When renovating a house or apartment, clients, with the close assistance of the designers who accompany them, are required to make countless decisions, small and large, with each decision also affecting those that follow. For many, this process is complex and very emotional, but there are tools to navigate it well and effectively. One of them, which we learned from this apartment in north Tel Aviv that underwent a comprehensive renovation, is the formulation of a clear design concept, which serves as a kind of compass throughout the project.

Ofri Paz | Stanley Home

The clients, a mother and her three sons, turned to designer Little Ophir after experiencing a severe loss and looking for warmth and a new beginning in this apartment.

They wanted to renovate the old four-room apartment and create a caressing, joyful, and embracing vacation feeling.

“They wanted to walk in the door and feel like they were walking on the seashore, the sand between their toes and the caressing rays of the sun.

“This is how the design concept of the apartment was born – a vacation by the sea in a minimalist and warm style,” says Little.

The concept she formulated was woven into all stages of the project and was the background to the decision-making process along the way, from the program and space division to the selection of textile accessories and decoration.

How to divide the space?

The project involved a comprehensive renovation, which included redistributing the interior spaces and replacing all infrastructure, including the entrance door and interior doors that were manufactured and installed by the Rav Bariah company.The doors were expanded to 90 cm to ensure maximum comfort and easy passageways, and finishes were chosen to match the design concept.

A white Tal model door from Rav Briah was chosen for the entrance to the apartment, and doors from the seriesTop Mix ColorWhite was also chosen for the interior spaces.

“In dividing the space, I drew inspiration from resorts in Thailand, where the rooms are scattered throughout the space but drain into the reception area and the central dining room.”

Accordingly, and taking into account the specific needs of the residents of the house, it was decided to move the kitchen from its closed location at the end of the apartment to the public space,

And in its place, a bedroom with an en-suite shower was designed for the homeowner, who requested privacy and quiet. The eldest son was placed away from the public space and also received the privacy he needed.

The two young sons share a bedroom, and another room functions as a family room.

In the future, when the two young sons also need their own room, the room can be used as a bedroom.The apartment has two balconies, one next to the living room and another small one adjacent to the children’s rooms. One of the doors leading to the small balcony was only 60 mm wide, as was customary in old Tel Aviv construction. A door of the appropriate width was ordered and manufactured for it by the Rav Baraich company.

What shades and materials to choose?

The vacation feeling and resort atmosphere that the homeowners were looking for influenced the choice of colors and finishing materials: “We chose a palette of deep blue, sage green, grayish blue like the color of the sky, smoky orange like the color of coral, and shades of white and sand,” Little explains. She chose the textures inspired by grains of sand and sea waves.

White doors and a natural parquet floor were chosen as the background, and the original window sills and balconies, made of terrazzo with a pinkish touch, were preserved.

In the bathrooms, blue and white tiles with a wavy texture were combined with neutral shades of white and gray, and a sand-colored tile with a delicate texture was chosen for the balcony.

On the small balcony adjacent to the boys’ rooms, the walls were painted a gorgeous orange shade, and some of the room walls were painted in pleasant shades of light blue.

A refreshing greenish hue was chosen for the open kitchen, and another high side, located between the entrance door and the hallway, was painted a light shade. Part of it was dedicated to an entrance closet and includes storage for coats, bags, and shoes. In the homeowner’s bedroom, the use of warm sand tones stands out, highlighted by a narrow, tall bookcase in a natural wood tone.

How to furnish the rooms?

As mentioned, the inspiration for the rounded lines in the apartment came from the waves and ripples of water, which can be seen, among other things, in the texture of the rugs, decorative pillows and bedding. Many rounded items were incorporated throughout the apartment, such as the side tables in the bedroom, the coffee tables in the living room, the lighting fixtures and mirrors. The dining area and the lamp hanging above it also demonstrate the same concept, and even the backs of the chairs express the round shape. The light outdoor furniture is reminiscent of beach chairs, and planters along the balcony enrich the space with refreshing vegetation.

Planning and design: Little Ofir

Photo: Karin Ravana

Link to Stanell’s profile:Little Ofir – Female – Israel » Social network for home design, real estate and art

Photo: Sally Ben Ari

In collaboration with Rav Briah >> Multi-bolt door catalog