Project Name: Modern Nostalgia House
Architecture and interior design: Adi Aronov
Location: Even Yehuda, Sharon region, Israel
Property: 1.1 dunam plot, 370 sqm built
Photographer: Oded Smadar
This old house is considered a nostalgic piece of history by its owners, serving as a reminder of how their journey began. Following a period of relocation abroad, the family returned to Israel and searched for their dream home – surprisingly, this turned out to be their old house. The property underwent extensive renovation and adjustments to accommodate the growing family, with the assistance of interior designer Adi Aronov.
It all started with an old and dilapidated house in Even Yehuda, where the couple lived at the beginning of their life together. They welcomed three children into the family over the years, now 16, 18, and 20 years old. At the beginning of their journey, the young family relocated abroad due to the father’s job. They returned to Israel a few years ago and started searching for the home of their dreams. After an extensive search for the perfect property, they realized that the same old dilapidated house in Even Yehuda was what they were looking for all along, and along with interior designer Adi Aronov, breathed new life into the small, unwelcoming, and uninhabitable old property.
“The clients are very cosmopolitan and are very knowledgeable about architecture and design”, explains Aronov. “Thus, the entire process was accompanied by interesting conversations regarding the choice of materials, designs, and general decisions that needed to be made during the process”.
The owners’ initial request was to leave the original main façade intact, allowing the essence of the old property to still shine through while transforming the rest of the property. From an old and undefined house, this property transformed into a modern, clean-lined, and luxurious home that opens to a lush green landscape.
And so, it was done: the original façade was maintained as a daily reminder for the couple of where it all began. The goal, according to Aronov, was not to “escape” from the character of the original house, but to embrace it in a modern way. It was also decided to leave a concrete pillar from the original structure standing in its original place, between the living room and the dining area, serving as a nostalgic column that marks the spot where the old structure ended, and the new construction began.
Within the framework of the new design, about 170 sqm were added, including a new living room adjacent to a family corner. The children’s rooms were extended, as well as the parents’ suite, which now also enjoys an intimate balcony. Additionally, a handy utility room was added.
The outdoor space underwent a significant facelift, thanks to landscape designer Shai Yaffe, who worked in collaboration with Aronov. A large 40 sqm swimming pool was added, significantly upgrading the area, along with a fully equipped outdoor kitchen, a seating area for gatherings, a gazebo, and walking paths in the expanded garden. Large windows adorn the house and blur the boundaries between the interior and the exterior.
“Demolishing the house and building a new one would have been the easiest option”, notes the designer. “The client’s wish to preserve the old house and enjoy its sentimental charm required space manipulation, constructive reinforcements, and thinking outside the box, and the result is wonderful! Nostalgia remains and is an integral part of the house, yet the outcome is modern and contemporary, suitable for the current household’s needs”, she adds.
New furniture was purchased for all the rooms, to complement the new modern design language, with the exception of the dining area, which remained the same per the couple’s request.
Although the original facade was maintained, it blends perfectly with the new extension. The entire property was decorated in a uniform colour, and a new large steel door was fitted, seamlessly integrating with the facade. Floating concrete steps lead to the front door and concrete casting characterizes the house creating a sense of space. A thin glass wall welcomes guests and offers a view of lush greenery from the beautiful rear garden.
A wall-mounted television was positioned against the black cork living room wall, concealing the air conditioning system behind it. A new glossy charcoal-gray kitchen was designed with a range of concealed electrical appliances. The kitchen island was made of imported Douglas fir wood, chosen as a memento from the family’s years abroad. The clean-lined dining corner was fitted with a bar with designated space for wine bottles, glasses, etc., and the teak wood ceiling creates seamless continuity with the outdoor pergola.
A white wall that seems freestanding, with a floating ceiling, was designed to add natural light and display art pieces. The chosen artwork is by an artist named DEDE, an internationally acclaimed Israeli artist, and it was sold under the condition that twice a year it is taken abroad to be displayed in various exhibitions. The creation is made of small details that are interconnected like fabric threads, creating a dominant artwork that was strategically positioned in the house to enjoy optimal daylight during the day.
The children’s area is located half a floor up. The design is clean and modern, with oak parquet flooring. The master suite is located another half floor up and includes a bedroom, closets with book storage, a sizeable balcony, and a luxurious freestanding bathtub in the en-suite bathroom
