Architecture, design and planning: Shirley Dan Location: Jerusalem mountains Residents: family + 2 children Area: 750 square meters plot, 250 square meters built Photo: Shay Adam
From the moment you enter the iron gate at the entrance to the house in the Jerusalem mountains, you can be mistaken and think that you have arrived in Tuscany, no less. The three-story house was built in a rustic Tuscan style with Mediterranean influences. Its location on the side of the mountain entitles it to a dream vantage point over the mountainous landscapes in the area. "The couple came to me with a dream of a house designed in the Tuscan style and with a lot in a magical location in front of a breathtaking view," says the interior designer Shirley Dan, who is responsible for the design of the impressive house, "We worked on the house with a set budget that we couldn't go wild, but we were able to fulfill the All the dreams without compromising on anything, thanks to the choice of local professionals, price comparisons and face-to-face classes between different suppliers, while we determine an order of priorities that will allow us to meet the budget," she reveals.
The entrance to the house is through a particularly impressive courtyard, on a stone path surrounded by greenery and a decorative fountain. The front door leads to the center of the house in the form of a wide double-height foyer where an ancient olive tree has been planted.
On the left side of the foyer is the public wing that includes the living room, kitchen and dining area and on the right side is the private wing where the parents' suite is. "Near the foyer, we placed an antique desk that the owner of the house uses for work. She preferred to place her work area in the open space and not in a separate room, so that she could enjoy the view, the olive tree and quality time with the children," says the designer. The central space, like the entire house, is bright and airy thanks to the light color palette that characterizes the house and was also chosen for its large openings, the high ceilings, the stone flooring and a kind of bridge connecting the floors of the house.
The living room consists of a bright sitting area flanked by two cognac-colored leather armchairs, a vintage print rug and a TV wall made of glossy panels that also includes a fireplace, one of two in the house. A dining area made of wood and surrounded by wooden chairs with light gray upholstery separates the living room from the kitchen. "This is a family that likes to host, and we fitted them with a knight's table that fits 14 people and a wide kitchen in a country style, in a beige shade and with a combination of copper fittings, a large wooden island and copper sinks. We also combined cabinets with glass doors and vintage-style ovens," explains Dan.
The second wing of the floor is the private wing and includes a master suite with access to the pool. The suite was designed in a warm style and includes parquet, a brick wall behind the bed and wallpaper in front of it, which complete the atmosphere.
The master suite includes an open closet and a bathroom with painted concrete flooring from Morocco, bringing in the Mediterranean touches the homeowners requested. The wing also includes a bedroom for the younger daughter, guest services and a staircase leading to the basement and at the top - leading to a gallery overlooking the public space.
The second floor was built only in the part above the private wing and thus the public space has a high and impressive ceiling. On this floor there are two bedrooms - for the young son who lives at home, a room adapted to his main hobby - he is a musician and the room is acoustic and designed to be suitable for comfortable work in the room. On this floor there is also a spacious guest room, with another guest room in the basement. "Even though the older children have already left the house," reveals Dan, "the couple wanted to design a spacious room for each of them that would be suitable for a long stay."
The Tuscan look is completed by the garden, which includes a luxurious pool and a cheap-style seating area. "The client really wanted a shanty corner in the yard from which you can look out over the landscape and the house. In this corner, too, we combined painted tiles that bring character and soul and, of course, a fireplace, which provides a solution for the cold days of the Jerusalem mountains," concludes Dan.