Inside A Tuscan-Inspired Estate Near Tel Aviv

A cozy Tel Aviv living room with a fireplace and abstract art above it, featuring an armchair, a cushioned chair, sheer curtains, tall windows, a wicker basket, and a coffee table with flowers. Natural light fills the space.

Rip & Tan: Can you walk us through your approach for this project? What was the vision?

Kevin Spearman: A Belgium-inspired home with a Tuscan flair. I wanted to blend that quiet minimalism with a subtle Tuscan style—something that brings in an earthy softness and a sense of timelessness. From the beginning, the goal was to craft spaces that feel collected rather than decorated, where natural materials, muted tones, and thoughtful details all work together to create a sense of calm.

Rip & Tan: What are the hallmarks of a Kevin Spearman home? How does your design philosophy come to life in this space?

Kevin Spearman: We respect quiet, relaxed spaces that are both approachable and timeless. What is edited out is more important than what we select to put into each room.

Rip & Tan: You made 18 trips to Israel for this home—that’s a true labor of love. What was most rewarding about seeing it come to life?

Kevin Spearman: Collaborating and working with the wonderful trades who became true friends over the five-year project was by far the most rewarding part. When you spend that much time traveling back and forth—eighteen trips in total—you develop a deep appreciation for the craftsmanship, dedication, and heart that everyone brings to the table. Watching these talented artisans interpret the vision with such care and seeing the home slowly take shape through their hands created a sense of connection that went far beyond a typical project.

"We respect quiet, relaxed spaces that are both approachable and timeless."

Two white armchairs with green accent pillows sit on a beige rug in front of a rustic wooden console table. Above, a large abstract painting in green and blue tones brings a touch of Tel Aviv style to the cream-colored wall.

kevin-spearman-home-tour-family-room-clay-couch

A cozy, rustic kitchen and dining area in Tel Aviv viewed through an archway, featuring wooden ceiling beams, natural stone floors, a wooden chair, a large potted plant, and a dining table with chairs.

A rustic kitchen in Tel Aviv features a wooden dining table with mismatched chairs, a vase of yellow flowers, and a black lantern-style light fixture above. Light wood cabinets and a spacious island are visible in the background.

A bright, elegant Tel Aviv home office with tall bookshelves filled with books, large windows letting in natural light, a modern lounge chair, a classic desk and chair, a leafy plant, and a glass door.

Rip & Tan: How did you adapt a Tuscan-inspired aesthetic to fit seamlessly in Israel?

Kevin Spearman: I adapted the Tuscan-inspired aesthetic for Israel by grounding the design in authentic reclaimed materials that would feel timeless in any setting. Rather than recreating Tuscany literally, I focused on translating its essence—the warmth, the patina, the understated elegance—into a language that made sense in the Israeli landscape.

Rip & Tan: What draws you to antique and vintage pieces? How did you go about sourcing antiques for this project?

Kevin Spearman: I’ve always been drawn to antique and vintage pieces because they bring an immediate sense of soul and history to a home. For this project, we sourced pieces through a series of dedicated buying trips across France, England, Italy, Belgium, and the United States. Each trip was an opportunity to discover unique items that carried the right character.

Rip & Tan: How does your travel experience inform your design sensibility?

Kevin Spearman: My travel experiences continually shape my design sensibility by exposing me to countless examples of how old materials can be used in a modern, elevated way. When you spend time in different countries—walking historic streets, visiting centuries-old homes, and observing how various cultures preserve and reinterpret their heritage—you start to see that age and modernity aren’t opposites; they can complement each other beautifully. These moments influence how I approach my own work.