In a quiet community in central Israel’s Sharon region, an 8,600-square-foot lot became the site of a 5,400-square-foot home spread across three levels, including a basement. “They wanted to realize their dream of a large family home with a big yard and a swimming pool,” said architect and interior designer Shirly Dan. “Their original plan was to renovate their existing home, so they could stay close to the familiar surroundings, but then they found this plot."
Though the lot was zoned for two houses, it turned out to be the perfect fit for one large family residence. Dan oversaw the project from start to finish, from architectural planning to interior styling. Her husband, Gabi Dan, supervised the construction. The final design channels a classic European aesthetic, with nods to the elegance of Tuscany and Paris.
Layout that embraces a garden
The house was designed as a three-level structure: a basement, an entry level and an upper residential floor, with each floor measuring about 1,900 square feet. The house is arranged in an L-shape, which connects the three main areas: the home, the garden and the pool.
Two wings of the house open toward one another, embracing the inner courtyard and creating a balance between privacy and openness. One wing houses the kitchen and dining area, while the other encloses the living room and shared family spaces. Large glass walls between the wings provide a clear view of the outdoors from every angle.
“In all my projects, it’s important to me that the interior and exterior 'speak to each other',” Dan said. “Israelis love hosting, eating together, inviting family and friends, so the home needs to allow that. For me, the garden isn’t an addition; it’s the heart of the home."
The entry level includes a bright, open entertainment space with a large pergola, a fireplace, flowing curtains and wood flooring that continues seamlessly to the inside. A staircase leads down to a spacious basement, while the upper floor is divided clearly between the parents’ and children’s bedrooms.
Outside, the home is wrapped in a restrained yet rich material palette, blending rustic European style with subtle touches of French luxury. “I wanted a home that feels like Tuscany but with the right balance between European warmth and Israeli practicality,” Dan said. “Not overly ornate but just beautiful and livable."
That European atmosphere is expressed through a white façade with decorative cornices, arched stonework, columns clad in natural fieldstone, and antique-style Burgundy stone flooring, which adds depth to the surface. The bluestone tiles in a gray-blue herringbone pattern contrast with black metal details, including a black front door, railings and charcoal-toned window frames. Together, these features give the house a light, yet elegant presence.
The lowered patio openings that brighten the basement also reflect this material continuity. “Even the basement doesn’t feel like a regular basement,” Dan says with a smile. “The stonework goes all the way down, preserving that authentic European look."
Open spaces, clearly defined
One of the guiding principles behind the design was to create multiple spaces that support the family’s changing rhythms, from a quiet morning coffee under the pergola to lively dinners by the pool. Outside, the home includes shaded lounge areas, a bar and a full outdoor kitchen. Inside, there are several sitting, dining and entertainment areas.
Natural light and high ceilings are key design features, paired with warm parquet flooring and whitewashed wooden beams. The central space includes a double-height ceiling and an upper-level bridge (a signature element in Dan’s work) that visually connects the floors and extends the vertical line of the entryway.
The expansive living room is flooded with light from large Marvin windows, which resemble floor-to-ceiling glass walls overlooking the garden and pool. A large area rug and a sectional sofa add intimacy to the open space. A fireplace and soft, linen-like curtains enhance the warm, inviting atmosphere. The indoor living area seamlessly extends outdoors, mirroring the pergola seating and outdoor kitchen. Patio furniture from designer Arik Ben Simhon maintains the same clean lines, calming color palette and cohesive aesthetic.
Between the kitchen and living room sits a European-inspired dining area. While many Israeli homeowners prefer a completely open floor plan, Dan aimed to give the dining room its own presence. “I wanted a space with warmth and intimacy,” she said, “but one that could also open up easily to the rest of the home."
The dining area features an ornate ceiling with subtle cornices, a decorative light fixture, a wine wall that adds depth and elegance, and flowing floor-to-ceiling curtains. On one side, a delicate French-style cornice wall; on the other, a wide bay window with a wooden ledge offers garden views. A lit cabinet reflected in the glass dining table completes the look. All lighting fixtures were purchased from Gidon Class.
The kitchen, designed in an L-shape with a large central island, offers seating for all eight family members and opens directly onto the pergola and pool. Its proximity to the dining room allows for a natural flow between cooking, entertaining and outdoor living.
The clean design combines light hues, custom cabinetry and natural materials, while stone, wood and plaster evoke the feel of a Tuscan estate. “The kitchen is where everything happens,” Dan said. “It has to be both practical and beautiful, a place for family meals and for connecting with the outdoors."
An entire world in the basement
Three steps lead down to the basement level, which feels like a self-contained home. It includes an intimate living room, a TV corner, a large library, a study area for the children and a fully equipped playroom. There’s also a spacious laundry room with four machines, a small kitchenette and a study area with space for a private tutor. “The basement is the kids’ world,” Dan said. “It’s their place to play PlayStation, study, hang out and invite friends.”
She said the space was designed to give the children a sense of independence and responsibility, making them responsible for keeping it tidy. The curved cabinetry, hidden storage and custom-built solutions blend aesthetics with function.
A large oval green rug, amorphous sofas and glass doors looking out onto lowered patios invite gathering. The basement design mirrors the upper levels, with natural materials, clean lines and abundant natural light that make the underground level feel open and airy.
French style meets Lego
A staircase beside the kitchen leads to the top floor, where the children’s bedrooms and the parents’ suite are located. Next to the stairs, a transparent glass elevator, another Dan hallmark, reflects her philosophy of blending luxury with utility. “Even functional elements can be beautiful,” she said. “The elevator is part of the home’s aesthetic, not just a technical add-on."
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Walls clad in soft-colored, 3D wood panels shaped like Lego bricks
(Photo: Shy Adam)
The staircase itself is a design statement, resembling those in classic European estates. A central stair runner from Rugs & Co. is secured with delicate brass rods. “This kind of detail elevates the French style, literally and figuratively", says Dan. "This was our vision from day one, and we followed it through down to the smallest detail."
A sleek bridge connects the children’s rooms to the parents’ suite, overlooking the lower level and allowing natural light to flood the space. The parents' master suite is distinguished by its vaulted ceiling and whitewashed wooden beams, creating a calm and spacious atmosphere.
The suite was inspired by boutique hotel rooms abroad. A wide bed with extended, embracing headboards sits at the center, flanked by minimalist furniture and sheer chiffon curtains that soften the light. A glass door leads to a private balcony. Detailed carpentry and a variety of textures add depth and warmth.
A hidden mirror door leads into the bathroom, which features natural stone flooring and walls. “This stone 'transports' you to a different world,” Dan said. “I believe in the beauty of authentic, elegant materials, even as they age."
Children’s rooms were tailored to their ages and needs. The youngest twins, not yet two, share a double space - a bedroom and adjoining playroom that can later be separated. Three teenagers, including another set of twins, each have private suite bedrooms, and the oldest daughter has a sunlit room with its own bathroom. Each room features wallpaper, wood paneling and custom cabinetry.
The highlight of the floor is the Lego room, a colorful space designed specifically for the little twins, created by Ayala Shlomian of A Tree Story Ltd. The room’s walls are clad in soft-colored, 3D wood panels shaped like Lego bricks. Floating Lego-style shelves and matching furniture complete the playful look. “We wanted to create a little world just for them, a space that sparks imagination and play while still aligning with the home’s overall design,” Dan said.
Wipe-clean walls
Dan emphasizes that design is not just about aesthetics but also practicality. “I care about how the house functions the day after the photoshoot,” she said. “Where do the kids run? Where do you do laundry? How do you stay organized without turning the house into a museum or a military base?"
As a mother of six, she calls this approach “responsible aesthetics,” with easy maintenance built in. All the walls are covered in brushed wood paneling, which offers warmth and is far easier to clean than traditional painted walls. “You can literally clean them with wipes,” she noted.
Everything from the paneling to the custom cabinetry was designed to hide the home’s functional systems. “You absolutely can have a bright, white home with six kids,” Dan said. “It’s all about planning and habits.” The secret lies in smart storage: hidden drawers, clever closets, designated spots for bags and shoes, and well-placed utility areas.
“Even little habits become part of the design,” she said. “The kids know where to drop their bags after school, where the shoes go, how to make their beds A house doesn’t need to be a museum,” she concluded. “But it also doesn’t have to look like a storage room. You just have to find the right balance between the two."