Planning and design: Sarah and Nirit Frankel, owner of the firm Frankel Architecture and Design
Photo: Itai Benit
Tel Aviv is undoubtedly one of the most vibrant cities in the world, but many of its residents arrive at one point or another in their lives where they decide to say goodbye to the hustle and bustle and the towers and move to a greener, quieter and more family environment. So do the couple and their children. The house built in the heart of a corner lot adjacent to two quiet and almost traffic-free streets, are the beliefs of Sarah and Nirit Frankel, the owners of Frankel Architecture and Design, which specializes in planning and designing villas, estates and luxury apartments. The two knew how to answer the main request of the couple and created for them a house in a classic style in his concept, which pays a lot of respect to music and sound and integrates them as an integral part of the living experience.
Along with the many advantages of a corner plot of about half a dunam, the couple of planners faced the challenge of creating a building that would blend harmoniously into its surroundings and include the diverse functions. It was built in the place of an old house that had been standing since the 1970s and was part of a two-family house. To this end, the two created a disconnect between the new and the old building by creating three main blocks, each of which received a different visual treatment. In this partition between the two houses, public functions such as the staircase were placed, which allows the two families complete privacy. The built-up area of the house is about 440 square meters. From the outside, the building looks like a structure between two floors, but in reality it has 4 floors. In addition to the basement, ground and living floors, an attic was planned, located about half a level above the living floor where the daughter's luxurious suite and area are located Designed service, bright and airy.
Similar to the exterior, the interior of the house was also designed with a classic-elegant concept and incorporated elements and nuances in the fusion style that characterizes the designer's signature. Throughout the house and in the various wings, the use of cornices, special carpentry and developments is evident in a balanced way and with fresh and refined decorations. Meanwhile, each wing and space received their own special characterization. Upon entering the house, a classic console for daily use awaits visitors where keys and letters can be stored. On the right, you can see a corner carpentry unit that has two wigs and serves as the carpentry unit of the living room. This complex unit is made of solid wood in a graphite shade and trellis doors made of rattan inside an operational closet, a communication closet and a coat closet. In the living room area, the unit functions as a power wall with compartments of different depths, some closed and some open and in which art and decorative objects, CDs and advanced sound and multimedia systems are integrated.
The seating area is symmetrical and refined, saturated with layers that together produce a softened and pleasant look. The use of materials and colors is restrained against the background of the oak parquet which warms the atmosphere. The seating system stands over a woven kilim carpet that defines and anchors it. The two armchairs are relatively dominant in their appearance thanks to the unique textile pattern, while the other items are quiet, in monochromatic and natural colors. On the other side of the open space is the dining area for which a table made of solid wood and sculptural metal legs and more modern-looking chairs upholstered in woven fabric were chosen. Above it are carried 3 dominant lighting fixtures made of striped glass and a brass casing in a European-classical style.
The bright kitchen is classic in its definition and includes a central island unit designed for seating and made of a dominant butcher oak panel. Surrounding it is an L-shaped kitchen, one of the main features of which is the bay window that brings plenty of light into the space throughout the day. The wooden facades were oven painted in a light shade with touches of khaki, a greenish touch that also repeats itself in the Belgian profile of the openings and in the specially designed carpentry units integrated throughout the floor. For the work surfaces, the designers chose natural marble surfaces that add another dimension and enhance the classic look. In an intimate and hidden area and near the staircase is the family corner which is enclosed between three sides. Next to the pampering and comfortable sofas, it includes a floor to ceiling carpentry unit that creates the separation from the rest of the space. The staircase is covered with stone combined with a railing made of bent iron with a handrail made of natural wood specially made by a craftsman. The dominant lighting fixture that accompanies the aliya is made of rattan, an homage to the CDs and records that are so beloved by the tenants.
At the entrance to the floor, a foyer is paved with a mosaic floor in shades of gray, black and white, which forms a landing before the entrance to the master suite and a pair of French doors painted white in combination with glass lead into it. Similar to the entrance floor, a parquet floor was also chosen for the suite. Above, a sloping Douglas wood ceiling that creates a sense of height and in the space a variety of items in deep light and brown tones. Another color that fits into the color harmony is black, in the black carpentry unit in front of the bed and the lighting fixture that hangs in the center of the ceiling. Next to the room is an H-shaped cabinet unit painted in a light shade accompanied by shutter units that give it an airy look and in the center, a Persian carpet. The couple's bathroom is classic and luxurious. Its floor is painted in shades of grayish brown and black, and in the center is a FREE STANDING bathtub and two sink units made of marble. In addition, a service closet for perfumes and towels was designed for them. The double shower is modest.
The basement floor, which is about 100 square meters, was designed in a slightly different design compared to the rest of the house. The pair of planners designed a spacious and impressive music area and a master studio apartment that includes a sleeping area, a kitchenette, a bathroom and a sitting area for the son. The entire space is ventilated thanks to English courtyards that surround the floor. The material in the basement space is warm and a little more industrial. In the center is a wall covered with recycled wooden beams. The colored textiles that are integrated into it help to create an urban and creative look.