It all started with the carpet: Mesmerizing design for a Jerusalem home

• Design: Omer Tal
• Photography: Shiran Carmel
• Textiles and Curtains: ELLA DECOR

This is a wonderful Jerusalem apartment, home to a couple in their 70s who moved from a small, old apartment in a nearby neighborhood. The new, spacious 180-square-meter apartment features two balconies, a large bomb shelter, luxurious bathrooms, and a study for each partner. The entire apartment is spread over a single level, providing a comfortable and luxurious living space.

Designer Omer Tal was called upon to plan and design the apartment. According to him, "The couple has a rich collection of Afghan carpets that they have gathered over the years. Unlike typical projects, where the carpet is an element added at the final stage, here, due to the importance of the collection, the carpets became the foundation of the design. Their dominant wine and burgundy colors served as the project's special color palette, with additional colors woven in."

Another dominant element is the library. The couple are culture enthusiasts who appreciate art and the traditional 'book.' The designer-crafted library is a sculpture in itself, with angular built-in book dividers that are a central part of its appearance. The library, seven meters wide, reaches up to the ceiling. It is located in the public space and serves as a backdrop, leaning against the wall with a separation area between the rooms.

In the kitchen, there is a light dining area, where reddish chairs are placed around the table, harmonizing with the red tones of the carpets. "Although the bold and dominant wine-red might seem overwhelming, it’s a solid and restrained home," Tal explains.

The piano, a shared hobby of the couple, also plays an important role in the home, centrally placed with a significant and prominent position. The furniture was ordered from abroad. The kitchen is less central, subtly concealed by a wall that separates it from the living room. Textile elements, including pillows, bedding, and curtains, were handled by Ella Shlomov of ELLA DÉCOR. The couple chose electric roller blinds, which offer a clean design, complementing the furniture and providing a respectful stage for the carpets. The roller blinds are easy to operate, requiring no complex handling.

The apartment also boasts two balconies filled with greenery, allowing the couple to enjoy views of Jerusalem while maintaining their privacy.