Pink Mediterranean home, Southern European interior residential photos, Malta real estate, New Swieqi residence

Pink Mediterranean Home in Malta

27 August 2024

Design: studio NiCHE

Location: ħaż żebbuġ, Malta

Photos by Ramon Portelli

Pink Mediterranean Home, ħaż żebbuġ, Malta

Tasked with designing a home for a client who isn’t shy of colour and playfulness, we utilized our understanding of his preferences to create a functional space that maximises space without overcrowding the space.

Despite its run-down state, the property had potential with its traditional U-shaped layout, high ceilings, and stonework. Inspired by the client’s social nature, we chose an adventurous palette to complement the limestone walls and garden greenery. Muted pink tones circulate throughout the rooms, tied together by a punchy, saturated green, using different textures and materials, including lime-based plaster.

The entrance leads to a large room with a vaulted ceiling, highlighted by uplighters. This space includes a guest bathroom and an anteroom, leading to a library and reading room. We designed a bespoke library unit with keyhole lights to showcase the client’s art collection.

The living room leads to the kitchen and dining area, overlooking the pool and garden. Large kitchen doors flood the space with natural light. We mitigated awkward angles with functional nooks and clean lines, such as a pantry with a fluted glass door.

Careful planning ensured good flow and proportions, suiting the client’s busy lifestyle. The bedroom, flanked by a shower room and a freestanding bath, overlooks the pool and garden, emphasising a relaxed environment. We balanced the building’s old character with contemporary finishes, such as the sleek American walnut kitchen, sculptural green island, architectural lighting, and bespoke pieces.

An additional room on the first floor became an office and guesthouse with a kitchenette, library, bedroom, and bathroom, accessed via a slim cantilevered metal staircase clad in pink terrazzo.

Outside, lime-washed rubble walls, green apertures, foliage, and exposed limestone blend seamlessly, evoking Mediterranean homes. A highlight is the daybed on an existing platform beneath a tree, providing a shaded retreat.

Unexpected discoveries throughout the property allowed for creative solutions. The client’s openness to bold design choices pushed the project beyond the ordinary, resulting in an exciting transformation.