A Long Story

Photos: MAS
Words: Rachel Loos
Styling: Justine Bartolo
Architects: ARCHI+ Architects' Studio

When architects ARCHI+ Architects’ Studio saw the shell of this apartment in Ta’Xbiex they had a choice: go with its existing unconventional curves or straighten everything out with the use of soffits. ‘We decided not to hide the curves and instead tailor the design to follow them,’ says project manager Anthea Huber. ‘Like us, the client was excited to create something different from the norm even though the apartment was for the rental market.’
This bold decision has resulted in a handsome space that combines the stylish edge of industrial chic with a light elegance. Polished concrete and travertine flooring are warmed by oak veneer and generous floor-to-ceiling curtains, and statement lights and strong wallpaper add character.
However, even before the décor could be considered, the apartment’s configuration had to be decided on. An unusually long space of 280 square metres, one end overlooks a marina in Marsamxetto Harbour which made it the logical location for the living room, with the private spaces – three bedrooms and bathroom – at the quieter other end. But this meant that the entrance, situated in the middle of the apartment, opens directly into the kitchen. ‘This was one of our biggest challenges,’ says Anthea. ‘We could have had the kitchen where the living room is now, but that would have wasted the view, and we wanted a more cohesive feel to that part of the apartment. In the end, we had no choice but to have the kitchen where it was – so we needed to create an area that felt like an entrance to a home.’
The solution was a long console with a combination of open and closed shelving that obscured the view of the kitchen from the front door. ‘And it’s angled in such a way that it does not stop light flowing into the whole space from the kitchen windows,’ says Anthea.
The other considerable challenge was making the vast space feel like a comfortable home. ‘We needed to control the space otherwise it would have felt cold, and look as if we had simply thrown furniture into an enormous room,’ says Anthea.
Key to the comfort factor are deeply pleated, floor-to-ceiling curtains in off-white which give a textured softness and a relaxed feel. ‘They can be opened and closed to split the space as wanted,’ says Anthea.
Colour is another crucial design element, the sofas in the living room a mix of deep blue and lime green, and in the kitchen a splashback of pale green glass.
Storage is ample but stylishly done. In the living room and bar area, a line of integrated shelving is backed with wallpaper for an extra hit of decorative flair, and in the kitchen, units are built into the curve, an elegantly smooth ‘wall’ hiding away the pantry as well as the main appliances, all of which gives the space a stream-lined feel.
The attention to detail continues in the bedrooms where pattern and texture have been carefully used to give each room its own character, with an abstract wall mural decorating the master bedroom and graphic black and white wallpaper a highlight in another bedroom.
Lucky are the family who make this apartment their home.

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Living Room

On a pale travertine floor, the deep blue and mustard yellow of the sofas from BoConcept sing out. Nicchie wallpaper from Cole & Son backs the shelving that’s custom-mad by Fino - not just attractive, it also ensures the shelving looks interetsing even when empty

Living Room

On a pale travertine floor, the deep blue and mustard yellow of the sofas from BoConcept sing out. Nicchie wallpaper from Cole & Son backs the shelving that’s custom-mad by Fino - not just attractive, it also ensures the shelving looks interetsing even when empty

Living Room

Curtains run along the whole length of the living room concealing little areas behind which include a study

Hallway

The curving console separates the kitchen area from the entrance area

Kitchen

In the kitchen, the units were custom-made, by Fino, as they had to follow the deep curve of the shell. They’re made from layered plywood sheets, then finished in oak veneer with black accents. The units hide the all the kitchen paraphernalia. The glass splashback in a soft green lifts the space. The kitchen space includes a breakfast bar as well as a kitchen table for casual dining, and as a place for children to do their homework. On either side of the console are pendant lights from Elektra

Dining

Dining

The curving shape of the dining table from BoConcept fits with the shape of the apartment and the open design of the Hay chairs, from Loft, avoids a heavy feel. Reflecting the style of the chairs and helping to define this part of the apartment is the beautifully sculptural Vertigo statement light, available from Camilleri Paris Mode. As in the bar area, the wallpaper is Boemia by Cole & Son

Master Bedroom

A floor of polished concrete gives an industrial vibe which is softened by the abstract mural of mountains that covers one entire wall. Floor-to-ceiling curtains have again been used, this time to hide the bathroom which is open to the bedroom, as requested by the client. Pendant lights, a group of bulbs for a very now look, were used instead of table lamps which would have felt insubstantial in such a large space. The carpentry in this room, and the second bedroom, were done by BoConcept’s custom furniture division.

Master Bedroom

Floor-to-ceiling curtains have again been used, this time to hide the bathroom which is open to the bedroom, as requested by the client. Pendant lights, a group of bulbs for a very now look, were used instead of table lamps which would have felt insubstantial in such a large space.

Ensuite Bathroom

The ensuite bathroom can be reached through a door or by pulling back the curtains which makes a light-weight partition. The toilet is contained behind a door for privacy, but the bath, shower and basins can be opened up to the bedroom. The bathroom was done by NIC Design and supplied by A2 Ceramics

Ensuite Bathroom

The ensuite bathroom can be reached through a door or by pulling back the curtains which makes a light-weight partition. The toilet is contained behind a door for privacy, but the bath, shower and basins can be opened up to the bedroom. The bathroom was done by NIC Design and supplied by A2 Ceramics

Second Bedroom

a bespoke wallpaper in black and white adds a great graphic look to this bedroom, and the yellow line is a clever way of creating a faux headboard. Slats in the ceiling add texture and segue from white into walnut when they reach the bathroom. In the ensuite bathroom, the walnut slats in the ceiling counteract the coolness of the flooring, and work well with the blue cupboard.

Third Bedroom

micro-cement walls teamed with plywood panelling, by Fino, give this room its distinctive look and modern artworks, which hang on tracks and hide the TV, add cheerful colour.