Embellishing your property in Malta is one of the things which keep it alive and bursting with energy. It is also another way of making the most of your investment by changing things, improving on them and generally keeping up-to-date with all the latest home embellishment ideas that most other people look out for when they look for real estate in Malta.
It has become fashionable to emulate the continental tradition of having wooden floors rather than the traditional hard floors. To some extent this could be a boon since hard floors have become humdrum, even whilst so many new floor tile fashion styles pop up in the shops. Wooden parquet tends to be particularly expensive but the wood is usually sturdy and water resistant so the investment is a reliable one. If you opt for laminate parquet, you need to take good note of cleaning and maintenance directions. At all costs, avoid excessive water which can damage this kind of parquet irreparably.
If you still adore hard floors but want a change to something even more classic, try replacing your standard hard floor tiling with colourful and patterned traditional Maltese tiles. With designs hailing back from the 19th and early 20th centuries, Maltese patterned floor tiles are smaller than average and come at a substantial cost, but the end result is exceptional, to say the least.
Alternatively, you can just decide to cover your old floors with fitted carpeting. Block coloured, striped, plush or patterned, top quality fitted carpets are made to last. If you can afford it, opt for a bespoke carpet tailor-made to a design you fancy, for the space you have in mind.
If fitted carpets are not your thing, perhaps you’d rather invest in carpets that can be safely rolled away when not wanted. The best to have are Persian carpets which are hand knotted to extravagant designs. Choose well and carefully since these are rare and unique artistic accomplishments that can last beyond your lifetime.
Whilst on the topic of floors, you might like to consider heated flooring. Now that is a high-flying electronic novelty that will go down well with those of us having cold, draughty, humid houses or apartments. Excellent in winter-time, you can have the system fixed to a timer that switches on the floor some time before you arrive home. And you can enjoy the rising warmth of your floor all evening.
Install a bath tub that transforms your bathing time. With an in-built spa, you can sit back and relax every evening, with a wine glass, candle-light and music in the background. Top brands have created home spas that can fit into small spaces comfortably.
Buy an AGA range for the kitchen. Top of the range in household kitchen appliances, the AGA is a traditional American cooking stove that doubles up as oven and cooker. It is made of cast iron, comes in top fashion colours, is extremely heavy-duty and extremely expensive, but every cook’s dream come true.
Get an artist to paint a mural on a feature wall. Note that this has to be an artist specialised in large paintings, or preferably somebody trained in graffiti/wall art. An original painting that creates high impact can work wonders on harnessing key elements in your general decor, accentuating things like good lighting, architectural details or family heirlooms which could be incorporated.
Install a crystal chandelier. Venetian crystal is especially unique and an original piece is a superb investment to show off in your house. Take note of exact sizing before making an order since these can come in huge sizes that could, if not well measured, dwarf the rest of your room.
Invest in landscaping for your outdoor areas. Even if you don’t have a garden, a professional landscape artist can create a unique outdoor space that includes lounging and shade potential, perhaps even some BBQspace.
A pool, even on an island such as Malta, is always a superlative investment. A luxury in itself, it becomes nonetheless a characteristic that adds up to your property’s value in a big way. Again, make sure you have the assistance of a great landscape artist who can help you maximise your pool-side space in unimaginable ways.
This article was written by Marika Azzopardi, a freelance writer and journalist. A frequent contributor to national English language papers and magazines, she writes about a bevy of topics including art, people and life in general. She is also the author of children’s books and short stories, delving into adult fiction from time to time.