The Retro Kitchen at La Maisonette

La Maisonette, a charming apartment in Valletta, Malta, embodies the commitment to art and vintage modern design. One of our favorite pieces in this pad is the beautifully designed antique kitchenette island, and the story behind it is just as special.

“The kitchen bench once belonged to my grandfather, Karmenu Briffa," the owner Chris Briffa tells us. "He built it himself in 1954 (it’s dated at the back) in his hobby-workshop – a small room next door to their house and a few doors up from ours. I clearly remember walking to his small hideaway, watching him build or fix something while listening to the radio with some stray cat sleeping nearby.

"In 2010, years after my grandpa passed away, I had the idea of converting it into a kitchen island for our new apartment. I didn’t want to change much of the original look and structure, so I basically just sanded it lightly, varnished it and put a marble top.

"An old sink found on one of our building sites completed the kitchen, and it has become the icon of the pad. The extendable light on top is from my father’s workshop, which he used to have located on top of his wood-carving bench and the mirror is from a local flea market.”

We love the combination of vintage design and modern style, and are fascinated by the product of three different generations connected by their craft.

To experience the retro kitchen for yourself, book a stay at La Maisonette here.