A Modern Tel Aviv Apartment That Bridges Beauty with Functionality

For a small family with children and two cats, the homeowners aspired for a clean, modern and elegant abode – without compromising practicality.

"On one hand, aesthetics are important to them; they value design," explains Studio Perri, a Tel Aviv-based interior design firmed founded by sisters Moran Perri Okun and Liron Perri Saar. "On the other hand, they wanted to use practical, durable materials that do not require maintenance."

Studio Perri created an elegant modern abode for a small family with children and pet cats, featuring clean lines, homey and durable furniture, and a warm colour palette

With other preferences from the homeowners clearly outlined (as many storage solutions as possible; a balcony; a room for the cats), Studio Perri got to work.

Taking the shell of the old apartment unit – which was built in the 1970s – Studio Perri tore down most of the original walls that divided its almost 1,500 square feet of space, preserving only those in the children's bedroom along with its two supporting columns. In their place, a more open division was created, with the kitchen, main living area, and play room neatly segregated but within view of the one another.

An abundance of smart storage solutions are built into the old apartment's contemporary new design, as in the floor-to-ceiling cabinets that fill one side of the kitchen, and its wooden frame atop the kitchen island housing glassware and liquor above.

The private areas, including the bedrooms and study, are separated by a corridor as well as a door, specially requested by the owner to help moderate noise from the public areas. Plenty of storage, strategically and intelligently incorporated, also fill the home.

An illuminated display area creates interest among the kitchen's dedicated storage cabinets

Originally a separate unit, the space that now houses the kitchen have become part of the apartment. A wooden frame demarcates the kitchen work space from the rest of the living area, while doubling as storage for glassware and a display case for the couple's liquor collection.

The rest of the home's open-plan public area is within view from the kitchen, from the closed balcony to the right, to the play room farther out, to the left. Next to the dining area, a small but well-ventilated room is specially created for the cats

At the heart of the apartment's public area, the living room reflects most of the space's modern design, with clean lines and an elegant palette of grey, black, and bright wood. In it, a bespoke shelving system houses the entertaining centre, including a television and built-in speakers, along with adequate storage.

Storage corridors divide the apartment and create its walkways

For the homeowners' desire for a balcony – where there wasn't one originally – Studio Perri elevated the space along the building's contours, with sliding glass doors framed by black aluminium for partitions. A hanging chair anchors the area, while a concrete bench beneath the windows further carve out storage into the home.

The play room features two large doors and curtains that can be opened to become part of the living area, or closed off for privacy, or to become a new room

In one end of the living area, away from the kitchen, a small, ventilated room is also specially designed for the cats, complete with food and a sandbox – a special request by the homeowners.

In one of the bathrooms, geometric floor tiles and dark blue shelvings further the home's modern aesthetic

Further off from the living area – next to the dining – is the play room. The open layout allows the apartment's dwellers to keep an eye out for the kids from the living room or the kitchen, although two large doors and curtains can also cordon off the space when necessary, to create an additional room.

Closets on either side of the corridor in the master bedroom create further space

Throughout the home, more intelligent storage abound, as in the corridors between the bedroom and bathroom containing more storage.

Bright turquoise, white, and stripes and patterns colour the children's bedroom

Most of the apartment's original fittings were replaced: the flooring, wall coverings, windows, lighting, down to the plumbing and air-conditioning. After two months of planning, Studio Perri completed renovations in four months.

In another of the apartment's bathrooms, a more neutral palette of wood, black and white fall in line with that of the rest of the home

The homeowners, say Moran and Liran of Studio Perri, challenged them beyond "routine requests" which only "added to their interest".

In the living area, a custom-built shelving system houses the entertainment system

"Finding unconventional solutions was certainly one of the funnest parts of the project," share the sisters. "The trust they gave us, and our listening to their needs, enabled a successful process and a tighter and tailored result."

Photography by Gidon Levin, courtesy of Studio Perri

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