Gili Ungar of Gili Ungar Home Styling in Giv’atayim, Israel, flew with his clients to the Jan Kath Showroom in Bochum, Germany to source carpets.
Playing with long established hand-knotted techniques with reverence to bygone motifs, he skews rules of composition and color to create contemporary carpets that are so striking you might prefer to hang them on a wall. Some recall the worn patina of an 18th century Italian wallpaper; others resemble a spectacular distant galaxy of exploding nebulas, a dilapidated Oriental rug or a neon streetscape in Tokyo. All are vibrant works of decorative art that embellish the floors of fashion houses Tiffany & Co., Louis Vuitton, and Ferragamo worldwide; in private homes of royalty and former U.S. President, Bill Clinton, rocker, Anthony Kiedis of Red Hot Chili Peppers, actor Bruce Willis and international art museums.
With his flagship showroom in a renovated factory loft in Bochum, Germany, five in other cities throughout the country, plus London, Moscow, Zurich, Vienna, New York, Miami and recently in Vancouver, Canada, (Finlay & Kath Inc.) Kath, 42, is on a mission to globalize his brand.
Although he has not opened a showroom in Israel yet, Israeli interior designer, Gili Ungar of Gili Ungar–Home Styling in Giv’atayim didn’t let that stop him in his pursuit of just the right look for his clients.
It’s obvious from Ungar’s penchant for mixing different fabrics, textures and styles that the Israeli designer loves colour. He studied to be a fashion photographer then switched to interior design 11 years ago. When clients approached him to decorate their large upscale rental apartment in the centre of Tel Aviv, they gave him carte blanche with just one important proviso: “ Make it homey to invite friends and colleagues over because they really loved to entertain there,” says Ungar by phone from Israel.
With his clients in tow, Ungar flew to Germany and they chose two beautiful rugs from Kath’s Erased Classic Collection for their living room and dining area. “Jan is a very kind person and so talented. I really enjoyed working with him, “said Ungar.