Category Archives: Home Tours

Interior Design Magazine Review: Southern Living

I was contacted by Southern Living magazine to find out if I would like to review their magazine for Tchochkes. Well, I love Southern Living and their country cottage look – so why not?!
We agreed they would send me a magazine and then I would review.
I waited. And waited. And waited. Finally I get an email from them asking about the review. Well, I never received the magazine. Apparently someone in the Israeli Postal System decided they needed to check out Southern Living even more than I did – because it never arrived here.
So I got pdf’s instead. Which is ok, but not the same as a magazine. You can’t hold a pdf unless you print it out. And then the quality isn’t the same. It’s not bound. You can’t sit with your girlfriends on the sofa gazing at photographs and pointing out what you love and hate. In short – I want my magazine!
Southern_bungalow
*Sigh* Isn’t that stunning? The picture is from “Chattanooga Bungalow” an article on southern bungalow design (and as you know – I’m a sucker for the bungalow).
Admittedly, I would have gone for a deep strawberry red door – which would also be more traditional, but it would also be kind of expected. I’m loving the orange. You know the man is single though – that carpet. I have to wonder if he rolls it up when he invites people over. Or only serves white wine?

Read more

Home Tour: Green Construction by Matt Baran in Oakland, California

I’ve known Matt Baran, the architect who designed the renovation of this house, since we were 11 years old. I’m not going to reveal my age and say how long ago that was.  He’s talented, has completely different taste than myself, and one of my favorite people to argue with on design.
Front_gate
Of course, when we were 11 he was that hot skater who hung out at the donut shop every morning before class started and I was the geek forced to go with her much cooler friend who liked Matt’s friend. Did that make sense? If not – don’t worry about it. The point is, we’re still in touch and he’s an architect now – an architect who designed a pretty cool house.

Read more

Home Tour: Francis House in Jerusalem

Architect Pe’era Goldman has worked with her client (a lawyer for non-profits) to create an absolutely stunning space. I fell in love with this apartment from the moment the door was opened.
Ok, admittedly the first thing I noticed was the handsome face with amazing blue eyes and sandy blond hair of the owner as he opened the door – I am human after all (and of course I checked, being the Jewish mother that I am… ladies, he’s not married).
entryway
I love these stairs – the design allows for the stairs to take up a narrower space at a harder angle than a normal set of stairs. Not child friendly, mind you – but upstairs is only a loft bedroom and a bathroom – so babies don’t need to go up.
This home is one of the many fantastic spaces I saw during the Houses from Within – Jerusalem tour a few weeks ago. I’ll be featuring apartments and homes from the tour for the next few weeks.

Read more

Home Tour: Somewhere in Israel, part 3

Apparently the Home Tour of Somewhere in Israel Part 1 and Part 2 has stirred up some controversy – mainly because some of my friends can’t understand why I like this house so much. Granted, these are all exhausted mothers who look at the house and think what a nightmare it would be to dust – but the united opinion among them seems to be that the Somewhere in Israel house is too cluttered.
the_roof_patio
Pish posh I say. Which means nonsense in British but also happens to be a lot of fun to say. Seriously – say “Pish posh”. You have to smile. Especially if you’re American.
How can you not love a house with an upstairs balcony overlooking an amazing view with an outside shower and outside kitchen?

Read more

Dalia and David Zomer’s House

dining_below_office_above
In continuing with the Houses from Within tours,  I saw this house which is typical of a pioneering Jewish style that was built in the nineteenth century  outside the old city walls of Jerusalem.

Read more

Home tour: Somewhere in Israel, part 2

Part 1 of the “Somewhere in Israel” Home Tour was posted on Monday.
From the living room we go into the kitchen, which has as much visual activity as the rest of the house.
kitchen
I love the drapes instead of doors. The color is vibrant and wonderful. These drapes also looked especially crisp, like they had just been ironed.

Read more

Home tour: Somewhere in Israel, part 1

By request of the owners of this home I’m restricted from using their names or location – but I can show my pictures – so I’m good with that. As such, for this post I’m calling the woman W and the man M. Yes, I know, original.
From the moment you get to the iron gate blocking their front door from the backyard you can see that this is no ordinary home.
The_watchman_at_the_gate
They have a gnome watching out for them. However, whatever expectations the gnome gives you for their home – I doubt you would expect this…
entryway_stairwell
I took so many pictures (over 160) this post will be continued on Wednesday and Friday this week.

Read more

House (of Prayer) Tour: Beit Hakerem

Beit_Hakerem_central_synagogue
Last Friday I was at the Houses From Within tours in Jerusalem. Since the Jewish New Year – Rosh Hashanah is this coming weekend I thought I’d start off with this gem of a building.

Read more

Historical homes: The Atwood House

I am still catching up with the summer that I left behind.  In August I had the pleasure of visiting The Atwood House, a historical destination nestled in the quaint town of Chatham on the peninsula of Cape Cod, Massachusetts.
I am grateful for the historical societies that preserve these quickly evaporating landmarks.  This small traditional country home was a splendor in its day.
Historic_Model_Chatham

Read more

Home tour: Rachel and Keith’s California bungalow

Rachel Petersen is my cousin and lives with her husband, Keith Petersen (a photographer – his work is a must see) and their two stunning children in an adorable bungalow with hard wood floors and arched doorways. Honestly, I was swooning through their whole house.
entryway_bookshelves
The entryway leads into the living room and on through to the dining room, kitchen and hallway. The walls are this dusty blue which works as a nice contrast for the brighter colors splashed around the space.

Read more

20/63