Monday, May 19, 2014

From Place To Space: Design Hunting in Jaffa




After last week's first introduction of the hotspot Tel Aviv in Israel, today I want to take you just a few kilometers south of the coastal city of Tel Aviv - to the old town of Jaffa. During my Israel trip I was happy enough to catch up with all my Israeli friends and one of them, my dear friend and fellow design blogger Chedva took me on a design hunting trip to Jaffa.






Our first stop was the famous flea market in Jaffa which is actually a mix of classic flea market and shops with vintage furniture, textiles and home accessories. No need to mention that I was particularly drawn to the plethora of kilim rugs in Jaffa - the mixture of patterns, colours and designs was astonishing. I felt the inner need to buy at least three of them, but fortunately I had my smart and resonated second half with me who reminded me of 32 square meters at home and five rugs that I already own. So I sticked to photo snapping. 




Chedva is an expert and a real local so she guided me pretty successfully through the winding alleys of Jaffa despite her self-proclaimed lack of orientation. We visited some nice shops like Uma, Asufa, the fragrance store Zielinski & Rozen, a shop of several local ceramicists and the famous Hangar 1 building in the port of Jaffa with cool shops, restaurants and cafés. We have also visited another very special interiors store, but I will blog about that one separately! After all the design hunting it was time for a little break - and thanks to Chedva we were able to enjoy a real tea time at the exclusive and private ladies club 'Nine Rooms' - and yes, I was allowed to enter even though I am not a lady but I have lady-like manners for that matter:-)



We also got lost in the winding alleys of old Jaffa - it truly feels like a trip back in time. And all the streets in that part of the town have creative names: They are named after the various signs of the Zodiac. We couldn't skip the landmark art piece 'Floating Orange Tree' by the Israeli artist Ran Morin. And just next to it a brand new design hotel is about to open: the new W Hotel in Jaffa.

When you descend all the narrow streets of Jaffa you will inevitably arrive at the seafront and the towns old port - the most magnificent views of the old town and of Tel Aviv can be enjoyed here while sipping on your iced coffee or freshly squeezed pomegranate juice. Sheer bliss!


Another indispensable stop in Jaffa is a food place called 'Abu Hassan'. It is supposed to be the place with the best hummus in all Israel (if not the world) and it is a loud, crazy place that feels a bit more like Cairo or Marrakech than Jaffa. But the hummus is to die for - it will set your hummus bar to unreachable heights for the future! If you want more food recommendations in Tel Aviv/Jaffa and Jerusalem, make sure to check out my friend Lindsey's blog post.

So, I feel like there's a big batch of inspiration for a Monday, don't you agree? I guess it's time to let you go and wish you a very happy and successful start into the new week! Stay tuned for more Israel travel tips over the coming weeks!


Photography by Igor Josifovic

18 comments :

  1. Thank You for so much inspiration on Monday :-)
    und liebe Grüße
    Angelika

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  2. Respekt! Ich glaube nicht, dass ich den Kelims hätte widerstehen können. 32 qm hin oder her ;), irgendwie passt immer noch was.
    Alexandra

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    1. Es war nicht leicht, es war wirklich nicht leicht!!!

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  3. Sun-drenched, colorful, historic, lots of greens and ohhh the food! Just read Lindsey's recommendations and now I'm sooo craving hummus! Miam! Thanks for this bright start of the week, Igor! Oh and also love the pic with Chedva, looks like you could have been family! xx

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    1. Ah thank you my dear - oh and how fun is that - Chedva, maybe we are family?? Did you read that:-) Have a happy Monday!

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    2. I couldn't pick a better family member :) xo

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  4. I love the pictures, I love the trip... Thanks Igor, very inspiring!

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  5. I'm loving this post on so many levels! I need to go design hunting in Jaffa … want one of those kilim rugs for my new house!!!

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  6. Now that's one treasure trove. Perfect for a RoadsWellTraveled journey! Thanks for taking us along. -M

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  7. Thanks for the inspiration, i'm absolutely obsessed with kilims, too!

    www.thewinterflower.com

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  8. Great pictures, Igor. Just this morning I was talking with friends about finally visiting Israel; they've had some great suggestions and now you've added some wonderful places in Jaffa. You always inspire on so many levels. Mach's gut.
    -Marianne

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  9. Oh wow, I want to go there immediately ! Your pictures are absolutely gorgeous and so inspiring. So many treasuries on one place ! Some of those kilims would fit into my flat perfectly ! I need to go there asap. Thanks for sharing.
    Katinka

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  10. Oh I love your pictures and the inspiration getting out of them! Wish you best trip ever! Anne

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  11. Why I am a lady Igor ;-) Great pics... loving the blues and hues. Wandering around little places such as Jaffa is always a real treat. A 'W Hotel' there does sound strange though... do they have an older building?

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    1. Exactly! They are renovating an old building and they will blend old and new in Jaffa. It looks promising!

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  12. I have no idea why my comment showed when I first commented and now has disappeared???

    Any, adore this post, adore Jaffa.. it's the best. There's nothing better than being shown around by a local and I LOVE that Chedva took you guys to a Ladies club. Fab post and photographs!!!

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    1. Thank you Tina!! Chedva is the best guide ever and we were pretty lucky to get a first-hand design experience in Jaffa. Including the ladies tea room:-)

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