Life style
Architect turns interior designer
A chartered architect by profession specializing in interior designs is Dilini Mapagunaratne.
Her past projects have been associated with apartments, houses and hotels. In the execution of interiors many elements of design are customized to create a unique appearance from one interior to another. This gradually led to the design of concentrated areas of interest associated with wooden items from furniture- to light fittings -to interior décor elements.
She adopted a creative approach with an intention of sustainable design running in my subconscious mind. During the Covid era with imposed restrictions and limiting to practice as architect, she started experimenting and improvising with new design ideas. It started with recreating an old plastic platter which she purchased from a dollar store overseas into a charger plate (a large plate/ base plate where the main dinner plate is placed on). This was a trigger to her new venture that led to the creation of a novel designer wooden homeware range.
Dilini Mapagunaratne
Tell us about your design station
Design Station is a hub for replacing homeware products to an eco- friendly – sustainable range. Crafted by solid pieces of wood by local artisans- sourced locally thus creating a complete Sri Lankan product maintaining a high quality finish. The wood is selected carefully based on colour, texture, grain and durability making each piece unique and every item a work of art on its own.
Design Station wooden bowls, charcuterie platters, chopping boards, tumblers, tongs etc provide a burst of organic sophistication to the space it occupies in a sustainable manner. Each piece could serve as a timeless item if taken basic care and even passed on to generations.
(Q) What is your greatest inspiration?
Inspiration has come from many places. As children we were brought up to be sensitive to our surroundings. My grandfather-an Ayurveda physician instilled the importance of healthy living-also to not waste, re-use, recycle, to maximize what is naturally available in our immediate context. My mother never inhibited our ideas and always encouraged us to improvise on our own creativity; being someone who appreciated art and made sure she kept a cozy house. These were some key elements I believe that contributed directly and indirectly to what influenced and inspired me to do.
(Q) Recent successes and highlights ?
(A) Opening my very own wooden homeware store Design Station.A small chic -unpretentious retail outlet that showcases my creativity through my product range.
(Q) Your creative instincts ?
(A) My creative instincts were passed down from my mother-the person who encouraged me to take up a career in architecture. Studying architecture helped me in many ways. To be innovative, think out of the box, to be persevering and push oneself to limits beyond one could ever imagine.
(Q) What has been your highlight over the years ?
(A) To develop a range of items that have reached an export quality value. The Design Station product range has reached quite a few high end restaurants and hotels. Many foreigners value these local products and are more than happy to take them overseas to their homes in spite of its heavy weight. The solidity of the wood ware is what adds to its richness.
(Q) Do the current innovations in technology affect your work as a creative artist?
(A) New innovations will always pop up- this does not affect the product as DS also keeps innovating with time. I am venturing out into different areas of design that is in sync with my wooden products. My aim to give a client a design solution that is beyond my current product range. With design there are no boundaries. One of the key ideas behind the name Design Station is to provide a platform for various areas of design –a holistic approach, not merely limiting one to a specific space but to look beyond.
(Q) Tell us about your creative process ?
(A) My creative process usually starts with requirements for a client or a customer. Depending on the context a concept is formulated to suit the situation. The concept is then carried right through out in every single detail to the making of the end product. However, the detailed design process is quite multi-faceted in each and every situation
(Q)Where does your passion for design come from?
(A) Passion for design comes from the love for aesthetics. Something beautiful always stimulates me.
(Q) What do you love most about your work?
(A) What I love most – when what I have sketched on the drawing board comes into reality and looks even more fulfilling than what was envisioned.
(Q) How would you describe your style?
(A) My style varies –from very simple minimalist to vibrant and energetic
(Q) Design is often surrounded with talk of sustainability ?
(A) Sustainability is a key factor for me- not only in design but in lifestyle
(Q) Plans for the future?
(A) Plan is to diversify into innovating with different locally sourced materials that sync with my wooden products. Eg. Stoneware, recycled glass, clay, rattan etc that is not found anywhere else
(Q) How did you end up in such an offbeat unconventional and facinating career?
(A) I always wanted to do something different with design. The lockdown due to covid facilitated this process which gave me more time to design and execute my ideas. Made sufficient stocks and focused on brand labelling. Upcoming pop ups provided opportunities to market DS.
The Saturday Good Market became a regular spot for promotion. I became a supplier to Pendi and had a shack at a sustainable product store at one Galle Face mall. Eventually I made it to opening up my very own shop at Alwis Place on Perehera Mawatha where a popular café existed once upon a time. It’s difficult to miss the set of bright yellow doors with an unostentatious signage of Design Station in conjunction with my neighbour’s beautiful bougainvillea tree.
Institute of Hospitality Sri Lanka
The 32nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the UK-based Institute of Hospitality’s Sri Lanka Chapter was held recently at the Ramada Hotel Colombo,.The event provided an evening of camaraderie , reflection of the past and present achievements,setting new benchmarks for the future
The AGM had the presence of two distinguished guests, the Chief Guest Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, and the Guest of Honour British High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Andrew Patrick. Their inspiring speeches were lauded by all hoteliers who were present at the occasion
A special thanks was extended to Robert Richardson, CEO of the Institute of Hospitality UK, along with his team, sponsors, committee members, and all attendees for making the event memorable.
Dr. Harsha Jayasingh, Past President of the Institute of Hospitality (UK) Sri Lanka Chapter, emphasised the Institute’s longstanding history and the strength of its Sri Lankan branch. “The Institute of Hospitality (IH) UK has a history of 86 years, and we are proud to be the Sri Lanka Branch. IH Sri Lanka is much stronger now with many members from all areas of the hospitality industry,” he stated.
Dr. Jayasingh highlighted the significant role of tourism in Sri Lanka’s economy,. He said tourism it is the third-largest source of revenue for the country. “Tourism accounts for about 13.3% of total foreign exchange earnings and employs 450,000 people directly and indirectly. The hospitality industry in this island of pearl holds tremendous potential for economic growth, job creations, and cultural exchange,” he added.
He also pointed out more women should be attracted to the industry and advocated for the use of technology in hospitality sector to attract the younger generation.
The newly appointed Chairman Ramesh Dassanayake spoke about the challenges faced by the industry, including the reluctance of youth to join the sector. . Dassanayake expressed concerns over the migration of staff between hotels and the overall ‘brain drain’ in the sector. ” We must maintain high standards in the hotel We must try to attract tourists to Sri Lanka, we must have with many facilities Hence, hotel schools and other professional institutions involved in skills development mustincrease their intakes,” he pointed out.
Chief Guest Sajith Premadasa emphasised the importance of eco tourism and said “We need to have an environmental policy related to tourism in place,” . .
The 32nd AGM of the Institute of Hospitality UK, Sri Lanka Chapter, was a testament to the strength and potential of Sri Lanka’s hospitality industry. The insights and commitments shared during the event set a new benchmark for the future.(ZC)
Pix by Thushara Attapathu
Life style
He recognizes human identity beyond boundaries of gender, race, nationality and religion.
Visit of Sri Gurudev to Sri Lanka
Humanitarian, spiritual leader and Global Ambassador of Peace Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (Sri Gurudev) was in Sri Lanka on a three day tour on the invitation of the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka Dinesh Gunewardene. Gurudev who inspired a wave of volunteerism and service to moot one of the largest volunteer-based organisations in the world – The Art of Living – visited the various projects under the aegis of the foundation and launched twelve vocational and technical centers around the island. He was accompanied by thousands of followers from Sri Lanka and around the world.
Gurudev who visited Sri Lanka for the sixth time also had a first day cover launched in honour of his visit. He is a strong proponent of spreading happiness, using the unique Sudarshan Kriya, yoga, meditation and practical wisdom to unite people, empower individuals and transform communities. His programmes provide techniques and tools to live a deeper, more joyous life, while his non-profit organisations recognize the human identity beyond the boundaries of gender, race, nationality and religion.
The Art of Living which has more than 30,000 teachers and over one million volunteers across 180 countries has touched in excess of five hundred million people around the world. CNN called it “Life Changing” and The Washington Post headlined it, “Fresh air to millions”.
In Trincomalee, Gurudev met with war victims and had a heartwarming engagement with the children from the children’s homes run by the Foundation. He also visited the Koneswara Temple in Trincomalee and graced the Kumbhabhishekam at Seetha ecogPnize the human identity beyond the boundaries of gender, race, nationality and religion. Amman temple at Nuwara Eliya. He held discussions with the trustees on the progress of the foundation’s social service projects, while also holding a special event – Ekamuthuwa – attended by a large number of dignitaries and his devotees from around the world.
His time with the Prime Minister was spent discussing the prospects of unity in diversity and uniting Sri Lanka by adding happiness into the formula of living. In addition he had discussions with the Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, prominent business stewards and civil society leaders.
by Zanita Careem
Envison your dream wedding day come to life at the Epitome Hotel, a prestigious city hotel in Kurunegala offering an unrivalled luxury rendors experience for weddings.
The venue is designed to embody opulence and luxury from all quarters for a spectacular wedding in kurunegala,Thier ballroom is the largest banquet facility in Sri Lanka It can be divided into six luxurious pillarless wedding halls on the ground floor and 25pax smaller banquet halls.
It can be easily named as a five star heaven in the heart of the city contributing to a myriad of immense experiences tailored to inspire and delight wedding experiences.
From opulent décor set up to exquisite table decor, lavish food, every detail is meticulously curated to spark your imagination and ignite creativity for a perfect wedding. The previous prestigious wedding shows season one and season two attracted large crowds
were unique events which gave the wedding vendors and potential clients had an opportunity to connect and interact with each other. Beyond being a showcase it was a chance for the wedding vendors to unite and contribute to the vibrancy of the wedding industry. The wedding show covered all area of the bridal industry providing a comprehensive variety of bridal supplies from Sri lanka and became the most popular bridal exhibitions in Kurunegala.This bridal exhibitions allowed brides and grooms to experience first hand the products and services available from suppliers in Sri Lanka
These wedding shows held at The Epitome created a benchmark and gave an opportunity for vendors to create connections to the utmost satisfaction said Harshan Lakshita Executive Director. of the magnificent Hotel
Our wedding shows featured experts and professionals in every field‘ It covered all areas of the bridal industry provided a comprehensive variety of bridal supplies from Sri lanka and became most popular bridal exhibition in this region.We are always open to everyone to join us at our wedding shows in the future. It is an opportunity to discover the incredible talent within our local wedding and bridal vendors to make meaningful relationships and plan thier special day at our breathtaking hotel The Epitome said General Manager Kavinda Caldera
The Epitome Hotel’s bridal show which will be held end of June will buzz with great ideas,advice and inspiration for all those who plan thier dream wedding
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The Hotel Epitome’s Wedding Season 3 will marked excellence, celebration and inspiration for those in the wedding industry. The exhibition halls will resonate with ideas on exquisite bridal wear to decor, florists , photography etc and showshowcase the rich tapestry of talent within the local wedding industry. .
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