There is no wiser person than someone with experience. And from every completed design project, you can learn a lesson or two about renovation, construction, planning, design and home furnishing. This duplex apartment in Givatayim was purchased by a couple with two teenage daughters, who thought they were in need of a minor cosmetic renovation.

A quick look at the pre-renovation photos will make it clear why interior designer Betty Jacobson believed that a major, extensive renovation was needed. Together, they set out on a journey that resulted in a bright, spacious, and tastefully decorated apartment, where inspiration from contemporary American style was given a personal interpretation tailored to the family. Here are some solutions, tips, and takeaways from the process they went through:

Ofri Paz | Stanley Home

Take time to analyze the design sketches.

The apartment the couple purchased is divided into two floors, each measuring 100 square meters. In terms of interior layout, the options were many and varied, and a major part of the process was building the current and future program – “There were a lot of deliberations about what their life was going to look like now and in the years to come.”

“We made a lot of options and together we understood the implications of each decision, and the advantages and disadvantages of each option,” explains Betty. In the end, it was decided to place the master bedroom on the ground floor for future accessibility, and the children’s rooms were planned on the upper floor in addition to a bathroom and study. The kitchen and hallway were also opened up to visually connect the kitchen area, which is to the left of the entrance, to the dining area and living room, which are to the right.

A kind of interior balcony was designed and equipped with many potted plants to provide the family with a relaxing retreat.“As part of the renovation, all the interior walls were rebuilt and the doors were replaced, including the front door. Clean white interior doors were chosen with black handles, which make the doors pop and provide contrast. “We chose doors from Rav Braih. “I really like working with them because they provide excellent customer service,” says Betty, and takes us directly to the next important tip –

Choose suppliers that provide a good customer experience

The project took six months and the schedules were tight, partly due to the client’s decision to surprise her partner at the end in honor of his milestone birthday. “In a project like this, we are required to win over a large choir of suppliers and details, and it is important to us that the process is enjoyable for the customers,” explains Betty, adding that the service that customers receive from the suppliers on the project has a direct impact on the work process – “The customer experience is very important to us. Therefore, it is important to choose suppliers that can provide the level of professionalism, quality and finish that we strive for, such as the Rav Barih company that was responsible for all the doors in the apartment.”

Don’t be afraid of special specifications

The client, a graphic designer with a solid taste, approached Betty with a clear design style that she wanted to create in the renovated apartment: “In the first conversation, she presented the style to me and the connection was immediate. The style is timeless American, moving on the axis between American and Nordic.” The design incorporated rich details inspired by the style, such as the bookcase in the living room, which stands out thanks to an impressive arch, and the front of the chest of drawers in the master bedroom, which was decorated with ornate frames. Despite concerns raised by the client during the process, her adherence to the design style and the confidence that Betty provided her paid off. These are the details that attract the eye and give the space a unique, warm, and inviting character.

Add color to transition areas

“I like to incorporate color in transition areas like the entryway and hallway. That way, the color is subtle and doesn’t overwhelm the space. This is in contrast to areas that are spent or looked at for a long time, like the dining area or the TV wall,” says the designer. Accordingly, she designed a carpentry unit in the entryway in a refreshing greenish hue, which includes a seating bench and plenty of storage inspired by the ‘mud rooms’ in the United States and Europe. To open up the space, which before the renovation was dark and covered entirely in wood, Betty expanded the hallway, thus creating space for the necessary carpentry. The front door was also replaced and chosen a dark shade that provides a contrast to the light green shade and the warm parquet.

Plan details that will make your work in the kitchen easier.

The structural changes allowed for the enlargement and expansion of the kitchen, which received an impressive makeover. It includes a bank of tall cabinets on the right, a work surface in the center, and another tall unit on the left end that serves as a utility cabinet and pantry. A warm grayish shade was chosen for the cabinets, and the fronts of the central island were painted a sage shade. The kitchen was done by a carpenter and includes several details that upgrade the work in the kitchen, some of which come from American kitchens. For example, look at the wide spice drawer and the unit that was specially adapted for paper towels, which usually stands on the work surface. Don’t miss the faucet designed above the stove and used to fill pots and is also known as the “pasta faucet.” Next to the kitchen, a small and cozy dining area was designed with a curved bench inspired by the American diner.

Incorporate a large mirror into a dark area

The location of the stairs remains as it was before the renovation. A wide mirror, placed in a precise location under the staircase, replicates the large display case that was made in the living room and adds light to a corner that was previously dark. The display case’s partitions add character to the public space and the use of the mirror enhances the atmosphere and brings the vegetation outside deep into the space.

Don’t give up on bathroom storage

The bathrooms in the apartment were designed in a classic style and in neutral tones. In all of them, Betty made sure to design convenient and useful storage solutions, even when the space was limited. The chests of drawers and sink surfaces take advantage of the length of the room, thus creating a sense of size and space. She also combined open and closed storage, thus overcoming the limitations and utilizing the space to the maximum.

Planning and design: Betty Jacobson

Photo: Orit Arnon