backdrop of Pachycereus marginatus, or Organ pipe cactus, in differing heights, makes an eye-catching backdrop to the seating area. On the sofa are cushions by Jean-Philippe Demeyer, made from Belgian heavy sand-coloured linen and knotted small multicoloured bows in the fabric, so they move in the blowing wind. On the small chairs found in a little shop in Chang Mai, Thailand, are ‘jeans’ cushions with ‘random heavy-coloured stripes applied asymmetrically as with a Yves Saint Laurent 70s dress,’ says JeanPhilippe. The large mosaic vase, showing a peacock, is vintage Seventies and found in a shop in Holland.

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‘I HAVE LOVED COLOUR ALL MY LIFE. IT MAKES ME FEEL HAPPY.’

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ha Cha Verbeeck has travelled all over the world, recently spending five years sailing the Pacific and Indian Oceans, along with her husband, Eric, on their 114ft long catamaran.

They visited many different countries, including Thailand, Burma, Indonesia, New Zealand and Fiji and Vanuatu, and their finds have come together to create a wonderfully eclectic home that very much reflects Cha Cha who is the driving design force.

The apartment, in Portomaso, is full of interesting objects and textures in a rainbow of colours. ‘I have loved colour all my life,’ says Cha Cha. ‘It makes me feel happy.’ And the apartment certainly has a joyful vibe, from the cushions on the sofa to the colourful pots on the terrace to the striking cacti mural on the outside wall.

The couple, originally from Belgium, now call Malta their home, having fallen in love with it when visiting their son who himself

has recently moved here. This apartment was chosen for its sea views but also because when they bought it, it was little more than four walls which allowed them to configure it just the way they wanted. They did this with the help of a Belgian architecture firm, the starting point being the living room which was orientated facing the sea, with the rest of the apartment ranged behind it. Now with three main bedrooms, each with ensuite bathrooms, it also has an extensive dressing room, library as well as the spacious openplan living and dining area which is in turn framed by an expansive terrace. With the floor-to-ceiling doors pulled back, the inside segues to the outside, for a real sense of alfresco living.

The walls of the apartment are deliberately the same shade – the colour of the earth in Malta. In fact, the colour was made using actual Maltese earth which was then mixed into a paint by a craftsman in

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Dining area: the long dining area which joins the living room and the library is filled with a table, the antique feel adding depth to the apartment. It sourced by the architectural firm from its stock of 16,000 pieces of furniture. The mix of upholstered chairs and Oriental stools give character and the blue ties in with the surroundings.

The Thai mural tells of the story of the life of Buddha. The floor-to-ceiling glass doors pull back for easy access to the terrace.

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Living room: an eclectic mix of furniture and accessories in many colours, the blue sofa reflects the colour of the sea and is styled up with a mass of cushions created by Jean-Philippe Demeyer. ‘They were inspired by Mrs Verbeeck’s personality – she likes fringes, tassels and animal prints, and I wanted a link with Malta so made Maltese crosses entwined with ‘C’ for Cha Cha in strong colours and prints,’ says Jean-Philippe. The eye-catching oversized lamp is a Pakistani folk art parchment lamp which was bought by Jean-Philippe in an Antwerp antique shop. The chair next to it is made of wood and was bought in Burma. Jean-Philippe covered it with a cushion made of patchwork linen, inspired by a painting by Gerrit Rietveld. The tablelamp opposite has a terracotta base resembling a sea urchin, the lampshade made from blue linen and wool, to resemble a fishermen’s net. On the coffee table, made of burnt wood, are marine artefacts that Cha Cha and Eric have collected. The curtains, the pole hidden behind the dropped ceiling for a neat look, are the same shade as the wall for a seamless feel.

Library: the shelves of the library are filled not so much with books but with the artefacts collected on the Verbeecks’ travels creating an art installation type feel. A burnt orange rug adds great colour.

Belgium who has fine-tuned his art by working with historic buildings. Along with the lightly bleached oak floor, the sandy hue makes the perfect neutral background for the rich colour of the furniture and accessories, giving the space a sense of calm despite the energy of the colour.

Many of the items are from the couple’s travels, one-offs made by local craftsmen and women, such as the mural on the dining room wall which is from Thailand and shows the life of Buddha. ‘It is simple but I like it because it has meaning,’ says Cha Cha. In the living room, a wooden chair bought in Burma is teamed with a patched cushion for interesting texture.

The cushion, made from patchwork linen, was created by Belgian antique dealer and interior designer Jean-Philippe 052

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SPACES HW Private space: at the back of the apartment but with its own terrace, the master bedroom is an oasis of calm. Connecting the bedroom to the bathroom is a long dressing room, the walls decorated with artworks. The bathroom, with its neutral walls is a restful space.

Kitchen: large enough to handle the couple’s love of entertaining, the top is made of Ceasarstone.

In the bathroom (above right), is natural stone in beige which coordinates with the drawer fronts in bleached oak. The walls are of natural lime plaster.

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The terrace: Cha Cha’s brief to The Garden Studio was a terrace of cacti and succulents.

‘Plants were sourced from different suppliers in order to achieve the necessary variety and quantities,’ says Melina Scodanibbio from The Garden Studio. ‘We designed compositions of large feature cacti, striking specimens such as the Aloe baniesii, Dasylirions and unusual Agaves and Opuntias, with cascading succulents, paying attention to the details of leaf and flower colour and individual silhouettes. On the soil, a top layer of lava rocks preserves moisture and prevents the onset of weeds.’ Elsewhere bespoke corten steel succulent sculptures and prickly pear ceramic leaves carry the planting theme through to the decor

Cacti mural: made of glazed terracotta, this strikingly effective mural was Jean-Philippe’s idea.

‘I found this wall a little flat and so I thought of a terracotta cactus, following the theme, and adding transparency and depth to the wall,’ says Jean-Philippe. ‘It was made in Italy and the pieces were rather heavy so it took three days to assemble the 140 pieces. But it was a joy!’

Demeyer, who made all the cushions found in the apartment. Off-setting the sense of the new, is an enormously long wooden dining table, its patina giving a comfortable lived in feel. ‘We do like to cook and entertain, have family and friends around,’ says Cha Cha. Guests can enjoy the view from the terrace which is rich in interest. Created by The Garden Studio, brightly coloured pots found by Cha Cha in Asia are filled exclusively with cacti and succulents, the wide variety offering variations in colour, texture and look. ‘I love the plant but it is impossible to grow it in Belgium,’ says Cha Cha. ‘As soon as I came here I realised I had the perfect place to grow them.’ And the perfect place to enjoy them too.

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A LIGHT TOUCH COLOUR DOESN’T HAVE TO MEAN WALLS OF PAINT OR STATEMENT WALLPAPER. THIS FAMILY HOME IS AN INSPIRING EXAMPLE OF HOW YOU CAN USE COLOUR SPARINGLY, BUT TO GREAT EFFECT

Interior Design: Adrian Micallef Photography: Tonio Lombardi Words: Rachel Loos

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hen interior designer Adrian Micallef of AM Design suggested adding colour to this house, the family who own it weren’t too keen, but he was sure it was what the predominantly white space needed. ‘I asked them to trust me, and they did, and at the end they were really happy with the result,’ says Adrian. ‘And their friends like it too. It’s something that’s a little bit different.’

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

The makeover was radical. The entrance was moved to another corner of the house, for a more spacious front that allowed for a driveway and even a barbecue area in the garden that is screened by a high wall. Step through the front door and you’re in a wonderfully bright space, the light accentuated by large windows, made bigger by Adrian, and the predominantly white walls and ceiling. ‘We brought down a number of walls to create an Stairs: the original traditional-style chairs that lead to the upper floor were removed and instead simpler metal stairs installed. Painted a soft blue, they add to the warming effect of colour.

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HW SPACES ‘COLOUR GIVES LIFE AND MAKES A SPACE FUN. GREEN BRINGS A SENSE OF THE TREES OUTSIDE TO THE INSIDE, THE BLUE REFLECTS THE SKY AND IT’S PEACEFUL, AND THE BURNT ORANGE ADD A STRIKING TOUCH.’

Living room: walls painted a soft mushroom colour help define the living room which is furnished with a chic modern sofa. The lightness is offset by the dark rug and the wooden coffee table and media unit. Colour is introduced through the blue display unit, which matches the colour of the door, and the orange chair.

Kitchen: the family wanted a lot of worktop surface so Adrian created a huge island which contains storage on both sides and acts as both a kitchen surface and eating space. The top is made of sequia brown natural quartzite, its wood appearance tying in with the kitchen’s corner top cabinets in wood. The downdraft cooker hood is neatly contained within the island so Adrian was able to hang statement lights above. The green cabinet, which brings the outside greenery in, has a vintage look which works as a foil to the new.

Touches of blue in this space come through the vases and artworks which were gifts to the family.

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Dining area: a dark wooden table zones this part of the open-plan space, as do the series of artworks on the wall.

Overhead, two pendant lights, give soft focused lighting. The rectangular pillar, which supports the ceiling, is made part of the decorative design with paintings, a blue floor vase linking this space to the rest of the apartment.

open-plan living and dining area, and kitchen,’ says Adrian. ‘It makes for a modern house – you can be in the kitchen and see the children doing their homework, or watch the television. And it also allows it to be full of light so during the day there is no need to switch on the lights.’

The upstairs of the two-storey house was reconfigured to create four bedrooms as well as a family bathroom, and also give access to the large terrace at the top, which is the same footprint as the property and where the family do most of their entertaining.

Beside the stairs, extra space was created to make a downstairs toilet by closing off the original front door. The painting on the wall, in the accent colours of the apartment, was done by Adrian. ‘I picked up the colours of the room; I think it brings everything together,’ says Adrian.

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Master bedroom: tailor-made by Adrian to fit the space, the wardrobes are floor-to-ceiling for maximum storage. Again, colour has been used to warm the room, the deep dusky pink coordinating with the floorboards made from African walnut. In the ensuite bathroom, the basin sits on a cabinet of the same shade.

When it came to completing the interior look of the home, Adrian chose to introduce colour not through wallpaper or paint but more subtly with mostly furniture and accessories. ‘Colour gives life and makes a space fun,’ says Adrian. ‘I also wanted to break the monotone and make it feel warm. I chose green because of the trees outside and wanted to bring a sense of greenery to the inside. The blue reflects the sky and it’s peaceful, and the burnt orange because it’s striking.’

Wood is also used as a warming element, the colour and visual texture carefully coordinated, from the kitchen worktop to the dining table and coffee table and media unit. It all comes together for a home that is contemporary with a distinctive look.

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A wide selection of unique figurines and decorative objects by the renowned Tom’s Company, available at HENRI Luxury Gift Boutique. The idiosyncratic creations make for ideal, original gift ideas for him… for her… or for just yourself! Prices start at €14.20. From HENRI Luxury Gift Boutique, Pjazza Tigné and Mdina (next to Palazzo Falson). Tel: 2010 6306. www.henri.com.mt or facebook/henrimalta

These elegant fine bone china mugs are embellished with 22 carat gold and are part of a wide selection of cups, mugs and other unique tableware items starting from €37.50 each, only at HENRI Luxury Gift Boutique, Pjazza Tigné & Mdina (next to Palazzo Falson). Tel: 2010 6306. www.henri.com.mt or facebook/henrimalta

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Fantastic bedroom offer. ₏1175.00 includes a 6 door wardrobe (240 x 55 x 240h), chest of drawers (105 x 42 x 75), mirror (90x61h), 2 x bedside tables (45x35x43h) and ottoman storage  bed, 160 x 190 with hydraulic lift up system. In Stock. Price includes delivery and assembly (Terms & Conditions apply).GrannySmithShop, 85,Triq San Pawl, Naxxar. Tel: 2141 8984. www.grannysmithshop.com. See us on facebook.

Your home is your space. Create an atmosphere that suits your style. On display at Oxford House showroom you will find expandable console tables, coffee tables, dining tables, chairs and stools by the exquisite La Primavera brand. These are available in a variety of materials, the choice of options will leave you inspired. Find them at Oxford House, Triq Notabile, Mriehel.

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Developing and creating elegant and classic glass pieces is a mission which allows Sylcom to express its inexhaustible potential. This Murano glass chandelier in typical Venetian style is made of black and crystal glass. Frame in chrome. See the full range at Farrugia Lighting and Interiors, Dun Karm Xerri Street, Iklin. Tel: 2141 9111. www.farrugia.com.mt

Flip mattress ensures maximum comfort for children. It is a product with very high technological innovation, designed to last, following the child from 3 up to 13 years. How? Simply turning the mattress, accompanying the physical changes and posture of growing children, ensuring support at every age. Available at Dorelan Beds, Triq Notabile, Mriehel.Tel: 2144 3872. www.facebook.com/dorelanbedmalta

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SHOP HW

Canford undersink reverse osmosis units will provide you with an unlimited amount of pure drinkable water straight from a tap. This will not only help you to save space by not needing to store bulky water containers but will also help you to cut costs drastically. Available from A&A Mizzi Ltd in Mriehel, Tel: 21488160

Mdina Glass produces a wide variety of handmade glass lanterns that look amazing indoors or out. They look fantastic during the day, as light shines through the patterned and coloured glass, and at night when lit with a candle inside. Lanterns start at €37 and are available at Mdina Glass outlets and online at mdinaglass. com.mt. For more info call 2141 5786 or email onlinesales@ mdinaglass.com.mt. Follow at facebook.com/mdinaglass

Have you ever wondered if you can refresh your clothes from unwanted odours in your washing machine? Now you can do so with the New Bosch Active Oxygen™ technology washing machine. Hygienically clean at very low temperatures, it eliminates up to 99.99 percent of bacteria and germs typically found in clothing. Available from Oxford House, Triq Notabile, Mriehel. Tel: 25464000. www.oxfordhouse.com.mt

These stylish, handmade oil & vinegar bottles by Mdina Glass come in a choice of 9 colours and look great in any kitchen.

Prices start at €20. Available from Mdina Glass outlets or online at www.mdinaglass.com.mt with free delivery to Malta. For more info call 2141 5786 or email onlinesales@mdinaglass.com.mt.

Follow at facebook.com/mdinaglass

The new Serie 8 range boasts cutting-edge technology, timeless design and remarkable ease of use for less work in the kitchen.

The new Serie 8 from Bosch is the easy way to perfect results.

Available from Oxford House, Mriehel. Available from Oxford House, Triq Notabile, Mriehel. Tel: 25464000. www.oxfordhouse.com.mt 063

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COMFORT & EFFICIENCY MADE AFFORDABLE

Mriehel Bypass, Mriehel BKR 3000, Malta mekanika@gasan.com www.mekanika.com.mt

Fp19 Mekanika.indd 64

Mekanika 2778 8500

20/06/2016 9:24 PM

HW

OUTSIDE IN GARDENS

FOOD

TRAVEL

PAINT EFFECT Colour doesn‘t have to be bright to create drama.

In Valetta’s Black Pig restaurant, a mural in muted shades commands the attention. Designed by The Workshop Architecture & Design, the picture was painted onto wood which was then sliced to create panels giving the mural an almost threedimensional feel. Effectively lit by Light Design Solutions, it looks superb.

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HW NEWS

Save the Date

LIGHT A LANTERN

If you’re a fan of the Nero lanterns by Mdina Glass, then you will love the just-launched range of Nero Lattice lanterns. Available in three sizes, these handcrafted glass lanterns, with a variety of patterns in coloured glass, are encased in a metal structure and finished with a high-grade leather handle. or more info call 5786 or email onlinesales@mdinaglass.com.mt Follow at facebook.com/mdinaglass

For the 15th year, the Delicata Classic Wine Festival returns to the Upper Barrakka Gardens in Valletta for four great nights (and then again in Nadur, Gozo). At the Valletta festival (August 4 – 7; 7pm-midnight each night) sample more than 20 of Delicata’s D.O.K. and I.G.T Maltese wines including Gran Cavalier, Gran Vin de Hauteville and the Classic Collection. Top local bands will perform throughout the four nights and Malta’s leading caterers will be selling their delicious cuisine with a dining area on the Saluting battery on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Entrance is free; to sample the wines, buy a wristband for the night and a souvenir glass for €14 (which is then yours to keep).

For more info: www.facebook.com/DelicataWinery.

UNZIPPED!

If you’re looking for an excuse to visit London, then how about the chance to see this striking pavilion up close? It is the Serpentine Pavilion which each year is designed and built from scratch by an invited architect – this year it is the turn of Danish architect Bjake Ingels of Bjake Ingels Group (BIG). His creation, unveiled earlier this month, is made from a towering wall of interlocking fibreglass bricks which, according to the architect, have been ‘unzipped’ at one end to reveal a vast interior.

Inspired in part by the popular computer game Minecraft, the pavilion in Kensington Gardens changes depending at which angle it is viewed – appearing as rectangular ‘mountain of ice cubes’ or distorted to show the unzipped shape of the entrance.

‘We have attempted to design a structure that embodies multiple aspects that are often perceived as opposites: a structure that is freeform yet rigorous; modular yet sculptural; both transparent and opaque; both solid box and blob,’ says Ingels. or the first time, the pavilion is accompanied by four smaller structures – dramatic temple-inspired buildings by architects Kunlé Adeyemi, Asif Khan, Yona Friedman and Barkow Leibinger.

The Serpentine Pavilion is open until October; www.serpentinegalleries.org

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BOV ECO Loan Special Scheme The BOV ECO Loan Special Scheme provides an affordable, customised solution designed to help you finance the purchase of photovoltaic systems and solar water heaters, whilst safeguarding our environment. your success is our goal

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Representative example of a BOV ECO Loan Special Scheme based on a loan amount of €6,300 made available by Bank of Valletta p.l.c. at a variable interest rate of 4.45% p.a. (interest margin of 2% plus Consumer Lending Bank Base Rate of 2.45%): Loan will be repayable by customer in 36 equal monthly instalments of €111.11 over a term of 3 years plus the Regulator for Energy and Water Services (REWS) grant payment of €2,300. The interest due on the loan will amount to €284.32 and will be settled in full by the retailer participating under the BOV ECO Loan Special Scheme. No processing fees are payable. All personal loans are subject to normal bank lending criteria and final approval from your BOV branch. Term of loan must not go beyond retirement age. Terms and conditions apply.

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

11/05/2016 13:46:54 20/06/2016 9:24 PM

HW GARDEN

Brighten Up COLOUR IS A POWERFUL TOOL IN THE GARDEN. MELINA SCODANIBBIO OF THE GARDEN STUDIO EXPLAINS HOW TO USE IT Words: Melina Scodanibbio of The Garden Studio

T

he choice of colour is possibly the main factor which sets the mood in a garden. Colour has properties that can affect emotions, spatial perception and balance and so naturally can be used to great advantage when designing an outdoor space. The function of a space always helps to determine the choice of plants, hardscape materials and colours to create the most appropriate result.

1. Cool colours have a calming and relaxing effect and tend to recede, giving the impression of a larger space. It’s a good idea to use them in a small garden. They provide good backgrounds and are best placed further away to create depth and perspective. Where a low visual energy is required, in a relaxing, meditative space for example, the recessive properties of pale, cool colours would be given preference.

Warm colours on the other hand are exciting, have a high visual energy and tend to pop out even when used in small quantities. They tend to dominate a composition and appear to be closer, making a space feel smaller. They can be used to draw the eye away from eyesores and to create focal points and highlights. In areas for entertaining for instance, or in a dull and dreary setting, plant textures and colours can be combined in order to achieve a dynamic and stimulating effect. The excessive use of warm, bright colours however creates a composition that can be chaotic and tiring; they are best balanced with areas of quieter, more subdued planting to be fully appreciated.

GREAT EFFECTS CAN BE CREATED BY CARRYING THE CHOSEN COLOUR THROUGH TO THE HARDSCAPE AND DECORATIVE ELEMENTS

2. Although fruit and flower colour in the garden tends to be temporary, lasting a season at most, it is still the most noticeable element in the landscape and planting can also be designed according to a certain colour scheme.

Colours can be combined in a harmonious way, by selecting those that are adjacent on the colour wheel; this allows the eye to make an easy transition between them. An example is blue, blue-violet and violet or red with oranges and purples.

3. Alternatively, one can opt to create a little drama by going for complementary colours, those which are opposite each other on the colour wheel. These are high in contrast and common sets are violet or blue with yellow, red with green, and blue with orange.

4. Many beautiful gardens have been created using a restricted colour palette. A monochromatic scheme uses just one colour, aside from the greens of the foliage of course; the most common example is a white garden but any one colour can be used with stunning results.

5. Great effects can be created by carrying the chosen colour through to the hardscape and decorative elements. Colour can be used to liven up structures, pergolas, trellises and fences. A dull wall can be brightened by a coat of paint and benches and seating don’t have to be the standard black or brown. Painted or glazed pots can complement planting and look good in the right setting.

And then of course the easiest way to add a splash of colour to an outdoor oasis is with the soft furnishings - a scattering of multicoloured cushions, an outdoor rug or a brightly coloured sail.

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HW FOOD & WINE

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FOOD & WINE HW

Raw Colour

For a light, summery dish that looks and tastes sensational, it’s hard to beat carpaccio. Here, Chef Joe Vella, Executive Chef at the Hilton Malta, rustles up three seafood plates while Georges Meekers of Delicata brings us his expert wine recommendations for each‌ Recipes: Chef Joe Vella, Executive Chef, Hilton Malta Wine recommendations: Georges Meekers, Emmanuel Delicata Winemaker Photography: MAS Styling: MAS with Sophia Spiteri Tableware courtesy of Butlers

CARPACCIO OF BEEF MEDITERRANEAN serves 4

Ingredients 400gr 10gr 15gr 15gr 10gr 10gr 10gr 5gr 2 tsp 4 pcs 1 tsp

fillet of beef sage rosemary thyme rock salt crusted peppercorn rocket leaves oven dried tomatoes extra virgin olive oil Parmesan crisps Balsamic gel

Method Sear the beef from all sides for 3 minutes and then leave aside to cool, then freeze.

Mix together the sage, rosemary, thyme, rock salt and crushed peppercorns. When the mixture is ready, place it on a chopping board and roll the beef on the herbs. Then roll the beef with cling film and put in the refrigerator to set.

Slice the beef thinly and arrange on a plate.

Place some rocket leaves in the centre of the plate. Add olive oil and serve with some parmesan crisps, balsamic gel and oven-dried tomatoes.

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HW FOOD & WINE

OCTOPUS CARPACCIO serves 2

Method

Ingredients 2 star anise 1 carrot, roughly chopped 1 small white onions, roughly chopped 1 leek, roughly chopped 1 stick celery, roughly chopped 40gr chopped fennel 1 pcs ginger 1 whole large octopus 1 slice of lemon

For the lemon dressing: 1 lemon juice 1 tbsp chopped shallots 1 tbsp chopped coriander 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 tsp fish sauce 1 tbsp olive tapenade

In a large stock pot, add all the ingredients, except the octopus, and bring to the boil. Then add the octopus and bring back to the boil.

Lower the heat and simmer for 40-60 minutes, depending on the size of the octopus. Remove the octopus and drain well.

Remove the tentacles and season well. Lay the tentacles on a sheet of cling film and roll up tightly.

Place on a tray and freeze the octopus roll.

Before serving, make the dressing by combining all the dressing ingredients in a bowl and set aside.

Take the octopus roll out of the freezer and slice it very thinly with a sharp knife and place the rounds on a serving plate. Brush with the lemon dressing and season with sea salt and cracked black pepper.

Garnish with herbs, salad leaves and 1 tablespoon of olive tapenade.

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FOOD & WINE HW

Salmon Carpaccio With Crab Meat, Avocado, Lemon and Fresh Coriander Dressing serves 2

Ingredients 275gr fresh salmon fillet 100ml fresh lemon juice 1 fresh red chilli 1 small onion, finely chopped 3-4 sun-baked cherry tomatoes 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 tsp lemon zest 1 tsp coriander seeds

2 tbsp crab meat 1 tsp chives 2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander 1 tsp cream cheese 2 tbsp guacamole Rock salt Pepper

Method Trim the salmon of any brown meat and check for any bones, which should be removed with tweezer or small pliers. Using a long knife cut the salmon into 12 thin slices. Arrange the slices completely flat on a plate. Reserving 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, whisk the reminder with the zest and 1 teaspoon of salt; then add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, chilli, chopped onions and coriander seeds. Spread the mixture evenly over the salmon.

Leave to marinate for 10 minutes. Mix the crab meat with basil, chive, fresh chopped coriander and the cream cheese and dot large spoonfuls of it over the salmon. When you are ready to serve, mix the sun-baked tomatoes, guacamole, with a little rock salt and peppercorns. Pour the mixture evenly over the salmon. Serve with marinated herb salad.

GEORGES' WINE RECOMMENDATIONS: SALMON CARPACCIO

2015 CLASSIC COLLECTION, ROSSINI SYRAH ROSÉ, I.G.T. MALTESE ISLANDS

The fatty fish combined with guacamole asks for a fairly fleshy wine with structure, which at the same time tastes refreshing - just like this dry Maltese rosé.

Its bright nose and ripe summer fruit flavours of raspberry are what make it work so well with this carpaccio. The pink wine’s lovely candyflosslike finish echoes the sweetness and texture of the streaky crabmeat.

Chill well.

CARPACCIO OF BEEF MEDITERRANEAN (from pg 70)

OCTOPUS CARPACCIO (adjacent page)

2015 MEDINA SANGIOVESE, D.O.K. MALTA

2015 MEDINA VERMENTINO ZIBIBBO, SUPERIOR, D.O.K. MALTA

This is the strongest of the three carpaccios featured and will overwhelm most white and pink wines, whereas itself would get overpowered by a strong red. This unoaked medium-bodied dry wine is broad enough whilst showing appropriate restraint for the delicate dish. Made from Maltese Sangiovese grapes, it’s spicy and packed with flavours of juicy red forest fruits dashed with black pepper. Serve cellar cool.

Usually served before a main course, carpaccio is ideally matched to a wine that also easily carries over to a light main dish.

This delectable white wine blend is packed with plenty of stone fruitiness, yet it’s dry and crisp enough to do just that. Zesty and crammed with Mediterranean flavours, this summer favourite nicely mirrors the dish’s hints of fennel, ginger and anise.

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HW TRAVEL

GREEN WITH ENVY THIS WEEK WE CHECK IN TO NEWLY-OPENED 55 SENGLEA, FULLY CONCIERGED HOLIDAY SUITES IN THE HEART OF THE GRAND HARBOUR IN SENGLEA, TO DISCOVER THE STORY OF THEIR DESIGN Photography: Alan Carville

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TRAVEL HW

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HW TRAVEL

T

he use of colour in the Penthouse suite at 55 Senglea is bold and brilliant, the daring colour combinations teamed with an eclectic collection of furniture that together creates a coolly luxurious space. The look is down to Carlo Schembri, head of Carlo Schembri Design Studio. Here, he describes how he pulled it all together...

What did you start with? riginally, there were two small houses, each of five storeys, one of which dated back to the Knights of Malta as it has a cellar that is 200 square metres in size; it is where they stored their grain. Adjacent, was another small house. This one was very run-down it had been damaged post-Second orld ar and the repairs done with poor uality cement. e demolished this one and replaced it with a new building, also five storeys high. rom the outside, though, you wouldn’t know because we married the two facades – we used Maltese stone, traditional Maltest balconies and wrought iron so the two facades resemble one larger one. nside, however, we used the latest technology to make a modern building, such as thermal insulation to ensure it is warm in the winter and cool in the summer. ithin the building we created five suites, each with a kitchen, one on every floor. e restored the cellar and it is now a place for workshops and for lessons in sub ects such as art.

What was the challenge?

Besides having to be completed in six months he spaces are what they are, not huge, and you have to give as much sense of space as possible, getting the proportions right. or instance, the armchairs don’t have massive armrests. t meant a lot of preparation to ensure everything worked and complemented each other.

What look and feel did you want for the inside? he building has sea views, and spent so many hours there was inspired by what could see the tourist boats and their colourful combinations and the waterfront. Senglea is like a village on water and wanted to create the mood of getting away from it all. want guests to have an authentic experience, to experience at Senglea the e uivalent of a lovely postcard of what you find at the water’s edge. also want them to have a feeling of where they are, to wake up and open their eyes and know they are on a Mediterranean island, so for this suite commissioned an artist to paint a wall showing what they can see out of their window.

Tell us by the design details... wanted colour that made real impact. ost altese properties are cream and beige because people are afarid of colour, but they should try it. t’s ust li uid applied to the wall after all it can be changed easily, it’s not like buying a piece of furniture. hat said, could be more bold here. f you’re staying for ust a few days you can live with this shade of green, but

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TRAVEL HW

The restored courtyard lobby with recessed wood stove

couldn’t live with it 24/7. I played with Mediterranean colours and used unusual colour combinations – they say blue and green should never be seen but here it works. Why? Because I combine it with wood which is calming, but also lots of texture. Take the lobby with the blue panelled wallpaper - plain blue and green together would not have looked good, but the design of the paper gives the blue texture and it works.

There is also texture in the tiles, in the vintage sofa, the copper light...

I used furniture from Spain, Italy and the south of rance to create an eclectic mix that reflects what we are in alta. e have so many influences we have the morning expresso and afternoon tea trifle and tiramisu. A lot of things I already had – I travel and I collect stuff and when it is the right time to use something I do. The map, which I cut into nine pieces and framed, was found in a small shop in Bergamo.

Finally, I like to create corners that take good photos, to create memories. I love to stage objects together to create an image that is powerful, and they can be found throughout.

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20/06/2016 9:38 PM

HW ESSENTIAL SUPPLIERS

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TO ADVERTISE IN THIS SECTION PHONE 2133 9999, 9933 2224 OR EMAIL sales@homeworks.com.mt

20/06/2016 9:38 PM

ADDRESS BOOK A&A Mizzi Triq is-Salib ta’l-iMriehel, Mriehel.

Tel: 2148 8168. www.aamizzi.com Astral Triq l-Abate Rigord, Ta’ Xbiex.

Tel: 2134 0562. www.astral.com.mt B&M Supplies Triq Dun Karm, Birkirkara BKR9035.

Tel: 2144 0710. www.bmsupplies.com Bathroom Design Triq Naxxar, Birkirkara.

Tel: 2144 1328. www.bathroomdesign.com.mt BOV 58, Triq il-Kanun, Santa Venera.

Tel: 2131 2020. www.bov.com Brands International Triq Tal Balal, San Gwann.

Tel: 2144 4110 www.brands.com.mt Butlers 48B, Triq it-Torri, Sliema.

Tel: 2166 4488. www.butlers.com.mt Carmelo Delia Triq il-Wied, Birkirkara.

Tel: 2147 2882. www.carmelodelia.com CAS (Cassar Air conditioning Systems) Ltd., 307, Misrah il-Barrierim, Santa Venera. Tel: 2123 0777. www.casmalta.com Cieffe Projects Hal-Far Road, B’Bugia BBG 9035, Tel: 2167 7503. www.cieffeprojects.com.mt CME Finishes 264, St. Thomas Street, Fgura, Malta Tel: 2180 7000. www.cmefinishes.com Core, Triq il-Wied, Birkirkara.

Tel: 2144 3449. www.core.com.mt Dorelan Beds, Triq Notabile, Mriehel BKR 3000.

Tel: 2144 3872. www.facebook. com/dorelanbedmalta/ Emmanuel Delicata Winemaker, The Winery on the Waterfront, Paola. Tel: 21825199. www.delicata.com

Farrugia Lighting & Interiors, Triq Dun Karm Xerri, Iklin.

Tel: 2141 9111. www.farrugia.com.mt

Mekanika Ltd, Gasan Centre,Mriehel Bypass,Mriehel Tel:2778 8500 www.mekanika.com.mt

Econetique Mompalau Building, Triq It- Torri, L-Imsida MSD1825. Industrial Estate Xewikija, Gozo.

Tel: 2156 9006. www.econetique.com

Next Home, Triq il-Bisazza, Sliema.

Tel: 2134 4156

FGP 109, Triq Valletta, Luqa.

Tel: 21673627. www.fgp.com.mt Finestral 360 Manufacturing Ltd. Finestral, Canon Road St. Venera.

Tel: 2146 3522. finestralmalta.com Form Triq il-Wied, Msida, Tel: 2144 6000 ww.form.com.mt Granny Smith Shop Triq San Pawl, Naxxar.

Tel: 2141 8984. www.grannysmithshop.com GRF Design Concepts 117, Triq l-Assemblea Nazzjonali, San Gwann. Tel: 2137 7378 www.grfmalta.com Halmann Vella Triq il-Mosta, Lija. Tel: 2143 3636. www.halmannvella.com Henri Luxury Gift Boutique 23, Villegaignon Street, Mdina, Malta Tel: 2010 6307 Pjazza Tigné Tigne Point Malta Tel: 2010 6306. www.henri.com.mt JTS Trading Triq Kummerc, Qormi Tel: 2149 6415. www.jtstrading.com Kind’s Auto Sales Ltd. Triq il-Mosta, Hal Lija.

Tel: 2143 3601. www.autosales.com.mt Light Design Solutions, Triq Emmanuel Schembri, Birkirkara.

Tel: 2149 6843. www.lds.com.

M. Demajo Timbers Misrah Iz-Zebbug, Qormi.

Tel: 2148 7078. www.demajotimbers.com

Oxford House Triq Notabile, Mriehel BKR 3000.

Tel: 25464000. www.oxfordhouse.com.mt Raphael Azzopardi Triq L-Uqija, Is-Swieqi.

Tel: 21373812. www.raphaelazzopardi.com Satariano 122, Triq il-Wied, Birkirkara.

Tel: 21492149. www.satariano.com Seamless 4, Triq Guze Duca, Qormi.

Tel: 2144 0404. www.seamless.com.mt Sigma Coatings Ltd. KW 24 Kordin Industrial Estate, Paola. Tel:2166 8053. www.sigmamalta.com The Atrium Mriehel By-Pass, Mriehel, Malta Tel: 2147 0000 The House Shop Marina Business Centre, Triq l-Abate Rigord, Ta’ Xbiex. Tel:2133 4226. www.thehouseshop.com.mt The Resin & Membrane Centre 264 Triq Il-Ferrovija Santa Venera Tel: 2747 7647. www. theresincentre.com VCT Light & design, Triq Ponsomby, Mosta.

Tel: 2143 2571. www.vct.com.mt VEEGEEBEE Triq Bellavista, San Gwann.

Tel: 2138 5584. www.vgb.com.mt VIVO 9 Geronimo Abos, L-Iklin Tel: 2093 2932. www.vivo.com.mt Zara Home Tower Road 1, Valletta.

Tel: 2132 3585 www.zarahome.com.mt

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

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HW BACK STORY

THE BOOKWORM SHELF

BY RON ARAD & KARTELL

IT STARTED OUT AS A LIMITED EDITION SCULPTURE BUT DESIGN INGENUITY TRANSFORMED IT INTO ONE OF WORLD’S MOST INSTANTLY RECOGNISABLE AND BEST-SELLING SHELVES

I

t is arguably the world’s most iconic bookshelf. The curling form of The Bookworm, designed by Ron Arad and produced by Italian heavyweights Kartell, can be found in tens of thousands of homes all over the world – in fact, more than three million meters of it have been sold since its creation 22 years ago.

The idea for the Bookworm was born in Arad’s new home in London. ‘I remember sitting in my empty, new house and I needed some shelves,’ he recalls. ‘And I sort of closed one eye, and with my index finger marked like a big S shape on the wall, an imagined S shape.’

Made in his studio from leftover sheets of sprung stainless steel, Arad did not intend for the Bookworm to be massproduced; rather it was to be a sculpture found on the walls of just a few people.

That changed when Claudio Luti, the founder of the fashion brand Versace, and now President of Kartell, saw the Bookworm at an exhibition of Arad’s work in Milan. The two met and Arad’s idea was handed over to Kartell’s research and development (R&D) department who were tasked with finding a flexible, sinuous and coloured material that was also sturdy enough to be attached to a wall and take the weight of books and small objects.

What was required was a material that had never been produced in furniture design before. Many months of research took Kartell’s R&D department to large chemical companies such as Bayer, and finally, a new material was engineered - a flame-retardant polyvinyl chloride (PVC) that could be bent into a sinuous shape.

Having taken one year to develop, the Bookworm was presented to the Milan Furniture Fair in 1994. Available in three sizes and in colours such as wine red and cobalt blue as well as black and white, it was an immediate success; Arad

recalls seeing it through the windows of seven homes on the shortish walk between his London home and studio. Today the Bookworm continues to be a Kartell best-seller and it is also considered to be one of the first examples of mass customization in the furniture industry.

The popularity of the Bookworm is not just its great shape and colour, but also that it allows consumers a chance to customise it. As Arad himself explains: ‘It gives people the illusion that they are participating in its use. It offers things other shelves don’t.’

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Inside Back.indd 83

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A Masterpiece.

The status of the new E-Class is written all over its face.

Powerful. Stylish. Sporty. Self assured.

The Mercedes-Benz E-Class - Always a step ahead.

E220d €61,500 Including a 5 year Service Plan (terms and conditions apply)

Reg. No. S063

Auto Sales Ltd - Kind’s Mosta Road, Lija LJA 9011. Tel: 21433601 Mgarr Road, Xewkija XWK 9012. Tel: 21550962 / 99486417 / 99874301 www.mercedes-benz.com.mt

J4825 Mercedes ACIM E-Class A4.indd 1 Back Cover.indd 84

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