In these turbulent and noisy days we are going through recently, I chose to design a home with quiet and gentle colors that would provide a pleasant atmosphere to those in the space. A home that would be a cozy and embracing refuge. This was the home where my client grew up throughout her childhood, a house built about 50 years ago, old with lots of fond memories.
Such an old house undergoing a comprehensive renovation is usually no small challenge. It was clear to us that the renovation needed to be extensive and include the complete replacement of infrastructure: Electricity, plumbing, new windows and doors, new flooring, bathroom renovations, and the highlight – replacing the kitchen and opening the wall between the kitchen and the living room. However, we worked with a relatively limited budget, so we had clear boundaries and worked with an organized budget table.
Our design concept was clear from the start: Using light and warm sand tones, with touches of subtle terracotta and green shades. The goal was to create a warm and pleasant atmosphere in the home. We wanted to give a sense of spaciousness through light colors, despite the relatively small physical size of the house (110 square meters).
The kitchen received special attention, both in terms of planning and in terms of finishing materials and handles. In terms of planning, I changed the positioning of the tall cabinets, refrigerator, and stove. I added an island with an attached extendable dining area.
In the kitchen, I combined ash veneer (a wood that is less common in Israel but suited the design concept very well) on the lower cabinet fronts, paired with a soft coffee-colored oven-baked finish on the tall cabinets and the island. The handles on the veneer fronts were seamlessly installed by the carpenter without screws inside the doors, giving the kitchen a unique and distinctive design touch. When the kitchen doors are closed, parallel symmetrical lines are created by the handles that continue seamlessly across the width of the cabinets.
TV Wall: The TV wall in the house is not particularly large. Its design is subtle, in harmony with the rest of the home. For the metal shelving, we chose a special terracotta shade that also appears in the natural color palette used throughout the house.
At the client's request, I also designed a beautiful and transparent glass door liquor cabinet. The accessible placement was important, and the combination of the liquor cabinet into the TV wall met both the practical and aesthetic needs simultaneously.
One of the challenges in the renovation was breaking the wall between the living room and the kitchen. This was a challenge I wasn’t willing to give up on, as it was one of the most significant changes that impacted the open and airy look of the house. Since the ceiling in the house is a Rabitz ceiling, we had to provide support and reinforcements before breaking the wall to prevent sagging and distortions in the ceiling. We worked with a structural consultant who planned the process.
Bathrooms: The bathrooms continue the clean and bright design lines. I chose to use identical tiles for both the floor and walls to create a calm atmosphere without dominant elements. The rose-gold fixtures and wood accents enhance the design, adding interest and a twist.
Master Bedroom: In my view, the master bedroom in this house proves that you can create and design beautifully and harmoniously even when buying some furniture from more affordable stores like IKEA or using existing furniture. In this case, the built-in closet in the niche is the old closet that was in the room. We replaced its fronts, and the bed is the familiar IKEA bed. Nevertheless, through precise color choices for the wall and carpentry, proper lighting fixtures, a beautiful and unique dresser, curtains, and suitable accessories, I managed to create a pleasant, embracing, beautiful, and comfortable atmosphere in the space.
Carpentry: In addition to the kitchen carpentry, there are several other unique carpentry items in the house. In my opinion, precise carpentry in a home is one of the most significant factors affecting both design and practicality. From the carpentry opposite the front door, which serves as storage for shoes, coats, and a Dyson, and incorporates open wooden compartments for beauty and interest (a great spot for accessories), to the TV console with rounded edges and grooves running along its length.
The project planning process and the selection of finishing materials began at the end of September, and we started the renovation itself at the beginning of December 2023 – that is, during the war. There were quite a few challenges that arose as a result of this situation, the biggest of which was the lack of availability of some professionals and a significant increase in construction and finishing material costs.
With careful planning and the selection of professionals with whom I have long-term experience, we successfully completed the project to the great satisfaction of the clients. My dear client was very involved throughout the process, initiating, going along with ideas I suggested, and offering her own ideas, which significantly contributed to the success of the project and the pleasant atmosphere throughout the journey.