Inside out, Outside in

Photography by Itay Benit

North of Tel Aviv, in the small town of Ramat HaSharon, the interior designer Tzvia Kazayoff projected a 180 m² penthouse for a family where she skilfully blurred the boundaries between interior and exterior, subtly integrating the owners' love for the sea while creating a vivid.

The owners, a couple in their 40s with two growing children, acquired a spacious contractor's apartment in the heart of the city and turned to Tzvia even before its construction - in this way the designer was able to make structural changes where it was necessary. She delved into and examined the various scenarios from how the family operates on a day-to-day basis to times when they entertain guests. So, the spaces are highly versatile, suitable for any situation, and sync according to demand. The graded design begins in the living room, mainly used by the family in the evenings and designed in darker tones. In its center lies an amorphous sofa upholstered in French fabric and round armchairs. The aim of the rounded geometry is to soften the straight geometry, but there's an added dimension here: the family loves the sea, and the maritime wonder is reflected throughout the apartment in subtle ways. We chose not to go for obvious sea motifs and instead inserted distinct maritime elements in organic and amorphous forms with sandy hues that mimic the movement of the waves. The fireplace wall in the living room blends iron construction, black-stained veneer, and glass, serving as storage while housing a drinks bar.

The living room overlooks a large terrace which hosts various social areas including a dining zone, the outdoor kitchen with a BBQ, a lounge area with a majestic fire table - everything is accompanied by lush vegetation, sophisticated lighting and views of the city.

The guest amenities, designed as an extension of the living room, also sport a dramatic style. The walls are clad in a geometric mosaic of blue and gray, and in the intimate space, a concrete sink stands atop a sink stand crafted with shelves for displaying candles, magazines, etc. The iron and black-stained veneer present in the living room are also the materials from which the design team created the library that stands against the wall leading to the kitchen. It serves as a connecting element between the spaces: a sort of pause between the current drama in the dark living room and the open, bright, and airy kitchen. The kitchen cabinet fronts were cut and painted in a light gray shade. Two asymmetrical surfaces were integrated into the tall wall, with reflective glass panels and internal lighting, where serving dishes and food are stored. Above the island hangs an iron construction that serves as a decorative installation for displaying elegant utensils: This element, made of Belgian profile, anchors the island in the space and stands out prominently against the light background. It acts as a connecting axis between the kitchen and the dining and lounge areas through the adjoining terrace enclosed by dark Belgian profile. For this area, the design team created a transparent, retractable, and foldable canopy ceiling, which can be closed to turn the open terrace into an internal room usable in any weather. A large round dining table has been placed there, perfect for family meals, and next to it, a deep and comfortable L-shaped sofa for relaxing. Furthermore, this area is located behind the living room, allowing the fireplace to warm both areas simultaneously on cool days.

Adjusting the proportions of the original bedrooms allowed to create a spacious master bedroom, children's sleeping suites, and guest facilities near the public wing. In the center of the master bedroom, painted in a light sandy hue, stands a round bed in a shade of deep blue – a representation of the sea. The freestanding wardrobe dividing the functions is light, airy and metallic, reminiscent of the open design prevalent in the Mediterranean basin countries. The master bedroom's terrace section turned into a wardrobe room defined by a ceiling and glass walls, which can be opened at any time. The wardrobes are on wheels, allowing their positions to be changed as needed.

Each suite of the children includes a sleeping area with a large wall-to-wall wardrobe and an ensuite bathroom, separated by a glass wall surrounded by Belgian profile. The rooms were designed as one unit in the same calm color palette, making the bathroom area a direct continuation of the room, and if the door is left open, it creates a homogeneous and intense space. The color scheme chosen for the son's room is bold and intense against the backdrop of gray tones, while for the daughter's room, the design team opted for softer shades. The standout feature in her bathroom is the specially designed tiles with delicate relief resembling paper cuts. The ambient lighting installed in the rear part of the circular mirror above the sink creates an atmosphere throughout the space, including the bedroom.