Give Old Favourites a Second Life
Before you replace something, consider transforming it. A little paint, a few new fittings and some patience can turn everyday pieces into something that feels entirely new, without buying anything extra.
Paint plain mugs and bowls into something personal
Plain white FÄRGRIK mugs and bowls make a good canvas for a bit of creativity. Ceramic paint opens up plenty of options, from a soft dip-dye edge created by painting the rim and dipping it briefly in water, to a simple brushed design or a loose splatter effect. Because most ceramic paints are water based, mistakes wipe away easily before the design is set. Once the look is right, follow the paint manufacturer's instructions for curing, which often means a spell in a low oven to make the finish durable enough for daily use in a busy Maltese kitchen.
Soften an industrial shelving unit
The HYLLIS shelving unit has a raw, practical look that suits a utility corner or a sunny balcony, but it can also be softened into something lighter. A sheet of metal mesh, cut to size at a hardware shop, fixed through the existing holes in the frame, gives the back panels a more open, airy feel. Finishing the whole unit with a coat of white spray paint pulls it together and makes it feel more like furniture than storage, a useful trick for display shelving in small apartments where every piece needs to earn its place.
Turn a simple side table into a statement piece
A LACK table is an easy base for a bolder look. Adding decorative corner brackets gives it a more finished silhouette before a coat of spray paint changes the whole character of the piece. Arranging patterned tiles across the tabletop and fixing them with a hot glue gun creates a striking focal point for a living or dining space, ideal for homes where a single statement surface does a lot of visual work. Painted floor strips in a matching colour add a neat finishing touch, though the table holds its own without them.
LACK wall shelf unit, white, 30x190 cm
LACK wall shelf, white, 30x26 cm
LACK coffee table, black-brown, 90x55 cm
LACK coffee table, black-brown, 118x78 cm
LACK wall shelf, black-brown, 110x26 cm
LACK wall shelf, white, 190x26 cm
Reinvent plain drawers with a vintage finish
Basic drawer units can take on real character with a few careful steps. Adding extra wooden fronts over the originals, with a narrow gap between each pair, creates the illusion of double the drawers, giving a simple chest the proportions of a vintage filing cabinet. A couple of coats of wood stain deepen the colour, while new knobs and small label plates finish the look. It is a project well suited to a quiet weekend, and a good way to bring a characterful piece into a hallway or home office without starting from scratch.
MALM dressing table, white, 120x41 cm
HEMNES chest of 8 drawers, white stain, 160x96 cm
RÅDMANSÖ chest of 6 drawers, brown walnut effect, 159x48x81 cm
HEMNES chest of 2 drawers, white stain, 54x66 cm
HEMNES chest of 3 drawers, white stain, 108x96 cm
IDANÄS chest of 6 drawers, white, 162x95 cm
Shop Chests of drawers & bedside tables
Small changes like these make a real difference to a home. Browse the range online and have pieces like these delivered to your door in Malta and Gozo.