A family of four fell in love with the yard and pool of this home in Hod Hasharon. They approached designer Shir Steigman with the idea of a small upgrade.

But after a short tour of the house, Shir realized that a more significant intervention was needed here: “They were thinking of something specific, but I saw the potential and realized that it would be a shame not to take advantage of it.

“There are things that can be changed and can have a significant impact on the design and atmosphere. The touch-up they initially thought of grew into a massive renovation that ultimately left no corner of the house untouched.”

By replacing the cladding materials, utilizing the house’s height and tall windows, and redistributing the interior, they were able to integrate with the existing architecture and create a home that suited them in terms of style and functionality.

Interior and atmosphere division. This is how you do it too:

Ofri Paz | Stanley Home

1- Setting goals

Clear goals at the beginning, which relate to the daily needs of the household members and their personal style, help in the decision-making process and serve as a kind of anchor in the design and renovation process.

In this case, the family sought to refine and soften the design language of the house. They also aimed to create a warm and homely atmosphere, replacing the grayness and sharp angles and lines that characterized it before, and to connect the interior spaces to the exterior spaces that surround the house. To this end, a new program was defined and a soft and refined style was decided upon, characterized by rounded lines and natural materials.

Photo: Karin Ravana

2- Replacing cladding materials

Although the structure of the house remained as it was, many built elements, as well as interior and exterior cladding materials, were replaced to give it a new and refreshing look and atmosphere.

The rough ceiling joists were dismantled and the gray aluminum was replaced with a delicate Belgian profile in a warm, sandy hue, to create a calm and clean atmosphere in the spacious spaces.

Outside, the pergola was renovated and painted, receiving a light wood finish, the thin flooring was replaced with light flooring, the pool received a new mosaic covering, and the color of the house’s facades was also changed.

Inside, some of the interior walls were aligned and zero-line doors were chosen that create a clean and continuous look. Minimalist ceiling recesses were designed in combination with recessed lighting that continues the lines.

In the hallway, the frosted glass in the lower part of the windows was replaced with transparent glass, revealing the beauty of the interior garden.

Photo: Karin Ravana

3- Carpentry planning

Meticulous carpentry was designed throughout the house, combining smart and practical solutions with a soft and minimalist aesthetic, consistent with the defined design style.

A sloping ceiling and diagonal walls are part of the house’s existing architecture, and to create a softer, cleaner, and airier look, the carpentry was cut away from the ceiling.

At the entrance, for example, a carpentry unit defines the foyer in place of the walls that stood there before. On one side of it, tall kitchen cabinets were designed, and on the other side, storage and display shelves facing the entrance.

A small bench was also designed in front of the unit for organizing, and it also includes storage.

A vertical wooden partition partially reveals the foyer and contributes to the sense of space. Also look at the carpentry unit in the living room, which integrates a television, systems and the existing fireplace – “It was clear to us that this wall should be a significant element in the space. We built the library around the fireplace to include its ventilation and chimney, as well as space for storage and decoration,” explains the designer.

Photo: Karin Ravana

4- Update the face distribution

The size of the house is 460 square meters, mostly spread over one floor. Before the renovation, the rooms were very large and the non-standard structure of the house required careful planning.

The structure of the public space remained as it was, except for the design of the foyer, where, as mentioned, the carpentry replaced the built walls. On the other hand, the room wing was re-divided to create a suite with a separate bathroom for each child, add a laundry room and a playroom, and redesign the parents’ unit, where the locations of the closets and bathrooms were changed. The unit faces the pool and a carpentry cube was designed that combines storage and a television, through which one enters the new closet room.

Photo: Karin Ravana

5- Design language

The goals defined at the beginning, primarily softening the lines and creating a homely and pleasant atmosphere, influenced the choice of materials, shades, and furniture.

In the kitchen, for example, two shades of wood were combined – ash veneer covers the island and oak veneer covers the tall cabinets.

These, combined with greenish fronts on the lower cabinets, a natural stone worktop, and a dish drying unit with glass fronts, create rich materials and interesting textures.

In the living room, this is also reflected in the choice of furniture, with the goal being to choose classic items with rounded lines that do not compete with the view of the garden and pool.

The bedrooms and bathrooms were also designed in the same vein, with carpentry tailored to the needs of the household and natural materials. For example, in the parents’ bathroom, a stone sink unit was designed that blends in with the carpentry and a shower combined with a free-standing bathtub for a luxurious feel.

Photo: Karin Ravana

Shir Shtigman Interior Design

“We deal mainly with private houses and apartments, with our emphasis on smart solutions and planning, and on meticulous carpentry details that characterize the projects.

We pay attention to all the details, both small and large, and use mainly natural materials. Creating living spaces is particularly exciting to us. The process of an idea slowly taking shape, and ultimately transforming into a home that takes on life and character – it’s an experience that can’t be described in words, and going through it together with our clients – reminds us time and time again why we chose this profession.”