Michal Inditzky and Haggai Weinblum, WID Studio, Interior Design Studio. This apartment was purchased as part of a new urban renewal project, from a developer. We began working with the project in its very early stages, collaborating with the contractor's architect and leading the changes in the space planning and construction plans. We worked with all suppliers and the development company’s operations department to tailor and perfect the apartment for the homeowners and the design vision. Later in the process, we assisted the owners in selecting finishes, furniture, kitchen design, door choices, bespoke carpentry, lighting, unique wall coverings, and an outdoor kitchen.
The homeowners are a couple in their 70s, with three children and grandchildren who occasionally stay over. Both have had long careers in medicine and academia and are nearing retirement. After living in Jerusalem for many years, they decided to move to Tel Aviv. From the first meeting, we had a very special connection with them, with open and pleasant communication. A very safe relationship was formed, allowing us to design a unique and bold apartment that fits their needs both practically and stylistically.
The apartment is a mini penthouse in Tel Aviv, 140 sqm with an additional 45 sqm of terraces. The central terrace faces east, and the bedroom terrace faces west. This apartment is part of an urban renewal project, and we guided the homeowners from the very beginning when the building had not yet begun construction.
We made significant changes to the apartment's layout. From a cramped 5-room apartment, we transformed it into a spacious 4-room unit with a luxurious master bedroom facing south. In a typical contractor project, when most of the upgrades are made with the project’s contractor and not with an external one after the handover, there are many discussions, requests, and feasibility checks. We have extensive experience with such projects, and thankfully, the developer and contractor, Naaman-Eitan, were relatively flexible and made efforts to accommodate our non-standard requests, even when compared to similar projects.
From the moment we started working with the clients until they moved into the apartment, nearly three years passed. Of course, the intensity of the work changed over time, depending on the project's stages and requirements.
At the start of the process, the clients defined several needs and desires that must be met in the apartment. They emphasized the importance of a spacious bedroom with a large walk-in closet and a luxurious bathroom. They also wanted a guest room for their grandchildren, a double workroom with separate desks and shelves, and plenty of storage. Having lived in a very large apartment in Jerusalem with rooms for utility, a pantry, and numerous closets, they were worried the new apartment would not provide the storage they were used to in order to maintain organization. The husband also dreamed of a large outdoor kitchen for hosting family gatherings. We also kept the future in mind and ensured the apartment would be accessible in case one of them would need special accommodations.
Stylistically, the wife mentioned from the beginning that she liked silver, gold, and shiny finishes, even though these are often not the favorite choices of modern designers.
High-quality design work begins with communication and trust between designers and clients. At our studio, the design process is shaped by our connection with the client. While we have our signature style, each project gets a clear signature from the client. Design is, first and foremost, about deep interaction and dialogue between us and the client. Every client teaches us important and interesting things. At the end of this project, we told the client that she taught us to love gold and shiny surfaces. There’s no such thing as an ugly or forbidden material. The challenge was taking materials and a style that weren’t necessarily our first choice and transforming them into something modern and precise for this project.
From the beginning, we felt that the clients trusted us and embraced our ideas. We listened carefully to their needs and designed a home that would feel like theirs from day one — a home that feels as comfortable as an old tracksuit but as stylish as a designer garment. One of the best tips we can give anyone looking for a designer for a complex, long-term project such as a renovation or contractor changes is to choose a designer you simply trust and let go. Trust them to know what they're doing and to consult with you when necessary. Choose designers with whom you feel comfortable and connected, who speak the same language and share similar energy.
The public space of the apartment was a challenge. It was narrow and long, with the entrance door positioned in the center. The design concept was inspired by the apartment's limitations. We decided to work with a mirror effect — each internal function was mirrored precisely on the external terrace, thus expanding the space, both in terms of feel and functionality. Two kitchens, two dining areas, and two living rooms were created, which can function independently or together.
We highlighted the apartment’s long layout. We designed tall carpentry that starts in the kitchen, housing the integrated refrigerator and freezer, oven, and pantry. It wraps around the entrance door to create a small, enclosed foyer, so you don’t walk directly into the public space. This carpentry continues toward the dining area, where the first door serves as an entry closet for coats and bags, with open shelving for decorative items and a wine fridge.
The living room extends to the protected room wall, where the workroom is located. This wall houses the TV and features a light bookshelf integrating walnut wood and brass. In addition to the tall kitchen cabinets, there is a long, low work surface and an enormous kitchen island that serves for cooking, seating, and extensive storage. The tall cabinets have a unique metallic finish in dark gray, while the lower cabinets are covered in white nano laminate. Above the sink is an upper cabinet finished in walnut veneer for additional storage. A Dekton Calacatta-look countertop extends from the low work surface to the external kitchen, creating a seamless look for the kitchen. The island combines Dekton and stainless steel surfaces, incorporating BARAZZA integrated cooktops.
Two dining tables were positioned symmetrically, one inside and one outside. The indoor table, made from walnut wood, opens to accommodate 24 guests, while the outdoor table, made from weather-resistant aluminum, also opens. The chairs are identical in both dining areas and are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use.
The two sofas in the two living rooms were placed to orient toward the entire public space, not necessarily focused on the TV. We added three comfortable armchairs for watching TV, which can be moved around the space depending on the gathering.
In the public space, gold was used in small quantities, treated as jewelry: lighting fixtures, handles, and brass dividers in the bookshelf.
From the public space, there is a hallway leading to the private section of the apartment. Originally, there were tiny guest bathrooms and a very small laundry room with no window along the hallway. We removed the guest bathroom and turned it into a useful storage space, housing the electrical panel, communication system, underfloor heating controls, and gas water heating system. The laundry room was expanded and transformed into a pantry with additional fridge space and ample shelving for dry food, cleaning supplies, small appliances, etc.
The protected room, originally planned as a workroom, was designed with custom carpentry on all sides to fit the needs of both members of the couple. The carpentry incorporates nano laminate in gray tones and golden glass in the closed storage doors. We ensured there was enough space to spend time in the room when necessary.
The general bathroom, which was also narrow and long with a floor-to-ceiling window at one end, was redesigned. We divided it into a bathroom and guest toilet at the front and a laundry and utility area at the back. In the utility area, we designed a broom closet and a washer/dryer storage unit with a pull-out shelf for folding and ironing. The bathroom floor tiles continue from the apartment's flooring, while the walls are covered with glossy, stone-look tiles in a grayish tone. The vanity is made of walnut wood and includes a mirror with storage and lighting.
In the guest room, we designed a large sliding mirror wardrobe that makes the room feel bigger, along with a pull-out sofa bed for watching TV, which can be transformed into a very comfortable bed when needed. Additionally, we placed a padded chest of drawers, which surprisingly opens up into a super comfortable single bed.
The master bedroom was unified with another bedroom. The bed is positioned symmetrically between the walk-in closet and bathroom doors. A wall unit opposite the bed serves additional storage, open shelving for decor, a TV niche, and a vanity corner.
The wardrobe emphasizes the apartment's long line, and a bold golden horizontal stripe runs along it from end to end. The golden laminate reflects the pinkish light of sunset, creating a very unique natural lighting effect in the room. The headboard wall is covered in concrete tiles with brass strips by Studio Bar-On. The vanity, mounted on the wall before the bathroom, combines a large mirror with golden lighting.
The bathroom, like the rest of the apartment, uses the same flooring, and the walls are covered in glossy stone-look tiles. The large walnut vanity is topped with white Corian, and above it is a walnut-framed mirror with integrated lighting, a medicine cabinet, and a brass cube for cosmetics. All the taps and hardware are also golden.
It is crucial to remember that in contractor apartments, it's important to define a budget early in the process. If you want to customize the apartment to meet your needs and vision, the upgrades can be significant. Consider upgrading tile and sanitary ware, kitchen and stone suppliers, and additional payments to the contractor for things like electrical points, plumbing, shelving for shower bottles, etc. Don’t forget about the post-handover suppliers: carpentry, metal work, furniture, decor, lighting, and more.
Managing a contractor apartment renovation requires knowing how to navigate the process. Over the years, we’ve guided many projects of this type, and with each one, we learn more about the boundaries. Knowing when to insist on changes with the contractor and when to wait until after handover is crucial. It's also important to know what to choose from the project's suppliers and what to buy from external vendors.
Hiring an experienced designer before signing the contract is essential. Many upgrade options can be incorporated into the sale contract’s upgrade annex, which can save a lot of money later. Most importantly, understand that buying a contractor apartment doesn't mean the costs end there. Always define a budget for upgrades, additions, changes, and post-handover finishing touches such as carpentry, furniture, textiles, and decor.
