Interior Design: Tzvia KazayoffLocation: Ra'ananaProperty: A private home for a young couple in their 30s with two small daughtersLot Size: Approximately 275 sqm, Built Area: Approximately 250 sqm (spread over 4 levels)Photography: Amit Giron
Welcome to the home of a young couple with two small daughters, who recently underwent a complete transformation led by interior designer Tzvia Kazayoff. The relationship between Kazayoff and the couple began when they were searching for a residence and considered purchasing a home she had designed. Although they did not end up buying that house, they were impressed by Kazayoff's work. So, when they bought their home in Ra'anana, they reached out to her, and together they embarked on this journey.
"The house is part of a particularly large structure that served as a family home and was divided years ago into two houses along a straight line, resulting in a layout of two half-triangle homes filled with numerous angles and diagonals," Kazayoff explains. "Additionally, the original bulky electrical cabinet was strategically placed near the entrance and staircase, running like a thread through the four levels. When I first arrived at the property, aside from the angles creating a rather restless feel, it was hard to ignore the abundance of art pieces collected by the previous owners over the years, decorating every floor.
"This impressive collection of treasures filled me with inspiration as an art lover. However, the atmosphere in the house resembled an overcrowded museum, making it difficult for untrained eyes to see the potential. I told the new owners that despite the challenges, we could make something beautiful out of this lemon, as the house offers many advantages. Firstly, it is divided into four levels: a basement (with parking spaces outside), a spacious and bright entrance floor, a living floor, and an attic floor that had not been used before the renovation. This structure allowed us to plan an effective public wing and create two floors of comfortable and intimate rooms for the couple and their daughters. Another great advantage is the presence of an elevator, which makes moving between the floors very convenient."
"Our task was to harness the existing structure to create a young, luxurious, and cohesive living space that works with the challenging contours rather than against them. During the planning process, we chose to embrace the angles and highlight them, while softening them in certain places. One way to do this was by combining classic and eclectic features in calm colors (cream, gray, and black) that mellow the angles. Additionally, we used materials like wood, metal, and glass extensively.
"The house is enormous, and to give it a warm and embracing feel, one of our first choices was to cover the floor with oak planks of varying lengths and widths, giving the space a fresh and young look. We also used these planks to cover the stairs, with the first step being dark and incorporating hidden LED lighting, giving the structure an elegant and dramatic look in the evening. We replaced the existing railings with a clean, classic iron railing, and on the other side, we installed glass panels contributing to a peaceful look. We decided to keep the existing elevator, repainting its original wooden panels in a light color to blend with the overall design."
"We replaced the original electrical cabinet with an iron bookcase, effectively defining the functions in the guest floor while keeping the space open and airy. Throughout the house, we integrated several elements that give a floating appearance, such as using STR profiles instead of a regular skirting board, creating a separation between the walls and the floor for a precise and refined look.
"The family loves to host, so we designed a spacious living room with a significant feature wall of oak slats interspersed with metal slats. Behind this wall is a vertical air conditioning system cooling the public space without lowering the ceiling height. On either side of the wall, we designed illuminated glass niches for displaying fine dishes, and at the bottom, we installed a gas fireplace that heats the entire house. This area also provides access to the backyard, which has been lovingly maintained over the years. We kept its original layout, re-tiled the pool floor with fresh mosaic, and integrated an outdoor kitchen and dining area, serving the family who enjoys spending time in the yard."
"The family's formal dining area is located in a niche derived from the house's contours and is ideal for this specific function, as the large windows surrounding it face the yard and pool. Additionally, it is located on the axis connecting the living room and kitchen. In the center is a sculptural table made of a Corian surface in two shades and a dominant leg covered in leather."
"We chose practical and durable materials that mimic stone for the parallel kitchen fronts and the surface, giving the kitchen unit the appearance of a homogeneous stone unit. The large island includes seating for five, where the family enjoys their meals."
"The guest restroom is located near the entrance, with the door blending seamlessly into the carpentry unit that covers the wall. It continues into a wardrobe cabinet and a designated area for the new electrical and communication cabinets. The space was designed in a minimalist style, with a mirror at its center matching the window's dimensions and proportions. We created a parallel sink unit combining a 24 cm thick Corian top with a delicate brass shelf underneath. The contrast between these seemingly opposing elements gives the space a precise and measured look."
The staircase leads to the next floor, where the girls' kingdom is situated. Kazayoff created a beautiful and inviting family corner filled with toys: "This is the home's informal living room, so we included practical elements that match the family's lifestyle," she explains. "We added a bench, lounging areas, and plenty of storage space for books and games. Also, on this floor, we designed the girls' bedrooms, which share a common bathroom, a guest room, a fully equipped laundry room, and a kitchenette with a drinking water tap and a small fridge."
"The girls' bathroom was designed to be particularly luxurious, with a large oak-veneered vanity and a trough sink allowing both girls to get ready simultaneously for school and kindergarten. We covered the walls with terracotta-colored glazed tiles, giving the space a casual and effortless look."
The master bedroom is located in the attic, which was unused before the renovation: "We cleaned it up and designed a pleasant and luxurious space for the couple, with the original sloping ceiling above, covered and painted white. The wallpaper adorning the bedroom walls was chosen to match the fabric upholstery of the bed headboard, creating a calming effect that softens the angles on this floor."
"Opposite stands a carpentry unit reflecting the couple's cheerful personality, with books and collections placed on it. Further into the room is a frosted extra-clear glass wall leading to the spacious bathroom. The central vanity unit defines and separates the shower area from the freestanding Corian oval bathtub and an anti-bacterial, sophisticated TOTO toilet that also functions as a bidet. The walls are covered with large tiles in a color that continues the bedroom wallpaper's shade, giving this space a warm, enveloping, and impressive look."