-web.jpg)


January 31, 2025
Editor’s Letter
Autumn-Winter 2024 Issue 108
As time passes, we frequently recall the various childhood experiences we enjoyed with our families. We look back and think: Wow, those were some really great times!
While my team and I were diligently preparing this next issue, No. 108, a recurring theme kept cropping up—the legacy created by every family that is passed on from parents to children to grandchildren, and so on and so forth.
And this got me thinking! After all, even this magazine is a legacy handed over to me by my dear mother, Eve. But there can be more than one legacy within a family, and so, in this issue, I reveal part of my childhood history and the classic car racing events which my sister and I attended with our mum and our late dad, Hugh—both avid competitors. I also had the pleasure of meeting up with an acquaintance of theirs—himself an eager participant in these races—who showed us his amazing collections of classic memorabilia that took me on a nostalgic journey to the past.
The legacy theme continues with our features on two major families in Maltese hospitality. Alexandra Pisani revealed how she is bringing the historical Corinthia Palace—founded by her grandparents—into a more contemporary era; while Angelo Xuereb’s daughters, Claire and Denise, took us on a tour of their latest hotel refurb, AX ODYCY—whose stunning interiors were in the hands of award-winning interior architect, Simon Abela, and his team.
While on the topic of hotels, I was highly impressed by the newly opened JL Hotel in St Julian’s, a modern city hotel that will surely tick all the boxes for aspiring travellers. And if you are in Valletta, do visit Taproom Brasserie & Bar, where delightful owner Kirsy and her loyal team will tantalise your taste buds with delicious offerings.
Our featured styles of décor vary from a Japanese minimalist touch to elegant Parisian inspiration, from rustic alpine cosiness to colourful interiors, all the way to an eclectic boho concoction by an expat couple living in Gozo. And when Gianluca Tarantini invited us into his beautiful Balluta home, I was again convinced that his expertise in fashioning elegant interiors is a gift I will never tire of showcasing.
Malta’s architectural heritage is something I hold dear, so I was obviously charmed by the restoration of boutique hotel, Casa Rosanna. I was also eager to share what I learned about the historical girna that dotted our countryside in the past.
Artist Nikki Diacono strives to immortalise our historical buildings and spectacular land and seascapes through her creations, while the inspirational Anna Nightingale regaled us with her life story of personal struggles and revelations, which she recreates so beautifully on canvas.
As I savour my Afternoon Tea goodies at The Phoenicia Malta, I browse Jim Dunn’s travel features and ponder which destination I should visit—he certainly makes both Scotland and India sound intriguing... And with Christmas drawing closer, I am seriously tempted to boost my gift list with the exotically fragranced products from Stephen Cordina, who offers tips on the best interior scents for the cooler seasons.
I hope you enjoy perusing our legacy issue—which also features my dad’s beloved Aston Martin, as well as the Land Rover Series One, another cherished vehicle in my book!
Happy reading!
Sue Arnett
Buy the online issue of Design & Decor Autumn-Winter 2024 »


