If you’ve ever been on holiday on your own or as a group, you know precisely what you’re looking for. Rest and relaxation, mingled with a lot of fun and an overall excellent experience. In short, a memory-making great escape.
For an ever decreasing number of people where they stay might not be a big priority. But for many of us, especially these days, we’re looking to experience the destination as a local. And what better way to do that, than our own private rented home.
Our client is not a local by birth but someone who has several investments in Malta and who loves the country dearly. He purchased this three bedroomed penthouse, located just off the scenic Ta’ Xbiex waterfront, back in 2017 from a developer on plan.
He approached us at this early stage to get our input on the planned layout, already envisioning it as a top-quality rental, ideal for the tourist market on Airbnb or even as a long-let property for locals.
As a team specialising in interior design, we have felt a certain lack of creativity when it comes to the layout and finishing in the local rental market. Budgets tend to be spent equally on all interior costs, as opposed to just going that extra mile to budget a little more innovatively and create certain ‘wow’ features that take the place to the next level.
And ‘wow’ was exactly what we wanted our client’s guests to feel as soon as they laid eyes on this rental property.
Year
2020
Location
Ta’ Xbiex
Area
150sqm
Project Type
Architecture + Interior Design
Client Industry
Air BnB + Rental
Design Architects
Angie the Architect Angie Sciberras
M&E Engineers
GaleaCurmi Engineering
Project Management
IB Projects
Decor & Styling
FORMADEUS
Photography
Studio Konnect
01
Discovery Stage
Being involved from the planning permit stage gave our team a head start to work with the contractor and developer on implementing changes we needed to conduct. We didn’t know back in 2017 just how many delays the permits for the project would face. In fact, it was only fully completed back in July 2021.
Our first step was to rethink the layout of the apartment’s interior. We aimed to create a large open plan space to work with for the living/dining/kitchen area, which we could section off as needed. We were not in favour of the more traditionally used long, narrow corridors, but being able to tweak the layout before construction began meant we could work with a design that fit more comfortably into our concept.
When the property construction was finally underway, we moved onto the interior design. The key question being, how far do you take it? What level of finishing are we looking for? What ambience are we trying to deliver?
How instagrammable can we make it, without pushing form and style over practical function?
As our client was looking to rent the place throughout the year and not just for the most popular summer months, we wanted to find that balance between bright and fresh versus cosy and homey in the colder months.
Holiday makers, especially those travelling in groups are looking for a base camp that offers more space for socialising and less time for quiet nights in on the sofa. So, we took the large open living/dining/kitchen area and began dividing the space into specific areas. Each one designed to meet the needs of a modern-day traveller.
02
Design & Planning
Working on a stylish but functional interior layout is like a journey in itself. We had to put ourselves in the shoes of the people who would be living there, short or long term clients, and think about what they would need, what they would want and how we could give them that overall positive experience. It’s marrying the concept of a hotel, which offers comfort and convenience, teamed with the preferred privacy and freedom of a home.
Add to that the potential for this location to house up to 6 people. We had to consider how the group would relax collectively, but also answer their individual needs. Who might need to catch up with emails when on holiday? How often would they like to dine in the residence? Would they host any large dinner parties? What if the couples or friends wanted some space from each other?
We concentrated initially on the shared living/kitchen space. We designed and built a custom panel that fit horizontally across the open space. On one side it served as a library wall, creating a small cost reading nook, inviting for its peace and seclusion from the rest of the apartment. This was completed with a side table and richly textured chair that felt as comfortable as it looked.
On the other side of this area of the room we created a dining area, with a table that could easily extend depending on the number of guests. When dining it’s good to have the option of blocking off the kitchen so that the dinner guests can focus on a calm ambiance as opposed to the chaos, or magic, of the meal prep process. We introduced a custom-made wooden sliding door made from vertical slats that could be opened or closed as needed giving this dining area the privacy it demanded or alternatively the kitchen the spot light it might deserve.
In the centre of the panel a doorway led into the remaining area. To the right a large custom designed kitchen perfect for congregation at breakfast, afternoon drinks or teamwork whilst cooking. A large pantry with all basic amenities, a custom wine rack and a large marble work top for food preparation. We completed the kitchen with a quartz sink which added a plush element so even doing the dishes wouldn’t feel like a mundane chore when on holiday.
On the opposite side of the kitchen we created a smaller living area with a sofa and TV. We didn’t allocate as much space as a home might need because holiday makers were unlikely to spend many evenings inside watching the box. We also didn’t go too crazy with the budget on the sofa. Comfortable and stylish yes, but as the sofa was likely to need changing every few years.
Just behind the sofa we included a small desk area making it easier for those needing to catch up with emails to be able to do so. Remote working since Covid19 has become much more the norm, so making sure we catered a space
to do so easily was an important function to provide.
This kitchen/living area then pushed out onto a spacious balcony which provided stunning views of Valletta’s skyline. A comfortable but compact four-seater sofa and coffee table set up was paired with another large dining table that could also be adjusted to cater for more people. By including both set ups guests had the option of a space for a pre-dinner drink or quick night cap and a fully functional dining area for outdoor entertainment or dining al fresco.
The master bedroom included a custom designed wardrobe, an inviting double bed and bright en suite bathroom. Two additional bedrooms, one of which was also en suite we furnished with some of the best and most flexible furniture from IKEA.
03
Detailing and Customisation
We mixed wood floors and furniture with whitewashed walls and a clean, neutral colour palette that would have wide appeal to all age groups and types of people. It brought in hints of Scandinavian harmony but also gave us berth to explore more inspired décor.
If detailing is done right, it can be the deciding factor over whether a place feels special as a long let or short stay holiday home. For the global lighting we went for whitish tones to mimic daylight, and which is excellent for cooking and doing things around the house. We supported this with floor and table-top lighting with warm tones to create a softer ambiance for relaxing evenings in. Custom made floor length rich material curtains added depth to the rooms and a hand made heard board over.
Clever planning of the available budget meant we could keep some basics at minimal prices, such as plain white tiles in the bathroom. But then we splurged a little on specific features like a single wall of blue fishbone tiling in the shower. Bold wall mounted taps, homey coat racks and the occasional piece of artwork completed the design we wanted to achieve.
We worked with Amanda Nyren from Formadeus on the final styling. Her attention to detail was second to none and her delightful selection of cushions, crockery, mattresses, sofa, linens and more gave this property the final – welcoming – look.
04
Project Management & Execution
A well-designed property has personality, appeal and hints of beauty – whether it’s to be lived in permanently or rented out. If you are careful with your budget and work with a knowledgeable architectural partner from the start the result will speak for itself. Photo worthy is the aim, but experience worthy is the dream.
The long delays to this project from the developer’s end were frustrating to both the client and our team. We needed to hire a project manager to be able to make sure we could communicate with the developers in a timely fashion and push them to deliver on our proposals.
Proper planning means you don’t need to overspend on all things, but what you do spend a little more on – is done wisely. This project was finished in July 2021, and we’re pleased to say it was already booked for its first rental by August 2021.
We love what we do.
Our designs take us into the mindset of our clients’ ambitions and the end users’ desires. We try to consider the latest concepts, but we also don’t walk away from tried and tested techniques that we know deliver unique quality.
Sometimes it’s about customisation, sometimes its about clever detailing – but it’s always about making space enjoyable, functional and in this case – highly desired as a top rental destination in Malta.
