Though only here one month a year, a North African family designed a vacation home straight out of Fez.
By GLORIA DEUTSCHhouse interior b 88 224(photo credit: Eyal Izhar)
'This is one of the most beautiful pools in Herzliya Pituah," says Ilanie Elyashar as she shows me round the garden of the exotically furnished villa which she is renting out on behalf of her friends.
The mosaic covered pool with its gentle-eyed dolphin spouting water into the deep end is indeed a tempting sight on this sultry day. But the house offers so many unusual delights that one can only linger by the pool for a moment before going inside to gaze in awe at the Arabian Nights glamour conveyed by the choice of furnishings and textiles.
The house was built about eight years ago by a family of North African extraction living abroad who wanted to keep it for themselves for one month of the year as a holiday home and rent it for the other 11 months when they are away.
They have chosen a decor which is reminiscent of their Moroccan origin, and the open lounge and dining room stay faithful to the theme down to the last detail. High ceilings are emphasized by the two mosaic-covered columns which separate the living room from the dining area. The pink and cream curtains are draped in a style reminiscent of a luxurious desert tent, while around the walls stand ornate, brightly colored cupboards and small tables inlaid with mother-of-pearl and other intricate details.
Floor-to-ceiling windows stretch the whole length of the room, looking onto the pool and garden, allowing the lounge to be flooded with light. The cream leather sofa stands against the far wall, with red cushions which tone with the red leather sofa opposite. Between the two stands an ornate, intricately carved, glass-topped wood coffee table. On the wall a brightly colored oil painting of poppy fields continues the red theme.
By one of the windows stand two matching chairs made of carved wood, painted silver, with a red brocade heart motif inset into the curved backs reminiscent of oriental arches. The arm rests end in carved animal faces. Other unusual decorative elements are a monumental silver menora on the floor and what looks like the front of a gilded and painted cupboard as a wall hanging which embellishes the dining corner with its large glass table and brown raffia chairs. The whole area is lit at night by halogen lights embedded in the ceiling, so there are no lamps with unattractive wires connected to the walls or standard lamps that can be knocked over.
The richly decorated bedroom also offers a glimpse of Arabian Nights splendor, with its double bed set on a raised dais of polished wood. The bedspread gives the effect of spun gold, but is in fact a delicate pinky brown shade to match the elegant chiffon drapes. Over the bed, on a dark wood background, hangs a very ornate gilded mirror. All the rest of the furnishings come in a restful dark wood.
The room has high ceilings and the sea is clearly visible from the wall-length windows. Tasseled small accessories, like a pouf for the dressing table, mother-of-pearl seats and mirror fronted drawers all add to the exotic look. Gold cushions on the bed and a parquet floor complete the glamorous picture.
Several other smaller bedrooms, including a baby's room with an adjoining room for the nanny, are all tastefully furnished with bright cheerful colors. Down in the basement is a family room for watching television with a straw raffia sofa, parquet floor and even here the odd exotic touch in the shape of polished brass pots and other eye-catching accessories.
Before leaving, Elyashar takes me out to the garden again to point out other delights besides the pool - a barbecue bar complete with sink and chimney, shower and toilet areas and several places to sit and enjoy the olive and palm trees and the blooming flower beds.
And while gardens like this can be seen in many homes around Herzliya, anyone entering the house could easily imagine themselves in a home in Fez or Casablanca - which is exactly what the owners wanted when they designed their interior.
Do you feel you own one of Israel's most beautiful homes? Please e-mail:
gloriadeutsch@gmail.com
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