You can always tell an architects home – stark, clean and they make the absolute most of the space given. Their houses are also typically small because architects rarely earn what they deserve. Guy Velikson has a tiny apartment in a fantastic location in north Tel Aviv that he shares with his wife and son.
The ultra-clean lines scream architects house – but there were a ton of hidden gems in this wonderful flat.
As you can see from the picture above – Guy takes the architects mantra of no clutter to an extreme. The kitchen spans to the entrance with stark white cupboards. No papers, no toaster, no mixer – nada. If I had this kitchen I would never cook – I like to see my stuff. But then that’s why he’s not an interior designer – he’s an architect.
The sink space. No window – but plenty of light. I think I would have put the sink in the center island instead. I like to look at things when I do dishes.
You could argue that the bookshelf is almost messy – but it’s not really. It’s just a normal bookshelf – and there are too few these days in homes (I hate the Kindle
Back to the apartment…
These two adorable drawings are on the wall that separate the entry from the living room (the room where the bookshelf is). I find it interesting that an architect would go against the law of odd numbers and only have 2 pictures. I quite like it, but I know that all interior designers would put 3 pictures here.
The built in TV nook is on the opposite side of the bookshelves. As you can see, everything has it’s place. No tchochkes on the shelf above the TV, no cords connecting anything – and even the electronic components have spaces that fit them perfectly. Everything is white (including the leather sofa) so that the space doesn’t look crowded.
Gem #1 – the cushions under the coffee table. This way you pull them out when you want to put your feet up, and when you’re done they are tucked away. The space stays comfortable, casual and clean.
The other side of the living room is the hallway and bathroom. I like the 2 random chairs. They are more like art pieces than anything else.
Gem #2: I LOVE THIS. This is the door to the bathroom. (Outside – It might be even more clever if it was on the inside.) The view of the door from the living room, when the door is closed, is of the book cubby. How clever is that? I just love this. I want this.
Side view of the door. The back of the cubby is slightly bigger – I’m guessing it’s to anchor the front structurally.
Turning toilet paper into a conversation piece.
The bed is placed in a nook – making the most of the space and creating a cozy place for sleeping.
Kiddie tchochkes shelf cut out of the wardrobe space. I love the blue of the wardrobe and the toys on display.
Gem #3: And here I’m slightly embarassed because I didn’t think of this myself. Getting canvas and letting your kids create their art and then hanging it up. This is brilliant and I’m going to do this with my boys this week. (I have their paintings up, but it’s all paper – not canvas.)
**sigh** And then we get to the master bedroom, and this is the bed. I’m not even going there – if you have read Tchochkes for any length of time you’ll know exactly what I think of how this bed is made.
This is another thing that get’s me going. In the US they place electrical outlets much closer to the floor – so they are hidden by the furniture. You have to bend when you plug something in – but you can’t see them. I hate seeing all of the plugs here.
I also don’t understand why vertical stripe wallpaper? Don’t get me wrong – I love the wallpaper – but vertical stripes in a small room like this make it look taller when it needs width. The wall lamps are nice – and I like how the speakers blend in to the wall.
The view from the bedroom, however, is lovely.
Gem #4: Not original but still brilliant. Fake grass – looks wonderful, felt ok with bare feet (yes, I tested) and you never have to water it.
There were patches of real grass as well…
If you’re interested in hiring Guy Velikson you can contact VStudio at (03) 517-2070.
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.
As CEO of Hunter & Bard, Shira oversees a team that manages public relations, marketing, design, and brand development for clients across multiple industries. She develops strategies for organically growing companies through sincere digital engagement and the application of behavioral marketing.
Clients include JELD-WEN, Benchling, Sixth Continent, Totango, Folloze, Radix DLT, Axa Tech, Allianz, and many more. Shira is also a sought after corporate speaker and marketing mentor, and has spoken at events such as Confluence and Content Marketing World, and taught at institutions such as Kellogg School of Management and S. P. Jain Institute of Management and Research in Mumbai.
Read more about Shira’s company Hunter & Bard at https://www.hunterandbard.com
Great coverage Shira,
I am actually suprised at how “lived in” this architects home looks. Good to see that there are “real” people out there.
I can’t decide if I like the toilet paper shelf or not… I am leaning towards not! Too much emphasis on toilet paper.
And that bed, I am not going there either but geez (isn’t that a plain old white blanket?)… and on the weekend of the house tours to say the least!
~ P