When the owner of a penthouse apartment in Tel Aviv reached out to us to redesign her space, she had a clear vision: she wanted her apartment to feel like a private home, despite being located in a high-rise. The challenge for us as designers was creating a warm, inviting, homey atmosphere while working in the context of a city apartment.
The Home: This 100-square-meter penthouse comes with 85 square meters of outdoor space, including a western-facing balcony, an eastern-facing terrace, and a private entry patio. Purchased as part of a larger demolition and reconstruction project, we were brought in early—before construction had even begun. From there, we collaborated with the contractor’s architect and a team of specialists to help the owner select finishes, furniture, and custom details.
The Vision: The owner initially reached out after seeing a project we had worked on in the countryside, which she loved. She contacted us, saying, "I want something just like this!" While we were flattered, we were also a bit apprehensive. After all, the inspiration for our project came from a forest, surrounded by nature—how could we recreate that feeling in an apartment on the eighth floor of a bustling city?
The breakthrough came when the building’s architect designed a unique entryway: instead of entering directly into the apartment, you walk through a private outdoor space first. This allowed us to create a more home-like entrance with a metal gate, a paved path, greenery, and even a couple of trees, establishing a clear separation between the noisy city outside and the tranquil home inside.
Outdoor Spaces: The two large balconies were treated as garden spaces. Our goal was to make the apartment feel like a journey through different outdoor areas. Landscape architect Itai Shalem helped make this vision a reality, turning the space into a private garden, filled with little corners and lush greenery.
Entertaining and Relaxing: As the primary hostess for her extended family, the owner wanted multiple areas for lounging, dining, and relaxing. The design took into account how sunlight and wind flow through the space. For example, the western-facing balcony was outfitted with a high bar table and fire pit for sunset views, while the eastern-facing balcony became an outdoor kitchen and dining area, ideal for midday meals. The pool, at the far end of the garden, was surrounded by plants for privacy, offering a perfect place to unwind.
Renovation Timeline: The renovation took about three years to complete, from the initial design stages to the final move-in. The pace varied as the project evolved and new needs came up along the way.
Big Changes and Upgrades: Several major changes were made to the original layout, with the most significant being the switch between the kitchen and the living room. Instead of walking into a TV and the back of a sofa, we placed the kitchen directly across from the front door, allowing the kitchen and dining areas to flow seamlessly together. This change made the space more functional for both cooking and entertaining.
The kitchen features stainless steel laminate countertops that reflect light throughout the day, with a large porcelain granite island. A custom-built bookshelf became the focal point of the living room, incorporating books, décor, a TV, sound system, gas fireplace, and ample storage. The materials we chose—smoked oak, black iron, stainless steel laminate, and brass—were selected to mirror the colors of the sunrise and sunset light that floods the apartment.
Soft, Cozy Furnishings: The furniture throughout the public spaces was selected for both comfort and style. A deep, inviting sofa, ergonomic Japanese chairs (NYCHAIR), textured rugs, and coffee tables added warmth and texture to the space. The dining area is equipped with comfortable chairs for long meals, and the kitchen bar stools were chosen for both their beauty and practicality.
Private Spaces: The private spaces of the home are accessed via a short corridor, which leads to a guest bathroom with mineral plaster and sandy-colored tiles. The bathrooms and bedrooms are designed in soft hues inspired by the sunrise and sunset, featuring large, sandy tiles and textured shower walls.
Lighting is Key: Lighting played a crucial role in the design, with a complex lighting plan that combines functional and decorative fixtures. The goal was to create flexible lighting "scenes" to suit different times of day and moods. For example, the kitchen was carefully lit to ensure that tasks like chopping vegetables could be done easily in the evening.
This renovation transformed the urban apartment into a warm, welcoming home that combines comfort, functionality, and style. By carefully designing the outdoor spaces and choosing the right materials, we were able to recreate the feeling of a private home in the heart of Tel Aviv.
