Interior designer Rebecca Citrin has the greatest respect for the 19th-century pioneers of Zichron Ya’akov. As she explains, in December 1882, 100 immigrants from Romania purchased land in Zichron Ya’akov. They planned on being farmers – but struggled against food shortages and malaria. In 1883, Baron Edmond James de Rothschild stepped in to help and Zichron Ya’akov was named in memory of his father.
Planting trees, especially eucalyptus, to soak up the swamps that attracted mosquitoes, he brought in professional planners and engineers to create the ground plan and design the main street with southern European, French-inspired arched windows, tiled-roof housing and courtyards.
He also established the vineyard and winery, so Zichron today, like Binyamina next to it (named after Rothchild’s son), is known for its wines.
Outside the showroom, barrels for olive trees are a nod to the winery opposite. (Photo: Zichron Ya'akov Archive)
The area is becoming a favourite with Anglo housebuyers, says Citrin. “I think it’s the history, together with a small-town charm that it has managed to retain despite its growth and its proximity to some of the most beautiful beaches in Israel.”
Citrin Design’s project might not have involved clearing any swamps – although they did have to evict the previous tenants, a vast flock of birds. But there were challenges, nonetheless.
The brief was to transform a historic former olive oil press and flour mill, in a building once owned by Baron Rothschild, into the new showroom of Roni’s Ceramics.
Arched mirrors echo the architectural curves of the building. (Photo: Zichron Ya'akov Archive)
“We had to display this shop’s wide range of kitchen and bathroom products while still respecting the historical nature of the preserved building, such as its unique oil press machinery, and original roof and windows,” says Citrin, whose husband Ilan joined the firm in 2022 to handle matters such as solar and smart home technology and project management. “The design concept focused on harmonising between the fun, modern and colourful bathroom designs and the rich history of the building and surrounding area.
“It was a real challenge beautifully presenting toilets with antiquities!” she jokes.
The roof and walls of the building were protected, as were the window glass and the old oil press itself, so these were left untouched.
The original blue paint on the window frames was retained – as were the higgledy-piggledy window bars. “Imperfections are part of the building’s charm. We added the wooden window sills, because [the originals] were so damaged,” Citrin says. Carpenter for the project was Rafi Mizrahi.
A new floor was permitted. However, the flooring did not go smoothly.
“There’s a big rock in the middle of the floor. We don’t really know what it was,” says Citrin. The rock had to be left in place and, after deliberation, they decided not to use it as a display plinth but to leave its natural beauty unadorned.
Good use is made of counter sides to display ceramics. (Photo: Zichron Ya'akov Archive)
Lights were purchased from Trend Lighting, in Hadera (“they are neutral and modern, with an industrial feel and they give a frame to the eclectic nature of the building”). But installing them was a big issue, as everything had to be suspended on thin wires, preserving the original ceiling.
A clever addition by Citrin is the three double-sided mirrors, mounted on a half wall, which divide the large showroom space and again avoid suspending anything from the ceiling.
“What’s important for me,” she says, “is that they expand the space, while giving a sense of individual rooms (one over each sink and vanity).” Each display is experienced as a separate space, which not only helps the customer imagine the sink in a bathroom but is also “an efficient way to get the maximum into the space without it feeling crowded. Also, their shape repeats the motif of curves and arches.
“Another interesting thing [about the building] is, you’re not in a bathroomy environment. Normally a bathroom showroom is a sterile environment, [so the customer can imagine the products in their own bathroom]. Here you’re already in an environment with a very strong ‘say’.” Yet she still needed the showroom to appeal both to customers looking for “something funky” and those seeking “something marbley and neutral.”
Weathered walls complement a natural-toned sink. (Photo: Zichron Ya'akov Archive)
They also wanted to showcase a wide range of products, in different combinations, to inspire customers. However, since nothing could be attached to the original walls, ingenuity was required. That’s why almost every free surface is tiled with ceramics from Roni’s product range – along the office counter and on the side of cupboard used for storage, for example – and inside each drawer of the kitchen island is an alternative sink. Freestanding additional black frames are also used for product displays.
“They have an understated feel but are partially open, so we don’t miss this amazing wall behind,” says Citrin. “With the wall you can see its history – plaster from 50 years ago, and under it another colour from 100, maybe 140 years ago – that’s the narrative of the building.” There is even moss on the wall – inside.
Feature wall with Osaka wallpaper by JAB Anstoetz. The frames enable multiple products to be displayed while avoiding damage to the building. (Photo: Zichron Ya'akov Archive)
Masses of hanging plants have been introduced, “to emphasise the sense of a ruin, as though nature had reclaimed a bit, to celebrate it”.
A separate building is used to display parquet. Here, Citrin has used a striking Japanese wallpaper, Osaka by JAB Anstoetz.
“The colour is harmonious but the Japanese lady is quite a contrast with Baron Rothschild,” says Rebecca, who loves playing with harmony and contrast in this way, “finding a shared language between elements in a design space – it might be colour, texture…” In the same building, a pink kitchen provides a punch of colour.
Another talking point is the antique chair upholstered by local specialist Lilly Pais at Extrobad.
A new glass door has been fitted to the building, with Belgian windows, again giving an antique look but slightly industrial. The olive trees in barrels outside the showroom are a nod to the Zichron Winery opposite.
Arched mirrors echo the architectural curves of the building. (Photo: Zichron Ya'akov Archive)
“Roni’s Tiles is no longer an ordinary store in the world of building materials,” says owner, Roni Biton. “It’s not just another store, it’s also a place for the creative soul of everyone who comes here.”
The showroom includes a gallery of historic photos which Ilan found in the Zichron Ya’akov archive, including pictures from the visit of Baron Rothschild. If Rothschild came visiting today, he would doubtless be delighted to see how his vision has progressed – and how the memory of the original town has been respected.
Project: Citrin Design, citrindesign.com
Showroom: Ronis Arichim, Bet Habat 2, Zichron Ya’akov, Israel.
