Life in the sky

Photos: Tonio Lombardi
Words: Rachel Loos
Appeared in: HW86

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!’

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Room with a view

The main living area is open-plan, allowing the lounge, dining area and kitchen to access the vistas. The concrete ceiling has been left unpolished and adds interesting texture; concrete is also used in the floor in the form of polished tiles. Adrian panelled one wall of the lounge in red deal, the wood extending round the corner to where the wood-burning stove is tucked out of the way. Cut into the wall is a box for logs. Asell as wood, the space is also warmed by the colours of burnt orange - inspired by Adrian's grandfather armchair - and mustard. The mirrored door by the dining table allows those sitting with their backs to the window to still enjoy the view.

Dining room

The table was designed by Adrian and made by a carpenter. The custom-made sideboard and shelving, along with a bottle rack made by Adrian, create a compact bar area. The pendant lights were also designed and made by Adrian and complement the industrial vibe.

Kitchen

Also custom-built, Adrian created a kitchen island to come out from the wall. 'I wanted to have something unusual,' he says. The lower part of the cooking hood has been framed in red deal which adds the warmth of wood but also links it to the rest of the space. Stools have been upholstered, fabric adding a softer feel. The terrace can be reached via a door in the kitchen ensuring the flow of the apartment works comfortably.

Kitchen

Also custom-built, Adrian created a kitchen island to come out from the wall. 'I wanted to have something unusual,' he says. The lower part of the cooking hood has been framed in red deal which adds the warmth of wood but also links it to the rest of the space. Stools have been upholstered, fabric adding a softer feel. The terrace can be reached via a door in the kitchen ensuring the flow of the apartment works comfortably.

Kitchen

Also custom-built, Adrian created a kitchen island to come out from the wall. 'I wanted to have something unusual,' he says. The lower part of the cooking hood has been framed in red deal which adds the warmth of wood but also links it to the rest of the space. Stools have been upholstered, fabric adding a softer feel. The terrace can be reached via a door in the kitchen ensuring the flow of the apartment works comfortably.

Bedroom

The blue of the wall connects with the sky, emphasising the sense of being up high. The floor-to-ceiling glass doors slide back to give direct access to the terrace. The pendant light was made by Adrian using discarded pieces of furniture.

Family bathroom

Mustard is a strong shade in the bathroom where a feature wall of Maltese tiles is a decorative foil to the surrounding concrete.

Exterior

a terrace wraps round all most of the apartment. Adrian has divided it into sections that include a custom-built elevated pool with sun bed area, ensuring there is shade for when the sun is hot. There is also a roof garden of olive trees and a variety of plants.

Exterior

a terrace wraps round all most of the apartment. Adrian has divided it into sections that include a custom-built elevated pool with sun bed area, ensuring there is shade for when the sun is hot. There is also a roof garden of olive trees and a variety of plants.

Exterior

a terrace wraps round all most of the apartment. Adrian has divided it into sections that include a custom-built elevated pool with sun bed area, ensuring there is shade for when the sun is hot. There is also a roof garden of olive trees and a variety of plants.

Exterior

Exterior

a terrace wraps round all most of the apartment. Adrian has divided it into sections that include a custom-built elevated pool with sun bed area, ensuring there is shade for when the sun is hot. There is also a roof garden of olive trees and a variety of plants.

Exterior

a terrace wraps round all most of the apartment. Adrian has divided it into sections that include a custom-built elevated pool with sun bed area, ensuring there is shade for when the sun is hot. There is also a roof garden of olive trees and a variety of plants.