Places - Design & Living (October 2017)

PLACES ISSUE 18 OCTOBER 2017

Design & Living

REHABILITATION OF POST-WAR TOWNHOUSE An example of sustainable architecture

Welcoming warm light LETTING THE COSINESS IN

VINTAGE ROME Art exhibitions, shopping, cakes & selfie spots

Valletta venues CITY HOME/HOTEL FROM GROCERY TO WINE BAR STORY OF A STOREROOM

A TOUCH OF… Metropolitan chic Inspired accessories

THE BLUEPRINT

PLACES

Design & Living

ISSUE 18 OCTOBER 2017

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THE PROJECT 10 From the 1990s to Now Nondescript apartment brightened up 18 In Monochrome Mode For that modernist feel 24 Metropolitan Chic Creating harmony between spaces ECO-FRIENDLY 30 Indoor Meets Outdoor Sustainable rehabilitation of Luqa townhouse HOME DÉCOR 39 DO IT YOURSELF: DO/DON’T More Than a Place to Eat The dining room is a space to celebrate 41 TRENDS Inviting Illumination The correct lighting to cuddle up to PROJECT PEOPLE 45 Multiple Muses Francis Sultana’s latest furniture collection DESTINATION, HERITAGE & ENVIRONMENT 52 GOING PLACES Vacanza Romana Vintage-style Rome recaptured BUILDING A BUSINESS 58 Come On In A link between bar branding and interior design 62 City Home Distinct accommodation offer for travellers

ON THE COVER PHOTO: RAMON PORTELLI See story on page 10

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NARMINA CANDLESTICKS See story on page 45

Photo: Brian Grech

MY DESIGN

it is impossible to write anything on this page that isn’t about slain Taste&Flair editor daphne caruana Galizia. everything else pales…

Places: desiGn & liVinG was born because other magazines on similar subjects had undergone changes; Taste and Flair – coffeetable-book quality – had joined forces, for example. the time was ripe to enter the scene. as magazine editors, daphne and i would cross paths at events and launches, and sometimes, we would gravitate towards each other, ending up seated side by side, or on armchairs in a corner, where we overstayed our welcome, engrossed in conversation. these occasions were too rare, i was to realise, unaware, at the time, that their days were numbered. our conversations fascinatingly focused on fashion, accessories, even nail polish colours. and funnily enough, these topics were always initiated by her – far be it from me to bring up such ‘frivolous’ matters with the country’s leading investigative journalist. moreover, i was always slightly wary about what and how much to say in her presence in the days when cowardly

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malta, myself included, let her fight our battles single-handedly. i don’t think she felt compelled to broach these subjects on the basis that i am also the editor of a fashion magazine. away from her running commentary, and wearing her other hats, aesthetics must have played a fundamental role, as evidenced in her publication. and in that trademark soft-spoken manner, she could go on about a pair of chandelier earrings.

But the key connection – with this magazine and between us, you could say – was a concern for the environment; disgust at the sheer bad taste and crassness on the island; horror at the disaster that was unfolding and the sickening abuse; even deeper revulsion towards those who should know better, but are blinded by greed and are accomplices in the rape of malta; despair at the death of its mediterranean-ness; a cry for eroded quality of life due to rampant development; our own idea of quality of life – not shared by a big chunk of the nation and certainly not its leaders. it was through these chats on the environment, which i think every editorial i have penned for Places has focused on, that it was innately and implicitly understood i was on the same page on several other topics she wrote about. and i must admit that when daphne chose to share, on her hugely popular blog, some editorial of mine – namely on renzo Piano’s city Gate project, or the open-air theatre on the royal opera house site – it was a great endorsement and the message would enjoy a much wider reach. taste, with a capital t, is not subjective – you either have it, or you don’t. so, it is no wonder many

october 29, 2017 | issue 18 | Places is a bi-monthly magazine | EXECUTIVE EDITOR fiona Galea debono | PUBLISHER allied newspapers ltd | PRODUCTION allied newspapers ltd | PRINTING Progress Press ltd | DESIGN manuel schembri | ADVERTISING SALES Veronica Grech sant [2276 4333; veronica.grechsant@timesofmalta.com]

people didn’t get her. this whole island is an example of bad taste in anything from fashion to behaviour, from the bottom to the top and back down again.

But our immaturity could not handle her critical and ridiculing commentary on, for example, what certain people wore, or even the way they sat. they were offended. i, on the other hand, am offended by their poor taste, which has seeped into every aspect of my surroundings and uglified them. i suppose they can now keep on making blunders without her scrutiny, while i can continue to miss the succinct, hard-hitting, polemical fashion Police and style posts, appreciated also for the humour, the writing skills and the courage – which i, as an editor, have never had – to come out all guns blazing on that too. Bashing the dress and conduct code of someone you are most likely to bump into at the next launch also requires an element of bravery.

But beyond her boundless courage that churned out the breaking news, daphne created a “parallel world”, say her bereaved sons in an interview in The Guardian – one where her appreciation for all things beautiful reigned. they recall that just before she was assassinated, she had bought saplings for her garden… some greenery in a desert of despair. daphne, your magazine titles could have been your own. they are a fitting description of you. may someone be able to step into your shoes and keep Taste&Flair on the bookstands and displayed on our coffee tables, if nothing else, to continue setting and raising standards; to keep pushing the idea of where we could and should be and how far away from it we are.

this publication is being distributed as part of © 2017. all rights reserved. reproduction in whole, or in part, without written permission of the publishers, is prohibited.

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THE PROJECT

PhOTOS: RAMOn PORTeLLI

FROM THE 1990s TO NOW A Collective architects Steven Risiott and Patricia Grech turned this once nondescript 1990s Sliema apartment into a bright home as a result of the palette of materials used: from wood to textured plastered walls, light and reflective surfaces, copper details and bold colours.

ThIS 1990s apartment, once composed of small, isolated rooms with arched openings, has been converted to create a larger open-plan living space, allowing natural light to filter deeper inside.

Since in this case, the apartment lacked character, the focus was on converting it to adapt to the client’s brief, rather than an exercise in conservation.

As a studio, A Collective approaches conversion projects by primarily identifying what elements in the building and its interior are of value and worthy of retention.

“It is never our departure point to eradicate and replace,” says Steven Risiott from A Collective, who undertook the project together with Patricia Grech. “having said that, one must also keep in mind that conversion of existing buildings is also about adaptation of a property to new uses, or new clients, whose lifestyles have somewhat changed even in the last couple of decades.”

Locally, the architecture of the 1990s is eclectic and borrows from different styles, so it is hard to define particular characteristics of this period. But there appears to have been no general holistic direction and more of a hodgepodge of mass development, where quantity took priority over

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quality. That said, it would be unjust to say that no property built in the 1990s is worthy of retention, Steven points out.

The structural intervention that took place in this apartment allows for a better flow and interaction of the kitchen, dining and living room, while creating clear sight lines from the main entrance through to the living quarters.

It’s a common layout these days, with almost every apartment being opened up. Built on plots of similar dimensions, these blocks are replacing terraced houses. Maximising on the number of units implies that most are long and narrow, so unless the living spaces are combined into one larger area, the resulting rooms will be dark and gloomy, says Steven.

But does that mean we are risking creating more of the same and can a return to closed-off and cosy rooms be envisaged? For Steven, openplan layouts may still be cosy spaces through the use of warm light at varying levels, soft furnishings and natural materials.

“We actually do have a number of clients who opt for closed-off rooms, however, enclosing these spaces with walls is not necessarily the only answer;

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If the place you lIve In Is not compatIble wIth your lIfestyle, then thIs wIll InvarIably have a negatIve effect on your qualIty of lIfe and well-beIng movable partitions and screens could be a flexible alternative, allowing for privacy while still letting light penetrate the space,” he explains.

“It is important to keep in mind that the way spaces are shaped will have an impact on their occupants. If the place you live in is not compatible with your lifestyle, then this will invariably have a negative effect on your quality of life and well-being.” flow, interaction between spaces and good sight lines are all intrinsic to the experience of space and the well-being of those experiencing them. If one is able to create a positive space through the consideration of these parameters, this will undoubtedly have a positive effect on the end user’s quality of life, steven says. admittedly, some of these concepts tend to feel somewhat abstract at first, particularly to those clients who find it hard to visualise space, he acknowledges. this is why they are generally helped to understand such proposals through sketches and 3d modelling. steven believes that by focusing on site context and analysing parameters such as orientation, natural light, sight lines, views and flow as opposed to stylistic trends, each and every project will be unique and not yet another carbon copy of the typical apartment layout. “moreover, since most of our residential projects are small-scale developments for private clients, rather than large developments for resale purposes, there is a lot of emphasis on the client’s brief,” steven adds. “we believe it is fundamental to understand our clients’ lifestyles and habits to be able to design a space on their behalf. this also helps to achieve original design solutions that distinguish the end project from other similar ones.” the overall look and feel of this space is warm and bright, resulting from the material palette selection: wood, textured plastered walls, light and reflective surfaces, copper details and bold colours. one of the apartment’s stand-out features, ironically, in all its inconspicuousness, is a vertical timber slat wall cladding structure that was designed to define the hallway, while integrating a concealed door, thereby hiding the main bathroom from the main entrance, which lies directly opposite. despite various attempts to relocate the door, it was decided to face the challenge and integrate it into the design approach. “we wanted the entrance hall to be a statement space, so it was imperative the bathroom door was not the focal point on the wall. we opted for a cladding

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system composed of a series of natural timber slats mounted on a bold coloured backdrop with a concealed door that not only blends in seamlessly, but also ensures that the bathroom is always closed off,” steven explains. the apartment is littered with other bespoke joinery elements, so it’s hard to pick just one main stand-out feature that makes the architects proud. the space is conceptually intertwined through a series of displaced rectangular elements reflected in both the bespoke furniture as well as the paving, says steven, adding that the extent of bespoke joinery allowed for the apartment to take on a holistic design, with seamless interconnected areas also maximising on the amount of storage space created. the project team is also “obsessed” with proportions and alignment. the one-is-to-two ratio is repeated throughout all the elements in the living spaces: the shelving system above the tv unit, the door panelling and the timber wine rack, which is reflected in the hanging steel shelving and closed storage that, in turn, mirrors the kitchen cupboards. with space at a premium, every nook and cranny of the apartment is utilised to the best of its potential, with integrated storage throughout.

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Joining the dots‌ Alan Debattista from ChillisChilli, entrusted with manufacturing the joinery designed by A Collective for this Sliema apartment, lets us in on some trade secrets when it comes to bespoke furniture and interiors.

Cladding and concealed doors are an established trend. What did you do different here? In many cases, the purpose of cladding a wall and concealing doors within a unit is to complement what would otherwise be a sparse wall space and to tie in random doors running across it. Cladding and wall panelling provide a luxurious feel and concealed doors keep the space minimalist. In this case, the architects designed a layer of vertical fins in solid American walnut over a bold, blue background. The door was incorporated within the cladding, lining up exactly with the fins and was thus hidden in the feature wall.

WE ARE EXPERIENCING AN INCREASING DEMAND FOR CLASSIC CONTEMPORARY FURNITURE AND WALL CLADDING WITH TRADITIONAL MOULDING AND PANELLING Do you think there comes a point where these features can become run-of-the-mill? We always ensure that each installation is specifically tailored for the client. Materials, colours, style and layout are some of the factors that are considered to determine the final design, making each project totally bespoke and unique.

What do you envisage to be the upcoming trends in joinery? Currently, we are experiencing an increasing demand for classic contemporary furniture and wall cladding with traditional moulding and panelling.

Can minimalism get to be too much, ironically? And do you sometimes wish clients and designers would come up with more elaborate ideas to really show off your skills? The minimalist design might not always seem like the most practical style, although clean lines and lack of clutter are pleasing to many.

Some might argue that a carpenter’s skill is highlighted through the manufacture of increasingly ornate and more elaborate pieces. But one must not fail to recognise, however, the level of craftsmanship required to translate the minimalistic eye-pleasing design into actual functional and practical pieces.

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THROUGH THE USE OF MODERN MECHANISMS AND CLEVER DESIGN, ONE CAN NOWADAYS GAIN A LOT OF SPACE WITHIN A PARTICULAR AREA. What materials did you use to create the desired look and feel of the apartment? In this particular project, our scope of works was limited to the translation of A Collective’s designs and details into full-scale furniture pieces. The bespoke joinery includes elements in walnut and white sprayed wood, together with a variety of metal and glass to complement a number of pieces.

What did the bespoke furniture add to a space that loose, off-the-shelf items would not have?

Customising pieces relevant to a particular space serves to fit each unit more precisely within the area, tying them in – and consequently each room – with consistent patterns and materials that loose, off-theshelf items would not satisfy.

What would you say is your proudest piece in this project? We are proud of all our pieces. But if we had to single out one particular item, it would be the feature wall with concealed door.

What role does the carpentry play in creating the seamless feel of this space? In the case of custom

design, the pieces are actually made for the space. It follows that they fit the particular space and thus create a flow within the area. The role of the skilled carpenter includes the ability to translate the initial concept, or in this case A Collective’s designs and details, into a functional piece of furniture that works well in the relevant space.

Storage is an important factor as apartments get tighter. What did you come up with here? Let us into some secrets on how to save space and make the most of it? Apart from the fact that spaces are becoming increasingly smaller, their proper use is important to maintain a minimalist feel throughout an area and reduce clutter. Through the use of modern mechanisms and clever design, one can nowadays gain a lot of space within a particular area. A case in point, with respect to this particular project, was the architects’ proposal to introduce a storage unit along the shallow section running through the length of the kitchen. This served to maximise storage space in an otherwise redundant space and created a feature with the design. Sliding pocket doors are also a great way of saving space.

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In monochrome mode This Valletta apartment started off as a store. Now, it stores some unique finds that bring together that early modernist feel.

PHOTOS: DUŠKA MALEŠEVIĆ

THIS VALLETTA apartment started off as an abandoned groundfloor property, originally used as a store. Everything inside it had to be redone, while some old apertures could be salvaged and were restored.

Joanna Delia’s love for anything monochrome is evidenced in this space, with its low-lying, black kitchen and concrete floors, among other touches.

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Keen on architecture, design, interiors, and beauty in general, she has renovated several Valletta properties with a passion.

For this particular apartment, she went for an early modernist aesthetic, starting with a 1920s sofa she found and upholstered in camel wool.

Hanging over one of the beds are also some 1920s-style charcoal portraits, which she dug up at a marchĂŠ aux puces in Paris.

The apartment houses about 50 monochrome original artworks, or limited-edition prints, mostly by Malta-based artists, but also including some international finds. The rooms surround a central courtyard full of lush tropical foliage and white upholstered outdoor seating.

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“The mood of this apartment is a bit darker, but it is balanced out with many light fittings and the courtyard gives light to every room,” says Joanna, an aesthetic physician by profession.

“I try to balance texture, light and dark in every corner. For me, it is crucial that everywhere I look in my life is serene and inspires beauty. I want the same for anyone who may visit my apartments.”

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Metropolitan chic BoConcept had a tall order, taking care of the interior design, styling, furniture and accessories to bring this apartment to life and create harmony between its spaces.

PHOTOS: BOCONCEPT

The overall look The idea behind this luxury property was to create a space that reflects the quality and design of the area it is located in. The modern style was to be complemented by functional, design pieces and delicate accessories, perfectly combined to create harmony in each of the three spaces – the living/dining area, the master bedroom and the guest room. The current metropolitan chic trend fitted like a glove, and the end result is an elegant, welcoming atmosphere, achieved through the use of beautiful materials such as glass and metal, combined with soft upholstery and a few colour accents to highlight certain areas.

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Inspiration and key pieces THE MASTER BEDROOM Grandiose lines and an elegant look give the master bedroom a luxurious expression, yet it is very welcoming and relaxing. The wooden flooring sets the tone, while the copper ball hanging pendants instantly highlight the grey and beige hues, taking the room to another level.

The 12-drawer Fermo chest in white provides plenty of storage space in a minimalist look, with clean lines.

Hidden storage is also provided through the Mezzo upholstered storage bed.

THE GUEST BEDROOM Although the guest bedroom is smaller, the wooden flooring is teamed with crisp white walls, a white bed frame and touches of oak to bring a sense of calm and serenity. To compensate for the smaller space, a slim, tufted headboard was chosen for the sleek Lugano bed, which is complemented by two small nightstands. The main wall is kept simple, with a small Como bookcase in grey to match the headboard. The Ogi chair adds a subtle pop of colour and texture in a lovely velvet fabric, and the Lugano chest of drawers, the Curious lamp and ladder add a touch of retro cool.

THE LIVING/DINING AREA The large living/dining area allows for plenty of space for relaxation and entertainment. To keep things interesting, yet achieve a harmonious feel throughout, the colour scheme is kept uniform, but there is a play on textures, with a combination of soft leather, wood and glass, all accented by a vibrant pop of yellow on the Imola chair in the reading corner. The large Mezzo corner sofa and the eye-catching Barcelona coffee table take centre stage – the eye is drawn to the exclusive stitching of the sofa and the delicate details of the coffee table, yet there is added functionality in both. The sofa’s corner configuration with an open end offers plenty of seating space and allows for dynamic interaction with the dining area and kitchen.

The slim tops of the coffee table can be lifted up to the perfect height for a casual dinner, uncovering hidden storage compartments underneath. The little details in the accessories make a big difference – the various cushions in soft coloured velvet and the large, fluffy rug contrast nicely with the leather of the sofa. Meanwhile, the wall-hung artwork instantly draws your eye to the dining area and makes the dark grey tone of the sideboard pop even more. The Monza dining table adds sophistication, but also functionality, while the clear glass surface allows the space to look airier and brighter, and the sleek glass tops can be extended by pulling out the two extension leaves, instantly creating room for more guests. The iconic Adelaide chair in its graceful, organic form is upholstered to create even more comfort and provide a stark contrast to the glass table.

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THE SOFA’S CORNER CONFIGURATION WITH AN OPEN END OFFERS PLENTY OF SEATING SPACE AND ALLOWS FOR DYNAMIC INTERACTION WITH THE DINING AREA AND KITCHEN

ECO-FRIENDLY

INDOOR meets OUTDOOR

The rehabilitation of this Luqa townhouse by architectural and urban design studio Studjurban is an example of sustainable rehabilitation and responsible architecture.

PHOTOS: RAMON PORTELLI

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THIS PROJECT involved the rehabilitation and restoration of a double-fronted post-war townhouse located in Luqa’s Urban Conservation Area, together with some sensitive alterations and additions to transform the property into a sustainable three-bedroom home for a young couple.

It had been lying vacant for a number of years and was in a derelict state, characterised by small, poorly lit rooms and accretions that had been built within the external spaces.

At the same time, Studjurban could see that it contained a number of well-crafted architectural features, which it sought to retain, restore and enhance. It also contained two underutilised and undervalued outdoor spaces – one on the western flank that was observed to be in the shade for most of the day due to its orientation, proportion and enclosure, and another on the eastern side that received a higher amount of sunlight throughout the day. Over the years, the latter space had been largely built up, reducing its potential to work effectively as an external area.

The interventions illustrate principles of sustainable rehabilitation, allowing for the property to be restored while simultaneously using these very same interventions to create an ecological fabric that may perform with highenergy efficiency.

In line with the three Rs of sustainability [reduce, reuse, recycle], a project’s fundamental starting point is that there should be a concerted effort to first reduce the need to cool or heat up a building, rather than simply resorting to energy generation and remaining unsustainable in patterns of consumption. The built fabric has, therefore, been reused inventively to create spaces that serve the contemporary needs and lifestyle of its new owners.

This project illustrates that by simple, well-thought-out design decisions related to the generation of outdoor space, a careful consideration of building orientation and basic energy principles, and by working with the potential of the existing fabric as an important resource in itself, a temperate indoor environment may be created throughout the entire year.

At ground floor, the main design concept centred on exploiting the property’s outdoor spaces, working in tandem with the client’s brief, which was to have a more comfortable open-plan living space, revolving around the kitchen at the heart of the entire home.

The first design decision was to remove the accretions located within the eastern backyard to carve out a larger area, maximise sun penetration therein and exploit it as an ancillary outdoor space. In tandem, the existing internal spaces were opened up to form the open-plan living area, placing the kitchen strategically in between the two backyards. In this manner, the two external and the internal living areas work together as one system.

During the summer months, the backyards’ different orientation creates a temperature differential that, in turn, instigates air movement. In the morning, the eastern backyard and the south-facing façades that flank it receive the sun until the early hours of the afternoon, allowing the space to warm up at the same time as the western backyard is in shade.

As the hot air starts to rise by convection, it draws in the cooler air from the western backyard through the internal living area – a phenomenon that is reinforced by crossventilation within the entire floor plan.

THE INTERVENTIONS ILLUSTRATE PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABLE REHABILITATION, ALLOWING FOR THE PROPERTY TO BE RESTORED WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY USING THESE VERY SAME INTERVENTIONS TO CREATE AN ECOLOGICAL FABRIC THAT MAY PERFORM WITH HIGH-ENERGY EFFICIENCY

A similar situation occurs at first floor through the circulation space linking the bedrooms on either side. In the afternoon, as the sun moves westerly, there is a reversal in terms of the directionality of the cooler air – the eastern backyard becomes progressively shaded while the western backyard starts capturing the sun’s rays, once again creating a variation in temperature between the two spaces and channelling the cooler air westwards.

Characterised by warm temperatures for most of the year, there is enough temperature differential for this system to naturally cool the spaces, without having to resort to mechanical cooling.

During the temperate months, given that the temperature within the two external spaces is approximately equal, the design priority shifts to ensuring enough cross-ventilation throughout the internal spaces, made possible through strategically located openings. The latter, furthermore, allow for the spaces to be flooded with natural light, without the need to resort to artificial light sources, thus resulting in further energy savings.

In the winter months, the larger eastern backyard, and the first-floor terrace working with the master bedroom, are sheltered from the cold north-westerly winds through the building mass itself. The south-facing façades surrounding this space capture the sun’s rays, which can penetrate through in spite of the lower winter sun, thanks to the setting back of the built mass at first floor that generates the aforementioned terrace.

As this occurs, the heat energy is absorbed and stored, thanks to the high thermal mass of the built fabric, and it gradually dissipates into the living spaces.

The fabric is characterised by the existing thick masonry walls and the newer additions built with insulated double walls,

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which have a plastered finish to complement the masonry stonework and clearly distinguish the newer interventions.

The new openings comprise high-performance double-glazing that further contributes to the creation of well-insulated spaces. The openings are smaller on the southfacing faรงade [also to respect and enhance the existing street on which they are located] and, conversely, larger on the northern and eastern faรงades.

The above interventions allow for energy generated at roof level via photovoltaic panels to be used for purposes other than to cool or light the property, effectively creating an almost zero-energy building wherein the energy output roughly equates to the energy input that is produced via the panels.

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Environmental isometric: 1. Electricity generation [PV panels]; 2. High-performance insulation; 3. Convection currents; 4. Thermal mass; 5. Natural light; 6. Passive ventilation.

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AS THE HOT AIR STARTS TO RISE

BY CONVECTION, IT DRAWS IN THE COOLER AIR FROM THE WESTERN BACKYARD THROUGH THE INTERNAL LIVING AREA – A PHENOMENON THAT IS REINFORCED BY CROSS-VENTILATION WITHIN THE ENTIRE FLOOR PLAN

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These are mounted on the setback floor’s sloping concrete roof to be better integrated within the existing townscape, particularly given the sensitivity of the Urban Conservation Area. This roof also allows the panels to be optimally oriented and capture sunlight for a significant amount of hours throughout the day.

DO IT YOURSELF: DO/DON’T

MORE THAN A PLACE TO EAT Antonella Riotto from Fino Interiors Design Studio outlines the importance of the dining room. Think of it as more than a place to eat; it’s a space to gather and celebrate.

THE HOME is a place to retreat to after a long day at work; where we can rest, unwind and spend some quality time with the family. For many, its most important room is either the kitchen, or the living room, where we tend to spend most of our free time.

So how does the dining room come into the equation?

Is it that useless space we never really use, except on oneoff occasions?

For many, eating dinner together is the only time in the day when the whole family is united and can actually talk, without any distractions from the TV, or video games and other technology – or at least, that’s the way it should be. It is also the place where family and friends gather on special occasions to celebrate and enjoy a meal together, and is, therefore, one of the most important rooms in the home.

With this in mind, the look and feel of the dining room should be at the forefront of one’s mind when designing a home, and not just an afterthought. Often, the kitchen takes precedence, and then, it’s just a matter of putting a table in later on. Not quite!

Follow these tips on how to create the perfect setting for those family meals: The design of the dining room should represent your personal style. If your taste is modern, for instance, choose a glass-top dining table, with a chrome base and Parsons chairs in leather, or fabric. Alternatively, if you prefer a warmer effect, opt for a wooden dining table, with matching wooden or upholstered dining chairs. On the other hand, if your preference is transitional, then you could choose a linear-style dining table and coordinate linear-style upholstered chairs.

The size of the dining table should be able to accommodate your family members and friends. Many tables come with two to three leaf extensions that expand the table size when needed. The dining room chairs should be comfortable to sit on as you and your guests will spend considerable time gathered together at table.

Remember when purchasing your dining room furniture that it’s important to choose carefully and tastefully. Think of your dining suite as an investment, and remember that you’ll be living with these pieces for some time. Hosting family and friends for special occasions is an opportunity to showcase the pride you take in your home. And a stylish dining room says a lot.

WWW.FINO.COM.MT

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INVITING ILLUMINATION

The correct lighting can set a warm, comfy, relaxed, subtle atmosphere, inviting you to stay cuddled up and cosy. Peter Cutajar from Light Design Solutions plans out the lighting scheme to create just that.

LIGHTING is crucial at any time of year, but more so in autumn and winter, when daylight hours grow shorter.

By their very nature, two of the four main lighting categories, ambient and mood lighting, offer a soft, atmospheric glow, which undeniably creates a cosy and warm space. Not only do these kinds of lighting add an important layer to a lighting scheme, but they are also pleasing and counteract the flatness caused by general lighting.

It is necessary to understand the effects of light to set the atmosphere of the room. In a well-planned scheme, the

various lighting effects are built up in layers, so that the room can be lit in different ways to create different moods, depending on the level and quality of light required at any given time.

It is crucial not to use all the effects simultaneously, or to the same intensity.

Each light effect should be controlled separately, so that they can be combined at different levels and brought up individually to alter the ambience of the room.

As daylight fades, the necessity for more lighting increases. When it is dark outside, the warmth of a soft, moody

atmosphere becomes more desirable.

The general lights can be dimmed, while introducing lighting effects and indirect lighting – the best way to create the desired cosy atmosphere as it has no glare, which means it gives out a softer, subtler light.

The mood of a room is altered by emphasising change. One of the significant ways to portray a warmer atmosphere is by using dimmer switches, enhancing versatility to create a softer, warmer feel as the colour temperature of the light source is reduced. This is easy to achieve, now

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that the lighting market is drastically changing and focusing on the new evolving technology of LEDs, with various colour temperatures – 2,700° Kelvin being the ideal for a warm, cosy feel.

smaller ones are for more intimate occasions, or a cosy night in.

Invest in some floor and table lamps with warm coloured shades and bulbs.

In fact, the material of the shade, its colour, or shape impacts the way the

THE MATERIAL OF THE SHADE, ITS COLOUR, OR SHAPE IMPACTS THE WAY THE LIGHT IS CREATED IN THE ROOM We spend most of our time in the living room, especially in the winter months, so, we should think of it as the hub of our life at home, and it is, therefore, important to have multiple light sources to play around with and create the desired mood.

When considering fixed lighting, we should have some sort of a furniture plan, where the lighting will complement the design and be integrated in it. Brighter lights are usually used for larger gatherings, while

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light is created in the room. Table lamps bring lighting down to a human level and give big rooms a sense of scale.

Set them in a corner of the room, on a sideboard, or shelves to create an impression of spaciousness and a totally relaxed ambience.

When relaxing while reading in an armchair, place the light to one side, behind and above the chair not to create any shadows over what you are reading. Meanwhile, photos, posters and paintings can be illuminated with

a low-voltage lamp mounted on the frame of the picture or the wall, providing a strong white beam of light across the image.

Finally, the bedrooms are a private place where an atmosphere of relaxation and harmony is important. The right light helps to unwind and get a good night’s sleep. Bedroom lighting can range from basic to bold, and dimmed to dramatic.

Fit a dimmer switch to create an instant cosy atmosphere.

Among the trends is the use of pendants as a bedside light, which add to the effect. But if you like to read, it is best to have a bedside lamp with a reading light, not to disturb anyone trying to sleep.

Indirect lighting is always great for bedrooms because it is less intense and eliminates the shine that comes down from the ceiling lights and directly into the eyes when lying down and trying to relax.

PROJECT PEOPLE

Victoire daybed

MULTIPLE

MUSES From haute couture and Coco Chanel to Indian maharajas and art deco…

Francis Sultana introduces his sumptuous new collection, Narmina.

FRANCIS Sultana’s latest collection of furniture and accessories, Narmina, offers a delightful journey through the many influences at work in his designs, including art deco Paris of the 1920s, the work of Coco Chanel and José María Sert and the exotic extravagance of the Indian maharajas.

Comprising upholstery, furniture, lighting and small accessories, the collection is characterised by

striking glamour, sinuous lines and fluid proportions at work in a series of elegant and sophisticated pieces.

Inspired by one of his most glamorous muses, Narmina reveals an exotic interpretation of Paris in the 1920s. It embodies Sultana’s love for artisan craft techniques and use of noble materials: straw marquetry, rock crystal, his signature patinated

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Clockwise from top left: Coco side table; tray; Theo console; Turgi sofa.

PROJECT PEOPLE

bronze, bespoke silk and hessian tweeds, rattan, leather and pâte de verre are at play within a collection that is contemporary, yet firmly nods to one of the most celebrated eras in interior and furniture design.

The colour palette incorporates soft pink, clear and golden crystal, sage and forest green, dark bronze, ecru and straw.

Sultana has, within this collection of ‘poor’ materials like straw and rattan, conjured up the ingenuity of the 20th-century fashion icon Coco Chanel, who forged her ‘poverty deluxe’ style, producing luxe sportswear from humble textiles like jersey and cotton.

THE COLLECTION IS CHARACTERISED BY STRIKING GLAMOUR, SINUOUS LINES AND FLUID PROPORTIONS AT WORK IN A SERIES OF ELEGANT AND SOPHISTICATED PIECES

This theme is at play in pieces such as the Theo side table, where Francis has used concealed rattan, set within glass. In the Jordana coffee table and the Jabobo buffet, he employs the stunning technique of straw marquetry.

The flamboyance of Indian maharajas, renowned art deco collectors, can be seen in key pieces such as the Javad armchair and Victoire daybed, showcasing the juxtaposition of bronze with Sultana’s silken tweed designs.

Another major influence of the collection is the designer/artist José María Sert, aka Jojo Sert. Originally from an immensely rich Catalan family of textile

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material, making the crystal both magnificent and modern by working with a painstaking treatment process to apply it to, for example, the linear and flowing rocco gueridon and coco side table, and on the bases of the Petra floor lamp and Nadia table lamp, which both emit a bewitching shimmer akin to semi-precious gemstones. the Narmina collection is his fifth since 2011, firmly establishing gozitan-born sultana as one of the uK’s foremost furniture designers. meanwhile, he has also launched several capsule collections, with his latest being susan, comprising the 1950sinspired sofa, ottoman and chair.

Pieces such as the NarmiNa daybed aNd turgi sofa, with its stroNg broNze columNs, recall the decadeNce of sert’s haNd, as well as his PrefereNce for geNerous yet streamliNed ProPortioNs

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Clockwise from top left: trays; Sabine candle lamp; Jordana coffee table; Narmina daybed.

manufacturers, José’s murals covered the walls and ceilings of cathedrals and ballrooms, as well as the rockefeller centre in New york. he was also a pioneering interior and furniture designer.

Pieces such as the Narmina daybed and turgi sofa, with its strong bronze columns, recall the decadence of sert’s hand, as well as his preference for generous yet streamlined proportions. another key element within the collection is the introduction of rock crystal. misia sert, Jojo’s wife and best friend of coco chanel, placed crystal shards as decorative objects around her sumptuous rue de rivoli, Paris, apartment. sultana has reinvented this

358, Naxxar Road, B’Kara BKR 9040, Malta Tel: (+356) 21441328 | Fax: (+356) 21447188

www.bathroomdesign.com.mt www.facebook.com/bathroomdesignmalta

PLACES PROMO

Following the shoreline The Shoreline’s Phase II goes on sale in November, bringing to the south-east of Malta 180 high-quality properties.

Ricasoli Properties ltd, the bellwether developer behind the new lifestyle destination of The shoreline, will be opening the sales of Phase ii in November, bringing to the market an extensive choice of 180 high-quality properties on the south-eastern shores of Malta.

Well over 100 residences forming part of Phase i were snapped up by Maltese and international investors, leading to the announcement of the launch of Phase ii, which marks another milestone in the €200 million project.

The shoreline is situated on the sun-kissed Mediterranean coast inside a specially Designated area [sDa] also housing smartcity. a total of 450 residential units and 25,000 square metres of retail space will be built with the aim of maximising waterfront views, providing open and green public spaces and comfortable walking routes throughout the retail and residential areas on site. “in every step of this project, we have made renewed assessments to ensure that what we are developing complements the surroundings and supports the overall growth of smartcity as well as the south of Malta,” said Ben Muscat, chairman of Ricasoli Properties ltd.

“With Phase i completely sold-out and the launch of Phase ii, we are happy to see that investors have recognised the potential and reached back out to us.”

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Meanwhile, the company has issued a public invitation to general contractors to register their interest and participate in a pre-qualification process. The exercise will result in a selected number of contractors to eventually participate in the tender process for the works at the 125,000-square-metre development.

To manage the retail part of the mixed-use development, Ricasoli Properties ltd has appointed an international team to advise it, alongside architects Haskoll. The team is comprised of Development solutions, headed by Philip Harcourt, and retail specialists ssRc, run by stephen spendlove. spendlove and Harcourt previously worked together at colliers international, where they were involved in other major projects in Malta such as The Point, and continue to work together internationally on retail projects in the UK, Russia, slovakia, libya, Poland, serbia, Ukraine, latvia and Estonia. interestingly, in advising on The shoreline shopping Mall, which will consist of 30 outlets on two floors with ample space for underground parking, the duo have also introduced a former colleague, with whom they continue to work – the internationally acclaimed and leading place branding specialist Malcolm allan of Placematters.

WE WANT TO REACH A POINT WHERE PEOPLE SAY: ‘LET’S GO FOR A DAY OUT TO THE SHORELINE.’ WE WOULD LIKE THEM TO SAY THIS IN THE SAME WAY THEY MIGHT SAY IT ABOUT A DAY OUT IN VALETTA OR SLIEMA “While SmartCity may now have some office space and a handful of restaurants, Ricasoli knows it has big challenges to take it to the next level and turn it into a retail and leisure destination, complementing the early success of the residential apartment reservations at The Shoreline,” said Harcourt and Spendlove.

“The aim is for The Shoreline to lead, rather than follow, the fortunes of SmartCity, and part of this will be to establish it as a shopping destination where people from across Malta will come to enjoy what we call Experience Retail.”

As a destination, the intention is that The Shoreline will drive the aspirations of the local and wider communities, and will bring with it the need and desire to improve infrastructure within Kalkara, and also Malta as a whole.

The Shoreline’s location within SmartCity, according to Mr Muscat, is strategic in that it harnesses the ‘Smart’ elements of the city and offers a futuristic way of life.

“We wanted The Shoreline to embody all aspects of a smart, integrated living. We envisage that it will have distinctive hard-scape and soft-scape smart dimensions: smart infrastructure, smart environment, smart mobility, and smart economy, smart people, smart living, smart governance.

Choosing SmartCity for this reason was a natural decision,” said Mr Muscat. The aim is to turn what is essentially an office park into a 24/7 living-working-playing destination.

“We want to reach a point where people say: ‘Let’s go for a day out to The Shoreline.’ We would like them to say this in the same way they might say it about a day out in Valetta or Sliema,” said Steve Carter, managing director at The Shoreline.

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GOING PLACES

VACANZE ROMANE Step into photographer Brian Grech’s 1950s, vintage-style view of Rome.

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ART SACRIPANTE GALLERY An art gallery and cocktail bar, with vintage furniture and contemporary art, owned by Alessandro Cattedra, Giorgia Cerulli and Carlotta Cerulli.

PICASSO EXHIBITION Tra Cubismo e Classicismo: 1915-1925; open until January 21, 2018, at the Scuderie del Quirinale.

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ACCADEMIA DI SAN LUCA The prestigious school of art in Rome is home to an exhibition

by Luigi Ontani.

ACCOMMODATION Located on the edge of the iconic Piazza Navona, G-ROUGH embodies “the Rome of the Romans” both inside and out. Housed in the antique frame of a Roman building from the 1600s, the 10-suite hotel showcases an unconventional ‘Made in Italy’ concept of luxury. Elegant and original, five of the suites face a typical Roman courtyard in the direction of Piazza Pasquino and are named Silvio [Cavatorta], Ico [Parisi], Joe [Colombo], Giò [Ponti] and Guglielmo [Ulrich]. It is run by Gabriele Salini, an authentic seventh-generation Roman with a passion for art and vintage design.

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EXPERIENCE Get your old-fashioned film portrait taken on the street and developed in minutes by SERGE in Piazza di Santa Maria in Trastevere.

Fine bed and table linen, made from thread to finish in Italy, can be sourced from SOCIETY LIMONTA in Piazza di Pasquino.

SHOPPING For Vintage Hermes, Louis Vuitton and Chanel, pop into CIAO VINTAGE in Via del Governo Vecchio, and for more female fashion, check out LOL in Via Urbana. For a vast selection of premium scents, pay a visit to ROMASTORE PROFUMI in Via della Lungaretta, while lamps from all times can be found at CLAUDIO PICCIONI in Via del Boschetto.

Vintage furniture is available at NORA P in Via Panisperna.

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GOING PLACES

500 Take a selfie with an original Fiat 500. There are still plenty of them on the streets.

CAFÉS & CAKES SANT’ EUSTACHIO IL CAFFÈ A stone’s throw away from Piazza Navona and the Pantheon it’s the ideal spot to grab a coffee and their dolci di mandorla e cafe liquor. Built from bricks, with ergonomic forms, it appeared very innovative for its time, the absence of wooden furnishings and the use of white making it extremely modern.

MERCATO CENTRALE Try the Tiramisù alla Birra [Guinness] for a twist on the traditional sweet.

BAR DE SANTIS REMO This traditional family-owned bar is stuck in time.

GELATO DI SAN CRISPINO You cannot miss out on the Gelato allo Zabaione from Via della Panetteria.

CAFFÈ PROPAGANDA A concept bistro in Via Claudia, close to the Colosseum.

GOING OFF THE VINTAGE COURSE CANOVA TADOLINI Have a coffee surrounded by Canova plaster statues in Via del Babuino. It started in 1818 as a sculpture studio, where Adamo Tadolini, the most gifted of genius Antonio Canova’s pupils, worked on il maestro’s hand-me-down jobs.

Follow more oN INsTAGrAm @BrIANGreCH

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Come on in Once called General Grocery by John Griscti, Camarata dates back to the mid-1800s. It is an example of the seamless connection between branding and interior design, inspired by 1920s Maltese furniture, with a slightly modern twist.

PHOTOS: BRIAN GRECH

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THIS WINE bar at 131, Merchant Street, Valletta, is believed to have been constructed in the mid-1800s. Its name, Camarata, is a modern take on the original Camerata, as the area was known as far back as the 1500s during the time of the knights.

The project, which joined two corner properties and completely revamped the place, with a few structural alterations to expand it while keeping most of its old charm, was a close collaboration of interior design by Caroline Ciantar-Barbara and the brand design and direction of Steves&Co. Inspiration for the branding and interiors came from the prohibition style of the 1920s, coupled with a palette of colours and materials that aim to achieve an authentic, yet contemporary, look.

The brand colours were chosen with the specific intention of extending them throughout the interiors – blue being the main identifier, used along with grey and brass accents.

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An elegant mosaic behind the bar greets patrons upon entering. It is surrounded by horizontal subway tiles, which complement the style of the place.

The entire space is furnished with bespoke carpentry and other items, all created by local craftsmen and tradespeople, celebrating materials that take on a patina and get better with age.

The bar joinery design was inspired by the Maltese gradenza – a chest of drawers typical of the time, with its front panel mimicking drawers with handles and the top covered with a marble slab.

Similarly, a large mahogany storage unit, with metal grate lockers, sits at the far end of the ground floor, giving the customers a sneak peek of the bottle selection in store.

Both design teams were keen to further flaunt the traditional Maltese architecture, where the exposed timber beams on the high ceilings were tastefully restored and

integrated as part of the design. The exposed ceiling slabs were also kept in place to honour the architectural heritage of the building, with most of the lighting in the form of utilitarian bulbs and lanterns installed on walls.

Working around the architecture of the place, the original window openings were used to create clever seating in the form of benches, ideal to enjoy the views of the narrow city streets.

Going up a floor, the main visual feature is a large arched panelled blue wall contrasting with the white walls and glossy subway tiles.

The interior is designed to cater for the conditions of a commercial space, however, the soft furnishings and furniture give off an authentic and warm character.

The bathrooms also deserve a mention, with hexagonal mosaic tiles, horizontal subway tiles, brass fittings, a high cistern toilet and an oldlooking tilted mirror all adding personality and charm to the place.

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CITYHOME Camilleri Paris Mode projects and design studio embraced the modern, blank slate that this post-war building in Old Theatre Street, Valletta, presented them when they worked on the interiors of the De Vilhena Boutique Hotel. Working with a more contemporary aesthetic, they created a light, airy, young feel and an understated elegant look to offer a different option to the traveller.

PHOTOS: BRIAN GRECH

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The starting point: This post-war building had already been gutted internally and remodelled and planned as a boutique hotel when Camilleri Paris Mode projects and design studio was called in by the client. Its role was, in fact, to handle the internal finishes of the project. Other than its proximity to the main areas of the city, as well as the views onto the classic streetscape, the site did not really have any internal architectural elements of value to work around, so it was left with a pretty blank slate.

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In general, what should a guest find in a hotel in terms of atmosphere and environment? the client wished to offer a feeling of ‘living in the capital city’. the fact that the rooms directly overlook a typical city street, in a very central and busy area, with the top floors offering great balcony views of the Manoel theatre’s rooftop, meant that the building lends itself very well to this concept.

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In the interiors, the studio strove to give the feeling of an elegant yet cosy bedroom so as to achieve that city home feel. the rooms – 22 over four floors, one being a larger suite with a connected living area – are not large, so the furniture and materials introduced were very lightweight visually, but interesting in form or texture to offer a feeling of luxury without being overbearing on the rooms’ dimensions.

the furniture and materials introduced were very lightweight visually, but interesting in form or texture to offer a feeling of luxury without being overbearing on the rooms’ dimensions

the walls in a highly textured [but muted in grain] marble, reflective brass elements and tall glass panels, the entrance space was given an airy and welcoming feel. then, of course, when it comes to a valletta property, deliveries have to be planned well and grouped as much as possible, as access and the use of a lifter is only possible in the very early hours of the morning.

The colour schemes, fabrics, soft furnishings and other materials used to achieve the style: to create the understated elegant look, the projects and design studio chose to go for a stronger colour on the bed wall, which was complemented with the curtain fabric. in some rooms, the deep blue walls were accentuated further by creating a contemporary square panel effect. the bolder hue offers an interesting backdrop and contrast for the much lighter [both in colour and style] furniture and soft furnishing throughout. each room was then personalised by artwork, which was commissioned to local artist nadine noko. she created a set of unique prints in her signature style that highlight different areas and typical scenes in valletta – a different one for each room.

The stumbling blocks and challenges: when it came to the entrance, this area was the biggest challenge. of course, as with any commercial establishment, it needs to make the biggest impact and leave a positive and lasting impression. being rather long and very narrow as a space, we had to create the illusion of depth, while also encapsulating a comfortable reception and working space for the concierge. by cladding

The special touches that make De Vilhena unique: definitely the artwork as it really gives a very personal and individual touch, plus the inherent feeling of home achieved, stemming from the studio’s expertise in residential design, which it really tried its best to bring through to the hotel.

Modern elements and additions: the place itself is essentially a modern build so we worked on a mostly modern aesthetic, bringing in a slight touch of classical elements to add warmth to the spaces.

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Do you feel that boutique hotels in Valletta share similar styles in general in terms of interior design, and how does the De Vilhena distinguish itself from the vast mix that has cropped up? They do share similarities in that most are situated in the traditional townhouses within the baroque city, resulting in more classic elements in the interiors. This project does differ, however, in that it lies in the centre of the city, but it feels very modern in its build. The studio chose not to fight this aspect, but to take it in its stride and work with a more contemporary aesthetic, creating a light, airy and young feel, that way offering a different option to the traveller.

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