Between Outside and In
The entrance foyer is the first moment in which the character of the home begins to reveal itself. It was designed as a clearly defined transition zone — a place to pause, leave the outside behind, and gradually enter the interior world created within the home.
A change in flooring defines the foyer while connecting naturally to the wood flooring that continues into the house. Together with the entrance cabinet, the hand-washing niche and the guest bathroom, it creates a functional space that introduces the design language from the very first step: warm, layered, elegant and rich in detail.
Tradition as Part of the Entrance
The identity of the home begins to reveal itself already in the entrance foyer. Beside the guest bathroom, a dedicated hand-washing niche was designed, while on the opposite wall a visible reminder of the destruction of the Temple was intentionally preserved — two elements that become a natural part of both the architecture and everyday life in the home.
The hand-washing area was carefully detailed, with custom cabinetry, a countertop basin, small-format tile cladding and a shaped mirror cut using CNC technology. In this way, a traditional daily ritual becomes a design moment in its own right, connecting its meaning with the warm, elegant and contemporary language of the home.
The Same Design Language, Down to the Smallest Details
The open door to the guest bathroom reveals how the same design language continues even into one of the smallest spaces in the home. The flooring and wall finishes carry through the material palette established in the entrance foyer and hand-washing niche, creating a natural and continuous transition between the different areas.
In small spaces like this, I believe the details matter just as much. The choice of materials, the way they meet, and the proportions were all carefully considered to preserve the same warm, elegant and precise atmosphere that defines the home as a whole — rather than treating the guest bathroom as a secondary or disconnected space.
The Living Room – Layers of Character, Warmth and Elegance
The living room clearly reflects the design language developed throughout the home: a carefully balanced combination of classic elegance and contemporary, relaxed living. At the center of the space is a distinctive green sofa, positioned opposite two armchairs to create an inviting seating area that feels open, comfortable and well suited for both conversation and entertaining.
Alongside the new furniture, several pieces with personal and family significance were incorporated into the space, including an antique chest and an original Tiffany lamp. These elements add depth, memory and a sense of continuity to the interior.
Above the sofa hangs a painting of the Jerusalem Hills, creating a subtle connection between the home, its surroundings and the family’s new chapter in Israel.
The Living Room as Part of One Open Space
From this angle, the connection between the living room, dining area, and terrace becomes clear. The three zones come together as one continuous open living space, while each retains its own character and remains visually connected to the rest of the home.
The Dining Area and Display Cabinet – Where Memory Meets Contemporary Living
The dining area is centered around the family’s antique table, a piece rich in history that takes on new life alongside contemporary lighting and custom-designed carpentry. Rather than smoothing over the contrast between old and new, I chose to let both remain visible and work together.
Behind it, the display cabinet brings together several layers of the family’s life: treasured objects collected over the years, a concealed air-conditioning unit with full maintenance access, and a dedicated niche for lighting Shabbat candles.
Together, these elements create a space that feels deeply personal yet carefully considered — where memory, tradition, and contemporary living come together naturally.
Kitchen and Dining Area – Two Distinct Zones, One Open Space
One of the key planning moves was to connect the kitchen, dining area, and living room into one continuous open space, while allowing each zone to retain its own identity.
The island defines the kitchen and organizes the work around it, while maintaining a direct connection to the dining area and the rest of the home. This creates a clear functional separation within a space where movement, views, and everyday life flow naturally from one area to the next.
One of the home’s defining qualities becomes clear from the kitchen. The dairy island sits in the foreground, while the living room, dining area, and display cabinet open up beyond it as one continuous space.
Each zone has its own identity, yet remains visually connected. From this viewpoint, the layered material palette also comes together — wood, stone, oak parquet, textiles, and deeper-toned furniture — creating a rich but cohesive interior.
It is an open space where each area remains clearly defined while still feeling part of the whole.
A Terrace That Extends the Living Space
The terrace runs along the length of the home, extending the public living space outdoors. Its proportions allow for a sequence of seating areas, while the pergola defines the space above and planters line its edges.
The planting adds softness, depth, and privacy, while maintaining a direct connection to the living room and the rest of the interior. Rather than functioning as a separate outdoor zone, the terrace becomes another layer of the home’s living and entertaining spaces.
The pergola was designed as an integral part of the architecture and can also be adapted for use as a sukkah during the holidays — a natural meeting point between everyday life, tradition, and design.
