Our magazine team receives a variety of homes. Sometimes we understand the home immediately from the first picture, but sometimes the beauty and wisdom behind the home are revealed gradually.

From angle to angle, from picture to picture, we discover the thinking behind the design, the small details, the hidden surprises that make this house what it is.

This is exactly the house that Yuli Wollman designed for a family of seven in central Israel. Both spouses are widowed and this is their first home together – “it’s a home for a new family with a complicated past.”

Ofri Paz | Stanley Home

The process was very exciting and educational and required a lot of giving, thought, sensitivity and patience. There was extensive joint thinking about everyone’s place in the house,

“And how it functions throughout the day and week,” says Yuli. In addition to an exciting story, we discovered a house full of surprises and unexpected solutions, such as playing with masses, volumes and disconnections, integrating doors into the carpentry, a patio that refreshes the master suite, skylights and more. Here are a few worth paying attention to:

1. Green wall in the yard

At the end of the long, narrow lot is a high wall, created by the difference in height between the lot and the area behind it. This wall is covered with vertical vegetation, which serves as a backdrop for the equipped yard and the pool, adding a refreshing and lively texture to them. Next to the green wall, a stage was designed that appears to float above the pool. The combination of these elements together created a magical and fun corner that immediately attracts the eye.

2. Shutters on the front of the house

The location of the house in an urban area and the height differences between the lot and the street led to the search for a creative solution to create privacy for the family members.

The facades of the house are framed by vertical white louvers, which protect the interior spaces from overexposure and allow for complete privacy.

Their angle was carefully designed and adjusted to the direction of the light in order to bring in as much natural light as possible.

One of our favorite corners of the house is the double balcony adjacent to the master bedroom, which is entirely framed by the shutters for a particularly intimate and cozy feeling.

3. Multifunctional TV wall

The bedrooms in the house were split between the basement floor, used by the older children, and the upper floor, which contained rooms for the parents and younger children.

The living room is where everyone in the house comes together – “The living room here is not just for entertaining. It’s a place where everyone can relax together,” notes Yuli. The TV wall is a focal point in the space.

It is covered in painted, grooved wood and includes a television and a fireplace. But that’s only part of the story. In fact, it contains a variety of other technical systems,

Like an electrical cabinet and an audio system, as well as two doors – to the right of the television you can see the door to the utility room and to the left, on the front facing the staircase, the entrance to the guest bathroom was designed.

4. Breathable air in the kitchen

“The kitchen in this house works, cooks and bakes,” according to the architect. It was designed in a parallel manner, and on each of its sides, Yuli created a unique and surprising element.

The rear facade is covered in porcelain granite and features ceiling-high cabinets, which incorporate an air conditioning unit and electrical appliances. A space was designed between the units, creating airiness on the large facade.

It is covered in wood and combined with lighting and compliments the proportions of the kitchen. In front of the high front, the island was designed, which was also adapted for seating for quick meals. The sink was designed as a block of stone that protrudes slightly and creates a contrast with the dark tones of the kitchen.

5. Staircase wall cladding

The house uses natural materials such as wood and stone, but for the wall cladding that accompanies the staircase, the architect requested a durable material that would be easy to clean. Therefore, porcelain granite tiles were chosen, which were placed in an interesting composition that adds interest and dynamism to the space. The warm hue balances the contrast between the iron railing and the dark flooring. Rounded wooden light fixtures were integrated along the stairs and add a natural and organic touch, like a piece of jewelry on the wall.