Designer to Watch: Yael Siso of Tel Aviv

Her passion for design started back when she was still a child, when she was excited to enter new homes, buildings, and spaces and discover their unique design. She knew she wanted to follow this feeling of excitement and become an architect. After growing up in Antwerp, Belgium, she moved to Israel at age 18 to pursue her passion. Four years later, she graduated from the Shenkar College of Engineering and Design of Ramat Gan. After graduating, she landed an internship at the Jean Claude Beck architectural firm in Tel Aviv, where she later earned a full time position. There, she worked on some of the most prestigious projects in town and refined her personal style. For the past year, she has been operating as a freelance designer both for businesses and individuals. Among her accomplishments are 10 Herbert Samuel, Meier on Rothschild and White City. When Yael takes on a new project, she gets to know her clients personally. She gains a deeper understanding of who they truly are, what they value, and what the focus is of their daily life. From there, she builds a flow to the heart of the house. Because each space affects a person’s mood, Yael believes in starting from scratch. In her own words, ‘You can’t put makeup on makeup. You need to clean and start over again.’ Finding her inspiration in pictures and photographs, she takes time sort through images and build a database of the details, colours, and inspirational aspects. She admires the work of Pitsou Kedem (Israeli) and Marcio Kogan (Brazilian). Like her mentors, she goes for clean volumes, mixing modern lines with warm materials. Because Yael prefers neutral tones like white, black and grey, don’t ask her to paint a red wall! She brings in most of her furniture and pieces from Italy, and she tries to include Israeli designers and pieces whenever possible. Her must do in Tel Aviv? Open House Event. For one whole weekend in the late spring or early summer, Tel Aviv opens up private spaces to the public. From designer lofts to urban villas to famous buildings, people are invited to explore the intricate work of designers like Yael. This event is the perfect chance to view exquisitely designed spaces for free that are normally closed to the public. When she is not busy with a client, you’ll most likely find Yael wandering Rothschild Boulevard, where she explores new ideas to create again and again the most perfect, sophisticated dream home. By Jessica MoszynskiA Belgian art director working in advertising, Jessica is passionate about art and fashion. She discovers new Tel Aviv secrets daily and can’t wait to tell you about it!