Home tour: Dropping in on Michal “Bialik”

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On the first day of Houses From Within I went to lunch at the very cool Cafe Bialik and sat at the bar. I’m bored so I start chatting with a guy sitting a few stools down. He was a real character, asking me if I was religious and such (I guess I kind of looked it from the way I was dressed) and I found him thoroughly entertaining. We eventually discussed Tchochkes and family and kids (what can I say? I’m chatty.)
That day I ordered the BLT and it was really good.
I liked the BLT so much the next day I went back for another one (because they made the bacon crispy – which for some reason is really hard to find in Israel.) This time I sat at a table.
Looking around the restaurant I thought to myself, ‘I bet the owner has a fabulous apartment. There are just too many really cool elements of design in this place.’ So I saw the owner and asked her if I could take pictures of her flat.

Turns out that she already knew about me. The guy I was chatting with the previous day was her brother and he had mentioned me.  So she said yes, and walked me to her flat after I finished my meal. I love it when that happens.
What a wonderful warm family apartment. You can feel the love of children before you even get to the front door. Actually, you can see it as their daughters art decorates the hallway.

The very first thing you notice is the incredible floor. Every room has ‘carpets’ of gorgeous tile.

I love the tile carpet under the dining area table. The decorative metal table and chairs are pretty nice too.

They took an old flat and renovated it, updating certain areas like the kitchen.

I love the colorful tiles and the well loved look of the space.

Open shelving seems to be a big theme in Tel Aviv these days, as most of the houses I went into had them. The decorative dishes are also fab.

The whole house has a casual comfortable air. Even the lighting is mellow. Couldn’t you just imagine napping on that hammock in the corner?

There’s essentially one grand main room for living, separated by the bookshelf. One resting side has the sofas and hammock and the other is side has a piano and computer table for work and play. Keeping the room open instead of installing a wall keeps the flat light and airy for most of the day.

I love this portrait of her daughter.

Keep in mind – Michal brought me to see her flat right after I asked her. Considering that – I think that the place is pretty darn tidy – and funny enough, this was one of the better bed covers I saw that day. It’s colorful and pretty. (I probably should have taken the t-shirt off the edge of the bed and straightened the cover – but I love the lived in look – I mean really, this is how most of our places look day to day).
And check out that tile. **Sigh**

But my absolute favorite tile was in her daughters room. This is just gorgeous and I would love having it in my house. When we finally add the second floor to my house I think I’ll do tile carpets just like they did. I love how it brings so much personality to a space before you even put a single piece of furniture in.

I probably would have painted the closet to a pink closer to the floor color (although it would be hard to match to be honest) or an orange that contrasted, but this pink preppy closet is still absolutely adorable.
There were so many wonderful details in this apartment I took 48 pictures. I loved Michal’s flat and wouldn’t mind living somewhere like that myself. What do you think?