When was Loft set up and with what aims?
I moved to Malta after completing my studies in Canada and the US and practised interior design here since 1999, both with other design houses as well as doing freelance work.
While trying to source products for clients, I realised that what was on offer in Malta was a fraction of the potential possibilities for furniture, accessories and materials that the international market had to offer. Growing up in a different continent I was exposed to the endless potential of choice in our field and I wanted to bring some of this to Malta.
Loft was launched in spring 2012 and officially opened its doors for business on July 25, 2012. Our aim was to offer a different perspective and give clients something that they were not accustomed to seeing in the shops and showrooms already established in Malta.
I believe we have succeeded and have held true to this initial aim. We continue to work hard to source the most interesting pieces we can for our clients and to create unique interiors for our domestic and commercial clients.
Offices today are being redesigned to promote social activity as studies have shown that people are inspired by new ideas when they are relaxing
How have you expanded your offerings since then?
Loft started with a handful of brands but our portfolio has grown considerably. In terms of our design services, we started off by helping our clients with various aspects of their interior design projects – now we have a small team of designers on board, allowing us to offer a full design service from beginning to end.
What unique products and services do you offer to clients?
We strive to retain exclusive brands in our market. We conducted a lot of research before we opened Loft, and we continue to research new and innovative companies to complement our style. We believe that the world has so much to offer and we don’t want to stop at conventional, overused options. We strive to create new, stylish spaces for our clients regardless of their needs and purposes.
What commercial projects have you been involved in to date?
We have supplied furniture for Harbour Club, designed by Chris Briffa and accessorised Casa Ellul, also by Briffa.
We have redone four suites at Argento Hotel in St Julian’s, Loop Bar in Straight Street, Valletta, the Dermalogica, Pronails and Eva Garden sales points in Tigné Point, and recently designed IQ retail outlet in Bay Street, which just opened at the end of November 2014.
Our project portfolio is a clear testament to our versatility. We are currently working on numerous other commercial projects which will be revealed throughout 2015.
What defines and differentiates Loft’s products and services?
Loft’s portfolio is aimed at customisation. We have a sample gallery which houses our fabric, wallpaper, carpet, blind and trimmings collections where customers can come and spend hours looking through samples to create their individual interiors. When it comes to furniture, unfortunately in our 160 square metres we cannot show our clients all that we would like to – however, we do aim to provide at least a few samples from each company, referring to our vast catalogues to find suitable pieces for each project.
How do your office designs encourage well-being, creativity and functionality?
When designing for commercial purposes, it’s essential to study the company image, clientele as well as the functionality of the space that the staff will work from.
Offices today are being redesigned to promote social activity as studies have shown that people are inspired by new ideas when they are relaxing. Office spaces must promote creative thinking and well-being for the benefit of both employee and company.
The interior design of a space, in this case an office, can have a positive impact on both creativity and the well-being of employees.
A question we at Loft love to pose is: why does an office have to look like an office? If it were designed with spaces for social conversation, more like a home, would this not help the staff feel more relaxed and reduce stress levels?
Loft’s vision of the ideal office space provides a place for employees to reduce stress, step away from the computer and feel at home. Companies all around the world have adopted this mentality and ultimately reaped the benefits of success.
Although Loft can provide conventional office furniture, we like to look at offices from an alternative lifestyle perspective, introducing the unexpected within office spaces. We try to move away from the stereotypical tendency of a clinical office feel by adding as much personality as possible.
The process towards a more stylish, comfortable and dynamic office begins by studying all the planes of a space and adding elements of interest, texture, colour and pattern, often creating areas without the need for walls. In today’s open concept offices, elements must be added to create a sense of space definition –otherwise the space could end up looking like a bare large open room devoid of any character and description.
With our varied range of interior offerings as well as our design experience, we can customise office spaces to suit a company’s needs and image as well as boosting the productivity and well-being of all members of staff.
What does the Loft team excel in and what aftersales services do you offer?
Our first priority is our clients and their needs and success. We pride ourselves in giving the best possible advice through our knowledge and experience. Although our advice may not always be in line with what the client wants to hear, we believe in giving an impartial opinion that reflects our style, diverse backgrounds and beliefs, and clients have appreciated this time and time again.
With regards to aftersales, with a job well done, the need for aftersales should not exist. However, we are always ready to offer our support to anyone who comes back with either the need to expand or, rarely, something to mend.