So strong was Adrian Micallef’s vision for this apartment, that he bought it even before the first stone was laid. ‘I wanted to be able to design the walls, apertures and furniture to make the best use of all the space,’ says Adrian. ‘Every detail and feature in the apartment has been custom-designed and built.’
The apartment has 270 degree views and the apartment is orientated to make the most of them with large windows in almost every room. ‘I wanted the penthouse to feel as though the outside and inside were one, so as to feel like one is enjoying life in the sky,’ says Adrian. ‘The aluminium glass doors and windows are floor-to ceiling to capture as much natural light as possible, and each of the three bedrooms enjoys the surrounding terrace, in particular the main bedroom which extends onto the terrace with decking and outdoor furniture.’
The main living space is open-plan and filled with light, and also has direct access to the terrace through a number of apertures.
The interior style is Nordic meet industrial. ‘My aim was to create a sense of natural warmth,’ says Adrian. ‘I love wood and I used wooden panels of red deal on the interior walls and contrasted this with a combination of raw concrete ceilings and concrete floor tiles.’
Warm autumnal shades of burnt orange and mustard also create a sense of comfort, as well as fitting with the colours of the flames flickering in the wood-burning stove. ‘The orange was actually inspired by my grandfather’s armchair which is in the living room,’ says Adrian.
Every bit of the space is used well, from the kitchen custom made for a triangular-shaped area to the custom-made sideboard tucked into a corner and which functions as a bar.
The apartment is also full of clever touches – the mirrored door behind which is a bathroom, has been placed there so that those sitting with their backs to the window can still enjoy the views, and the lower section of the kitchen hood in the kitchen has been lightly framed in wood to link it to the rest of the room.
Outside, concrete features once more, with raw concrete flooring combined with decking and turf. On one side is an elevated swimming pool, on the other an outdoor kitchen. They both meet a point that is marked by a concrete table that is perfect for entertaining.
The end result is just as Adrian, who lives here with his family, wanted it. ‘I am very happy with it,’ he says. ‘It is very relaxing to be up here – you don’t hear any noise, and the views are breathtaking. And it doesn’t matter how many people are in the penthouse, there’s always enough room!’
