How a 60sqm Historic Maltese Flat Became a Bright, Functional Home: 5 Design Details We Love

Built in the 1950s as a post-war infill block, this once-vacant 60sqm/645sqft top-floor flat has been sensitively restored by architect Lucia Calleja. Original cement tiles, tall windows, and textured stone walls set the foundation for the renovation, while widened doorways and removed partitions created a bright, open, single-flowing kitchen, dining, and living space. Thoughtful interventions, from lowered windowsills and bespoke oak joinery to clever storage, a compact breakfast bar, and reclaimed pieces, bring warmth, practicality, and lightness without clutter. Below, we share six design details that capture the thoughtful simplicity and restored charm of this Maltese apartment.

1. A Breakfast Bar Born from a Structural Column
2. Floor-to-Ceiling Storage That Does It All
‍3. Original Cement Tiles, Seamlessly Repaired
‍4. Lower Windows for Bigger Views and Brighter Days
‍5. Salvaged Doors and Furniture That Keep the Story Alive

1. A Breakfast Bar Born from a Structural Column

What began as a structural obstacle is now one of the most charming features of the apartment. Instead of boxing out the column or disguising it, Calleja reimagined it as the anchor for a slim breakfast bar that doubles as extra workspace. The vertical shelving tucked beside it becomes a tiny green moment for plants, whilst drawing your eye upwards, accentuating the height of the space.The added cabinetry below turns an immovable constraint into hard-working storage. 

2. Floor-to-Ceiling Storage That Does It All

Running along one full wall in the kitchen, tall, white cabinetry hides an almost unbelievable amount: a pantry, fridge and freezer, washer-dryer, cleaning supplies, linens, and even a ladder. Because the entire unit is kept deliberately minimal and light in colour, it blends into the background rather than taking over the room, making the space feel open and bright. It’s the kind of storage that quietly transforms day-to-day living—everything you need, but nothing in sight.

3. Original Cement Tiles, Seamlessly Repaired

The beautiful block-coloured cement tiles are a key part of Flat 5’s soul. Calleja preserved them exactly where possible and carefully infilled missing sections with reclaimed white tiles sourced from another property of the same era. The slight variation in tones leaves a subtle “ghost” of the apartment’s old layout, an honest record of its past. It’s sustainable, deeply respectful, and visually calming, providing a neutral canvas that allows both vintage and modern furniture to live together without clashing.

4. Lower Windows for Bigger Views and Brighter Days

By dropping the kitchen and living room window sills down to counter and sitting height, Calleja opened the home toward the city beyond. The result is more light, more sky, and a deeper visual connection to the surrounding streets and rooftops. The window ledges become little moments to pause with a coffee, and the tilt-turn frames offer two ways to ventilate the space—either a subtle tilt for airflow or a full open swing for breeze.

5. Salvaged Doors and Furniture That Keep the Story Alive

The original double doors, once separating the living and dining rooms, now lead into the bedroom, giving the space a sense of history without overwhelming it. Many of the apartment’s existing furniture pieces were cleaned, repaired, and reused rather than discarded. It’s sustainable, characterful, and deeply personal, echoing Calleja’s belief that old and new can coexist in dialogue rather than conflict.

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While these five highlights capture the essence of Flat 5’s clever renovation, the apartment’s charm extends far beyond them. Smaller interventions, like the two-tone walls that subtly shape the volume of the rooms and soften the height of the tall ceilings, add a quiet sense of intimacy without compromising the home’s bright, airy feel. The genious over-door storage tucked above the bathroom continues the theme of making every centimetre count, offering practical space without visual clutter. Together with the preserved stone walls, original furniture, and reinstated balcony overlooking the harbour, these understated touches deepen the home’s character and its gentle dialogue with the past.

For a fuller look at the textures, light, and craftsmanship that define this restored Maltese apartment, explore a selection of professional photography below.