Project: Gindi Apartment
Planning and Design: Dorit Weinbren
Location: Tel Aviv, Israel
Apartment Size: Approx. 160 square meters
Photography: Oded Smadar
The Gindi TLV project has long been an iconic presence in Tel Aviv, altering the city’s skyline. One of the apartments within, worth lingering on, belongs to a couple in their 60s. Until recently, they lived in a private house in one of the settlements in the Gush Dan area and decided to move to the city center. They enlisted the services of interior designer Dorit Weinbren, who created for them a luxurious living environment in monochromatic tones, adorned with artworks that infuse character and life. This is how it looks from the inside.
After years of living in a private house surrounded by a large, well-kept garden, the couple decided to relocate to Tel Aviv, close to their daughters and grandchildren. For this purpose, they acquired a spacious apartment on one of the higher floors of the Gindi TLV project, enjoying a breathtaking urban panorama with views that alternate between sunset and sunrise. To tailor the apartment to their tastes and needs, they turned to interior designer Dorit Weinbren, who shared in the process.
“They purchased the Gindi apartment when the building was already in its initial stages of construction, bought by an investor for investment purposes. At that point, in its raw and standard form, they still chose consciously to live in it for a while before starting renovations.”
“This is an impressive couple – both possess a deep understanding and a refined sense of beauty and aesthetics. Therefore, it was important for them to create a conceptual living environment that reflects their personalities and lifestyles. We focused throughout the process on space delineation and providing a suitable area for each of them. We eliminated one of the rooms to significantly enlarge the master bedroom, which became exceptionally spacious, benefiting from an optimal view of the sea, one of the best vantage points imaginable. Additionally, as the couple enjoys hosting and cooking, we designed for them a generously sized, open-plan kitchen spanning 6 meters, seamlessly connected to the dining area.”
Upon entering, one encounters an impressive foyer that connects the public space with the private rooms: “We placed an entrance console table, above which hangs a unique and unconventional piece of art meticulously chosen, much like the other artworks selected for various spaces in the apartment. We also created a designated niche for a sophisticated entry closet where electrical and communication panels are concealed.”
“Immediately after, one is greeted by a breathtaking view through the vitrine windows. It was important for me to work with low elements so that the view towards them remains unobstructed. Consequently, the taller elements are confined to the perimeter while the central space remains open and airy. We opted for parquet flooring in a herringbone pattern and a light shade that bathes the space in light, complementing the muted tones of the furniture pieces.”
Overall, it’s evident that meticulous thought has been invested in every detail of this apartment: “We aimed to use high-quality and refined materials, all designed to emanate a sense of calm, such as zero-line doors, slim air conditioning grilles, minimalist recessed lighting in the gypsum ceilings, and an Italian-made kitchen featuring a front of aged oak wood, creating a beautiful finish. The surfaces in the high-use areas and islands are made of Tagliamonte marble-type stone, blending many hues used in the public area. To break the dark mass, we opted for a gray tone, and the side facing the dining area is adorned with brass frames. The suspended lighting fixture above received a special color treatment, matching the metals in the kitchen. The island serves not only for cooking but also as a place for intimate gatherings, especially when the daughters and their families come to visit. The formal dining area, parallel to the island, is made of metal legs and a metallic finish surface. The chairs surrounding the table are upholstered in earthy tones: terracotta, stone, and sand.”
“In the living room, we created a feature wall covered in porcelain granite slabs that mimic a metallic surface. At its lower part, we designed a suspended metal sideboard. The seating arrangement consists of a large, dominant leather sofa that is inviting and yet soft, accompanied by two minimalist chairs made of leather and wood. We utilized the only wall in this space for hanging an art piece – a figurative woman’s figure with colors that resonate with the entire public area’s palette. Between the dining area and the living room, there’s an exit to a balcony where we incorporated plenty of greenery, reminiscent, albeit slightly, of the extensive garden they had at their previous home, along with a comfortable and inviting lounge corner.”
From the public to the private, all the rooms are located along the window perimeter, enjoying the view: “We created for them a work and hosting room, a therapy room for the homeowner who works as a psychodrama therapist, a shared general bathroom leading to the utility and laundry room where we designed storage space. The master suite for the couple is particularly large and includes a spacious and luxurious bathroom and a walk-in closet. The expansive bed in the sleeping area is positioned at the center of the space, overlooking the landscape and benefiting from the movements of the clouds. We also incorporated a metal library in khaki tones and placed art pieces and books atop it. The bathroom, which includes a double shower with a seating bench, we adorned with light gray concrete tiles. The large bathtub cabinet stretches from wall to wall, housing an integrated sink as part of the surface.”
