Bringing Europe to Israel: 5 Design Secrets from Europe's Luxury Homes

Dreaming of a home with European chic? Miri Tzur, an international interior designer, reveals how to incorporate the elegance of Europe into an Israeli space – from designing the cornices to choosing textiles. Read on.

You know that feeling when you walk into the lobby of a boutique hotel in Paris, or into a well-designed AirBnb apartment in the heart of Barcelona? There's a different design quiet there. Everything feels tighter, richer, and more precise.

Most Israelis return from abroad with this dream, but when they reach the renovation stage in Israel, they surrender to the local standard: the usual shiny flooring, standard shutters, and smooth white walls.

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Here are 5 principles that will turn any contractor's apartment or old villa into a European gem:

1. Walls are not just a backdrop (the power of cornices)

In standard Israeli construction, the wall is simply a white surface that holds up the ceiling. In Europe, the wall is part of the furniture. One of the most important elements in

2. The floor: give up shine in favor of warmth

Israelis love shiny, easy-to-clean porcelain granite flooring. Europeans, on the other hand, worship the natural material. For a luxurious look, I recommend considering

3. Textiles: Dress your home in layers

In Europe, you will hardly see bare windows. Curtains are not just for shading, they are a dramatic design element. In my projects, I insist on "ceiling-to-floor" curtains (even if the window ends in the middle of the wall), preferably in two layers: one thin and transparent to light, and a second richer and heavier layer for framing. This is an ironclad rule in

4. Lighting: The Jewel of the Room

A common mistake is to settle for technical lighting (recessed ceiling spotlights) to “have plenty of light.” In European design, the light fixture is the centerpiece. Above the dining area, in the center of the living room, or even in the bathroom – a hanging light fixture, made of glass, brass, or modern crystal, serves as a focal point that draws the eye and creates a more intimate atmosphere in the evening.

5. Precision in design: the international standard

The biggest difference between an "Israeli" and a "European" renovation is in the planning process. Abroad, you don't "break a wall and see what happens." When I plan projects for my clients in Israel, I work to strict international planning standards. This means detailed plans down to the millimeter, realistic simulations that allow you to see the final result in advance, and accurate bills of quantities. The physical distance allows us to neutralize the "background noise" and focus on perfect planning that saves surprises with the contractor on the ground.

Want to bring the international fragrance into your home?

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