Scala

A 17th-Century Townhouse Lyrically Reborn

This collection of small apartments in a restored townhouse in Valletta is brought to us by one of our favorite design duos, Chris and Hanna Briffa, whose other apartments in Malta have been with BoutiqueHomes for many years. Named for the solfège "do-re-mi-fa-sol" assigned to notes in the musical scale, it's a creative space that rises from the ground up to the fourth-floor penthouse, with its striking views of the surrounding city.

The owners of this 17th-century townhouse have something of an obsession with great architecture, classic design and contemporary artwork, which they bring together with verve in all of their homes. Starting in 2012, architect Chris Briffa and his wife Hanna began refurbishing historic buildings in Valletta, the capital of Malta, and today they have nine homes that are available for rent. Each features a curated combination of designer, bespoke and vintage pieces, some created in their own studio, with others sourced from stores and local artists that they love.

Scala is an inspired residence with five unique apartments, each sleeping two guests. Starting on the ground floor, you'll find Do, a bright but pared-down unit with playfully arranged tiling, whitewashed limestone walls, vintage furnishings including armchairs from a 1960s Danish airport lounge, and a large print by photographer Amelia Tourbridge depicting a crowd of Maltese men watching the horses at Marsa Racecourse. 

Ascend to Re on the piano nobile, and you'll enter a sophisticated Space-Age apartment in sleek blacks, greys and whites, with an original vintage Eero Aarnio bubble chair, a revolutionary adjustable Maralunga sofa by Magistretti, as well as art by up-and-coming artist Kim Sammut above the bed and photographer Kris Micallef on the kitchen doors. 

Tucked into the second floor is Mi, with its oak and whitewashed limestone finishes, and mezzanine sleeping area. It may be the smallest of the apartments, but it still packs a punch, with a seminal Cesca Chair by Marcel Breuer that dates back to 1928.

Continuing the journey through the scales, the next apartment is Fa. With its terrazzo floors, impressive collection of original art, and private terrace, it's an elegant space for hiding away. Among the pieces from the 1960s and 1970s, you'll find Plia chairs by Giacomo Piretti around a dining table by Giotto Stoppino. But the eye-catching black and mustard kitchen unit, with its reinforced concrete top and inlaid recycled glass, is new, created by Chris Briffa's studio.

And finally, the crescendo: Sol. This penthouse studio on the fourth floor has oak flooring, micro-cement walls, a marble bathroom, an iconic Eames plywood lounge chair, and a burst of sunshine provided by an original 1960s Jolly lamp, created by Luigi Massoni for Harvey Guzzini. Sol also has generous terraces overlooking the city and harbor. 

An additional common terrace area invites all guests to bring their lunch or laptop to the top of the townhouse and breathe in the cityscape. These vacation homes for rent in Malta are a delightful addition to the BoutiqueHomes collection, perfect for design-loving singles or couples wanting a comfortable and stylish base to explore Valletta and the island beyond it.

Read an interview with designers Chris and Hanna Briffa in our Stories section here, and take a closer look at the vintage pieces in Scala here.

Around

Just south of Sicily and part of a trio of islands, the UNESCO site of Malta and the archipelago of Gozo and Comino are steeped in ancient history. From Renaissance cathedrals and Baroque palaces to the oldest known human structures in the world, Malta has it all. 

Don’t miss the world-famous UNESCO site of Hypogeum, the prehistoric underground temple, and the inland countryside. These vacation homes for rent in Malta are located in the best part of the old city, with restaurants, cafes, museums and shops all within minutes, as well as miles of coastline and beautiful beaches.

Location

Valletta, Malta. Nearest airport: Malta International

Best time to visit

Spring through fall for the best weather