Miki Ben Gan is an architect with a really stunning garden apartment in an incredible location of Tel Aviv. His home had a line of people a kilometer long just waiting to get in.
Miki shares his flat with his wife and baby girl. The place is approximately 75 meters total (750 sq. feet) and like most architects houses – he’s made the absolute most of the space he has. Unlike most architects homes his space is especially warm. White was not used in abundance here, even though the space was so small – and texture was a big player in design.
You enter the flat straight into the kitchen – so if you’re one of those people who doesn’t like everyone seeing your kitchen in any state this place is not for you. I, on the other hand, love it because there’s plenty of space to hang out while you’re cooking and it welcomes people into your home and encourages you to cook.
Check out the kitchen counter. Those lights aren’t where you would assume they are…
The counter is under lit, highlighting the striations in the stone.
On top of the sink and stove-top on the main counter, there’s an additional sink and heat thing in the center island, surrounded by seating. It’s like performing in the kitchen, where the chef is the actor and cooking is the show.
Notice that piece of wood hanging out in the back and then look below.
Look at the flat-screen TV facing the sofa – the wood block is that piece facing the kitchen so that the chef doesn’t have to look at the back of a screen. I would prefer one of those TVs that go down and hide when not in use – but this is a great alternative.
The bookcase lines the front wall of the apartment, creating a cohesion between the kitchen and living room. Collections and books line the shelves, giving a good glimpse of the personalities of the people within.
The there are three doors off of the main hallway – the 1/2 bath at the end of the hall and two bedrooms.
I love this bathroom. Normally one would avoid black tiles in such a small space – but they make the white fittings pop.
Love the sink and the faucet here.
The babies room is pretty cool. I love the window from the shower into the room – I remember when my boys were babies – I would put them down for a nap and then run to the shower with the BabySense on and listen for noise. Without fail the very second I would step into the shower I would hear a scream and have to go running out, settle a baby and get back in. How awesome would it be to just open the window and calm a baby! (And if the window doesn’t open you knock on the glass and make faces – that would certainly work as well.)
The bathroom connects the babies room to the parents room from the back.
This is a serious bathroom. From the double rain showers to the tub which is actually more of a small pool (filled with a compressor from the back – not exactly green considering the water shortage in Israel, but I’m sure they don’t use it daily).
What a floor! The edge ends before the wall and the water goes down there. Not exactly sure how it works or how you plug it to have a bath…
From the bathroom you enter the parents bedroom which houses a desk (something I know Patti is cringing at right now.) I think it make sense. There’s no other logical place in the apartment that could fit this space – and if you really didn’t want to see the desk from the bed you could always put up a screen there.
And yes, that woman in the blue dress is me in the mirror. Apparently I didn’t look anywhere near as ‘arty’ as I had hoped, because later that day I saw friends and one asked me why I was dressed as a “kibbutznik” – ouch.
Sigh – the bed. Well, at least it has a headboard and they did try with the double pillows.
Closet in bedroom.
The backyard had enough space to relax in and enough space for a kid to play ball.
Miki Ben Gan (above) – the more I look at his home, the more I like it.
Shira Abel is the CEO and founder of Hunter & Bard, an award-winning public relations and design agency that works with scale-ups and enterprises on building their brand, awareness and thought leadership.
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I love this house — the living room and kitchen especially. The only thing I would change is…the bed: I’m not a fan of its design or color.