Lime Interior Architecture and Design

Cafe Sakura

2009-07-14T02:22:00.000-07:00

Check out our latest completed project at davinapreca.com

East meets west, a celebration of two diverse cultures this was the starting point for Sakura Cafe specialising in Japanese Cuisine.
The Japanese love for beauty & simplicity inspired to work with clean linear lines. Cafe bar influence was used to inject warmth & sociability through the use of colour and pattern. The background palette is made up of dark walnut, deep purple shades & green tones all part of a timeless design language.
Low ceilings were offset by semi gloss ceilings and polished floors as a tool to open up the volume of the space. The walls and light shades by Stem Lighting are elegant delicate graphics with eastern references in a contemporary context on various media of paper, glass & perspex.

Resin Art

2009-07-02T02:40:00.000-07:00

Browsing i came across this fantastic revolutionary product produced by Schneller Inc. is Veritas ResinArt.
You can build your own unique ResinArt panel by combining endless varieties of colors, patterns, textures and materials within multi layered translucent resin. The colours and patterns are endless making for maximum flexibility they can be bent and cut using simple wood joinery machinery. ResinArt can be used in a wide variety of applications such as doors, ceilings, desk tops, and privacy screens.
Top vote- as these panels are made with recycled content and are fully recyclable!
ResinArt panels are manufactured at a solar powered facility in Florida, are food safe, non toxic and non off gassing. View the full collection at: http://www.veritasideas.com/Index.aspx

The Day Bed

2009-05-08T08:24:00.000-07:00

With hot summer days round the corner, the idea of a long lunch and a power nap whether in the office or home can be quite a temptation! Here are the latest designs for those moments of sleepiness...

From Accupunto Ergonic Collection- based on accupuntal knowledge it combines health and aestetic, the plastic knobs shape to fit the contours of the body.

LAVA by Cor- This has to be my favourite - it can be rearranged into endless practical combinations. This foam upholstery comes in either fabric or leather.

Phi ton Bed/Lounger the ultimate in technology, it can be adjusted to recline to any degree and has inbuilt massage - mmm

PRINCIPESSA- Nipa Doshi for Moroso

the concept: based on the story of the priness & the pea
so original and the five mismatched covers are fun in true Moroso fashion.

Expressive Materials

2009-04-27T07:15:00.000-07:00

Material Sensibility, Bank of Siena

Wood, Concrete Rendering & Brick all fuse well together

A successful insert into an old building

The Medieval Town of Anghiari

In an age of mass production and standardization buildings have become divorced from culture, from time & place. They seem to be everywhere and nowhere detached from their location.

On a recent trip to the stunning Tuscan hills all the while immersed in culture and craft, i felt a return to the enjoyment of the tactile qualities of natural materials. This place really awakens your senses, a feast for the eyes, as you walk the streets your fingers seem to want to reach out and feel the stone, the wood, the brick, no wonder with such a backdrop Michelangelo, Da Vinci and so many others were inspired to innovate.

The streetscape boosts a creation which is unified in its approach, whether on a small or large scale, village or town. The sum of these materials is an expressive landscape that speaks volumes.

A National Association for InteriorArchitects /Designers

2009-01-26T02:38:00.000-08:00

At the conference from left: Laurence Bonsma, Per Reinholtz, Davina Preca, President Joke Van Hengstum, Secretary General Gerrit Schilder, past President Kees Spanjers.

The European Council for Interior Architects held a conference on the 16th January which was attended by local professionals. The aim was to discuss the need for setting up a national organization to represent Interior Architects/Designers.
The ECIA also choose to hold their Annual General Meeting in Malta which was attended by the President of the Council Joke Van Hengstum, Secretary General Gerrit Schilder and board members Kees Spanjers, Per Reinholtz, Laurence Bonsma, Mia Van Den Broeck and Birgitt Becker.

The ECIA provides a common platform for the exchange of information on best professional practices. It has established a common minimum standard of educational and professional profile for the associated interior architects in the 15 member organizations throughout Europe. The national association will adhere to these standards and will promote the value of responsible and competent design.

The conference was well attended by local professionals in the design industry. The discussion centered on promoting and representing the profession. Also put forward were ideas in assisting the exchange of professional information to facilitate industry involvement both on a national as well as on an International level.

Real Estate Cafe

2008-10-08T02:07:00.000-07:00

This project set in the historical city of Valletta is now nearing completion. It is based on an innovative concept of a Real Estate Agency together with a an outdoor cafe.

The facade located on Merchants Street. It was stripped to its original state and clad in wood. The swirl pattern is inspired from the Baroque era. All the interior furniture was custom made in order to maximise the space.

Tips on Making the most out of your Outdoor Space.

2008-07-30T02:14:00.000-07:00

-Define your space into different areas by selecting the functions that will take place, such as dining, relaxing and entertaining. Then use a variety of elements to differentiate these spaces and create a sense of enclosure. A combination of both soft and hard landscaping materials such as gravel, paving, stone, pebbles, wood paving, shrubs and plants will induce a colourful array of textures.

-Think about those special spots that nurture and soothe, a hammock, a herb patch, the sound of flowing water or perhaps a bird feeder should entice you to spend hours of enjoyment in your outdoor space.

-Consider the benefits of sun orientation in relation to your space, if you mainly use your dining table in the evening it might be an idea to position it in order to capture the last rays of sun. Use umbrellas, lightweight retractable awnings or screens to shield from the hot summer sun.

-If you decide on a bbq take note of the direction of any prevailing winds most notably north west , this will save you from inhaling cooking fumes.

-Wireless solar lights are a good solution to enhance your space and create atmosphere with the bonus of no electrical preparation required.

- Use paint to unify or segment your areas. Blue and purple work best against greenery .Whilst browns and green can be used to disguise any obtrusive objects.

-Make your contribution to the environment and grow turf on your roof: it provides you with a naturalistic outdoor space and keeps your house well insulated. They keep the heat in during the winter and the heat out in the summer months. You would have to ensure that your roof is water tight and that structurally it can with hold the weight. But what a pleasant urban landscape we would have!

www.safeguardeurope.com gives us the ins and outs

Invest time and energy into your garden and the rewards are plentiful, quite literally you reap what you sow!

Lime In the Press

2008-06-24T00:56:00.000-07:00

We make it on the Front Cover of leading design magazine Design & Decor, Summer 08' '

Now in the process of setting up a Press section which will feature our latest design articles and projects.

Tactile Bathroom Design

2008-05-26T08:05:00.000-07:00

Indulge the Senses combine a mixture of materials that transform the bathroom into a pleasant experience.

Here i used pebbles as a floor covering to massage the feet whilst showering and draw you into the room. A sky blue veneziano on the walls gives a smooth soft effect and contrasts the texture of the pebbles. The high mirrors and lighting enhance the feeling of infinity.

Graphics on Glass

2008-04-25T06:50:00.000-07:00

Graphic on Milky White Glass

Graphic on Transparent Glass

This is a simple but effective idea to use as a feature, it can be used for a high level window, a recess in the wall or any aperture really. The great thing about it is its flexibility in that you can select the pattern/graphic that complements your interior space and still allowing natural light to flow into your space.

The image shown was designed for a hotel reception whose concept was based on elements of the sea, so i opted for a bubble print. This gives you the opportunity to inject your home or office with a personlised touch.Once fixed onto either transparent or opaque glass you can also use back lighting for maximising the effect.

So are you thinking of hiring an interior designer? Where do you start?

2008-04-19T11:26:00.000-07:00

The first hurdle is finding a designer who is on your same wavelength, someone who will take the time to understand your needs and lifestyle, to work with your budget.

However before you make a snap decision and hire the first designer that crosses your path, it would be useful to pause on some questions your potential designer may have for you.

Here are some pointers:
What is your time frame and budget?
For whom is the space being designed? And what is its function?
How much advise do you require? Is it the spatial layout, materials & colours?

Ask to view previous projects, education and any relevant experience for your type of project. You will be working closely with this person for a possibly lengthy period of time, so be sure that you feel at ease communicating and expressing your requirements and ideas. The initial meeting is important to determine that the prospective designer takes the time to listen to your needs. Also that trust is established and your mind is at rest that when selecting materials and furniture you are not obliged to purchase from any particular supplier.

Since a designer has contacts with suppliers they are able to obtain considerable discounts at net prices, this saving alone can more than account for the designers fee.

Once you have the designer’s fee proposal make sure that you properly understand the breakdown of costs and what exactly is included.

Is there a contract? Discuss your specific needs to make sure the designer’s fee proposal will work for you. For example if you only need some advice on paint colors and furniture placement, a flat or hourly fee would be more appropriate. However, if you project is a more detailed one, there will likely be a combination of fees for concept development, estimate of costs, working drawings and site supervision.
Speak openly with the designer about your budget so they are able to meet your needs and give you a realistic overview of the projects feasibility.

Remember that this is your space and it should reflect your personality and lifestyle not that of the designer. Otherwise the result will be one that looks and feels like a hotel room…so be firm that this space is about you.

The more information you provide the prospective designer, the more the designer can fulfill your needs. You can do this in many forms, some of my favourites: writing about your dream home, presenting a painting that captures the feel of your future space. You may even want to compile your own scrapbook of images that inspire you in some way or another.

Great projects all start with a dream

First Blog

2008-04-19T09:37:00.000-07:00

Hello, to all you design crazed fanatics this is my first blog, so im very green at this :) but this is how i intend to use my blog:

This space will be an interactive platform to discuss design and more specifically the world of interiors.

I look forward to discussing anything from innovative ideas, new sizzling materials, ways to bring in light, eco friendly solutions, colours, spatial solutions etc..

So, feel free to leave your comments, questions, suggestions..or browse through my website and let me know what you think.

Keep an eye on this spot..Thanks for visiting
Davina