HOMEWORKS 98

ISSUE 98

www.homeworks.com.mt | newspaper post

INSPIRATION IMPROVEMENT STYLE

THE HAPPY HOME ISSUE +Kitchen Special

I AM HOME

122, Valley Road, B'Kara satariano.com

Thank God It’s Monday!

Don’t work to live, Love to work!

A: 82, Studio Moda Ltd. Naxxar Road, San Gwann, SGN 9032, Malta T: (+356) 22 587 410 F: Facebook.com/studiomodagroup W: studiomodagroup.com

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® ISSUE 98 FEB/MAR 2020 www.homeworks.com.mt

COVER

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ONWARDS & UPWARDS PG. 038

Find these stories and more including a comprehensive trade directory at www.homeworks.com.mt

CONTENTS KITCHEN SPECIAL cont.

NEWS AND FEATURES

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Design Shows

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Be Happy!

082 Shop

Reader Letters and Competition The Edit Name to Know: Jasper Morrison

HOMES

028 Homemade 038 Onwards & Upwards 046 A Private Life KITCHEN SPECIAL

057 Kitchen News 061 In Style

Looking Good - kitchen trends Which work surface?

Kitchen Clever Top Tables LIFESTYLE

085 Sustainable Shopping 086 Food & Wine - Spring Feeling 090 Travel - Tokyo Calling 095 Directory 098 #ontrend - Pantone Colour of 2020

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Joinwell Mill Street, Qormi +356 2278 2000 info@joinwell.com.mt www.joinwell.com.mt

Latest addition at our Qormi showroom by

EDITOR’S LETTER

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This Issue.

While the home as an escape from the outside world is not new, I found recent research on the impact of the home on our happiness level illuminating - income and career are often seen as the most important factors in determining how happy we are, but this research, carried out by the Danish think tank the Happiness Research Institute, discovered that the home is absolutely key to the way we feel.

And so in this issue, the first for 2020, we explore this idea with expert advice on what makes a happy home. As well, the homes in this issue are all very personal spaces, hugely shaped by their owners, and therefore places that feel special to them, and by extension make them feel happy when they are within them.

Also in this issue is our annual kitchen special, a timely choice given that the kitchen is considered by many to be the heart of the home.

Over 16 pages are plenty of ideas and inspiration, from the latest looks to real life kitchens to admire. I hope you enjoy the issue!

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. © 2020

PUBLISHER MARC SPITERI

PHOTOGRAPHY SVEN ALBERDING

EDITOR RACHEL LOOS

ALAN CARVILLE RYAN CALLEJA MAS GIANLUCA SCHEMBRI

ART DIRECTOR MARC SPITERI DESIGN JONATHAN RYAN

CONTRIBUTORS RYAN CALLEJA FIONA CARUANA CARABEZ ALAIN JAMES GRECH WARREN HEATH EMMA MATTEI GEORGES MEEKERS MONIKA RUTISHAUSER

SALES & MARKETING ROBIN MILLS +356 2133 9999 +356 9933 2224 sales@homeworks.com.mt PRE-PRESS & PRINTING PRINT IT POSTAL ADDRESS / E-MAIL WriteOn Ltd. 89 Tigné Street, Level 2, SLM3170, Malta info@homeworks.com.mt

GET IN TOUCH HOMEWORKS is distributed to most outlets that carry 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 011

READER’S RESPONSE

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

Send your ideas to:

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

ISSUE 97

WINNER MARK AZZOPARDI 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 MARK WROTE: ‘I love HOMEWORKS. It is such an inspirational magazine. I have been through two room reno projects and in both cases my inspiration came from ideas found in your magazine. It’s an invaluable resource, especially as it relates to local homes. I’ve recently started accessing the content on your web page and I want to congratulate you on an amazing site. I’ve started using the ‘favourites’ option and now have a quick online reference to all my favourite things in HOMEWORKS. Keep up the great work, it is truly appreciated.’

FIND ALL YOU NEED ONLINE| HOMEWORKS.COM.MT HOMEWORKS brings you inspiration, innovation and style online! Search through our back catalog of hundreds of homes featured in HOMEWORKS over the years. Search by room style, colour or characterstic and save them to your favourites in your personal profile. Catch up on the latest industry news and read through our informative and inspiring articles.

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

THE ONLY ONLINE HOMES DIRECTORY YOU NEED HOMEWORKS.COM.MT/DIRECTORY HOMEWORKSDIRECTORY.COM Search anything and everything related to all the information you’d want and need for your home project: architects, designers, showrooms, key suppliers, skilled tradesmen, specialist services etc...it’s all there, stored on your personal profile!

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DESIGNED BY CARLO SCHEMBRI DESIGN TEAM

Surfacing the most beautiful spaces

Private Residence DEKTON QUARTZ - AURA HALMANN VELLA LTD, The Factory, Mosta Road, Lija, LJA 9016, Malta.

www.halmannvella.com T: (+356) 21 433 636

E: info@halmannvella.com

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THE EDIT

NEWS TRENDS ADVICE SHOPPING PEOPLE

SHELF LIFE

Round shapes add a softness and interesting design shape to rooms and this circular shelf is perfect for a pretty display.

Trailing indoor plants bring nature indoors as well as introducing texture. Just add accessories. All items NEXT HOME

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A PLACE TO ESCAPE Scottish designer Nick Ross has created a range of high-backed curvy seats for Danish brand +Halle which he hopes offer a respite from an overstimulating world. Called Proto, the collection of chairs, a sofa, a bench and a stool, are designed to give the sitter a chance of a quiet escape in environments such as the workplace along with public spaces such as hospitals and airports. ‘Hospitals are an interesting setting, or any space where you need that inner feeling of security,’ says the designer. ‘And perhaps bigger workspaces, where you want to speak to a selected few in a crowded space, using Proto to foster an intimacy that often gets lost today.’

WORKING DAY

WHAT’S NEW AT STUDIO MODA Scandinavian company Muuto is one of a number of new brands now offered by Studio Moda. Muuto’s range of products include furniture, lighting and homeware accessories - wellknown pieces include the Unfold pendant light and Dot coat hooks. One of its latest creations is the wooden Cover chair.

Also new to Studio Moda are Italian lighting company Karboxx, antoni who do office furniture and ramery coustics who make the world’s best selling ods and office hone booths.

Also thinking about the way we work is Poltrona Frau which has launched the Trust e ecutive office system.

Based on in-depth research into the evolution of our working lives, it takes into account how the way we work is changing with technology blurring the boundaries between office and home, and how relationshi s within the work lace are becoming less fi ed with communication and relaxation becoming increasingly important. The Trust system aims to meet these different needs, its collection of desks, self-supporting walls and storage units able to be freely combined together, adapting to the working style of the user. Designed by Alberto Lievore, Jeannette Altherr, Dennis Park, the volumes and construction of the pieces are light and airy with soft, organic and tapered forms. Materials are leather, saddle-leather and wood for a smart and luxurious look. Satariano 017

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ADVENTUROUS SPIRIT New for S/S20 is the L’Odyssée collection of fabrics and wallpapers from Christian Lacroix Maison for Designers Guild. Inspired by the escapist feeling of ight and fantasy, it celebrates the wonder of adventure and includes rinted, woven and embroidered fabrics in a variety of textures and colourways and highly detailed wall a ers, digitally rinted on lu urious, non woven and vinyl grounds. ictured is Oiseau leur which comes as both a non woven backed vinyl wallpaper and a jacquard weave fabric. Design House

HAVE A HUG

The new Charlotte armchair, designed by Henrik Pedersen, literally wraps you in a warm hug thanks to its winged design. But unlike similar chairs, this is a compact yet elegant piece of furniture, and perfect for adding an accent chair to your living room, or to create a cosy reading nook elsewhere. It’s available in a wide range of fabrics and colours. BoConcept

TOO MUCH STUFF?

Committee has collaborated with Established & Sons to create new versions of their uirky ebab oor lamps, this time with the aim of starting a debate about over-consumption. The lamps feature stacks of trinkets on a central pole, and said Committee’s Harry Richardson and Clare Page, ‘If we don’t declare honestly that humans love objects, fashion, novelty, beauty and visual pleasure then it seems unlikely to us that we will find sensible ways to fi our overconsumption. With the ebab Lamps we wanted to show there is a joy in owning objects, as well as a cost. Each lamp is a small, visual poem on globalisation; impressive and yet simultaneously, “too much”’. Each one is a limited edition with only eight made per year.

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NAME TO KNOW

Whether it be a chair, light or tableware, Jasper Morrison is one of the world’s most compelling designers jaspermorrison.com

The Cork Family of side tables/ stools for Vitra makes use of a pressed cork granulate made with the waste material of the wine bottle cork stopper business. Cork is the only material that can be pressed in one direction without expanding in another and is also waterproof, rot proof and termite proof.

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Moulded plastic trays for Vitra. Red (set of three shades) and Green (set of three shades).

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hat to Jasper Morrison and the word ‘atmosphere’ will invariably crop up and it is arguably the idea that drives his design thinking.

As he once explained, ‘atmosphere is also a function.

When you bring a chair into a room, it changes the atmosphere and that’s an important effect of a product, because we feel different in different atmospheres. I’ve kept pretty much the same goal [since the beginning of my career], which is the idea that objects should create an atmosphere. In my head, there’s a certain ideal atmosphere, so I’m always designing for that imaginary space or mood, and looking for shapes or solutions that achieve this. It is hard to put into words, but I think you know what I mean if I say there are certain rooms you walk into where you feel good or inspired.’

This idea that rooms can make you feel good or not first occurred to Jasper when he was a young boy. Growing up in London in the early 1960s, the average living room interior was one of heavy, upholstered furniture and thick curtains which, he says, he found ‘very claustrophobic and quite gloomy.’

However, his grandfather’s room was altogether different - working for a Danish company, Jasper’s grandfather had discovered Scandi style. ‘I think he had quite a good eye, and the room was well-lit with lots of daylight, wooden oors, and ust a few rugs,’ recalls as er. ightweight seating was arranged in front of an o en fire, and music played from a Braun record player by German designer Dieter Rams.

‘Suddenly I just felt way better in that space, and realizing that there were

Photo: Kento Mori

Jasper Morrison

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some places that made me feel good and others that didn’t had a huge effect on me,’ continues Jasper. ‘I’m pretty sure I became a designer to have some in uence on my surroundings and to generally im rove atmospheres for others as well.’

This he has certainly done. Today the English-born designer is described as one of the most in uential roduct designers of our time,’ with offices in ondon, aris and Tokyo and has collaborated with the biggest names in the design business including Alessi, Flos, Ideal Standard, Muji, Rosenthal and Vitra International. The Cooper Hewitt Smithsonian Design Museum and the Museum of Modern rt in ew ork are just two of the prominent museums around the world showcasing his work.

Today, as er is known for his ared down, less is more a roach, eschewing attention-grabbing designs for more subtle creations that Things’, his have their own everlasting elegance’. n his book, ook of Th oft-mentioned words include ‘comfort’, ‘functional’, ‘practical’ and ‘nosubstance is nonsense’. nything ashy or that he considers style over subst given short shrift.

His design signature was give a name in 2005 when at the Milan Furniture Fair, he coined the term ‘Super Normal’ to describe commonplace, largely anonymous objects that usually go unnoticed but are incredibly useful and even necessary. He was inspired by a stool, designed by a an’s aoto ukasawa, which as er described as so discreet no-one was playing it any attention’.

I don’t design anything to be “Super Normal”’ he says, ‘but rather work to give things a similar set of qualities: familiarity, longevity, being discreet but with atmospheric presence

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Top to bottom: ‘Superloon’ for Flos; ‘Glo-Ball’ for Flos; ‘Air’ stackable chairs for Magis; ‘Thinking Man’s Chair’ for Cappellini; the kettle from the Palma Cast Iron kitchenware range for Oigen

as er’s first designs, however, were anything but discreet. n for talian brand a ellini, he created the Thinking Man’s chair with its wavy tubular steel armrests and a sofa sculpted to resemble an enormous wave. oth were launched to great acclaim, however, during this time, Jasper also astounded the design world with an exhibition called ‘Some New Items for the Home’ which showed simple plywood furniture he had designed and made himself. It was quite the opposite to what was, at the time, considered great design. As Alice Rawsthorn, former director of ondon’s Design Museum, wrote in The ew ork Times, t is hard to overstate how radical his deliberately unobtrusive design language must have seemed... t the time, design was dominated by the amboyant, richly symbolic work of the ostmodernists, who sought to liberate it from what they saw as the soullessness of mid-20th century Modernism, which as er admired for its economy, efficiency and restraint.’

The integrity, simple beauty and sheer usefulness of Jasper’s designs, however, have seen him ourish, and his career has been noted for the long-lasting relationships he has formed and his many iconic pieces. He has worked with a ellini for the ast three decades, and although the Thinking Man’s chair was his first design, one of his most recent was the unfussy Tate chair that was first made for ondon’s Tate Modern but proved so popular it has become part of Cappellini’s permanent catalogue.

For Flos, Jasper has designed some of the company’s most memorable lights including the lo all range and Su erloon. His ir chair for Magis, made from air-moulded polypropylene, is considered a classic example of his reduced, simple design. For Established & Sons, he created the Crate nightstand, inspired by an actual wine crate he started using as a nightstand in his new a artment in aris.

‘I don’t design anything to be “Super Normal”’ he says, ‘but rather work to give things a similar set of ualities familiarity, longevity, being discreet but with atmospheric presence.’

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ON WITH THE SHOWS

With the influence of Scandinavian Style, Stockholm Design Week, held in February, continues to be a major event in the design calendar.

For the first time, the city’s historic national archive, the 19th century Gamla Riksarkivet, hosted The Archive exhibition which explored the ‘shared aesthetics and values’ of Japanese and Scandinavian design - an interior trend that has been nicknamed Japandi. ‘Both are deeply rooted in handcraft and share the values of simplicity and dedication to their craft,’ said the exhibition’s curator Hanna Nova Beatrice.

With sustainability never far away these days, students at Sweden’s Lund University presented Transparent, 31 glass designs, ranging from food and drink packaging, to cosmetics and building materials, that explored how we could transition to a circular economy. Objects on show

Transparent

Artek

Iittala

include reusable glass vials for pills and glass tiles that insulated electric wires.

Elsewhere, Ferm Living showed an outdoor chair from recycled plastic bottles. Also presenting a chair were French duo Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec who created The Rope Chair for Finnish brand Artek by interlacing a metal frame with a single length of marine rope. For another Finnish company, Iittala, they created ‘Imperfections’, a collection of ceramic objects and glass pieces, that reflected the relationship between the perfect and imperfect in nature and design.

Amongst the lighting, Ilse Crawford was one of four designers tasked by Swedish lighting brand Wästberg to create designs that mixed ‘beauty with energy efficiency’. She unveiled the lovely W203 Ilumina lamp that’s reminiscent of a library lamp with a central column containing an LED source.

Ferm Living

Wastberg

In Paris, French design show Maison & Objet had the theme (RE) GENERATION! Amongst its exhibitions was ‘Rising Talents’ which featured the work of six up-and-coming designers who showcased handmade rather than mass-produced objects. These included Julie Richoz, who has designed for Alessi and Louis Poulsen, and who works with a single material; her designs included glass vases and a raffia rug.

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BE HAPPY!

Recent research has shown that your home is key to happiness....

The home is so key because it is literally is the seed of our identity, a place of our core values, where we connect with ourselves and family

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What makes you happy? Your job? Your income? In fact, recent research has shown that the answer to this question is actually your home. ‘If you are happy with your home, you are almost certainly happy in life,’ reported a recent report by Danish think tank, the Happiness Research Institute. The Good Home Report found that the home is ‘almost three times more important than what we earn and five times more important than our employment status or whether we have children.’

Why? ‘Our homes shape our lives,’ says Meik Wiking, CEO of the Happiness Research Institute, ‘The home is so key because it is literally is the seed of our identity, a place of our core values, where we connect with ourselves and family,’ continues design psychology coach and interior designer Rebecca West, author of 024

Happy Starts at Home: Change your space, transform your life (CICO Books). ‘And between the ages of about 30-50 years old, the home is especially powerful as it rooted in our identity and who we want to be.’

Victoria Harrison gathered together research from around the world on the relationship between the home and happiness for her book Happy by Design (Aster). She says, ‘If our home is not supporting us, we’re missing a trick.’

But what makes a happy home? Choosing a look and style that reflects the way you live and what makes you feel good. ‘You need to reshape your home according to your life,’ says Rebecca. ‘It’s about where best to invest your time and energy in your home to make it work better for you.’ Here’s what to consider...

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WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE? ‘Often we make changes guided by what’s “right” or current, unconsciously trying to keep up with the Joneses without realising what is motivating our decisions,’ says Rebecca. ‘Your home is supposed to make you happy and help you reach your goals so you need to identify how to make your home work for you.’

How? Write down your priorities, and then choose just three that are fundamental such as being able to have guests over to stay.

‘Does your home meet these needs? If not, what one thing can you change that could get you closer to having a home that aligns with your top three priorities,’ says Rebecca. ‘If you live with a partner, use this e ercise to find common ground so you can create s ace for both of your needs to be fulfilled.’

START SMALL ‘It’s the little things that make a difference and that build momentum for doing the larger things,’ says Rebecca. ‘So dust, change the light bulb, organise a drawer... These kinds of maintenance repairs also cause stress so get rid of every little stress that you can. Complete just one home repair a week, and within a month you’ll find yourself feeling calmer and more in control of your emotions and home life.’

GET THAT SPACIOUS FEELING It’s not the actual size of the home that matters, but whether it feels spacious. ‘Feeling like we don’t have enough space was one issue that had the greatest impact on having happy home,’ says The Good Home Report which suggests rearranging your home to give it a greater sense of space.

Look around you; is there too much furniture making rooms feel cramped? Being able to walk comfortably around furniture will give a room a sense of ow that makes its si e feel comfortable.

De-clutter and have a space for everything. ‘Research discovered that women who described their living spaces as “cluttered” or full of unfinished ro ects were more likely to be de ressed and fatigued than women who described their homes as “restful” and “restorative”’’ says Victoria.

MAKE YOUR HOME YOUR OWN ‘Whether we rent or own, what matters is that we identify with our homes and feel settled there,’ says The Good Home Report.

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Decorate using colours that you find easy to live with,’ says Victoria. ‘Research found yellow to be the happiest colour - if you like it, add a few pops of the colour through accessories such as a lampshade or a cushion.’

Other ways to add personality include a gallery wall of your favourite photographs or pictures, add a quirky table lamp or brighten a room with favourite patterned wallpaper.

SLEEP WELLL Create a bedroom that helps you get a good night’s sleep.

‘Without restorative sleep and rest, life becomes unbearable,’ says Rebecca. ‘Everything feels hard. On the other hand, when we are rested, we are able to focus and accomplish more.’ Use black-out blinds to keep out daylight, choose tranquil colours instead of energising ones, and again, ditch the clutter as the issues surrounding it will fill your mind and make it hard to slee .

ENTERTAIN! ‘Our homes are happier when we invite people to share them with us,’ says The Good Home Report. ‘This increases our pride in our homes as well as the emotional connection we feel with where we live.’

GO GREEN Access to green space makes a big difference to our happiness levels but even bringing greenery indoors through house plants has a huge im act. Several scientific studies have shown that plants in an indoor environment can also lower blood pressure, reduce stress and impact our overall health in a positive way,’ says Victoria. NASA’s now widely-quoted research found that plants emit negative ions which help reduce airborne microorganisms, giving us a euphoric feeling too.

SCENT SMART Victoria describes using scent as ‘decorating with an invisible layer’ that can affect the way we feel. ‘Ingredients in a fragrance work on our subconscious, releasing hormones which, among other things, give us energy, lift our mood or enhance sensations of pleasure.’

Choose a scent according to how you want a room to make you feel. ‘Generally, citrus is energising, lavender and jasmine are calming, vanilla and amber give a cosy feel but there are no hard and fast rules; go with what you love.’

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The three properties in this issue all feature owners who have had a real hand - literally - in creating their homes, and love them all the more for it. On the next page is a beautiful house in which the homeowners did all of the work themselves, expertly combining old and new. On page 038, a maisonette was renovated and a penthouse built on top of it to create the perfect home for all the family, and on page 046, extending an old house has created a wonderful escape 027

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HOMEMADE They may not have had any building experience, but the owners of this historic property have transformed it into a beautiful and characterful home Styling: Fiona Caruana Carabez, Concepts Carabez Photography: MAS Words: Emma Mattei

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ejtun has a distinct atmosphere; the village core retains a mixture of architectural grandeur alongside simpler dwellings, connected by mazes of gardens in the rear; it is an intimate, charmed coexistence, where bicycles are still a form of transport for some, and daily greetings between neighbours are exchanged in the streets and across dividing walls.

As is often the case in old villages, it is a guessing game as to what lies behind the front door; but there are always clues as to what kind of world to expect

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Hallway: The ceiling is barrel-vaulted; the frescoes were professionally restored and the last major job to be completed before the family moved in

upon observing the execution of the work carried out on the façades and apertures. The exterior walls of this typical Maltese townhouse, located within the urban conservation area, have been freshened up with blocks of white paint applied within the recesses, allowing the blue of the shutters and doors to pop – discreet, yet confident. A peek through the glass panels of the antiporta reveals a blast of light entering the hallway from a room to the right, and soon after the sound of people gathered round a table can be heard.

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The house is home to a professional couple and their young daughter; it is filled with the chatter of family enjoying a leisurely weekend gathering. ‘We love having people over on the weekends for lunch,’ says the homeowner, and it’s clear from the size of the old refectory table in the dining room that it is intended to be enjoyed by many.

The sunlight enters the space from a large glass panel that runs from the floor to two-thirds of the way up the room. An intimate village square sits just behind, where old men are gathered on benches basking in the winter sun; inside, the family are enjoying a spread, perched comfortably on the modern chairs in shades of burgundy, orange and mustard.

Beyond the dining area, two Chesterfields are placed close enough to the glass panel so as to look out onto village life, or perhaps up towards the personal collection of paintings on the wall, many of which are by renowned Maltese artists. The distinctive blue observed on the exterior is repeated along wall panels, with restored frescoes on the beamed ceiling above.

There’s a strong sense of the personal in this house, a feeling that every item, every detail, stems directly from the owners’ realm.

Left, Dining Room: A large picture window gives a view of the village square. The colour blue is a theme throughout the house Above, the steel and marble table was designed and manufactured by the owner. The angel head was recovered from the rubble that was removed when the owners rediscovered the cellar 031

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Above right: the pool abuts the house - the extra metres gained by doing this was the only way to fit in the pool. It has a shallow step so the wildcats can enjoy the water and Darren made a small solar powered water fountain to keep the water fresh during summer days

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Kitchen: within the kitchen are two ovens and dishwashers which enable the family to entertain with ease. Above is the steel and glass mezzanine library which was designed and built by the owners. The Arne Jacobsen chairs were bought at a carboot sale eight year earlier. ‘I knew they would, one day, find their proper place,’ says the homeowner

The family moved in last April, after three and a half years of work.

‘We first viewed the house in 2014 - my wife wasn’t convinced about getting an old house, but after seeing this place she said to me, “If we don’t buy this, I’ll dream about this house on my deathbed.”’ It took five months for the contract to be signed, and then the work began.

Most of it was undertaken by the owners; despite their busy lifestyles, they renovated the house during their free time, even doing the structural work, and the house and garden display a real labour of love.

‘I already had a good idea of the work required and how it needed to be done correctly from other house projects,’ says the homeowner. ‘But apart from this, both my father and my late grandfather were hands-on, and I share their passion for manual work.’

Besides taking on structural works, the most impressive of which has to be the steel and glass mezzanine library situated within the kitchen, this is a home filled with attachments, a repository for an avid collector who enjoyed picking up antiques and lovingly restoring them, convinced that one day he would have the perfect place for them all.

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Top Left, Snug: the house has no large, formal living room.

Instead television is watched in this cosy space off the kitchen Guest WC: Traditional Maltese floor tiles are a feature throughout the house. The ones in the guest toilet were salvaged from another house and repurposed as wall tiles.

Their pattern and colours make an interesting backdrop for the 50s wall mirror and light Child’s bedroom: Playful and fun, the height of the room has been used to install a mezzanine reading nook

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‘I feel like I’m celebrating the original design house or the artisan’s vision and work when I preserve and reuse these objects,’ he says.

And as if that were not enough of the personal stamp, there is also furniture that has been transformed or created, such as the old armoire in the kitchen that has had its doors removed, so as to function as accessible storage or the elegant marble and steel coffee table in the dining room, executed entirely by the homeowner’s hand.

The high-ceilinged kitchen with the ‘see-through’ mezzanine leads onto a cosy television den, en route to the garden; it feels light and airy with a bespoke island that is more than three metres long, made of a seemingly seamless sleek Italian ceramic tile. ‘My wife’s only request in the kitchen was for a spacious work space,’ he says.

Upstairs, the master bedroom is refreshingly bare - apart from the double bed, all that occupies the space is a decorative sofa, allowing the focal point of the room to be the intricately restored gallarija. The dressing area is hidden behind a partition, which leads onto a capacious bathroom with original Maltese tiles, a dreamy bath tub and walk-in shower.

Main bedroom: An enormous room, a panel behind the bed helps manage the proportions. Furniture is minimal; other than the bed, the only other piece is an antique chair framed by two wall lights (see opening page) Bathroom: a luxuriously large space that combines old and new 035

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The garden with pool is a splendid medley of species, companion planting that allows the plants to grow in symbiosis. The initial design was created by Ray Forder Stent, an expatriate, retired garden designer and a friend. Though not large in terms of surface area, it is teeming with colour, layers and texture. ‘The making of the garden was the phase I enjoyed most,’ says the homeowner.

‘We hope to live in this house for the rest of our lives,’ he continues.

‘We feel this house is part of our family. We sit on the rooftop looking out across the garden walls towards the parish church dome; it’s silent, bright and still, the sun almost blinding despite it being winter, and a sense of contentment is conveyed, a connection to place that comes from transforming a house into a dream home by your own hand.’

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Garden: The focal point of the garden is the mature olive tree, under which the Alocasia, Philodendrons, ferns and various climbers thrive in the dappled shade. There’s the ubiquitous orange and lemon tree and five pencil cypresses, and one garden wall is a bright yellow, providing a tropical touch.

The travertine coping around the pool complements the rubble walls and concrete wall at the back, whilst the pool, which is less than two metres deep, is lain with black, grey and blue tiles, giving it a particular hue, darker and more alluring as a body of water than typical ‘pool blue’

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ONWARDS & UPWARDS An eclectic approach to design has created a new-build penthouse that’s full of character...

Designer: Ryan Calleja Photography: Gianluca Schembri, Ryan Calleja Words: Rachel Loos

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One long wall is painted a dark blue, ensuring the gilt frames of the gallery wall of paintings really stand out. The stairs are made from the same walnuttexture gres tile that is used for the upstairs flooring

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It was important to find a visual language that complemented the vast vertical space over the kitchen/dining space that the upper level created

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Wall art:The cement-tile artwork decorates what would otherwise be a bare white wall, its size mimicking the proportions of the single two-storey high vertical window that sits adjacent to the wall. To create the pattern, the tiles were laid on the floor and moved around until the clients liked what they saw

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ow do you downsize your home when the children have flown the nest? For many people the solution is to sell and buy somewhere smaller, but this independent couple chose a different path - they built on their existing maisonette to create a brand new penthouse for themselves, and at the same time, converted the maisonette into two apartments, one each for their children.

‘The clients had lived in their home, a typical maisonette, for 25 years,’ says Ryan Calleja who was responsible for the renovation. ‘To celebrate the silver anniversary of the building and their marriage, they decided they needed a change of pace - a smaller, more intimate space that best reflected the lifestyle that they envisaged for the rest of their life.’

The original plan was for a simple one-storey apartment, especially as the budget was tight, but as time when on the space expanded upwards. ‘But the extra volume needed to have some architectural quality that made the aesthetic experience of being within the place worth the extra effort and cost,’ says Ryan. ‘It was important to find a visual language that complemented the vast vertical space over the kitchen/dining space that the upper level created.’

Above: Upstairs, As well as a second bedroom and a small alcove for reading, the second floor features a bridge that gives access to the front and rear terraces Left: Living room, A mainly neutral space with a pop of colour thanks to the yellow armchair. The porcelain tiles on the floor and cladding around the fireplace are from Italian brand COEM and were carefully chosen for a look that was interesting but still worked as a background surface 041

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Above: Living room, A number of the apartment’s decorative touches have their origins in the maisonette such as the chunky column that acts as a support for the coffee table. The gilt-framed paintings are a collection that the homeowners have had for many years Chandelier: Hanging over the dining area, the statement chandelier acts as an artificial light source that forces the user to look upwards towards the bare concrete ceiling as well as the skylight. Custom-made, the height and placement of each element is a derivative of a downward spiral, and an algorithm was used to create a seemingly random pattern

This was done through a combination of both vertical and horizontal elements that balance each other out. ‘The verticality of the void, as well as a double-height window, a long, suspended chandelier and vertical tile wall were countered by horizontal elements such as the bridge that gives access to the front yard, and floating staircase,’ explains Ryan. ‘As well, both vertical and horizontal skylights and vertical shaft windows create a dynamic environment that changes throughout the day with the light.’

Beyond the architectural details, a bold decorating scheme also elevates the apartment into something special. A dark blue feature wall is the perfect backdrop for the couple’s collection of gilt-framed paintings and a large framed frieze of Maltese tiles reaches from the ground floor to the ceiling giving colour and interest to what would have otherwise been a vast blank wall. Elsewhere, chunky columns, that were part of the original decor in the maisonette, are used as supports for the coffee and dining tables.

‘Some of the design was governed by items

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that had sentimental value,’ says Ryan. ‘And other decisions were made in order to accentuate these major design features, all the while integrating a pop of colour that makes the space a bit more vibrant.’

One of the most difficult design decisions was choosing the flooring. ‘We went through hundreds of tile samples before settling on the parquet and main floor tiles,’ says Ryan. ‘We wanted to make sure that the vastness of the floor acted as a background to the rest of the furniture but without being visually boring. This decision was made even more important as the upper level gives a birds-eye view onto the living space.’

The build itself was relatively straightforward although the clients living in the building throughout the work added an extra dimension. ‘That created challenges bigger than I could have ever predicted such as keeping a constant supply of water,’ says Ryan. ‘It was also a self-build project, the clients, with myself helping some of the time, taking care of all the construction and most of the finishing works within the site. Luckily, a site visit was just two flights of stairs away!’

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Main bedroom: A faux panelled wall gives the room visual interest and painted a dark grey creates a sophisticated ambience that is accentuated by the custom-made buttoned headboard upholstered in an eco-friendly leather

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Dining: the original fireplace had to be kept for budget reasons so Sean created a visually interesting frame to cover it. The table is cantilevered which allows the mid-century modern style chairs to sit cleanly beneath it.

The concrete block at the end, hides niches for ice etc, and the inbuilt shelf gives added storage

Today, a year and a half later, the apartment is completed and the new arrangements suit everyone. ‘Taking the plunge and literally risking the roof over your head in order to pursue such a project was never an easy decision,’ says Ryan. ‘Yet, the excitement by which the clients describe their new dream home shows that it was worth it in the end.’

What is it like to live in their new home? ‘Every morning, we wake up to a view we love, brew a coffee in a kitchen we love as we sit around the dining table, looking upwards at the changing sunrise sky,’ say the homeowners. ‘ No matter what the day will bring, starting it off in a home you built, surrounded by the ones you love within a setting that truly reflects the lifestyle you always dreamed about is an experience that never grows stale. You only get to appreciate the power that a home can have on your life when you get to experience such a pleasure.’

Bathroom: A geometric pattern in the shower area gives the bathroom a chic decorative touch. The vanities are custommade of stained ash

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A PRIVATE LIFE A CAREFULLY CONSIDERED EXTENSION HAS CREATED A FAMILY HOME THAT OFFERS THE EPITOME OF MODERN LUXURY - LIGHT, QUIET, SPACE AND REAL PRIVACY Architecture: Andrew Vinci, Nicholas Tonna of VINCI Architects, MODEL Photography: Alan Carville, MAS Stylist: Monika Rutishauser Words: Rachel Loos Special thanks: ZARA Home, NEXT for styling items

As well as providing an insulating layer and shade, the faceted exterior throws ever-changing shadows throughout the day, and looks beautiful at night when back-lit

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tep through the front door of this house and the vista before you is unexpected. The simplicity of the front belies the ambitious architectural design that lies within, the first hint of which is the suspended staircase in the hallway, a beautiful sculptural piece that has as its backdrop the pool and garden beyond.

And it is from the rear garden that the property’s true character is fully revealed - two connected buildings, one old, one new, with strategically glazed apertures at the garden level that take advantage of the light and open up to allow for a relaxing indooroutdoor vibe.

However, the newer construction has been carefully orientated to ensure the impact of the summer sun is kept to a minimum, with the main living areas enjoying the morning rays from the east but shaded from the scorching heat of the afternoon. In addition, an overhanging perforated facade completely shades the kitchen area below it and the first floor circulation space behind, as well as adding an extra layer of insulation to the bedrooms.

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Above: Hallway, The staircase is made of painted steel square sections and wooden treads and has a beautiful sculptural feel.

The flagstones were individually cast out of concrete Adjacent page: Kitchen, with the ceiling raised, the room has a sense of lightness and airiness. The floor tiles are original and were polished. The kitchen island is of wood veneer with a Corian worktop. In need of a long cord length, the pendant lights were ordered internationally and re-wired

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The improved quality of life that this house and its surroundings allow really do contribute to our happiness

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Creating such a home, however, was not straightforward, and it is lucky that the homeowners, a family of three, was not daunted by the thought of a big renovation project because this house was certainly that. ‘What was interesting was the size of the property, its potential, the outdoor space as well as its orientation,’ says the homeowner, explaining what made them choose the abandoned house.

‘Also there was the prospect of a great deal of DIY!’ Tucked down a narrow alley way, the property is beautifully secluded but this meant materials had to be brought in by hand as there was not sufficient access for heavy machinery or cranes. An original 300-year-old building, it also consisted of numerous unattractive post-War additions that had eaten into the rear garden.

The renovation began with the removal of these additions to increase the

size of the garden even though this meant reducing the home’s footprint. ‘Private outdoor space has become a more valuable commodity than ever,’ explains Andrew Vinci of VINCI Architects who was responsible for the design.

This left just the original house made up of a ground floor and an upper level with only one room. To this was added the south-facing, double-height extension that took the garden as its starting point, and the ceiling of the original building was raised to allow for further bedrooms to be built. ‘The way the house opens up to the external spaces at the garden level contrasts strongly with the solid limestone volume of the upper bedroom levels,’ says Andrew. ‘This keeps the new build in context as it ties in with the simple limestone volumes of the surrounding vernacular buildings whilst also allowing for more privacy.’ Adds the homeowner:

‘The outside does not feel like an extension but truly part of the entire home as it can be appreciated from every room both visually and in practice.’

Inside, original walls are teamed with concrete floors for a pared back feel, the use of concrete linking the interior to the exterior facade. Where possible, materials were recycled including old doors and stones. ‘We found an old layer of patterned tiles under the existing floor and these were carefully removed and cleaned, and these together with plain tiles found from three other different sites in the property were cleaned and laid by yours truly to fill gaps in floor where openings were widened or walls removed,’ says the homeowner. ‘Steel frames from old beds were used to create part of the roll out staircase to the mezzanine and wood from an old table was used for the threads on the access ladder too.’

Above: Dining room, Adjacent and openplan to the kitchen, but with the original lower ceiling, is the main dining area.

The table is one of two original G-Plan dining tables which are used when the family entertain

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Adjacent page: Living room, Stone walls and a cement floor work together to give the room a relaxing ambience which is accentuated by views of the garden beyond. Much of the furniture here, and in the rest of the house, is vintage and has been sympathetically restored

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The improved quality of life that this house and its surroundings allow really do contribute to our happiness

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Above: Light play, The staircase is surrounded by pockets of light, both from the faceted exterior and from the port holes above Right: Bathroom, All upper rooms open on to the rear side of the faceted exterior, extending the geometric light patterns into the adjacent rooms, including this bathroom

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These stairs are a continuation of the striking staircase on the ground floor that’s made of painted steel square sections and wooden treads.

‘The challenge was to connect the upstairs and downstairs without wasting any space and finding a place for the stairs to connect the levels,’ says the homeowner.

The solution was to think beyond the usual staircase construction.

‘Working in suspension, the steel elements could be kept quite minimal and structurally light so although they are placed in front of a window with views onto the garden, it does not detract from the view as one enters the home,’ says Andrew.

The renovation took two years and Vinci Architects and the homeowners worked in partnership to create the home. ‘Having known one half of the couple for a number of years prior and how open he would be to the unconventional I knew from the outset that that I could deliver a truly personal project,’ says Andrew.

‘I think we worked really well together,’ adds the homeowner. ‘T’was a true labour of love and today, living here is fantastic. We love the light, the peace and the entertaining space and as the downstairs rooms allow access to the outside we enjoy a form of inside/outside of living all year round.

‘But the architecture aside, the improved quality of life that this house and its surroundings allow really do contribute to our happiness.

Nowadays it has become a luxury to have light, quiet and space. Having it wrapped in such a package is a bonus. We feel settled, and it is a space we can share with family and friends.’

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Bedrooms: The entire upstairs, including the master bedroom, have floors of poured concrete, creating a cool, calm feel

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KITCHENSPECIAL Planning a new kitchen this year? The next 16 pages feature the latest products and trends as well as real life kitchens for a wealth of inspiring ideas

VOLCANIC STYLE With doors made from lavastone that has been engraved, decorated and handcrafted by master craftsmen, combined with the sleekness of steel, the new Pompei kitchen by SCIC Italia is stunning.

The pattern on the doors is a reproduction of the city plan of Pompeii which was famously destroyed by a volcanic eruption, and depicts the Amphitheatre, the Street of Abundance and the House of the Labyrinth. Satariano

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KITCHEN NEWS SINK IN Ceramic sinks, once considered the preserve of farmhouse kitchens, now come in designs that fit a modern kitchen. The Subway collection, from Villeroy & Boch, is available in a variety of sizes - base unit widths of 45, 50, 60 and 80cm - and with built-in, undercounter and ush fitting models. The o u waste allows you to open and close the sink without getting your hands wet and a number of accessories that match the sinks are available such as recisely fitting wire baskets, roll u racks and cho ing boards.

Available in a variety of colours, the sinks are heat resistant and have high resistance to impact and scratches with a very low risk of damage. The eramic lus surface finish also rovides e tra hygiene and guarantees easy cleaning.

Bathroom Design

BLACK MAGIC Black taps are an on-trend feature in bathrooms and now they’re making an appearance in the kitchen where they are a smart contrast to ale coloured workto s and ceramic sinks. ridge above, left in matt black is new from orcelanosa athroom’s oken brand available from Satariano , combining a round s out, uadriform sha e and softened in a single lever kitchen mi er with an easy to use ull out handshower. t Bridgepoint above, right , this single lever kitchen mi er comes in electro lated black making a real statement in the kitchen.

STAR HOODS f, when watching arasite, the film that won est icture at the recent Oscars, you find yourself admiring the kitchen hoods in the seriously smart kitchen featured, the good news is that it is ossible to buy them. oth are from Italian brand Falmec and are available locally through Oxford House. The umen sland is a stainless steel hood with storage for containers and jars as well as ED stri s on both sides, which illuminate the surrounding environment. n the arasite kitchen, it works in tandem with the Altair, a 60cm ‘monobloc’ stainless steel model installed ne t to the wall units and above a second hob. lso with a ED lighting system located at the bottom of the hood, the two hoods enter in a ‘lights dialogue’ to hel create an atmos heric kitchen.

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NEW TKS BRANDS The Kitchen Store (TKS) has introduced two new brands to its offering. Stelton is a well-established Danish brand that produces stainless steel tabletop pieces including the iconic Cylinda collection designed

by Arne Jacobsen and EM77 vacuum ug by Erik Magnussen.

Quite different is Zoku which produces colourful drinkware, frozen moulds and colourful food storage containers that are made from materials that are microwave, free er and dishwasher safe.

IN THE ROUND Erika, one of the best-selling models from ARAN Cucine’s collection, has recently undergone a significant makeover in time for the major kitchen trade show, EuroCucina 2020, that’s held in April. It now features numerous different elements as well as finishes, making it a furniture system’ that can be ut together to create a variety of combinations. One of the most significant changes is the introduction of soft, rounded lines including rounded doors. Dino Fino

NEW KITCHEN CONCESSION Orienta, the furniture and furnishings store, has recently expanded to include a kitchen de artment, e clusively offering kitchens from talian company Spagnol Cucine. With models in both classic contemporary styles and more modern looks, the range includes the new Miami, an industrialchic style with vintage ins iration, that’s designed for large s aces and works well in an o en lan living area. t Orienta, trained staff will hel with your design, and D visuals and a full colour com osition will hel you visualise the finished kitchen.

TERRACOTTA TIME > ZARA HOME’s spring/summer 2020 kitchenware range - its second seasonal collection after launching last autumn includes this elegant terracotta collection that includes mixing bowls, oven dishes and jars. The kitchenware range merges Spanish and French rustic styles and also includes cooking utensils, textiles, accessories such as chopping boards and small appliances by Smeg.

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Also new from Bridgepoint is the three-way catering tap, a stylish industrial style ta that can now have the reverse osmosis system connected directly to it delivering ure drinkable water from the bottom rotatable spout.

Creating spaces worth living in.

Triq Tal-Balal, San Gwann SGN 9016 - Malta +356 21 444 110 +356 79 378 011

info@brands.com.mt www.brands.com.mt

WITHOUT US

IT’S JUST A KITCHEN

Fino Buildings, Triq I-Imdina Zone 4 Central Business District, Birkirkara CBD 4010, Malta I www.fino.com.mt I info@fino.com.mt I T: 25493000

KITCHEN SPECIAL

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Take inspiration from these real life kitchens that showcase a range of materials, patterns and colours...

BOX CLEVER The similar-sized cupboards of this kitchen give it a pared back look that, combined with the paleness of the wood, complements the concrete as well as not dominating the living room in the open-plan space

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WINDOW TREATMENT

A large picture window brings the green of the garden into the kitchen space, the black frame working with the deep grey of the units below.

In contrast, the island in a blonde wood with the pendant lights in clear glass, gives a lighter feel

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COOL, CALM, & CURATED

Although not large, this kitchen packs a lot in with an island doubling as storage, work surface and breakfast bar. A long wooden shelf is a warm accent to the grey with cookbooks and other personal objects adding character 063

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MIX IT UP

Made up of long wooden tables with shelving beneath, this com letely unfitted kitchen uses a variety of patterned tiles and different textures to create a chic laidback look

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Above left: FADE

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TO BLACK

Black walls make the white crockery and blue pots stand out while the black island brings out the sculptural quality of the stools, together creating a kitchen that has a strikingly dramatic mood Above: MADE

TO MEASURE

A small kitchen is kept uncluttered with everything except the hob and sink contained behind cupboards without handles so nothing breaks the sleek look.

The table and dark chairs are a contrast in darker shades and add warmth and a luxurious feel Left: BLUE

MOOD

Glossy blue injects a sense of richness and luxury that complements the chandelier and is an interesting design contrast to the rest of the space

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LOOKING GOOD

What’s hot in the kitchen? Here’s the lowdown on the latest trends...

THE TWO-TONE LOOK Teaming two different colours or materials together adds an interesting twist. Opt for darker colours and bright accents; if you prefer a more minimal look, white and blonde wood looks chic and, as seen in the Milano kitchen by Italian brand Veneta (from Fino), offers differing textures too.

IN SYNC The open-plan living space has seen kitchens become more integrated into the wider living space, either through a pared back kitchen style or taking details from the kitchen and introducing them into the rest of the room. From Italian kitchen company, Arredo3, the Meg kitchen (from Form, above) does the latter, incorporating elements of the kitchen such as the distinctive door and polished brass handles into media units and sideboards. Quite different in look is this bespoke architectdesigned kitchen in Valencia, made from Porcelanosa’s new material Krion (from Satariano, right), the sleek outward facing units containing shelving for books and decorative objects.

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WONDERFUL WOOD Wood and wood-veneer have become a favourite for creating kitchens that feel warm and tactile as seen with this Roble Torrefacto kitchen by Porcelanosa. Pale and golden tones along with a subtle grain work particularly well with stone, both natural and synthetic.

Satariano

MERLOT MAGIC Bold colours are a 2020 trend and wine-inspired shades of red create a warm feel as can been seen in the Nobilia kitchen. Teamed with black and chrome accents, it feels chic as well as fun.

Oxford House

THE CURATED KITCHEN Open shelving began this trend that is all about giving kitchens a styled look using accessories. In this kitchen - Aster Cucine’s Avenue kitchen - shorter, more managable shelves store kitchen utensils but are decorated with artworks and books, adding charcater and a sense of warmth and comfort. A decorative element can also be added with glazed cabinets that allow serveware and glassware to be displayed, and is a look that works equally well in sleeker kitchens as well as those with a more traditional feel. Brands 071

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LARDER LOVE The larder, or pantry, has come out of the history books and into contemporary kitchens. It is now a modern must-have - storing foodstuffs in one place rather than in numerous cupboards makes menu planning and shopping, as well as cooking, more organised and efficient.

Larders also mean fewer wall units leaving space for shelving or a blank wall that can be decorated with a piece of art, creating a less functional look and linking the design to the rest of the house - especially good in an open-plan space.

Larders can be designed to fit the size and style of your kitchen. The simplest form is a tall drawer than

can be pulled out to reveal shelves containing groceries.

Others feature pull out drawers or a combination of shelving and drawers with door shelving for storing bottles, tea/coffee and herbs and spice. More complex versions can include interior lighting shelving, a wine rack and even electric power points for appliances.

You can integrate the larder into the kitchen or make a design feature by having it as a freestanding piece of furniture, and even paint it a different colour.

As well as storing food stuffs, one space for appliances and which allows them to be hidden away, is growing in popularity as designers seek to remove clutter from work surfaces.

With the Lounge kitchen system from Veneta Cucine’s Essence collection, cupboard doors, available in a range of veneers, pull back to reveal deep storage drawers, shelving and an extra concealed workspace.

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Aster Cucine’s open and slide larder includes storage for appliances, as well as drawers and a worktop.

There is also a bar option.

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GO LONG Horizontal wall cabinets create a less blocky feel, especially in smaller spaces. Here, in this version of the Miami kitchen by Spagnol Cucine, the units have been broken up by open shelves, the pops of bright colour adding visual interest. Orienta

DEEP BLUE Inky blues have emerged as a strong colour for 2020, the darker shade softer than grey and black but still sophisticated.

It looks particularly good teamed with a light-coloured worktops or pale wood, both of which can be seen in the Bristol kitchen

by German brand Häcker that combines wood and glass for contemporary country style.

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INDUSTRIAL The industrial look continues to be strong with details such as metal shelving, as seen here in this Kronus kitchen, proving popular. This kitchen also features titanium-painted aluminium frame with laminate, HPL, Fenix-NTMÂŽ, wood, glass or Laminam panel with integrated grip handles. Form 073

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WHICH WORK SURFACE? The kitchen worktop is a key buy and now there is a wide variety of surfaces available which can make selecting the right one a difficult choice. So, how do you start? Budget will certainly play a part. Also important is taking into account what kind of use the kitchen top will have. Do you want to put hot dishes straight onto it, do you want it to be stain-resistant, and how much maintenance are you prepared to do?

Finally, the worktop needs to complement the style of your kitchen, whether it be sleekly modern or more traditional in style

CARANTO: New to the market is the Caranto worktop from Veneta Cucine. There are two types available - Caranto Ker and Caranto Quartz.

Caranto Ker is a ceramic made from a mixture of natural materials such as quartz and feldspathic sands and clays, with the addition of metal oxide pigments. With colour that does not fade, it is heat and shock resistant, and the surface is also extremely resistant to scratching. The top is hygienic too. Caranto Quartz is made of a quartz agglomerate, and is highly resistant to scratching, and chemicals. Non-porous, it is easy to clean as no dirt can penetrate the surface. The Dolomite (semi-matt) finish re uires slightly more care for cleaning and maintenance. Fino Pictured is Caranto Quartz Andromeda 074

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Here’s what you need to know about the most popular materials...

QUARTZ: Non-porous in composition that prevents the build up of dirt, mould and damp, quartz is a very hygienic work surface making it a good choice for families with young children. It’s also very durable and easy to keep clean, and available in a range of colours and textures.

GRANITE: Extremely durable and resistant to heat, scratches, water and staining, granite is easy to maintain and keep clean. Each piece has its own pattern and it comes in a variety of colours, and adds a luxury feel to a kitchen.

SYNTHETIC STONE: Most often made of acrylic or polyester resins, these include DuPont™ orian which can be cut to fit almost any shape and can be easily blended into splashbacks and waterfall island features, providing a stylish seamless finish. on orous, it is resistant to stains, mildew and germs and scratches can easily be buffed out.

WOOD: Adding rustic charm and warmth, wood worktops range from dark walnut shades to light oak finishes. solid wood workto with an oil finish is long-lasting but does need a certain amount of maintenance, especially in areas that come into contact with water such as around a sink.

KRION® Solid Surface: From Porcelanosa, KRION® Solid Surface withstands both high and low temperatures and is also stain-resistant. A hypoallergenic and antibacterial material, it’s available in more than 100 colours, has a smooth texture and can be cut to fit any sha e to create a continuous surface without joints. Satariano SILESTONE: a compound made up of 90 per cent natural quartz so it is extremely hard and resilient. It is resistant to scratching, stains, acids and knocks, and is also a bacteriostatic surface (ensuring bacteria do not proliferate on the surface). Silestone comes in more than 90 colours including Blanco Zeus, a pure white that gives a kitchen a highly luxurious feel. Halmann Vella DEKTON: an ultracompact surface made via a high-tech process that creates an accelerated version of the metamorphic change that natural stone undergoes when subjected to high temperatures and pressure over thousands of years. Dekton it is resistant to UV, heat and cold, scratches and stains, is water-proof and being non-porous, is hygienic too.

It comes in a variety of colours, one of the latest being Trillium (pictured left) that’s inspired by the industrialized look of oxidized steel. Using 60 percent recycled materials, it is a mix of volcanic shades of grey, brown and deep black, for an almost metallic effect, and is unexpectedly smooth to the touch. Halmann Vella INFINITY SURFACES: : available in large slabs in sizes up to 1620×3240 mm, and thicknesses of 6mm, 12mm and 20mm. The slabs, such as Calacatta Oro pictured, are composed exclusively of natural minerals and raw materials from controlled and certified uarries. These are the same components of granite which are sintered at a temperature of 1230°C to create a new compact and water roof material. nfinity Surfaces are long-lasting, and free of adhesives and resins, and come in three finishes olished, satin and matt.

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KITCHEN CLEVER Very different briefs and kitchens - the stories behind two cooking spaces

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SCANDI STYLE A pared-back look using natural materials

The idea was to use simple and humble materials in a way that showcased good custom design rather than using ostentatious luxury fittings

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When Hermen and Olga Albers bought this 110square metre apartment it was a shell. In giving VK Design Studio their brief, the couple asked for an open space that was a mixture of contemporary and Scandinavian styles - and this meant the kitchen too.

‘It had to be compact on the outside, spacious on the inside and well-integrated with the rest of the living space, with a clean, natural, Nordic feel,’ explains Hermen. ‘We wanted it to be easy to move around in and be suitable for a family with a young child; definitely low maintenance. Sure, open shelving can be nicely styled and may look very appealing, but it’s a hassle to clean.’

Neither he or Olga are into cooking but, he says, ‘we enjoy spending time at home and our living space has to be both aesthetically pleasing and practical in order for us to feel good in it. Most of the kitchens in Malta we used over the years made us feel like jumping out the window - we found those in rental apartments to be cheap, ugly, as if an afterthought in the overall planning process. Only when you pay thousands and thousands of euros per month in rent you can perhaps expect a decent kitchen design and even then they’re hard to come by.’

In meeting the brief, VK Design Studio made the kitchen the centrepiece of the open-plan living space. ‘Kitchens these days are often the central hub of the home,’ says Violet Kulewska from the interior architecture and furniture design practice. ‘I reconfigured the existing layout by removing part of a wall to help improve the flow into and around the kitchen area.’

The sink and hub, with ample workspace are along one wall, while an island with storage, and from which extends a table, has been placed centre stage.

Appliances are kept out of sight in shelving around the corner for an uncluttered feel.

Made bespoke by ChillisChilli, the kitchen is made from high-quality birch marine plywood with acrylic worktops, with the natural quality of the plywood juxtaposed by painted grey, the ‘cloudy’ grey shade of the worktop a bridge between the two. ‘The idea was to use simple and humble materials in a way that showcased good custom design rather than using ostentatious luxury fittings,’ says Violet. ‘And the birch plywood brings a sense of cohesiveness to the entire apartment.’

The family love the end result. ‘We’ve never lived in a space before that was designed specifically for us, for our needs, with great attention to detail, a space where everything simply makes sense,’ says Hermen.

‘The positive impact on our lives is definitely greater than we could have imagined.’

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Even if it’s not because someone is hungry or wants a cup of tea - we just enjoy being in here as it is full of natural light with a view of the garden and open to the dining area and living room

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A ROOM FOR EVERYONE A family kitchen for cooking, eating and just hanging around For Lisa Zammit, the kitchen was key to her newly renovated home. ‘It was the first room I started planning once I had the amended floor plans and the alteration began,’ she says. ‘For me it has always been the most important room in the house, where everyone gathers and a lot of time is spent. I wanted it to be a space where I could cook, eat but also where the children can do their homework, crafts, play board games... A place where even if we are all doing separate things we can still be together.’

Before she chose her kitchen, Lisa did a lot of research, even attending a kitchen design workshop. ‘I wanted a kitchen that was practical and functional,’ she says. ‘So the main area, appliances and working space needed to be close to each other and for there to be a good work triangle. I have a small sink on the island where the chopping and prep happens, and that’s right beside the hob and ovens. Other details include having the fridge open to the left for easier access while we’re at the “tea station” (the kettle is overused in our house!) and where breakfast is prepared.

‘I also wanted plenty of storage - the columns, for example, are pull outs, plus there are extra smaller cupboards above standard height units, plus a shallow cupboard unit that’s used as a pantry and shelving for cookery books etc, that fits in the narrower space of the room. As I have pendant lights above the seating area, I wanted a downdraft extractor hood.’

Having done her research, Lisa started looking at real kitchens. ‘I must have seen about eight different brands and got quotations and I even thought of having it custom-made,’ she says. ‘I was even very close to confirming one at the time but then I happened to visit Brands International to see their outdoor decking options and came face to face with this kitchen in their showroom!

‘It was exactly what I was looking for and matched the style of the rest of the house. I was after a classic contemporary style and other kitchens I saw were either too modern or too rustic with elaborate panelling.

‘This was simple yet had certain details I liked. It was also lacquered which I also found hard to find - often panelled doors have wood grain finish.’

In fact, to create Lisa’s kitchen, Brands International used two different models of Italian brand, Aster Cucine. ‘Aster offers a high level of customisation which allows us to create a truly tailored and unique kitchen design,’ says Emma Mercieca Cristiano from Brands International. ‘For Lisa, using two different models - the transitional style Avenue and the more traditional Opera - allowed us to create the curved columns and the detailed cornices. The detail is also extended to the framed side panels on the island, to create a continuous flow with the stark geometric patterns of the framed doors.’

The colours and details were carefully chosen. ‘Light grey cabinetry was used on the island whilst white lacquered cabinets were used for the rest of the kitchen, the lighter background retaining the natural light that flows through the kitchen. The style of handle chosen softens the geometric rigour of the units, with gentle lines.’

Today, the kitchen is Lisa’s favourite room in the house, and even the children enjoy cooking. ‘As predicted, it is the room we spend most time in.

Even if it’s not because someone is hungry or wants a cup of tea - we just enjoy being in here as it is full of natural light with a view of the garden and open to the dining area and living room.’

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TOP TABLES

These chic tables will add style and elegance to any dining space...

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1. SLIM: By Sovet Italia, this extendable table is available in a variety of finishes in ceramic ictured and lac uered glass, with an aluminium frame and legs also available in a number of finishes. Form 2. BLANC D’IVOIRE NINO: Expresso oak dining table ainted in an oak finish with a brass finish on the lower art. round the table are lara e resso ash dining chairs, u holstered in velvet with a er cent olyester foam base and back. Finesse 3. AX: n e tending table designed by ino arollo for onaldo, it’s available in four si es, with either a to of lac uered white matt, oak or walnut, glass or ceramic stone that resembles marble. The legs are also available in a variety of ainted matt shades or with a burnished finish. Form

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4. IKON: This e tendable table by attelan talia features a mm e tra clear tem ered glass base and gra hite beam. The to and e tensions are available in analetto walnut, burned oak or natural oak with irregular solid wood edges. FINO

KITCHEN SPECIAL

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1. TEAK ROOT: Made from reclaimed teak roots and with a glass top that allows the beauty of the handcrafted base to shine through, this dining table makes a striking focal point. Granny Smith Furniture & Interiors 2. OBI: Available in two sizes, this table by Sangiacomo is available in a ceramic (pictured), glass and wood top with a lacquered metal finish. Satariano 3. BARONE: By Bontempi Casa, this round table features a stunning curved metal frame with four feature legs that intertwine with one another. This is complemented by striking lacquered wood. Joinwell 4. OTTAWA: Award-winning table by Karim Rashid in dark oak veneer that’s hand-selected primarily from Canadian forests. The table is available in 2 extendable versions. BoConcept

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SHOP See Address Book on page 095 for stockist information

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1. Meet Patricia, one of the Night Collection Super Beds. Patricia is available in any colour of your choice and includes a storage system which can now be opened with a remote control rather than by pulling up and down on a string to access your storage compartment. As well, Patricia also comes with Remote Adjustable Head and Foot areas for excellent comfort and functionality. Mattress Collection | 2.Durable, safe and practical, mixers change the direction of the water and make working in the kitchen enjoyable and easy. Maestro by VITRA is a new mixer that brings freedom of movement to kitchens thanks to its hand shower. Also new is the Maestro Pro which has a rotating spring outlet that moves 360 degrees. The stainless steel sink mixer Inox Pull Out does not get smudged by fingerprints. VIVO | 3. The GROHE Sense system monitors humidity, detects water leaks and instantly alerts you, shutting off the water automatically. alfredhili.com | 4. Astro is a fan heater, an air purifier and a wonderful furnishing element that effortlessly brings warmth where it is needed and, most of all, fresh, clean air. S&S Bathrooms 082

See Address Book on page 095 for stockist information

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1. Bring a touch of class and style to your table with the Madame de Polignac tableware, its elegant décor inspired by an 18th century French ornament. Finesse | 2.

Tea cups, Madame de Polignac, €34 set of 2 cups, Finesse | 3. Handcrafted, ceramic, modern sculpture of a dolphin by Lineasette. €100. Finesse | 4. Maty’s handmade scented candle made from 100% healthy, natural, soy wax. €89. Finesse | 5. A wonderful range of dining, hall, side and lamp tables in various shapes and sizes. €275.

GrannySmithShop | 6. Philips EasyTouch plus Standing Garment Steamer. Vertically de-wrinkle previously ironed clothes from the cupboard Crosscraft | 7. BeoSound Shape is a wall-mounted wireless speaker system for design conscious music lovers, delivering immersive sound staging, a customisable design and integrated noise dampers for improved room acoustics. Based on a modular tile concept, BeoSound Shape is designed to provide ultimate creative freedom. Whatever the setting, we will let you define the size, colours and even the sound performance to match. Astral See Address Book on page 095 for stockist information

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TIME OUT FOOD TRAVEL OUTSIDE IN GARDENS

FOOD TRAVEL

SUSTAINABLE SHOPPING

With its use of natural materials, pots of trailing plants and light, airy but functional feel, ReRoot, Malta’s first zero waste, plastic-free shop, certainly feels like a breath of fresh air. ‘We wanted to create a space that was not only welcoming and fun to shop and learn in, but also which sparked people’s interest and curiosity,’ says Christina Farrugia, one of ReRoot’s co-founders.

Everything on sale in the Iklin shop is an eco-friendly and sustainable alternative to everyday products that include homeware such as cushions, bowls and storage baskets. ‘All our products are either reusable, recyclable, compostable or refillable and plastic free,’ says Christina. www.rerootmalta.com

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Spring Feeling Tuck into the new season with these delicious but easy-to-make recipes

Recipes: Alain James Grech, Chef Patron, The Chef’s Table, Bugibba Wine recommendations: Georges Meekers, Emmanuel Delicata Winemaker Photographer and stylist: MAS Special thanks: All tablewear from BUTLERS (This page, Cured Salmon - recipe on page 089) 086

FOOD & WINE

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CORN-FED CHICKEN FRICASSEE

with mushrooms, tarragon, peas and broad beans Serves 4

INGREDIENTS 2 whole corn-fed chickens 400g brown mushrooms 80g dried porcini 1 carrot 1 celery stick 1 white onion 1 sprig thyme 1 bay leaf

2 cloves garlic 100ml double cream 1 tarragon leaf 1tsb olive oil 1 nob butter 100g frozen peas 100g fresh broad beans bottled water

METHOD Joint each chicken into 6-8 pieces or ask the butcher to do it for you.

Use the carcasses to make a chicken stock - add enough water just to cover them. Simmer on low heat along with the onion, garlic, carrot, celery, thyme and bay leaf, for 3 hours. Once the stock is done, pre-heat the oven to 180°C. Fry the chicken pieces in the olive oil in a non-stick pan until the skin is nicely caramelised. Place the pieces on a baking tray and place them in the oven for 15 minutes. In the pan in which you fried the chicken, fry the mushrooms and the porcini with the butter, deglazing the pan. Add 200ml of the chicken stock and reduce by half.

Blanch the peas and broad beans in the stock until medium-soft. Add the double cream and the chicken pieces and reduce a little. Finish with fresh tarragon, peas and broad beans.

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APPLE AND CUSTARD TART with vanilla ice cream Serves 8

INGREDIENTS For the pastry: 250g plain flour 50g caster sugar 125g butter 1 whole egg

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For the filling: 200ml cream 2 whole eggs 80g sugar 1 vanilla pod 4 red apples 1 cinnamon stick For the glaze: Sprinkle of caster sugar

METHOD The pastry Place all the ingredients in a food processor, then pulse until crumbly. Remove to a bowl and knead by hand until it forms a dough.

Cover in cling film and rest in the fridge for 1 hour. Open the dough and place on a round baking tray and rest in the fridge for a further hour. Preheat the oven to 160°C. Fit the pastry into a greased, 23cm fluted tart tin and then blind bake for 20 minutes.

The filling On a low heat, bring the cream, vanilla pod

and cinnamon stick to the boil, then take off the heat. Remove the cinnamon; empty the vanilla seeds from the vanilla pod into the mixture. Discard the vanilla pod. In a separate bowl whisk the eggs and the sugar. Add the boiled cream mixture to the eggs and whisk slowly until mixed. Peel and slice the apples.

Arrange the sliced apple on the partly baked tart and then cover with the custard mix.

Bake again for 30 minutes at 160°C. Leave to cool, then cut and glaze with sugar for a brûlée effect. Serve with vanilla ice-cream and caramelised pistachios.

FOOD & WINE

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CURED SALMON

with beetroot and wasabi yogurt

Serves 4 For the salmon Ingredients 500g salmon fillet ‘skin on’ 150g sugar 20g toasted fennel seeds 300g salt Method Mix the salt, sugar and fennel seeds and in a tray, coat the salmon.

Leave covered in the fridge for 24 hours. When ready to serve, rinse the salmon with cold water. Discard skin and thinly slice from the skin side.

For the beetroot Ingredients 2 beetroots 100ml balsamic vinegar

60g sugar 50ml water

Method Trim and thinly slice one beetroot. Curl the slices to form a cone.

Cut the other beetroot in half. Take one half and cut into small cubes and boil them in water until soft. In a saucepan, place the beetroot trimmings, balsamic vinegar, sugar and water and cook gently until soft. Reserve the liquid and place the beetroot cubes and slices in it, and leave for 1 hour. Blend the other half of the beetroot to make a puree and leave it to cool in the fridge.

For the yoghurt Ingredients 160ml Greek yogurt Wasabi paste Pinch of salt Method Mix together all the ingredients and place in a piping bag. Plate up by placing three slices of salmon on a plate. Dress with the picked beetroot slices, cubes, and purée, and dot on the wasabi yogurt. For extra colour add cress and blanched broad beans. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil.

GEORGES’ FAVOURITE

Wine Pairings CURED SALMON

2019 VICTORIA HEIGHTS SHIRAZ ROSÉ, SUPERIOR, D.O.K. GOZO

(LEFT)

Beetroot imparts some earthiness and sweetness which counteracts the slight oiliness of the salmon whereas this serious gourmet rosé harmonises everything with the yogurt. Enjoy the wine’s bright floral aromas and flavours of red summer fruits. The crisp wine, the fashionable Goziton rosé par excellence, adds the equivalent of a fresh squeeze of lemon.

CORN-FED CHICKEN FRICASSEE 2018 MEDINA SYRAH, CARIGNAN, MOURVEDRE, I.G.T. MALTESE ISLANDS

(MIDDLE)

In the Loire, fricassée de poulet is served with light reds or even semi-dry whites. If you opt for red with chicken, then uncork this lighter blend which is ideal for spring-sipping. It’s an attractive unoaked red with heaps of kitchen garden aromas and generous black fruit. Medina Syrah, Carignan, Mourvèdre isn’t big or bold, deep or rich, but surprisingly more-ish.

APPLE AND CUSTARD TART (RIGHT)

2017, GRAND VIN DE HAUTEVILLE MOSCATO, D.O.K. MALTA

This voluptuous pudding wine is stacked in all the right places. Sweet spices and flavours of poached pears and ripe apple make up this extroverted beauty’s core fruit. I’ll unreservedly sip this complex lush white with big bites of the custard tart before spooning up the ice cream.

Serve well-chilled and indulge.

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HW TRAVEL

The Olympic Games have thrown a spotlight on Japan’s capital, arguably one of the world’s most exciting cities Words: Rachel Loos

Shibuya crossing: now a major tourist atraction, at peak time up to 3000 people cross at the one time

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>TOKYO CALLING Top: Harajuku Tokyo's capital of kawaii (cute), this area of the city is the place for rainbow coloured foods, crazy cafes as well as boutiques selling Japanese streetwear, modern fashion and vintage Above: Memory lane Stuffed full of tiny ramshackle restaurants serving izakaya (grilled meat and seafood), enjoy a very Japanese dining experience

T

his summer, when the Olympic Games come to Tokyo, it will be the Japanese capital’s second time as host. It last held the games in 1964 and being awarded the sporting tournament was a game-changer for the city. n the five years after winning the bid, an enormous amount of investment was poured into Tokyo, completely transforming it. A sprawl of largely ugly architecture was replaced by 10,000 modern buildings; 100 kilometres of su erhighways were created along with kilometres of new subway lines, four new five star hotels and perhaps, most iconic, the billion-dollar Shinkansen bullet train.

A city that was blighted by its role in the Second World War and the destruction that came with it, was born anew - and it hasn’t looked back since. Today, Tokyo is one of the world’s most exciting cities, a fascinating blend of tradition and modernity, metropolis and nature - a skyline of towering buildings that leads to eye to snow-covered Mount Fuji, bustling streets where pedestrian crossings are tourist attractions but where one is never far from tranquil gardens and temples.

Games or no Games, Tokyo is a city that should be on everyone’s bucket list.

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Clockwise from top: The Imperial Palace behind high walls; the Salon de Thé ROND at the National Art Centre; Meiji Shrine among 100,000 trees; Shibuya streets are a riot of colour; department store food halls are a must-see, especially Takashimaya

WHAT TO SEE Ginza: So much of Tokyo is lit up by giant moving and often, talking, advertising hoardings but they’re particularly eye-catching in the upmarket shopping district of Ginza.

Here, one square metre of land is said to be valued at over ten million yen (€82,000) so not surprisingly it’s the home of Chanel, Gucci, and the 10-storey Bulgari Ginza tower, home to the largest Bulgari store in the world.

Drop into iconic department Ginza Wako; another mustvisit is Ginza Six, an enormous mall with 241 shops within a architecturally striking interior. Tokyu Plaza Ginza department store has an open rooftop for sweeping views of the city.

If you love stationery, then put Itoya (www.ito-ya.co.jp/ en on your list over oors, it is filled with wonderful things to do with paper and pens. Shopping is tax-free for foreigners in Ginza, so do shop with your passport in hand.

Shibuya & Harajuku: only in Japan could an intersection become a major tourist attraction but this one in the bustling district of Shibuya is definitely worth seeing at eak time up to 3000 people cross at the one time. Watch the action from on high at the nearby Starbucks or Shibuya train station, and then join the throng as you make your way to Tokyo Hands (tokyu-hands.co.jp), a lifestyle and hobby store that appears to sells anything and everything over seven storeys. gain stationery is strong, but don’t miss the beauty oor.

Nearby is Takeshita Street in an area called Harajuku - this is Tokyo’s capital of kawaii (cute) and is lots of fun.

This is the place to tuck into a grilled cheese rainbow sandwich, ice-cream panda bears and matcha Kit Kats, stroke cats in a cat cafe and hedgehogs in a hedgehog cafe, and join the swarms of teens in photobooths that allow you to manipulate your image. It’s also where you’ll find a anese streetwear as well as e cellent vintage sho s.

Get off the main street where it immediately becomes 092

uieter, and you’ll find interesting fashion bouti ues too.

Nearby is Yoyogi Park, the site of the 1964 Olympic Park and now the city’s largest green space and a lovely place to catch your breath. Buy a bento lunch and enjoy a picnic. To the north, amongst the forest of 100,000 trees, is Meiji Shrine, (meijijingu.or.jp), an atmospheric Shinto shrine dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his consort Empress Shoken. Take part in typical Shinto activities such as making offerings at the main hall, buying charms and amulets or writing out one's wish on an ema (wooden plate) in the hope that it comes true.

Nihonbashi: the oldest district in Tokyo dates back to the city’s Edo period (1603 - 1867) but it’s now the commercial district where historic buildings are rare. However, still trading are many little shops that have centuries-long histories and continue Japan’s traditions such as washi paper making, the handcrafting of knives, along with selling lacquerware, kimonos and fans. rab a guide to the area from the tourist office or ask for a tour, led by a kimono-clad, English-speaking guide, at the Nihonbashi Information Centre (nihonbaski-info.jp/omotenashi).

Culture: The National Art Centre (nact.jp/english) is an architectural gem with a rolling program of international exhibitions. When there, take tea at the Salon de Thé ROND and do visit the museum shop.

Different in style is Espace Vuitton (espacelouisvuittontokyo. com) , a glass box atop the Louis Vuitton building with great modern art - and great views.

Ginza used to be a meeting place for arty types back in the day, and some of that legacy remains with the various art galleries dotted around the neighbourhood, many of which are free to enter. t allery Shukado www. a anese finearts. com) see a wide variety of Japanese paintings and ukiyo-e (traditional woodblock prints) and at 1930s Okuno Building there are about small galleries over the four oors.

Noh is classical Japanese theatre involving music, dance

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Clockwise from top at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel en oy the view from the s a and the double height Sky obby the hotel s Michelin starred Tapas Molecular B restaurant with seating for just eight and dishes that are weird, wonderful - and delicious

and drama that dates back to the 14th century. At the Suigian (suigian.jp), enjoy sushi and sake as you take in a performance.

To see kabuki, the classical-style dance, head to the famous Kabuki-za Theatre (www.kabuki-za.co.jp) that’s a reconstruction of the original 19th century building.

The Imperial Palace is the main residence of Japan’s Imperial Family, now Emperor Naruhito and his family.

Surrounded by a moat and stone wall, it is not possible to enter the buildings or inner palace gardens, but outer landscaped gardens with ponds and bridges, acer trees and forests of bamboo make for a pleasant half day.

FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD Top notch sushi is everywhere from tiny neighbourhood sushi bars (look for those with a queue outside) to Michelinstarred restaurants that are almost impossible to get into (try pocket-concierge.jp/en). Alternatively, head to Tsuga Sushimasa which has been serving u beautifully re ared raw fish for three generations, teaming it with red wine vinegar for a uni ue avour rakicho, Shin uku ku tel .

For brilliant yakitori (chicken) book one of the two seatings per night at Torioka in the cool Roppongi Hills area for the fi ed menu of skewers that goes head to tail Ro ongi Hills West Walk , Ro ongi, Minato ku .

Take one of just eight seats at the Michelin-starred Ta as Molecular , the bar style restaurant on the th oor of the Mandarin Oriental hotel and over two hours be delighted by utterly delicious dishes that smoke, e lode and fi , each course aired with the erfect glass of wine or mocktail (mandarinoriental.com). ltogether different is eating at Omoide okocho (Memory Lane), a historic series of alleys, today decorated with red paper lanterns and cherry blossom lights, stuffed full of tiny ramshackle restaurants serving izakaya (grilled meat and seafood). Grab a table where you can, and eat

alongside the locals (from sumo wrestlers to salarymen) as well as tourists shin uku omoide.com english inde .html .

Try craft sake at Gem at Moto (ask for their recommendation) accompanied by delicious small eats such as spring rolls and ham cutlets with blue cheese (gembymoto.gorp.jp).

Many department store food halls (depachika) are a wonderful sight but Takashimaya (takashimaya-global.com/ en/) is amazing - feast your eyes on beautifully crafted desserts, sweets and cakes as well as bento bo es.

Sembikiya-Sohonten (sembikiya.co.jp/lang/en) sells the most perfectly formed fruit you will ever see. Prices are e traordinary but the sho is mesmerising. or market charm, head to Tsuki i Outer Market. The old fish market has moved but the the narrow streets are still packed with restaurants as well as shops selling everything from traditional knives to bonito tuna akes.

WHERE TO STAY or an e tra s ecial, five star e erience, check into the Mandarin Oriental Tokyo. lift whisks you u to check in on the th oor of the esar elli designed tower and from that point, the views are breath-taking - gaze across Tokyo from your enormous room, the many restaurants and bars and even the spa, where you can enjoy the pool with a view.

Dine like a gourmand without leaving the building - the 12 restaurants include a pizza counter that has a Bib Gourmand rating, along with Sense, a renowned antonese restaurant. or a very a anese e erience, stay in a ryokan, a traditional Japanese guesthouse furnished with tatami mats, futon beds and low tables on which you eat your ty ical a anese meal. Have a rela ing bath in a hot s ring and then sli into a ukata, a cotton kimono.

Find a ryokan through the Japan National Tourism Organi ation www. a an.travel en uk or the a an Ryokan and Hotel Association (www.ryokan.or.jp/english/) 093

HOMEWORKSDIRECTORY.COM

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Distinct Homes o o n aul S r i oria, o o 2 23 dina Rd, 2 3 23 www dis in om s om m

, ard

Eclecticist Triq il i ali, ard 8 www.facebook.com/eclecticist.eu Fino ino uildin s, No a il Road, 2 3 www ino om m

ri

l

Flamant a a Ti n , T oin , Sli ma 23 3 a oo laman al a Form Triq il i d Ta sida, sida 2144 6000. www.form.com.mt Granny Smith 8 , Triq San awl, Naxxar 2 8 8 www rann smi om Grey & Adler Triq Toni a ada, Naxxar 2 www r andadl r om Joinwell Ltd ill S r , ormi 22 8 2 www oinw ll om m JYSK Triq l os a www s om m

ia 2

3 3

Krea dina Rd, ormi 2 www.krea.com.mt

3

ART

ART

KHS www

,S a rin Triq il armnu,

ART

ART

BBQ Store Malta 3 idland ndus rial sa urmarrad Road, urmarrad Naxxar 2 8 8 www qs or mal a om

3 3

Camilleri Paris Mode S r , Ra a 2 2 3 Tas Sli ma 2 3 838 www amill ri arismod

, al an

GARDEN ITEMS & ACCESSORIES

ia 2

Carmelo Delia all Road, ir ir ara 2 2882 www arm lod lia om

CoseCasa , T r ur sSr 2144 7672www.cosecasa.com/

BARBECUES

JYSK Triq l os a www s om m

BSL Lifestyles Ltd a our nu , Naxxar, 2 38 2 www a oo om sl i s l s

ECO PRODUCTS

FGP www

,

Boris Arcidiacono 233, Tow r Road, Sli ma 2 33 3 38 www orisar idia ono om

22

Satariano 22, Triq il i d Ta sida, ara 2 2 www sa ariano om

Crosscraft ri l ass, ormi ama S o in illa , os a r ns Su rmar ra 2 8 8 www ross ra om m

BoConcept Triq al alal, San wann 2 www.boconcept.com.mt

Casafini , al an all , al an 3 , Naxxar Road, ir ir ara, 2 a oo asa inimal a

GARAGE DOORS

Bull Europe Limited am o uildin , ill S r , ormi 2 www.bullbbq.eu

ass, ri l a rium om m

Cosas , S aul S r , Naxxar 2142 1110 / 7900 1606. www.cosas.com.mt Brighter Solutions wa al a, l 2 3 www l dmal a om m

S&S Bathrooms Triq il os a, i a 2 2222 www ss a rooms om

l www

Big Ben Interiors 223 22 Naxxar Road, ir ir ara 2 3 www i nin riors om m

Mattress Collection Tal alal Rd, San wann dina Road, u 2 2 2146 1962. www.mattresscollection.com.mt

Josies Bathrooms Naxxar Road, i a 2 8 www osi s a rooms om

ri

B&M Supplies Triq Dun Karm, Birkirkara. 2144 0710. www.bmsupplies.com.mt

3

Oxford House Triq mdina, 2 www ox ord ous

a

FURNITURE Living/Dining/Bedroom/ Atrium 2

3 3

Krea dina Rd, ormi 2 www.krea.com.mt

Caruana & Cini a u ins S r , i oria, o o 2 8 www aruana ini om

ri

Tiles & Marble , ndus rial s a , all Road, ard 2 3 3 www orallin s on om

APERTURES

APERTURES

BATHROOMS & ACCESSORIES

Loft Triq San awl, Naxxar 2099 9966. www.loft.com.mt Malta Office Chairs & More all a Road, ormi 3 www mal ao i airsandmor

om

Next isa a S Sli ma 2 32 28 www n x om m onepercent all Road, msida 2 on r n om m

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

095

HOMEWORKSDIRECTORY.COM FURNITURE CONT.

Oxford House Triq L-mdina, Mriehel 2546 4000. www.oxfordhouse.com.mt

KITCHENS& Kitchen Accessories

Smart Door Bells Malta http://smartdoorbellsmalta.com

LIGHTING& ELECTRICS

S&S Bathrooms Mosta Road, Lija.

2141 2222. www.ssbathrooms.com

Brighter Solutions Ahwa Galea, Il-Mosta.

2143 7445. www.ledmalta.com.mt

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

Criere Malta 2, Triq ta Fjuri, San Pawl ilBahar. 9921 1237 / 7921 2039 www.facebook.com/criere.ltd/

Studio Moda 82, Triq in-Naxxar, San Gwann. 2138 6812. www.studiomodagroup.com

HOME ELECTRONICS / HIFI Astral Enterprises Abate Rigord Street, Ta’ Xbiex. 2134 0562. www.astral.com.mt A to Z Electronics PAVI Shopping Complex, ATTARD-70, Pitkali Road, Attard. MSIDAValley Towers, Msida Valley Road, Birkirkara.

2731 9444. www. atoz.com.mt i-centre Tagliaferro Centre, High Street, Sliema | Triq Dun Karm, B’Kara Bypass, Birkirkara. 2256 4430/ 2256 4370. www.icentre.com.mt/

HOME SECURITY / FIRE PROTECTION AQS MED Ltd Coral House, Triq Dun Karm, Birkirkara Bypass, Birkirkara. 2010 2121 http://aqsmed.com Firetech 99, Mill Street, Qormi, 2278 5200. www.firetech.com.mt

Fino Fino Buildings, Notabile Road, Mriehel 2549 3000. www.fino.com.mt

Elektra Mill Street Hal Qormi. 2546 3000. www.elektra.com.mt

Form Triq il -Wied Ta’ I-Msida, Msida 2144 6000. www.form.com.mt

ESS ESS Building, Triq San Gwakkin, Mriehel.

2125 5777. www.ess.com.mt

Joinwell Ltd Mill Street, Qormi.

2278 2000. www.joinwell.com.mt

Glow Gallery Skyway Ltd, Skyway Offices, 179, Marina Street, Pieta. 2733 3788 / 9980 9156. www.glowcomalta.com

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

Hydrolectric. Triq Il-Kappillan Mifsud l amrun, l Ħamrun 2 2 http://hydrolectric.com.mt

Oxford House Notabile Road, Mriehel.

2546 4000. www.oxfordhouse.com.mt

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

2149 6843.www.lds.com.mt Litex 64 Triq Is-Sajjied, Bugibba 9991 5560. www.facebook.com/ LITEXMALTA/

Orienta Triq l i ali, Ħ ard 2144 5733.www. orienta.com.mt www.facebook.com/orienta.com.mt

“

Ok Home Triq Rue D’Argens, Gzira.

2134 3865 /6. www.okhome.com.mt SBL Limited, Oscar Zammit Str, Hamrun.

9949 5359. www.facebook.com/pages/ category/Lighting-Store/SBL-Limited VCT Ponsomby Street Mosta. 2143 2571 http://www.vct.com.mt

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

PEST CONTROL Mosquito Busters 2 The Rock,Triq Clair.E.Engel, St Julians. 9932 0775 mosquitobustersmalta.com

ROOF MEMBRANE The Resin & Membrane Centre The Resin & Membrane Centre. 2747 7647, 9947 7647, https://theresincentre.com

FLOORING

Global Tech Malta Showroom, Bellavista Road, San Gwann. 2138 9389 . www.gtm.com.m

Brands International Ltd, Triq tal - Balal, San Gwann. 2144 4110. www.brands.com.mt Distinct Homes Pope John Paul II Street, Victoria, Gozo. 2155 1234 | Mdina Rd, Attard 2713 4234. www.distincthomes.com.mt

LAMINATE PARQUET Over 30 Colours ENGINEERED PARQUET Oak, American Walnut, Cherry, Ash & Maple SOLID PARQUET

Teak, Iroko, Oak, Bamboo, Wenge & more SOLID WOOD STEPS Iroko

As specialists in the provision and supply of laminate parquet representing the worldrenowned Austrian brand Kaindl we offer an extensive range of top quality laminates in various textures and colours as well as matching skirting. Now also with the wallsystem floor up which allows floor boards to be installed on almost every wall.

Perfectly simple. Simply Perfect.

096

OUTDOOR DECKING Solid Wood - IPE, Teak, WPC

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

HOMEWORKSDIRECTORY.COM

Atrium Mriehel By-Pass, Mriehel 2147 0000. www.theatrium.com.mt Balev Ltd Malta - Areon 17, Triq il-Papa Gwanni XXIII, Birkirkara. 2780 3516 www.areon-fresh.com

Grey & Adler 9 Triq Toni Bajada, Naxxar 2740 6407. www.greyandadler.com

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

Loft Triq San Pawl, Naxxar.

2099 9966. www.loft.com.mt

il camino 48 / 49 Fleur de Lys Road, B’kara.

2144 1689. www.ilcamino.net

Masion et Luminere 23 Triq San Tumas, Ħal Luqa. 2788 8200. www.maisonetlumiere.com

Solar Solutions 2/3 Tal-Balal Road, Xwieki L/O Gharghur, 2142 4750 / 2742 4750/1 https://solar.com.mt

Big Ben 223 - 225, Triq In-Naxxar, B’kara 2144 7347. www.bigbeninteriors.com.mt

Next Bisazza St Sliema. 2132 2841. www.next.com.mt

BoConcept Triq tal - Balal, San Gwann. 2144 4110. www.boconcept.com.mt

one two one 21st September Avenue, Naxxar | Qui-si-Sana Seafront, Sliema. 2142 2948/9, 2132 3155/65. www.onetwoone.eu

Boris Arcidiacono 233, Tower Road, Sliema 2133 3638 / 9. www.borisarcidiacono.com

Stephanie Borg 33, Triq Santa Katarina, Rabat. 9916 1469

Butlers 48, Tower Road, Sliema 2132 0610. www.butlers.com.mt/

Studio Moda 82, Naxxar Rd, San Gwann 2138 6812. www.studiomodagroup.com

CoseCasa 77, Three Churches Street, Balzan. 2144 7672. wwwcosecasa.com

TKS 82, Naxxar Road, San Ġwann 2258 7401. www.tks-onlinestore.com

Camilleri Paris Mode 54, St. Catherine Street, Rabat.2010 2030 | Triq il- Karmnu, Tas-Sliema. 2134 4838. www.camilleriparismode.com

Vinci 218, Rosa Marina Buildings, Marina Seafront,Pieta | 154, Naxxar Road, San Gwann. 2124 5954/21384800. www.vincimalta.com/en/home.htm

Cleland Souchet Block 14, Portomaso, St. Julians, STJ4013 Malta. 2138 9898. www.clelandsouchet.com/

Zara Home Pama, Mosta. 2349 6789. Tower Road, Sliema. 2258 2977/ Pavi Shopping Complex, Qormi. 2270 0700. www.zarahome.com/mt

Debenhams Main Street Shopping Complex, Paola;Tigne Point Shopping Mall, Sliema.

2247 2000 http://debenhams.com.mt Design House Interiors Triq il-Wied,Msida 2134 6474. www.designhouse.com.mt Finesse Malta, Msida Valley Road Birkirkara, 2149 0220. www.finesse.com.mt/ https://www.facebook.com/FinesseMalta/

Tekno Tekno Building, 74/76 St Mary Street, Mosta. 2133 2553 / 2133 2554. www.facebook.com/Tekno-Airconditioning

SWIMMING POOLS / SPAS Charles Micallef Swimming Pools Naxxar Road, Lija. 2141 5115 / 2141 0532 www.micallefpools.com Hometrends J.P.R buildings, Triq Taz-Zwejt, Industrial Estate, San Gwann, Mdina Road, Zebbug. 2146 0987, 2144 5654 www.hometrends.com.mt

WALL FINISHINGS Paint/Wallpaper/gypsum Satariano 122, Triq il -Wied Ta’ I - Msida, B’kara. 2149 2149. www.satariano.com Sigma Coatings KW24 Kordin Industrial Estate, Paola. 2166 8053. www.sigmamalta.com

SOLAR / ALTERNATIVE HEATING UNDERFLOOR HEATING

Studio Moda 82, Naxxar Rd, San Gwann 2138 6812. www.studiomodagroup.com

AQS MED Ltd Coral House, Triq Dun Karm, Birkirkara Bypass, Birkirkara. 2010 2121 http://aqsmed.com

Sunsource Triq in-Naxxar, Birkirkara.

2758 1303. www.sunsource.com.mt

Caruana & Cini Capuchins Street, Victoria, Gozo. 2155 1918. www.caruanacini.com

APERTURES

APERTURES

SOFT FURNISHINGS & DÉCOR

Vee Gee Bee 2 South Court, Vjal ir-Rihan, San Gwann. 2138 9690 / 2138 1380 www.vgb.com.mt

ART GARAGE DOORS

ART

ART

ART TO TO ADVERTISE ADVERTISE IN IN THIS THIS SECTION SECTION or or on on www.homeworksdirectory.com www.homeworksdirectory.com PHONE PHONE 2133 2133 9999, 9999, 9933 9933 2224 2224 OR OR EMAIL EMAIL sales@homeworks.com.mt sales@homeworks.com.mt

097

HW A LAST LOOK

#ontrend What’s hot right now in the world of interiors Colour forecaster Pantone have named Classic Blue as their colour of the year for 2020. A shade reminiscent of the sky at dusk, Pantone says it’s a colour ‘that anticipates what’s going to happen next’ and is reassuring in an uncertain world. Classic blue is also sophisticated and elegant and offers a softer alternative to black. Opt for a feature wall or choose accessories such as a luscious sofa or armchair, swap in a rug or a vase on a sideboard.

Top: Holland sofa, www.darlingsofchelsea.co.uk; Panton mug, topdrawer.co.uk; lampshade, mintandmay.co.uk Middle: Nara dinner set, www.made.com; Tolix chair, www.einrichten-design.de; Dip Dye rug, www.designhunter.co.uk; Narrow vase, beaumonde.co.uk Bottom: Branches wallpaper, www.florencebroadhurst.com; Batea coffee table, woodendot.com; cushion, debenhams.com; Brodie swivel chair, www.my-furniture.com 098

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