A Canadian log cabin in sultry Israel? Well, why not?
By GLORIA DEUTSCHInterior design(photo credit: URIEL MESSA)
A Canadian log cabin in sultry Israel? Well, why not? No matter that the steep, slanted rooftops are designed for snow drifts to slide off and that Hod Hasharon, where this unique house is located, never ever sees a single snowflake over an entire winter.Amira, who resides in the house with her businessman husband and a son who comes and goes, was born and lived in the previous house that occupied the half-dunam (oneeighth of an acre) of land she later inherited from her parents.“It was a small, semidetached house with two floors and a basement,” she recalls, “and it was in an area to the west of the village, which was far more rural than the center.”When, as a young bride, she wanted to build a house on the land where she had spent her childhood, she opted for the Canadian log cabin that had captivated her on an earlier visit to that country. Not only did she love the cozy look of the all-wood dwelling, but she also discovered it would be much cheaper to build than a conventional house.“In 1981, prices for building were going up by the day and as a young couple starting out, they were beginning to be prohibitive,” she says. “Then a friend suggested we should consider importing our home from Canada, and bringing it over in prefabricated parts.”They contacted the manufacturers, and at the same time consulted with an Israeli architect to reorganize the basic plan for their specific needs.“These plans were sent to the company near Montreal, which cut the house for us,” says Amira. “We eventually traveled to Canada ourselves, to the village where the log cabins are made, and bought everyerything – within four days.“Looking back now, I would have done it differently,” Amira ruminates. “As my first house it was adequate, but it should have been more adapted to the climate and lifestyle here – more open to the elements, more balconies to get the benefit of the warmer weather.”On the other hand, it had features that were quite unusual back then, such as parquet flooring – which is ubiquitous today but back in 1981, was a real departure from the standard tiled floor. The walls, too – wooden and not the standard white – were very different and special.The family left the house and spent 13 years in South Africa, during which time the house was rented out and used as a spa. When they returned two years ago, they realized some serious renovation was needed.The kitchen was given a face-lift and a striking central feature – a wood and iron platform attached to the ceiling, with a collection of pots, pans, old brass kettles and jelly molds suspended from it over the central island.A container of furniture acquired in South Africa was sent over, and Amira began to renovate her old house.The furnishings are a mix of antique and modern with some interesting talking points, like the deer’s head hung on the banded wooden wall and antlers in the willow-patterned pot on the boiler.The attic room under the eaves, in contrast to all the dark brown downstairs, is decorated in pale blue and white – with dainty lace cushions, flowery twin lampshades and a blue sofa at the end of the bed with floral and blue cushions.An old-fashioned ceiling fan keeps the summer heat at bay, while two ceramic pigeons seem deep in conversation on the windowsill.The garden, which was redone last year, has a herbaceous border around the wooden deck, flourishing fruit trees and luxuriant greenery.“People pass our house and do a double-take because it is so unusual,” says Amira. “Although it’s from Canada, I’ve been told it has a European feel to it. Either way, I really feel it has a beautiful atmosphere.” ■
