Olivia Ann Calleja

Olivia Ann Calleja is both a lighting designer and an interior designer, with a studio in San Ġwann and around 20 years of experience on projects in Malta and overseas. The practice handles lighting and interior design for residential, commercial, hospitality and architectural work, and it aims to give each client a unique, tailor-made scheme from the bare shell to the finished room.

The studio is listed in our directory of interior designers in Malta. For UK buyers renovating a villa, investors fitting out a restaurant or an office, and people moving to the island, it is a single point of contact for both the look of a space and the light that falls on it.

A designer with a lighting background

Olivia-Ann grew up around the lighting industry through her family business, and became interested in the science behind lamps and fixtures as well as in antiques, interiors and the history behind them. She studied lighting design at University College London, continued at the Institute of Lighting Engineers in Birmingham, and then studied interior design at the KLC School of Design in Chelsea Harbour, six years in total.

That training shapes the work. Light is treated as part of the design itself: it highlights features, supports a healthy living or working environment, adds drama where wanted and can soften a dark corner or staircase. Inspiration comes from the people who will use the property and from the cities and cultures she visits.

Services

The services fall into three groups. Design covers material selection, pre-construction layouts, consultation, colour combinations, detailed execution drawings for the installer, bills of quantities and electrical layouts. Lighting covers architectural lighting design, light intensity calculations and lighting design for the finished scheme.

Rendering covers 3D visualisations as images and 3D walk-through videos, so you can see a villa, a shop or a restaurant before work begins. The studio works on a personal basis with each client, and gives independent advice on materials and services.

Projects and sectors

The portfolio spans commercial, residential and visual work. Named projects include the Spinola Hotel, the Quad office for Gentoo Media, a villa, Pembroke Pharmacy and the Palazzo De La Sengle Boutique Hotel, as well as Health & Co and Sterling at Mercury Tower, a childcare centre, a diner and a restaurant visual. Residential work includes houses, apartments, townhouses, gardens and villas, and the studio blogs on villa renovation, hospitality lighting, luxury interiors and biophilic design for Maltese villas.

Palazzo De La Sengle is in Senglea, so our Three Cities guide is a good companion if you want to see the area, and the Valletta guide covers the capital across the harbour. Gaming companies fitting out an office may also like our iGaming in Malta guide.

Working with the studio from the UK

Most clients start with a conversation about the property, the budget and the way they want to live or work in it, and the studio is happy to work closely with you so that the final scheme reflects design, passion and function. The studio works in four languages, Maltese, English, Italian and French. Studio hours are Monday to Thursday from 7:30am to 6pm and Friday from 7:30am to 3:30pm. A book about the studio's work is sold in the online shop for €50.00.

Moving to Malta? Our Malta relocation guide explains the practicalities, and the Malta weather guide helps you think about natural light, shade and cooling. For art to finish a scheme, see the listing for 2B Gallery, and for ideas on the island itself see things to do in Malta and about Malta.

How to get in touch

Use the VisitMalta.co.uk enquiry form on this page to describe your property, the type of project and any dates. We will pass your message to Olivia Ann Calleja.