A Joint Project

Photos: Peter Mercieca, MAS
Words: Rachel Loos
Appeared in: HW84
Architects: MJMDA in collaboration with interior designer Nathan Martin

Until they settled in Malta, the expat homeowners of this property were nomads, roaming the world. Over time the couple had tried to settle down – bought houses and sold them again, rented others. They had seen, says one half of the couple, literally hundreds of homes but rarely had they seen one that they loved straightaway.
Which is what makes this place so special. ‘As soon as we walked it we knew,’ says the homeowner. ‘It felt right.’ This is despite the fact that the four-storey house was little more than a concrete box with no doors or windows, let alone plumbing or electricity. ‘We bought it in shell form and although there was nothing there, it felt right,’ he explains. ‘The layout worked and it was able to fit in everything we wanted. We knew it would work for us.’
And it does, both in the configuration and the look, thanks to a collaboration between the couple, architects MJMDA, interior designer Nathan Martin and Alan Debattista from Chillis Chilli. It started with Nathan. ‘We were at the house just after we bought it and he knocked on the door, well not the door because there wasn’t one – the concrete, and told us he could help us turn the place into a home,’ says the homeowner.
Nathan introduced the couple to MJMDA, a multi disciplinary firm of professionals, and together over some weeks a detailed plan was drawn up to transform the shell into a stylish home. ‘We wanted a modern, minimal look that’s clutter-free but not cold,’ says the homeowner.
The design opened up the house, creating a line of sight from the front door right down to the end of the garden. Another created an axis that links the kitchen with the deck, the pool steps and finishing with the overhanging pool deck. ‘Both give the house a harmonious feeling,’ says the homeowner, who took time away from his job to project manage the final six months of the project.
A key part of the look of the house is the use of wood and this is where the third part of the team comes in, Alan Debattista of Chillis Chilli.
He was responsible for the extensive amount of stained oak cladding that gives the home its warm look and feel. The work also included wooden soffits as well as lighting that was incorporated into the woodwork along with the creation of hidden storage that ensured the sleek look of the house was maintained.
Outside was also a blank canvas but today is an outdoor space that looks chic. ‘It works really well too – there are lots of different places to sit and eat and if we feel a bit hot, we just jump in the pool for 10 minutes,’ says the homeowner.
In buying the house the couple who have three children, wanted some stability and this they certainly have. ‘The house lives really well,’ says the homeowner. ‘Just as we knew it would.’

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Living room

A pillar in front of the sliding doors was removed which allows light to flood into the space and opening the doors brings in fresh air on a hot day. The feature wall and corner sofa define the space. The wall is painted in a turquoise grey shade that is similar to that used in the pool, linking the two spaces, especially when the doors are open. A brightly coloured wall hanging injects an energising shot of colour

Kitchen Dining

Made bespoke, it’s sleekly white and hides all the paraphernalia of daily living behind doors. The blackboard for writing on was the homeowner’s idea. Chillis Chilli matched the shade of wood used to make the dining table to that of the floor and panelling for an elegantly smooth look

Kitchen

Made bespoke, it’s sleekly white and hides all the paraphernalia of daily living behind doors. The blackboard for writing on was the homeowner’s idea. Chillis Chilli matched the shade of wood used to make the dining table to that of the floor and panelling for an elegantly smooth look

Wood Effect

The central space in the house shows off the work of Chillis Chilli Alan Battista, the stained oak cladding and solid wood parquet, all beautifully matched, enveloping the walls and floors for a stylishly warm look

Staircase

The staircase is a design change of pace with the micro-cement steps in a white PU coating teamed with a striking monochrome wallpaper. Clever LED light strips are integrated into the hand rail lighting up the stairs.

Staircase

The staircase is a design change of pace with the micro-cement steps in a white PU coating teamed with a striking monochrome wallpaper. Clever LED light strips are integrated into the hand rail lighting up the stairs.

Master Bedroom

One of four bedrooms, it is a tranquil space, the slim wooden shelves creating a dressing table but also streamlined bedside tables

Entertainment room

In the basement is the cosy TV room with a cinema-style vibe

Corridor

Puncturing the timber core are volumes of white that act like light, brightening the spaces. This Thassos White marble path leads to the guest toilet

Bathroom

Mixed materials and clever use of lighting make a relatively small space seem larger and more interesting.

Bathroom

Mixed materials and clever use of lighting make a relatively small space seem larger and more interesting.

Outdoors

Astroturf and travertine decking help give the deck a cool look. Nathan persuaded the homeowners to go with a pool coloured a dark grey. ‘With sunshine playing on it, it takes on a deep turquoise colour,’ says the homeowner, ‘It’s like diving into the ocean.’ Subtle lighting highlights the decking both for aesthetic reasons and safety

Outdoors

Astroturf and travertine decking help give the deck a cool look. Nathan persuaded the homeowners to go with a pool coloured a dark grey. ‘With sunshine playing on it, it takes on a deep turquoise colour,’ says the homeowner, ‘It’s like diving into the ocean.’ Subtle lighting highlights the decking both for aesthetic reasons and safety