A few of my favorite Israeli home decor brands

My favorite interiors are those that manage to incorporate different styles, inspirations and materials seamlessly. I always prefer the eclectic and the surprising to the predictable, love to mix and match items from different brands and shops and always try to avoid creating a look that resembles a catalogue and lacks personality. That’s where independent and innovative designers and brands come in to play. As a designer and creator I am always on the hunt for new discoveries. Cool product, textile, furniture, lighting and graphic designers, as well as artists and cute little shops. Discovering innovative designers excites and inspires me and I absolutely love incorporating their creations into mine. Usually those are the items that capture the viewer’s eyes straight away and add variety, depth and character to the space.

Supporting designers, creators, artists and entrepreneurs was always important to me. Naturally, the current pandemic in addition to the known ecological and social effects of the big corporations, makes supporting small businesses even more important. But like I wrote above, I am all about combining both worlds to achieve a good and functional design within the given budget. When it comes to ordering items from overseas, I prefer to choose really unique designs that I can’t find anywhere else. I wouldn’t carelessly order anything from anywhere, because that could affect the timeline and budget and goes against the environmental guidelines that I try to uphold.

Having said that, coming here from another country, I have this urge to tell the world about some of the amazing talent I encountered in Israel. Like Israeli food (which is amazing, by the way), the Israeli design scene utilizes inspiration from different places around the world and incorporates it with technology, craftsmanship and creative new points of view.

For this post I chose five designers and brands that I personally really love and that have also branched outside of Israel and ship their creations internationally. I have met most of those designers in person, interviewed them for my blog or for other magazines and bought their designs for myself and/or for my clients.

Mika is an Israeli textile designer. She graduated from the textile department in Shenkar College of Engineering, Design and Art, where she started developing her unique 3D printing technique. She launched her brand in 2012 and since then has been creating various textile items, such as throw pillows, lighting fixtures, throw blankets, wall art and much more. While working in Israel, coming to her studio has become one of my favorite stops for home styling projects. Mika’s amazing patterns and the variety of beautiful colors and fabrics allow much creative freedom to mix-and-match according to the color scheme and style of the space.

The Israeli brand designs and manufactures amazing design and art pieces, all made out of metal and iron. It was founded by Meirav Ringel and utilizes different techniques, such as laser cutting, in order to create versatile accessories and wall art. Her set of flying geometric birds was hanging on the wall behind our dining table in our last apartment in Israel, and it made me smile everytime I looked at it. Choosing photos to display here, on this post, was so difficult because everything on their collection is oh-so gorgeous! I especially appreciate how delicate and soft the items seem, even though they are made out of a strong and “cold” material.


Irit Hayun, a graphic designer with a successful branding studio in her name, created this 1of135, a separate brand that offers an exceptional art collection for interior spaces. Her excellent taste and understanding of both the design and art fields, led her to successfully fill in a necessary gap between the interior design and art scenes and the brand quickly became a favorite spot for architects, interior designers and stylists. The collection demonstrates a variety of pieces from all ends of the visual art spectrum - illustrations, paintings, photography and more. They collaborate with talented Israeli artists to create a carefully curated and yet extremely diverse collection. Unlike other online platforms that focus on interior wall art, the pieces are all offered in limited additions. That is actually where the name of the brand comes from - “we are not one in a million - We are '1of135'” - as it states on their website. They create and sell only up to 135 copies of each piece, thus managing to combine uniqueness with affordability.

In my fantasy home, I have a big display cabinet in the kitchen or the dining area, featuring an endless collection of inspiring ceramic pieces. Tel avivian brand Yahalomis, founded by husband and wife team Tal and Roy Yahalomi, will definitely be a part of that cabinet. They create handmade contemporary ceramic pieces, like vases, accessories, tableware, Judaica, lighting fixtures and others. The current collection includes products that are made out of terracotta and basalt rocks, featured in their natural matt finish. It is almost impossible not to fall in love with the clean lines, minimalistic style and beautiful details that each item displays.

When the art of macrame made its way back to our lives a few years ago, I wasn’t sure if the trend was going to last very long. I immediately liked the soft and boho-chic vibes it brings, but seeing its contemporary artistic interpretations really made me love it and want to incorporate it in my home and projects. I first encountered the creations of Neomi Yam-Suf up close when I was invited to participate in a macrame workshop at her studio. Since then I kept following her on social media, appreciating her handmade craftsmanship, hand dyed soft color choices and sense of style. Lately she revealed her new collection, which is absolutely stunning, and features neutral tones and a few more geometric and minimalist pieces.

* Main photo - Lighting fixtures by Mika Barr, Photography: Michael Topyol

5 Israeli brands that ship internationally 

Family-friendly recommendations in the southwest of Berlin

A recent Facebook post in one of the groups I follow asked "where in Berlin do you live, and why do you like it?" Well, we live in Steglitz which is located in the southwest area. There's nothing really special about it, it's not considered cool or hip and it's not exactly the kind of Berlin that I had initially imagined us living in. However, what you know about a city when you visit it as a tourist is quite different than what you know as a resident. 

We spent the first year here moving between sublets in different parts of the city - Neukölln, Wilmersdorf, Prenzlauer Berg, and then ended up in Steglitz. Each area had its advantages and disadvantages, but when it came down to it we chose a green, quiet and family-friendly environment, a train ride away from what my grandma Billy used to refer to as the "hustle and bustle" of the city.

 have a lot to offer, especially for those who have already visited the main attractions of the city and are looking for some new activities. We have personally visited all of the following recommendations with our young kids, so naturally, they are all family-friendly. You can see them all and add them to your traveling plans 

Go on a shopping spree on Schloßstraße 

This is the main shopping street in the area and a hidden gem when it comes to massive shopping streets. It stretches between a few U-Bahn stations, so you could take the U9, get off at the last stop (Rathaus Steglitz) and then walk the way back to Walter Schreiber Platz station, or do it the other way around. You will find here most of the big chain stores like Uniqlo, C&A, Zara, H&M, New Yorker, and many more, all in a much quieter and more relaxed atmosphere than other branches located in other parts of the city. Note that there are also three shopping malls along the street, and some stores are located inside.

, all have a variety of lifestyle and home decor goods in addition to children's departments, stationery, gifts and much more. 

If you are looking for some 2nd hand finds, check out 

, they have a great selection of kids' clothes, toys, books, and also items for adults. 

And in case you go shopping around here with young kids, make sure you give them a small break at a nice playground, such as the Zirkus or Rüdi Nord playgrounds.

For coffee, breakfast or a light snack check out these terrific spots:

 - a bakery and coffee place with heavenly pastries, snacks, cakes and light food options, located conveniently around the corner from the Zirkus playground.

 - located a short walk (or a couple of bus stops) from the main shopping area, but it's so worth it! It's beautifully designed, the food is excellent and they serve yummy homemade pastries. They have two spots, side by side - the cafe LuLa am Markt and the restaurant LuLa Deli&Grill, both are fantastic.

 - great coffee, great smoothies, great breakfast and great pastries.

 - a wonderful patisserie with amazing cakes, pastries, sandwiches, drinks, and more. Across the street is a small but sweet playground, perfect for all that sugar-rush energy.

 - if you are traveling with babies and/or toddlers you shouldn't skip this one. It's a fabulous Kinder Cafe, which means there are well-equipped play areas where the kids can play while the adults can drink their coffee in peace. The menu is of course very suitable for kids as well.

A day at the lake is one of the favorite summer activities for Berliners and there are numerous lakes around the city. The lake at Grunewald is surrounded by a beautiful forest and is easily accessible with public transportation. You can walk around the lake on a stroller-friendly and circular pathway, drink a cup of coffee at the small bistro, and, if the weather is warm enough, also enjoy the water. Note that there are many dogs in this area because dogs can walk around without a leash here, so if you're not a dog person you should probably visit another lake, such as Schlachtensee or Krume Lanke.

Those of you who live by the sea or ocean will probably not be very excited by this, but this is as close to a beach as we can get, without driving a few hours outside of Berlin. It is also very accessible with the S-Bahn (S-Bahnhof Nicholassee) and the walk from the station is really nice with greenery all around. The beach itself is perfect for families because it's equipped with all the necessary facilities, such as a snack bar, shop, bathrooms and beach tents for rent, so you can focus on enjoying a nice and relaxed day in the sun. There is also a playground on the premises but we haven't had a chance to check it out for ourselves yet. As for now, it is required to book tickets in advance through the website, and take note that Germans are planners, so you better purchase in advance if you don't want to miss your opportunity.

It is currently summer, but if you're reading this and planning a spring vacation in Berlin you shouldn't miss this beautiful avenue of cherry trees, donated to Berlin from Japan with the help of the Japanese television channel, TV Asahi, celebrating the fall of the Berlin wall. The avenue marks a pathway where a part of the wall once stood. The cherry blossom is short and lasts usually only a few short weeks during April, but it really depends on the weather. This year for example, spring came later than usual, so it blossomed in mid-May. You can get here easily with the S-Bahn, but know that there aren't any shops or cafes nearby, so it's better to bring something with you for a nice and pretty picnic.

my husband is originally from a small village in northern Israel, but I am, and probably always will be, a city gal. I do, however, love to visit the countryside and enjoy some peace and quiet from time to time. That's why I was really excited to discover this gem. It's a working organic farm in the middle of the city, easily accessible via bus or U-Bahn. There are crops, animals such as chickens, pigs, goats and horses, tractors and much more. There are comfortable walking paths around the farm and on Saturdays, you could also enjoy a small farmers market. We visited a few times and have always enjoyed it here.

Explore the botanical wonders of the Botanischer Garten

strolling around the beautiful botanical garden is very relaxing and inspiring. I love getting lost in its many small pathways, walking around the lakes and noticing different plants, colors and details every time. The marvelous greenhouses have been closed due to Covid for the past year and recently reopened its doors. I was able to see them before the pandemic and they were extremely rich and interesting. You should also know that every year they hold the "Botanical night" exhibition, featuring installations with lights and music along a guided path throughout the garden. Usually, it takes place around Christmas, but this year it was rescheduled to the end of August and the beginning of September, so check out their website if you are in the area.

Go green in the nature reserve of Schöneberger Südgelände

Berlin is extremely green and there are many wonderful parks all over the city. One of our favorites in the area is this nature reserve, located in the south area of Schöneberg. The paths follow an old railway, visitors are greeted by an old train locomotive upon entry and there are different railroad relics scattered throughout the park. Our son is a huge train fanatic, so it was a big hit. The circular paths are slightly elevated above the ground and therefore easily accessible for strollers and young kids. Artistic elements and structures are located along the pathways, making it extra fun and exciting for the little ones.

Good American-style food, a large selection of tap beers, a bowling alley, arcade game machines, a beer garden, a beer museum, and an amazing space for the kids to run around while the adults are having a drink. We go here often and really enjoy it, with and without the kids. 

Berlin southwest with kids - Updated 2023

Everything you should see in Berlin if the love for design and architecture runs through your veins

When we moved to Berlin in the summer of 2018, I was immediately amazed by its diversity, but it wasn’t love at first sight between us. The first time we visited, the city felt huge, complicated, and uninviting. The second time, we warmed up to it and understood why people love it so much. But I only truly found my place here after we moved, when I strolled the streets with a baby carrier and a backpack. The city’s eclectic nature is still one of my favorite things about it - the mixture of old and new, the way that the rough and industrial edge meets the classical European chic, the combination of contemporary trends with places that look like they’re stuck in another era.

One of the first things that I did after we moved, was to create a few lists of shops, attractions, galleries, cafes, restaurants, and streets that I wish to visit. As you can imagine, given how big this city is, these lists were very long, and I keep adding to them as I read about new spots. Until now, I posted mainly family-friendly activities in and around the city, because since the kids were born, my time to explore places that don’t offer any slides, swings, ball pits, or other kid-related attractions, is very limited. But over time, I did manage to feed my soul the design and architecture that it craves and put together a list of places that I personally really liked. Naturally, Berlin has even more to offer, and I hope to continue exploring, discovering new locations and maybe publish a sequel to this post.

, you can find updating highlights of shops, restaurants, and sights.

In the quiet neighborhood of Weisensee in north-eastern Berlin, stands the last residential building of the world-renowned architect in Germany. Visitors can enjoy the elegant interior of the L-shaped house, which today doubles as a small contemporary art gallery, and relax in the backyard overlooking the lake. If this speaks to you, don’t miss the 

, a modern art museum that was designed by Mies van der Rohe as well, and re-opened to the public in 2021. Even just passing by it and admiring it from the outside is worth it. While the two buildings are completely different in type, materials and scale, they both showcase the architect’s point of view and demonstrate the power of the modernist style.

The Soviet architecture of Frankfurter Tor 

The center of the monumental boulevard in Berlin’s Friedrichshain, which was a flagship project in Eastern Germany after WWII. I find that this is a great example of the astounding mix of styles throughout the city. Make your way from there to 

 to get the full Friedrichshain experience. There are many cool shops of all kinds to explore during weekdays, and on the weekend you’ll find the local flea market.

A small yet very cool museum of lettering and typography collected from public spaces. You’ll find signs from public transportation, shops, malls, office spaces, and various other locations, that were salvaged from dismantling to be displayed as urban history. While you’re in the area, take a walk around the gorgeous Tiergarten, or visit the Bellevue Palace. And if you visit the museum on the weekend, make sure to stop by the 

A photography and visual media gallery with rotating exhibitions in Berlin Charlottenburg. The building itself, titled Amerika Haus, was built in the 1950s and designed by the architect Bruno Grimmek. Originally it was used as a cultural and information center for the United States in Berlin, and was sensitively renovated in 2015. Not far from the gallery stands the Bauhaus Archive, designed by Walter Gropius, which is currently under renovation. 

, featuring a small gallery, shop, and other related events is also worth a short visit.

An old listening station from WWII, located in the middle of the forest in the west side of Berlin, which was transformed into a street-art gallery. It features numerous huge paintings as well as smaller pieces all around the deserted building, and at the top is a beautiful view of the city. You can take the S-Bahn and walk up the mountain through the Grunewald forest, which is a lovely location on its own.

A museum dedicated to street and urban art. The museum was established to provide a safe place for graffiti and street artists since art in the public space is always at risk of being removed or destroyed. The impact of the museum on the neighborhood is felt strongly as you walk along the street, which is filled with urban art and graffiti of all shapes, sizes and styles. Stop by Frühstück 3000 on the other side of the street for an amazing breakfast or snack. And If you visit the museum on Wednesday or Saturday, then you should grab a bite at the nearby market at 

Grab a beer by the Spree river, listen to live music, get something to eat, and spend an evening at this super cool and oh-so-Berlin spot. This old industrial location became the home of a cooperative association for artists, makers, creators, and small business owners, so they could work together and exchange knowledge and ideas. Design-wise, this place is all about reusing, recycling, and repurposing of different objects, and of course, wood, which connects back to the original use of the place as a timber-trade market. Make sure to check their 

Berlin is a huge city, and almost every district (Bezirk) has at least one strolling-worthy street, with cute little shops, cafes, restaurants, pretty buildings, and sweet hidden corners. On a side note - the zip codes are crucial when navigating around the city because there are streets with the same names in different districts. Here are a few of my favorite streets, make sure to wander off to the smaller streets around them as well-

# Goltzstraße (10781) in Schöneberg, with highlights such as Jones ice cream, The Visit coffee roastery, Sironi for pizza and pastries, The Goods for home decor prettiness, Nordliebe for Scandinavian wonders, and Hobbyshop Rüther for arts, crafts and beyond.

# Bergmannkiez (10961, between Gneisenaustraße and Bergmannstraße) in Kreuzberg. Stop by Barcomi’s Café for a cup of coffee and cake, Mjot for children’s heaven, Broken English for Great Britain’s finest, Schwesterherz for paper products, and Tranquillo for home decor and gift ideas.

# Kollwitzplatz (10405) and the surrounding streets in Prenzlauer Berg with great food, drinks, and shopping at every turn. Stop by ting for beautiful interior design objects, Die kleine Gesellschaft for toys and accessories for the little ones, NOVeL for home decor, fashion and accessories, and Cookies&Co for a sweet break.

# Continue to explore Prenzlauer Berg towards Helmholtzplatz (10437) and check out Victoria met Albert for clothes, accessories and home goods, Mia und Leo for kids’ clothes and toys, YOnkel Ork’s lovely collection of stationery, gifts and decor items, Schoemig Porzellan for hand made porcelain creations, and Popkornditorei Knalle for surprising Popcorn flavors handmade in Berlin.

# Walk down Kastanienallee from Eberswalder Straße towards Rosenthaler Platz (10119), and continue on Rosenthaler Straße to Hackescher Markt. Along the way you’ll discover many cool spots, like Zeit für Brot’s dreamy pastries, Broke + Schön’s fashion and lifestyle products, the English books in Love Story, the stylish collection of clothes and accessories at GE03, Granit’s minimalistic and monochromatic interior accessories, Schee’s amazing poster and home goods selection, the wonderful combo of home, lifestyle and clothing pieces at Kauf dich Glücklich, fresh coffee at the Barn, and more.

# Oranienburger Straße (10117) offers many galleries, such as the newly reopened KW Institute for contemporary art and the Michael Fuchs Gallery, which is located in a building that used to be a Jewish school for girls. Don’t miss the photogenic and peaceful atmosphere at the hidden courtyards of Heckmann Höfe, and the upscale shops, like Amodo and Parkhaus that offer hand-picked design brands, and Hay’s Berlin flagship store. For a sweet bite to eat check out Princess Cheesecake and/or Loti Pantón for delicious Macarons.

# Walk along Suarezstraße for antique, retro, and vintage shops.
# Modulor and Idee for art supplies, stationery, gift ideas, and more.
# Visit Søstrene Grene for an affordable and beautiful home, kitchen, nursery design, and more. They have stores all over the city, but the flagship one on Schloßstraße (12163) is by far the best.

# For design, art, and architecture books go to Taschen, she said, and Do you read me?
# If second-hand finds speak to you, like a true Berliner, then you should make the trip to Nochmall, Berlin’s first second-hand mall.
# check out HEMA for affordable design, stationery, toys, kitchenware, gifts, and even snacks.

Have more time to explore the city? Here are a few additional ideas:

 - a museum dedicated to applied and fine arts with collections of art nouveau, art deco and functionalism pieces, in addition to temporary exhibitions.

 - a contemporary art gallery located in an old train station building.

 - an old palace-turned-museum with a fascinating and controversial history. The courtyard is open to the public and you can walk through the building to check out the architecture.

 - a small gallery of temporary exhibitions. Its location in a house overlooking the lake, and the wonderful cafe make it a true gem.

 - one of the most famous locations in Berlin, but I have to admit that the Dome, which was designed by Norman Foster is very impressive and architecturally remarkable (visit is free, but requires an online ticket). 

Berlin for design and architecture lovers

Suggested color palettes and decor choices for your children's room

Styling our Berlin apartment is a process and we do it little by little. I love a good "before and after" picture, appreciate a good makeover reveal and enjoy a beautiful and photogenic "complete" design just like the next gal, but our personal process so far has been different. We moved here almost three years ago with six suitcases and a dog. Beforehand we sold and gave away most of our belongings and then spent the first year bouncing around from one fully furnished sublet to another (and another) with a tiny baby, aka Robin, all over the city.

After that first year we finally found a long term lease - a two bedroom apartment in Steglitz (on the south-western area of the city). We knew the tenants that lived here before us and they left us many things that they no longer needed. Still our shopping list was super long. We had no furniture, kitchenware, lighting fixtures, bed sheets or towels and basically had to start from scratch. That feeling of a clean slate was exciting for me, as a designer and a recovering shopoholic, but I knew that we had to start with covering our basics and couldn't get everything that we needed and wanted all at once.

Robin is now 2.5 years old and we recently welcomed his baby sister Libby into our lives. His room which he will eventually share with Libby, is still, much like our family, is evolving. Every few months we purchase a few more items and get a little closer to the desired result. In styling his room I knew I wanted to choose gender neutral colors, avoid branded characters and images and find the right balance between a playful and a relaxed atmosphere. Because I had so much time to plan it, I had many ideas and color pallets in mind before I chose one that I felt suited him and us best.

In addition to the color story that I chose, I created for this post four additional mood boards with different color palettes, wallpaper choices and accessories for a nursery and/or children's bedroom. I'm sure that each of you can relate to at least one of those and maybe use it to create a dreamy bedroom for your little ones. 

FIY - all items are available for purchase from online shops in Germany and below each mood board you can find the relevant links. 

The first one is the one that I wound up going with. It was defined gradually, starting with two wall decor items that I found on a regular stroll around Prenzlauer Berg before we moved and a laundry basket found a few months earlier at HEMA. Then I purchased a round carpet at the Home24 outlet, where I found other great items for our new apartment. Only after seeing these four items together, I realized that the perfect color palette for this room was under my nose, waiting to be discovered. To the colorful decor items in turquoise and mustard tones I would add white or light grey furniture and incorporate a few items that are made out of wood and rattan, that fit the yellowish tones beautifully.

As you can see from the color scheme of this very website, I love the combination of green and pink. There is something very relaxing and fresh about it, it’s colorful but not too much, it could potentially grow and evolve with the kids and I perceive it as imaginative and playful. For this palette I would choose furniture in natural wooden tones that will add depth and emphasize the connection to nature.

If you have kids you probably already know how much color their toys and books bring into our lives and interior spaces. Maybe some of you manage to minimize it and buy mostly minimalistic items, but personally I don’t limit our and his variety based on color or material choices. For that reason the next three mood boards are based on more neutral tones, that create space and air for the more vibrant and playful colors of the toys and the books. Because grey tones tend to create a cooler atmosphere, I like to add warmer materials and textures such as wood for the furniture as well as details, accessories and flooring.

This mood board is based on white items with black, grey and wooden details. Because it creates such a quiet and calming vibe, I allowed myself to suggest an animalistic wallpaper that adds character and texture to the mix without being too loud.

I have to say that I’m very pleased to see that the warmer earthy tones made their way back into style. Using this palette we can incorporate darker and richer color choices as well as brighter and more subtle tones, alongside natural materials like wood, bamboo, rattan and canvas, while maintaining a calming effect and cohesive look.

Tag: Shopping