Diagon Alley farmhouse in San Lawrenz, G|Interior Design

The visual artist Fox Daniels has renovated ''Diagon Alley'' a farmhouse inspired by the Harry Potter books, located on the edge of the historic village of San Lawrenz in Gozo, Malta.

Project description by artist: Step under ancient archways and past thick stone walls to explore this 17th-century farmhouse inspired by the Harry Potter books. Located on the edge of the historic village of San Lawrenz in Gozo with breathtaking open sea views on the roof lounge. Richly appointed, high-quality details and a whimsical palette of primary colors enhance the joyful fantasy world effect. This is a home where holiday memories are made and never fade.

You’ll love this home because of the unique artistic conversion and attention to detail. It provide top quality linens tableware and a welcome hamper to ensure your experience of a boutique farmhouse. Inspired by the famous Harry Potter books, this is a home of colour, whimsy and joy, where holiday memories are made and never fade. Fully licenced by the Maltese Tourist Authority number HPIG0245. As an artist Fox Daniels homes are practical, yet very theatrical. Diagon Alley, will take you into a world of fantasy and creativity. Harry Potter’s perfect holiday home in the Med!

image © Diana Iskander

Diagon Alley is one of the oldest farmhouses tucked away in a small alley on the seaside edge of San Lawrenz in the beautiful Westside of Gozo. It is a large house flowing over four floors with different entertainment paces, catering for all your comforts throughout the day and the year. Meters thick stone walls keep this house cool during summer afternoons and cozy warm during winter. At the house I will provided you with a guide to explain in detail all the local amenities, attractions, restaurants and activities. The house has undergone a complete restoration in summer 2017 to become an exclusive and quaint holiday home. Every room will play with your imagination. Whimsical surroundings are what makes this home feel young, playful and so much more alive. When you meander from room to room, the changing colours and light will make you smile. Diagon Alley offers an atmosphere of Mediterranean romance and inspiration.

The entrance leads you into the hallway facing a beautiful central courtyard through glass doors. This south facing courtyard is dotted with bistro tables and chairs to follow or shade from the sun. The courtyard gives access to all the rooms downstairs, to the Leaky Cauldron grotto swimming pool as well as the upper floors. Blue and white Mediterranean tiling combined with bright yellow woodwork set the holiday mood for the entire house. Back in the entrance, to the right, into the lounge, to the left, into the Severus Snape ensuite bedroom or via the Victorian spiral staircase to the upstairs bedrooms. The arched lounge has access and Windows into the courtyard and another window onto the alley.

image © Diana Iskander

It is fitted with comfortable club chairs and sofas. Cable tv and free wifi are also available here. At the end of the lounge and up four steps through a very large arch you enter the dining area leading into the main kitchen. Here the ceilings are high and the drama of a historic farmhouse can be found in all the details of the stonework. The dining table sits eight under a dramatic resin antler chandelier. Beautiful tableware continue the quaint experience. The kitchen too has access directly onto the central courtyard. It has been equipped with a double ceramic sink, a dishwasher, a large fridge freezer, a second fridge and a smeg cooker. A large split system air conditioning unit and a ceiling fan for ultimate comfort. Every room of this house is fitted with split air conditioning to cool or heat depending on the season. We also installed a wood burner in the lounge for that extra touch of extra romance. Back in the courtyard we go down into the Leaky Cauldon. This underground level boasts unaltered historic featured, arches, meter thick stone walls and mystery. Here is Dumbledore’s bedroom with its window into the courtyard and the entrance to the fantastic arched grotto pool. The pool is kept at 28c all year long for optimal holiday fun. The swimming pool pump has been installed with the latest technology of salt based filtration system which is ecological and far healthier than the usual chlorine type of filtering systems.

Upstairs on the first floor the stonework is more delicate, windows are large, the colours are flooded with light and the ceilings are very high. Here are the Minerva McGonagal and the Aurora Sinistra bedrooms. Both are ensuite and have their individual balconies overlooking the courtyard. All our beds in this house are double and fitted with thick spring mattresses for ultimate comfort. Luxurious fine Egyptian sateen cotton bedding. Our bathrooms are fitted with dramatic Mediterranean tile work that offset the bespoke wooden vanities to merge history with modern comfort. Brushed cotton bath sheet sets complement the experience of luxury. On the 2nd floor we have a second kitchen fitted with a fridge and 8kg washing machine, a tumble dryer, kettle and tableware. A large al fresco dining terrace overlooking the nearby sea with a teak dining set and a barbecue.

image © Diana Iskander

From here you reach the very large sunbathing and yoga rooftop with a breathtaking 180 degree view over the sea, and another 180 degrees over the village rooftops, from Dweira Fungus Rock all the way to the lighthouse. On a clear day you can see as far as neighboring Sicily. This space is furnished with elegant old worldly sun loungers and ultra thick cushions, side tables and a shady

bamboo roof. The sunsets are absolutely spectacular. People travel all the way from Malta just for the sunset!

Every aspect of Diagon Alley has been carefully designed to give you the most exclusive holiday experience. During the warm months of the year the local people (and I) walk barefoot around their homes and gardens. Diagon Alley will entice you to do the same. During the cooler season, and thanks to a South facing position Diagon Alley is naturally warm and cosy. We also spend a lot of attention on lighting which emphasise the drama and history of this amazing home, Diagon Alley. Upon arrival we offer you a large welcome hamper filled with goodies, local wines and all the breakfast ingredients to start your holiday on a happy, homely note. The village shops and supermarkets on Gozo are open 6 or 7 days a week.

We don’t believe in installing coin systems or a card top up system for our guests to use the air-conditioning and electricity in general. We simply sign you in and take note, together upon your arrival, of the electric meter reading. At the end of your stay we will also take note together of the final electric meter reading and charge our guests 50 Euro Cents per kilowatt unit used.

A few minutes away from Diagon Alley, in the neighboring village of Gharb I live with my husband and our cat. My art studio is also there, so if you need help or you want to visit an artist's studio you will know where to find me. If you have more questions before deciding to holiday at Diagon Alley just send me a message.

image © Diana Iskander

And finally : No pets and no extra guests allowed, sorry. No smoking inside the house either please. I highly recommend you opt for the airport transfer, which will take care of your luggage and finding your way onto the ferry and take you all the way to the house without a hassle. I suggest Frank’s Garage Gozo but there are many others you can find online. I can help you with this. Local transport is entirely personal. You can either rent a car or make use of public transport, which is convenient and has been highly rated by tourists. I hope to welcome you to our beautiful home, in the village we love most, on the island we love best.

I can speak French, German, English, Dutch and Cantonese. A few minutes away from Diagon Alley, I live with my husband and a cat, so if you need help or you want to visit an artist studio you will know where to find me.

The Westside of Gozo is the most scenic. From the house you can walk down to in the valley all the way to the inland sea and Dweijra or follow the hiking trails of the most stunning country and seasides of Gozo. The diving entry point at Dweira is a prime diving spot. The villagers' lives evolve around family, farming, fishing, church activities and tourism. There are 2 restaurants and the Kempinski Hotel facilities in the immediate vicinity. The neighbouring village of Gharb has another 5 restaurants. We have a handy convenience store in the centre of the village by the church and a small supermarket and a pharmacy at the village entrance. There is a bus stop, also by the church square. Every day different trucks will pass by in the street, sounding the horn to call for attention. One sells fresh fish, the other freshly baked bread and pastries and another is a convenience store truck with fresh fruit and vegetables as well as eggs, tinned food and dry goods.