Though built for display and practicality alike, in a quiet corner of Valley Road – Msida’s most famous retail strip; past the polished façades and noisy retail strips, sits a three-floor showroom that has little need for spectacle. Inside, Karen Spiteri greets clients with the ease of someone who’s been doing it for years – because she has. She listens first. Then she guides. Not with a sales pitch, but with a working knowledge of furniture, families, and homes in Malta.
Interview with Karen Spiteri; Managing Director, Carmelo Delia
Karen is one of four family members at the helm of Carmelo Delia. Officially, she leads sales and marketing, but the business is run more like a working partnership. Her husband, Luke, manages after-sales. Her brother Mario oversees finance. Her sister Simone works across departments to ensure everything flows. “It’s not about titles,” Karen explains. “We each take decisions where we’re strongest, but the important ones – we sit down and work through them together.”
The company’s name dates back to the late 1800s, when Carmelo Delia was known for its carpentry workshop – producing solid, made-to-last Maltese furniture.
The business had become a local household name by the 20th century, known for durability, honesty, and work rooted in family values.
In the early 2000s, Malta joined the EU and the economics of furniture production began to change. It was then that the Big Bon Group acquired the brand, recognising its legacy and potential.
Karen, who was already part of the Big Bon team, was asked to help establish a new showroom under the Carmelo Delia name. She didn’t know it then, but that moment would shape the rest of her career. “I hadn’t know anything about furniture,” she admits. “But I knew how to listen to customers. And I cared about getting things right.”
Over time, Karen helped transform the company into an importer of top-tier Italian kitchens and interiors – first under Big Bon’s leadership, then eventually as an independent company run by her family.
The Brands That Stayed
From day one, Carmelo Delia selected partners who shared their values – brands that prioritised quality, flexibility, and timeless craftsmanship. The company has represented Cucine LUBE from the very beginning. The Group consisted of Cucine Lube (the main range of kitchens offered by the Group), Creo Kitchens (offering kitchens with a focus on high value for money without compromising on quality) and Faer Ambienti (offering main and single bedrooms, walk-in wardrobes and fittings, and offices). These partnerships have remained intact for over two decades, a rare consistency in a fast-changing industry.
The only exception has been in the area of sofas. “Our original sofa supplier was another Italian artisan, a family-run company that eventually retired; given that its natural familial life cycle was accomplished,” Karen explains. “We transitioned to Loiudic&D, which continues the same philosophy. Their pieces are handmade in Italy – modular, customisable, and made with high-performance fabrics like Aqua Clean. For us, that’s what matters.”
While pointing to a corner display, she explained that Aqua Clean fabric is “soft, long-lasting, and easy to maintain. These choices are about comfort and practicality.”
Design That Fits Life
Kitchen design is one of the most detailed services they offer. “People don’t always realise how complex it can be when done properly,” Karen says. “We’re not just picking units and colours. We’re looking at how the client uses the space, whether they entertain, how much they cook, what kind of appliances they need, and how they want to feel when they walk in.”
Loiudic&D sofas are handmade in Italy – modular, customisable, and made with high-performance fabrics like Aqua Clean
From this discovery phase, the team narrows down choices from a library of over 500 finishes. Matte, gloss, wood-effect, lacquered, textured, industrial – it’s a palette that allows for truly personalised combinations. Lighting is also considered early on – warm, cool, integrated, ambient – depending on how the space is intended to function, day and night.
Installation as Craft
Once the design is finalised, attention shifts to what Karen considers the most critical phase: installation.
“Even a perfect design will fall apart without skilled, dedicated fitters,” she explains. For that reason, Carmelo Delia works exclusively with its own team and a handful of experienced subcontractors. Installation isn’t just a technical task – it’s a continuation of the design, executed with precision.
Wall unevenness, awkward corners, varying ceiling heights, appliance integration – these all require real skill. “You can’t just send anyone with a screwdriver,” Karen says. “It takes know-how to install a kitchen that looks seamless and lasts for years.”
Project-Ready Precision
Project work makes up a substantial part of the business. Carmelo Delia frequently supports residential developments, hotel refurbishments, and commercial projects. Full-container deliveries can be scheduled directly to site, reducing handling and avoiding damage. For developers, this approach saves time and cost – especially when combined with their ability to coordinate multiple product lines into a single shipment.
Even a perfect design will fall apart without skilled, dedicated fitters
Carmelo Delia’s logistics expertise has been honed throughout their decades of operation. “We have sufficient warehousing capacity which enables us to comfortably and safely unload various consignments and bring together and co-ordinate our deliveries to clients in a timely manner”, Karen explains..
Built on Trust
This level of care has translated into something far more powerful than marketing: loyalty. Karen immediately recalls one client when asked. “A lady came in this morning with her daughter. She told us that her mother had bought their kitchen from us. Then she did. And now it was her daughter’s turn. That kind of trust … you can’t make it up. It must be earned.”
We have sufficient warehousing capacity which enables us to comfortably and safely unload various consignments and bring together and co-ordinate our deliveries to clients in a timely manner
With a team of around 35 people – many working in logistics, storage, delivery and installation – Carmelo Delia runs quietly but efficiently. “People see the showroom and think that’s the business,” Karen says. “But the real engine runs behind the scenes.”
The company also works regularly with interior designers and architects, many of whom rely on Carmelo Delia for responsive, detail-focused support. “We’re not just a supplier. We’re a partner in the build process,” Karen adds.
Still Evolving, Not Expanding
While the product lines haven’t expanded into new categories, they’ve deepened significantly. New modular options, better finishes, integrated storage, and more flexible configurations mean the company can handle everything from compact apartments to luxury villas with the same level of care.
People see the showroom and think that’s the business. But the real engine runs behind the scenes.
Beyond the showroom, Karen and her siblings also operate Caffé Sant’ Eustachio in St. Julian’s – a boutique espresso bar driven by the same ethos. “It started as a hobby,” she says.
“But it’s built on the same principles: quality ingredients, attention to detail, and no shortcuts.”
Looking Ahead
Karen’s outlook on the future is measured and steady. “We’re not looking to grow just for growth’s sake. We want to keep refining what we do – design better, deliver smarter, and stay close to our clients. That’s how we’ve built trust. And that’s how we plan to keep it.”
In an industry full of short-lived brands and inconsistent service, Carmelo Delia offers something Malta’s developers, contractors, and architects can count on: a steady hand, a grounded team, and a product that lives up to its promise – not just on delivery day, but for years to come.
Comment