Eliminating walls and merging small, separate rooms into one large multi-functional living space has dominated home renovations and new builds for decades now. These bright, airy, light-filled spaces are far more sociable, allowing families to cook, eat and relax together.

But months of lockdown – when those spaces also had to function as offices, classrooms, and recreation areas – highlighted some of the shortcomings of open-plan living. As a result, we’ve fallen a little out of love with the open plan concept, and a new interpretation is emerging: broken plan living.

The broken plan concept maintains the advantages of open plan designs – light, spacious, sociable spaces – while defining zones, creating distinct areas for different activities, and returning a degree of privacy.

Open plan designs can be ‘broken’ with structural elements or simply through clever use
of colour, floor treatments and furniture.

Essential for preventing stains in the kitchen, backsplashes are also a key decorative feature, often setting the tone of a kitchen or breathing new life into a tired one.

Ben Morgan is a client and productivity-focused manager at RCE with a strong focus on process improvements and business development. He is committed to serving clients better by establishing a more collaborative relationship throughout the design and construction process. Ben shares his advice for aspiring property developers to ensure a successful project.

Climate change is accelerating at an alarming pace and scientists consistently call for urgent action. It’s easy to assume that the responsibility for averting the crisis lies in the hands of policymakers, but in reality, every one of us can make small changes which, added together, have a significant impact. One such change is switching to a more environmentally friendly and sustainable energy source - propane.

Given that the Cayman Islands were not permanently settled until the 1700s, the human history of the islands is relatively short. One of the best records we have of how life has evolved over the past 300 years lies in the surviving historic homes. The National Trust for the Cayman Islands acquires, restores and maintains several such properties as part of its mandate to protect and preserve historic sites for current and future generations. The organisation also offers tours of historic buildings in order to educate the public on Cayman’s built heritage.

As the Cayman Islands keep pace with global trends and innovations, the growing discourse on ‘Cayman-style’ highlights a concern that what makes these islands uniquely Caymanian is in danger of being lost.

Men have been sloping off to their man caves to drink beer, play with power tools, watch sports or indulge in other manly pastimes for years. Why shouldn’t ladies have a similar place to escape to?

A. L. Thompson’s is a household name in the Cayman Islands. It’s where contractors, homeowners, do-it-yourselfers, and interior design enthusiasts go to find the widest selection of building supplies and home products in the islands, all under one roof.

George Town Manager and Revitalisation Initiative Coordinator, Colin Lumsden, outlines the issues that have been identified, and the Cayman Islands Government’s vision for revitalisation. The Cayman Islands Government is taking a holistic approach towards revitalising the capital in the spirit of New Urbanism, Lumsden says, which will involve many meetings and presentations to gain input and ideas from the public.

Historic Preservation - Protecting properties of significance in the Cayman Islands.

The kitchen may well be the heart of the home, but when it comes to entertaining, you don’t want your guests mingling amongst your used pans and dirty dishes. James McDonald, senior designer with OBMI, has a solution to this common problem: a messy kitchen.

Summer is always a sizzler and the temptation is inevitably to retreat indoors and crank up the air-conditioning. But with a little planning, use of innovative technology and clever accessorising you can reduce heat gain and turn your outdoor space into a cool and stylish private retreat.

A well-executed renovation is the most successful investment you can make in your home, but it requires careful thought and budgeting. Tracey Kline of Encompass shares her top remodelling tips.

Past, Present, Future - Caymanian Architecture
Cayman's built environment is developing at a dizzying pace. With buildings now reaching ten storeys and designs becoming ever bolder, are we in danger of losing our architectural heritage? Architect John Doak reflects on traditional designs and how we can best preserve and honour this aspect of Caymanian culture.

As ten-storey buildings become an increasingly common feature of the built environment in Cayman, the need for fast, reliable elevators has never been greater.
Following on from their launch of a new model elevator for private residences in Cayman, Androgroup Elevator Ltd. is now pleased to offer a new innovative solution for commercial buildings.

The thyssenkrupp evolution 200 elevator line offers both size and speed: with a maximum capacity of 5000 pounds and travelling 600 feet per minute, it is the ideal choice for offices, hospitals, hotels and condominiums; and is designed and engineered for hassle-free installation and ease of maintenance.

Creators of perfect outdoor living environments, Oasis Pool & Spa goes beyond pools and maintenance: they also design and construct outdoor entertainment facilities, from cabanas, patios and outdoor kitchens to fire features. Established ten years ago by James Bussey, the business is a three-time winner of the Governor's Award for Design and Construction Excellence.

Design is scene - IDG, creating spaces for your best life. Celebrating 15 years of design, IDG continues to create spaces that are uniquely you, for your best life. With a solid reputation as the interior design firm of choice in the Cayman Islands, what many residents don't realise is that IDG offers a wide range of exciting and innovative services, all designed to save clients both time and money regardless of the size of the project or budget.

OBMI designs island residences, vacation villas, luxury resorts and smart commercial spaces in some of the most beautiful destinations in the world. Their extensive portfolio is Caribbean style infused with an international perspective.

The entryway of a home sets the stage for the entire interior experience and is the transition point from the chaos of our exterior world to our private inner sanctuary. It’s where we step inside, close the door, set down our keys and take a nice deep breath, happy to be home. But, if your entryway isn’t creating that sense of place you so desire, then it’s time to rethink this all-too-important setting.