Limor Ben Shoshan is a designer, collector of unique items and owner of a home-based showroom for vintage items, rugs and furniture from around the world. She's been living in a 150-sqm rented apartment in Tsihatli Street, Jaffa, for a year.
Ben Shoshan's home feels somewhere between a hidden flea market and a concept store. She manages to recreate the thrill of wandering, discovering and stumbling upon rare finds within the walls of her own living space. A designer and avid collector, she has turned her keen eye and passion for items into a full-fledged business.
Her spacious 150 sqm loft now functions as a dynamic showroom, featuring furniture, vintage pieces, rugs and items she sources from markets and exhibitions both locally and internationally. Most of the items are for sale.
"I grew up in a world of design - my father and uncle were both designers," she says. "As a teenager, I would travel with them to exhibitions abroad. That’s where I first discovered concept stores. I was fascinated and wanted to create something like that in Israel.
"I opened 1Bedroom in the Jaffa Flea Market, and it was a big success at the time. The idea was to make the store feel like my own studio apartment. Life moved on, and so did I, and now I live in a real home that’s also a store.
"I always dreamed of finding a space so special that I’d want to open it to the public. When I saw this apartment on Facebook, I felt like it was made for me. I jumped at the chance."
Entrance Hall
"The entrance to the apartment is through an old wooden door that leads to a hallway, separated from the main space by a light partition," says Ben Shoshan. "Along the hallway is a young Persian runner rug from my collection, beside a vintage bench like the ones that used to be in school gyms. On it are design books, and underneath it - my shoes. At the end of the hall stands a metal and faux fur chest I imported from Belgium. I love that combination."
Living room
"If I were building my dream home from scratch, I would’ve chosen wood, concrete and rust - materials that show the passage of time, like the furniture and objects I’ve brought in," Ben Shoshan says.
"I spotted the sofa on Pinterest. It’s by the renowned Brazilian designer Jorge Zalszupin, and I fell in love with its details—the legs, screws, connections. It’s like a piece of jewelry. I researched it and started making replicas myself, now available for purchase, along with custom-made display cabinets and mirrors."
"The lighting fixtures are vintage finds from the Jaffa flea market. The blue armchair, which was originally a burnt orange, was a Facebook Marketplace discovery; I repainted and reupholstered it."
"On the wall is a photograph by my friend Tamar Green, whose unframed work adds a raw contrast to the room’s elegance."
"The shelf unit, which I imported, holds replicas of vintage objects. Sometimes it’s hard to tell what’s old and what’s new, and that’s what makes it exciting", explains Ben Shoshan.
Kitchen
"The Belgian mail cabinet is one of my favorite pieces," Ben Shoshan shares. "It’s an original vintage piece I imported from an exhibition in Belgium I attend every year to collect items. It’s filled with all kinds of objects and kitchenware, most of which are also for sale."
"I designed the table on the fly using two metal trestles made by a welder and two wood slabs joined together. It stood in my garden for years, and that’s what made it beautiful. The chairs are from my parents’ house; they’re over 30 years old."
Lounge
"I imported the sofa from abroad; it's also available for sale. I loved its clean lines and minimal aesthetic. The vintage armchair was a Facebook find, and it’s incredibly comfortable, like getting a hug every time you sit in it.
Next to it is a pink metal cabinet I imported from Belgium, and a Nordic-style wooden chest. The rug is part of my ever-rotating collection," she says.
The rug room
"During the COVID lockdowns, I began collecting rugs. It started by chance, as a hobby; the markets were empty of people but full of one-off rugs. I bought one that I truly loved, listed it on Marketplace, and within a week, I sold three. I realized I was onto something.
Since then, it’s become a business. Today, I import rugs from around the world, mostly older pieces that show their age. I love how wear changes a material.
Rugs bring depth, warmth, and character to a space, and helping people find the right one for their home feels like my contribution to the world."
Bedroom
"This is the only space in the apartment that remains private. I found the bed on Marketplace. It’s a beautifully crafted piece with delicate upholstery that I bought from an elderly couple.
"Next to it is the bed of my dog, Georgie, who sleeps beside me every night. The lithographs on the wall were made by a close friend. They've followed me from bedroom to bedroom for 20 years. The room opens onto the upper gallery and connects to a luxurious bathroom."