A calm haven

A three-story apartment for a family of four in Tel Aviv.

These lovely clients had just had their second child when they came to me. The house was a joyous mess of toys and sippy cups and various kids’ paraphernalia lying around in every room. The furniture was mismatched and haphazardly thrown together, and the whole house had a just-moved-in feel about it. Understandably, living on approximately 0 sleep, the last thing they had time for was tidying up and decorating! Yet, they were craving a more functional space, which would support their lifestyle and help them live better in their home.

The first thing we discussed was creating a quiet bedroom haven for the parents. Somewhere they could retreat to at the end of a long day and truly relax. A place to recharge their batteries, so they could do it all over again the next day. The mother also wanted a desk where she could sit and write and simply feel inspired. The window had a view of the Mediterranean, so we decided to use the calming qualities of sea blues as a guiding theme in the bedroom. We also opted for solid wood furniture, to add warmth and tactility.

Downstairs, in the living area, we created a system to keep the space tidy and added some stylish and much-needed storage furniture. We created a kids’ den, complete with its own linen curtain, so the girls would have a special place just for them, to keep all their toys and books, and where they could play together right next to the adults. We also filled the blank walls with a selection of family photos to celebrate all their happy moments. Now the house feels like a true family home, lived-in and authentic but also calm and organised.