Interiors

July 31, 2025 – Published in Design & Decor Autumn-Winter 2022 issue

An intimate view inside an enchanting townhouse in the heart of Isla

Words Shirley Jobson

Photography Jonathan Borg

The picturesque Three Cities of Vittoriosa, Cospicua, and Senglea line the Grand Harbour opposite Valletta. But it was the quieter, cosier town of Senglea that captured the hearts of the elegant Victoria von Schonburg-Hartenstein and her husband when they were looking to purchase a house in Malta.

Victoria’s history is as distinctive as the eclectic décor in her charming four-storey townhouse. Born in Brazil of British parents, she left the country at 18 years, was educated in America and London, and lived in Vienna for 20 years, working as a journalist and then a banker. She and her Austrian husband moved to Germany, back to London, and ended up in Portugal in 2001. They travelled to Malta in 2016 and immediately began their search for a home on the island they fell in love with. 

The Senglea abode they secured a year later needed extensive renovations, with the front part dating back to 1910-1920 and the rear section approximately 400 years old, with preserved authentic features including wide stone walls and wooden ceiling beams. The renovations ran for 18 months—three times 

as long as Victoria envisaged and with some major hiccups along the way. But she has no regrets, and she clearly adores the location of her beautiful home.

“You can walk for five minutes and swim in the Grand Harbour—how cool is that?” ~ Victoria 

Entering the house is an experience in itself. The tall front door leads into an eye-catching entrance hall. The vibrant wallpaper portrays red pomegranates and little monkeys amid colourful leaves—from a collection by Italian artist Fornasetti for the renowned Cole & Son design studio. 

“You’re allowed to go a bit over the top in the entrance hall,” smiled Victoria. “I think it’s fun! The problem was that the arch and columns at the back of the hall were in white plaster, which clashed with the wallpaper. Luckily, I was introduced to a talented Maltese artist, Francesca Berger, who is behind the special paint effects which enhanced the renovation of the Manoel Theatre in 2012. I asked her to use the colours from the walls unreservedly, and she decorated the arch and columns with an abstract design to match. She did an incredible job! It’s amazing how many artisans and craftspeople there are on such a small island.”

The towering doors leading to the living area to the side of the entrance hall were the original antiporta, the inner glass door behind the front door found in classic Maltese homes. Rather than throwing them out, Victoria opted to reuse all the doors found in the house. Additionally, all the door handles are personalised moulds of the family’s coat of arms.

Each room features a Maltese element through a considerable number of photos bought in London.

“In 2018, we were decorating our new home, which showcases a collection of our tastes from all over the world. To add a local touch, I asked a dear friend of mine who lives near Portobello Road to look out for photos and maps of the islands. She went on a year-long crusade, sending me weekly selections of incredible portrayals of Malta in the olden days. She totally cleaned out all the market stalls in Portobello!” laughed Victoria.

The framed collages of photos adorn the walls along with old maps and watercolours of Maltese scenery. A large painting by a German artist, bought from a Swiss auction house, hangs in the living room to match the colour scheme in the entrance hall. Comfortable sofas and hand-embroidered cushions from Spain share the living space with a Chinese coffee table and an English corner table. The cosy dining area in the open-plan room also includes a similar range of decorative items, with a dining table that seats six.

The separate kitchen forms part of the older section of the house and looks out onto a small courtyard. Elegant grey cupboards and appliances sit under thick wooden ceiling beams, while the grey and white wall tiles from Portugal include the recurring splash of red.

The home encompasses four sizeable bedrooms, each having its own bathroom.

Separated by the staircases that came with the house, two spacious bedrooms are located on each of the first and second floors, one in front and one at the back. The front bedrooms include traditional Maltese balconies, while the rear ones look out onto the courtyard. Beautiful Maltese tiles, excellently preserved during renovations, cover the upper floors with a variety of designs in typical maroon, green, and yellow hues, with the master bedroom displaying unique pink flowers on each tile.

“The house previously had six bedrooms. We turned one of the smaller rooms into the ensuite and walk-in closet for the master bedroom on the first floor and the other into the ensuite for the front bedroom upstairs and a separate laundry room. Since it was originally a bedroom, the master ensuite enjoys ample natural light from a little balcony which has a cute Maltese cross on its tiles.”

The interior décor in the sleeping quarters is also a blend of items, ranging from a wooden garden bench from France, vivid red cushions and gilded mirrors, a dresser from Madrid, a bench from Portugal, and typical 1920s Maltese chairs discovered in an antiques shop one evening on the way to dinner in Vittoriosa. The walls showcase prints by eccentric duo Gilbert and George, paintings of flowers, and handcrafted wall hangings and carpets from Turkey and Switzerland. A large egg-shaped fish trap fills the shelf on the stairs leading up to the top floor.

The capacious roof terrace enjoys views of Kalkara on one side and Vittoriosa and Senglea town centre on the other. A shaded dining area is served by the adjoining kitchenette added to replace the traditional dovecote, or barumbara. A sunbathing area and touches of greenery complete the rest of the terrace.

All the lighting in this impressive home comes from the family-run Crafted Lanterns.

“When we lived in Portugal, we noticed that the craftsmanship for metalwork was extraordinary. So, in 2001, we launched Crafted Lanterns, a lighting factory where everything is handmade, creating unique lanterns and fixtures for hotels, houses, and decorators. Though we are based in Portugal, we ship all over the world. In fact, we have just completed a set of light fixtures for a new boutique hotel, Palazzo Bifora, opening in a restored old palace in Mdina.”

“Our house here in Malta is basically our showroom. The lanterns really make a statement. With the height of our ceilings, small light fittings just would not work. The one in the dining room is one of my favourites, embracing an oriental style which makes it a bestseller. The rectangular lantern in the master bedroom is simpler and more versatile, matching contemporary interiors if you opt to use chrome. The square ceiling lights in the master ensuite are a take on Viennese designer Josef Hoffman’s influence during the Vienna Secession, an important art movement in Austrian history. 

We often make changes according to personal tastes, however, offering different looks and colours as requested.”