Home & Garden – Esteem Magazine

TAMBA VILLAS, THE ULTIMATE IN PARADISE LIVING

The Southern coast which in recent times has witnessed a flurry of development and related activities, will soon be home to an idyllic, luxurious yet at the same time, a home away from home development; Tamba Villas.

“To build a home that is so exceptional that coming home either for a holiday, or to live there permanently would be the ultimate in paradise living! This is Eduard Hempel’s vision for his latest venture, Tamba Villas. Eduard Hempel Director & Co-Project Principal for Tamba Villas, expressing his vision for his latest project, which will be in excess of US $ 15 million, went on to say, “we want to give each home owner an idyllic life in a beautiful, safe space with all the comforts of modern day living. Our collection of 37 Villas have been purpose-built for people who like to work, holiday or retire in one of the most beautiful areas of Galle, a place that affords them a 5-Star life-style; in short Tamba villas in Thalpe”.

Each villa has been named after a tea estate and the overall look and feel is highly reminiscent of world renowned architect, Geoffrey Bawa. “The courtyards and verandas and the general feel of the buildings echo that grandest and most delightful and celebrated period of Sri Lanka’s architecture, the Colonial period. Tamba Villas hearkens back to a bygone era where leisure and sheer gentility were the order of the day. Serenity, respite and tranquillity, combined with modern day 5-star amenities and luxury pampering, will be our hallmark”, said Hempel.

Tamba Villas is a delightful private coconut estate which is set back 300 metres from Thalpe beach (on the land side) surrounded by lush tropical gardens and swaying palm trees. There is only a collection of 37 homes, which have been designed by an award-winning Singaporean Architectural team, to create a coastal lifestyle design with high-end amenities for living, working or early retiring in a much sought-after area in the south of Sri Lanka.

Since arriving in 2003 from the U.K, Eduard Hempel has immersed himself in the Sri Lankan property sector, with the goal of building happy and thriving businesses and making a difference in the local community. By working closely with the local culture, he has done just that. Hempel Holdings has a strong foundation in Galle and has grown to be a well established and grounded business. Over the years, Eduard has been a bridge for people looking to invest in Sri Lanka and he has helped many clients and businesses in the negotiation, acquisition and development of exceptional real estate.

Hempel Holdings has a track record of over 15 years in specialised property development. This has been the catalyst in building a good and fair reputation with both Sri Lankans and foreign investors. Hempel is also Co-Director in Pearl Properties in Unawatuna, which has been operating for more than 12 years.

Hempel and Trevor Morgan Director & Co-Project Principal for Tamba Villas, expects to commence construction of this unique and niche development project in early 2019, while completion of Tamba Villas is estimated to be around late 2020.

With a degree in Combined Engineering, from Coventry University in the UK, Trevor founded his first company with a staff of seventeen, covering manufacture, design, administration and fittings. He then went on to gain extensive experience in construction and interiors, working in exclusive areas of Barcelona, which included eight development projects and a £8.6M development project in Kensington, UK. Trevor arrived in Sri Lanka in 2012 to set up Shakticola with Eduard Hempel, bringing his knowledge of managing construction projects from design through to completion, as well as his understanding and experience in achieving a high level of finish for luxury interiors. He has outstanding experience in high end interior and building products. Examples of such products are the Sea Heart House, Koggala Jungle View Villa and Thalpe Villa, to name just a few.

Tamba Villas is a collaboration between Shakticola and Award-winning A D Lab, a Singaporean Architectural firm focused on cutting edge residential projects, while STIX, another award-winning landscape designer designed the lush tropical gardens. Together, they have designed generous spaces for tropical living in the form of unique villa homes which coexist in harmony with nature.

Singaporean A D Lab is an award-winning firm which has created and completed residential and housing projects throughout Asia and will bring all their experience and knowledge to fashion something unique and edgy to tropical living, while paying tribute to the excellent historical architectural style of Sri Lanka. A D Lab never duplicates developments – instead, they look at each project on its own merit according to the environment and local culture.

“The Tamba team wanted to build a development that did not overwhelm the landscape, instead ensuring that each Villa blends in sensitively around all the greenery, preserving the natural surrounding beauty”, said Hempel. “Tamba Villa buyers will also have the ease of purchasing a furniture package, either modern or classic, provided through a collaboration with a reputable company, which makes the whole process of buying and transporting furniture much easier”. Plans are also in place for a Business Centre, a visiting licensed doctor and a visiting beautician, while many other amenities will be added accordingly.

Tamba Estates Ptv Ltd, a Sri Lankan Limited company, owns 100% of the land that Tamba Villas will be built on. The in-house sales team at Tamba Villas office will be handling the sales in conjunction with Pearl Properties, one of the South’s leading agencies. Tamba Villas will also be working with global partners in Singapore, USA, Canada, Australia and the U.K., along with one of Britain’s leading digital sales specialists.

“We are confident your villa will be an excellent investment. Property prices have been steadily going up over the last 5 years and will continue to rise, given our strong tourism sector and growing economy”, said Hempel. “With only 37 villas, we don’t expect they will be around for long.”

The core foundation of all of Hempel’s business endeavours is stamped with integrity and professionalism, and Tamba Villas is set to become a valuable asset on the southern coast.

Architect Suzette Whehella visits Meubel House to share tips for living spaces brimming with life

With real estate in Colombo steadily rising in value, contemporary homes are becoming smaller and professional advice on how to enhance a space proves valuable and cost-effective for homeowners. During a visit to the picturesque Meubel House gallery on Gower Street, Architect Suzette Whehella shares her tips for making the best out of every space and a few guiding principles for choosing the right furniture.

Architect Whehella grew up amid spaces and design metrics – her father was an engineer and since she was six years old, she aspired to create living spaces. She studied architecture at the City School of Architecture and branched out on her own with Suzette Whehella Associates. Architect Whehella prefers to focus on a few projects at a time; this has allowed her to dabble in sub-disciplines close to her own work-for example interior design, which she started experimenting with when she realized how a beautifully designed space could be furnished and accessorized to make it truly extraordinary.

When she meets with clients Whehella tries to find out what makes them tick. “Interiors are about character,” she says. “It has to reflect the little quirks and interests of the person living in the house.” It can be challenging to keep your own preferences out of it, she laughs. “You have to remember that this is where someone else will be living and that it needs to be about their likes and dislikes.” Her advice is to consult with an architect first if you’re doing the interiors for your own house, as they will have a good idea of what the space requires.

To begin with, a house with open areas and natural light is instantly easier to work with. If natural light is difficult to tap into, Whehella advises strategically placing lamps and lights for good lighting indoors. Then, you could choose the furniture and other accessories to individualize your space.

When choosing furniture, remember that size matters. A larger space can handle large furniture while it is always advisable to choose smaller pieces for a smaller space. It may sound self-evident but many homeowners give in to the temptation of buying a large pettagama, or wooden chest, for their tiny living room. To be comfortable, you need as much space as possible to walk around, says Whehella.

Use quirky, unusual versions of the most traditional items of furniture. You could also use unusual colours to brighten up a solid colour scheme-for example a room painted in white and filled with white or light-coloured furniture will instantly take to multi-coloured chests. Whehella suggests using it in a TV room or living room, but recommends that you pair it with an otherwise muted colour scheme. “As a rule of thumb, we say no more than three colours. Beyond that it gets to be too much. I would also follow this rule when you’re painting indoor spaces – for walls, less is more.”

Mix and match shapes and textures, but with restraint. Thinking in height and width dimensions can also help you find visual balance in a space. A strategically placed mirror can also add a touch of elegance to a larger space, or create the illusion of space in a smaller room.

The day bed which was made entirely of reclaimed wood from a boat, is an example of a statement piece that can dress up a large space or add excitement to an outdoor area. Whehella recommends using primarily wood in outdoor spaces – just make sure you maintain it well – or rattan, a naturally renewable material favoured by many Sri Lankan households. If you must have metal, use galvanized wrought iron for a rustic look to add character to a space.

Whehella shares that interior design is often about instinct tempered with insight – perhaps from a professional, but experience can also help. Instinct will help you bring a strong sense of character to a room, while knowing what goes where, and how, will help you make that space truly home. At Meubel House you’ll find a bit of both – guidance to help you find the right fit for your home, and respect for character in a space via customized furniture.

Passion for Design

Dehara Gomes is no stranger to the world of design or for that matter to anyone in Colombo. She is what one would call a “modern woman” (although this term is used quite loosely nowadays few live up to its true connotations with Dehara being one of them), juggling a family, a business and a career with seeming ease. Describing herself as an emphatic individual who will push through adversity to make the best of any situation, she has in fact made a name for herself. Outgoing by nature she is compassionate toward the needs of others which is fuelled by her giving spirit.

Starting off her own design and construction firm at the young age of 24, Dehara has been instrumental in the success of “Westgate”, which begun small with only ten people to manufacture kitchen units. Today she has built a remarkable niche clientele ranging from homeowners with a big dream to multinational corporates. However running a design firm was not something Dehara envisioned for herself when she was schooling. “Running an organization is very different to designing, but it allows me to express my creative side, whilst building a successful business enterprise. It enables me to enjoy the best of both worlds so to speak”, she notes.

Inspired by everything around her including the environment, art, people, travel as well as new experiences, Dehara finds herself surrounded by a great team of creative designers who add a spark to the creativity within the organization. She adds, “Our people are a key differentiator for us. The collective talent that we house and the extensive care and detail that we consistently go into in order to fulfill the aspirations of our clients, truly sets us apart.”

Westgate also has its own integrated state-of-the-art factory in Panadura where they manufacture many of the designs conceptualized by the designers as the firm. Customizing design solutions allows the company to ensure customer satisfaction, every time. The manufacturing arm imports a wide range of raw material and accessories to create their own unique designs. This also helps them to offer clients a wide range of choice across homes, offices and beyond. Dehara believes that this coupled with speedy completion of projects and after sales service help put them ahead of the competition.

The Interior Design industry in Sri Lanka has evolved over the years and is growing at an exponential rate. However Dehara feels that the inculcation and use of better technology and the availability of a greater selection of raw material are two major areas of development that needs to be addressed in the near future. She also sees much potential in young designers who are daring to be different and aspiring to make a name of themselves, much like she did.

Being the wife of a public figure such as Dian Gomes has had many positive effects on Dehara’s life with her husband being her greatest influence. She speaks fondly of his support and inspiration that drives her to take her company to the next level. Surrounded by a loving and supportive family Dehara notes, “I make it a point to work manageable hours to make sure that I have free time to spend with my family. I have a great team that’s empowered to keep the business moving smoothly, even when I am not around. So fortunately, balancing the family and work has not been an issue for me.”

While a day at work is packed with meetings, briefings and site-visits, a typical off-day for Dehara begins with a daily exercise routine, followed by a catch up with friends over a movie or meal. A balanced life is commonplace for this woman who puts her heart and soul to everything she does.

“I haven’t thought much about what I would do in retirement, but I know that very soon I would like to hand over the business to my two daughters, Shahili and Elisha. They’re both capable young adults with Elisha holding a Management and Marketing, Degree with (Hons) from the University of Manchester and Shahili an MSc (Hons) from Imperial College, London. Can’t wait to see what heights they take the business to next,” says the proud mother.

An ambitious entrepreneur, Dehara also dedicates much time and effort to give back to society. She brings together her employees, clients and friends in various projects that aim to uplift the lives of children and youth wherever and whenever possible. Aspiring to do her bit to change the world, her tough exterior houses a tender heart softened by human need.

Overall Dehara is an epitome of what most women aspire to be; successful in all things. The fond memories that friends and family share of her is testament to a woman with passion for everything she does.