After studying industrial design in Shankar, Erez Levy worked in the field of furniture design for four years, until he decided to go independent and open his own studio. He opened the studio precisely in a villa that kisses the sea in the seam between Shafiim and Gesch. The idea behind the decision is that the customer will be able to see how the furniture looks inside a real home and not just in a showroom.
“We ‘stitch’ the house for the client from A to Z in a ‘haute couture’ design, including the choice of materials, in non-standard designs, so that the client’s home will be unique and precise for him,” Erez explains. “Since I am both a designer and a manufacturer, I have the range of abilities to adjust a budget to a project – I can produce a table that costs NIS 80,000 and a table for NIS 15,000.
“But first of all I design for people. I connect with them, understand the language they want and love. I design furniture that is good for the customer, with the inspiration, innovation and line that characterizes me.”
About 3 years ago, Merav Mandlik joined the studio as a partner, who is responsible for managing the studio and the logistical setup from the moment of the sale to the end, which allows Erez to engage in net planning and design. “Mirav is my right hand. She is a partner, she takes care of the customer’s satisfaction, is responsible for the quality control of each and every piece of furniture, for the production, all of this until the furniture arrives at the customer’s home.”
One of the challenges in this period is the increase in the prices of raw materials. This makes it difficult for the studio to continue designing and producing innovative furniture in a price range that is not aimed only at people with a lot of money. “The prices of the raw materials have risen significantly – wood, iron, textiles. The challenge is to continue to create high-quality and interesting furniture and still remain within an affordable price range, or to purchase one unique and special PIECE, which will be the highlight, and around it to design or purchase complementary products, but not to give up a piece of furniture Designed and of high quality that will steal the show.”
Erez even explains about the development of the field. “People’s exposure to design has meant that almost everyone hires a designer or architect to translate their dreams into a designed home. In the past, a customer would come and choose a piece of furniture. Today, it is very rare that customers come to me without a designer or architect accompanying the process.
“My clients are actually the architects and designers, with whom we translate the client’s wishes into a piece of furniture and an experience. As a result, working with them is serious. They understand the limitations, advantages, and needs of the clients. In light of this, the work requires a very high and precise standard with regard to materials, For combinations, functionality and styles. Which obliges me to surprise, intrigue and innovate every time.”
Erez rarely uses synthetic materials and tends to test the materials he uses to the limit. “Each customer wants unique furniture only for him that cannot be found in the neighbor’s house. It is important to me that the home be the most comfortable and pleasant place for the customer, because that is where we all get our strength.”
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