Monday, July 28, 2008

In Style Magazine Personal Style Test

One of my favorite things to do is to take one of those "Personality-style tests". How fun to answer questions and find out what the pros have to say about your overall style, personality or decor.
While perusing the July issue of In Style magazine, we discovered their "Personal Style Test" and couldn't resist taking a peek at it.
And what did we find as we were answering their questions? Question #19 (shown above) asks what "your backside prefers..." and wouldn't you know, one of the seating choices was our very own Chloe Side Chair from Bungalow 5. We knew right away that we had to immediately skip to the answer, right?
So if you decide to take the test also and have such style as those of us at Tonic Home, then your test will determine that you are a "C" or "The Sophisticate". Of course, what else could we possibly be!
Intrigued? Here are the details for the "Sophisticate" - Feminine but not frilly, seductive but not showy, you live for luxury but are allergic to bling. Grace Kelly is your ideal, and Michael Kors, Ralph Lauren and Carolina Herrera are your sartorial guardian angels.
continued...."Your friends so admire your impeccable taste they won't even buy a bottle of wine without consulting you first. There is a reason - you never miss." Now the next time they make these tests - we are hoping that when the question asks "What is your favorite go-to website", that one of the choices is Tonic Home. How about it?

Stumble Upon Toolbar

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles Designer Showhouse

Tonic Home recently visited the Atlanta Homes & Lifestyle Designer Showhouse at Lake Keowee, South Carolina and what an inspiring experience. Open through Sunday, July 27th, this was a showhouse that I did not want to leave! I seriously loved EVERYTHING!
I'm not really sure how many photographs I took, but I had to change the batteries on my camera at one point. This one above is from their brochure and captures the unbelievable view of this "New Southern House". Even though the house is built on a lake and guests were taken to the house by boat (which completely adds to the experience), it might be one of the most graceful interiors that is definitely not your typical lake house.
The emphasis on a harmonious palette is evident in every square inch of the interior and exterior. It was as if each room seemed to flow into the next. The Showhouse combines the efforts of Keith Summerour, Nancy Pendergrast and Beth Webb, who all clearly know a thing or two about "quiet grandeur".
The house was uncluttered, but clearly well designed, so that each piece was unexpected, yet completely in the perfect spot.
It was kind of a timeless look with a hint of rustic, but also contemporary clean. Now are you starting to see why I didn't want to leave? The unique furniture arrangement (table behind the sofa) for the dining area helps to maximize the room's potential.
The "non-kitchen kitchen" was probably the highlight of the tour, with it's combination living room/dining room/kitchen area. The sophistication of the simple streamlined cabinets made it hard to remember the room was for cooking purposes.
Furniture lines and fabrics were from a calming palette that felt cozy and warm.
The kitchen's appearance features a European feel with elements that are functional and user friendly.
Powder bath downstairs that had to be noticed. The walls are actually wallpaper, which completely surprised me.
Cozy corner in a guest room invites visitors to stay all day!
The guest room is accented by one-of-a-kind linens, furniture and cabinetry for a polished aesthetic.
Master bath shown above.
Sitting area upstairs
Because this is a second home for the owners, they wanted simple rooms for their children. Room shown above features 2 sets of bunk beds with each alcove enjoying their own lighting and bookshelf. Notice the clever "bowling pin" hooks at the end of the bed.
View from above shows alcove in kitchen. Cabinets look like pieces of furniture, so at first glance, you don't remember there are dishes behind those panel doors.
Enclosed porch upstairs features custom swinging sofas based on antiques from the Far East. This tree-top view allows notice of the 1.5 acres of the property that features a sandy beach and covered boat dock.
Upstairs railing with a "gray" tone next to the barn wood flooring. This "summer simplicity" showhouse took an entire year to create.
Shown from first floor up, the unique design is not something you see everyday.
Room downstairs for lounging.
Barn wood flooring completely made this house unique, not to mention the doors.

For more information, visit the website http://www.atlantahomesmag.com/. Cost of the tour is $12 and proceeds benefit Oconee Medical Center Hospice of the Foothills. OMC Hospice of the Foothills in Seneca, South Carolina, was born out of the vision of a local surgeon who recognized a great need for hospice services for terminally ill patients in their homes.

Stumble Upon Toolbar

Monday, July 21, 2008

HGTV and Tonic Home

Tonic Home would like to give a big thank you to HGTV for the recent mention in their "Ideas" magazine. Produced quarterly and distributed to homes throughout the United States, their articles provide home owners with everything from ideas on home renovation projects to visions on how to make a home more earth-friendly.
In the spotlight, is the article "Black & White: always in vogue", written by Holly Becker. In the report, she brings together various furnishing and accessories in this classic combination.
Included are the Chloe Side Chair and Visconti Side Cabinet from Bungalow 5. Both pieces of modern furniture provide that fabulous style statement that makes a room stand out. For these and more inspiring discoveries from Bungalow, visit Tonic Home.

Stumble Upon Toolbar

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Tonic Home shops Bungalow 5

Just barely back from Atlanta Gift Market, we had a wonderful time and found lots of new and exciting finds for our shoppers. Bungalow 5 never lets us down with their eclectic and modern lines of furniture. We discovered more lighting this year and will have those items at Tonic Home soon. Thought you might enjoy seeing some of our favorite looks from Bungalow 5.

White Jacqui Desk with Matisse Side Chair blend really well together. Office furniture has never looked so stylish.
The new Jacqui 4-Drawer Cabinet is a winner for sure. This chest of drawers can serve many needs in the home. More room from the Jacqui 3-Drawer design and still very popular!We LOVE the sophistication of the Brigitte Side Table. White lacquer finish and tassel-style pull handles make it an elegant piece of furniture.Above is the Berkeley Brickfront Chest looking fabulous. So versatile in it's design and color, I can see it working well for male or female. It provides an abundant storage solution for a bedroom and would even look good in an entry way, flanked by the Matisse Side Chairs shown above.
Complete the set with the Berkeley Side Table. I can see these in a bedroom or anchoring a sofa in a living room. Clean lines and so easy to work into any setting.
Always a fan of the Polo line, the warm white version is my favorite. Shown with it is the Rockland Side Chair. We pair it on Tonic Home website with the Rockland Dining Table, but it would serve as a functional desk chair too. The fabric on all of the Bungalow 5 chairs are so easy to recover, by the way. We sell them with the neutral fabric so that shoppers can make each one their own unique design.
I'm such a fan of the Cadiz Lamp. The black and gold "rope" design look right at home on the Jacqui 3-Drawer Side Table.
The Matisse line and Callisto mirror are quite striking together. The "cut out" design on the Matisse Sideboard and Side Table have been really popular for Bungalow 5. The random design interests me, plus the coloring of the furniture is so soothing and works well when you need that "neutral" piece. I'm also thinking the Matisse Sideboard would be an ideal entertainment center, since the "cut out" area would allow those remote controls to access all the television accessories.
Of course the new Marco line is just fabulous! Who does not love the white raffia finish with nickel nail heads. So sharp! This line was a show favorite!

Stumble Upon Toolbar

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Annechovie - Home Portrait Commission

We've just learned that Anne over at Annechovie is doing home portrait commissions now.
Look at this one below that she did for the editor of Daily Candy.
The owner's baby is in the carriage in the foreground, isn't that darling. Anne does homes, vacation homes, pets or whatever your favorite subject happens to be. Wouldn't it be fun to have her do something to put on your Holiday cards? Contact Anne for more info.

Stumble Upon Toolbar

Monday, July 7, 2008

Lucky Breaks Online - Olivia Antique Oval Mirror

Lucky readers will want to check out this month's luckybreaksonline.com.
Featured this month is the Olivia Antique Oval Mirror from Arteriors Home.
By logging on to their website - www.luckybreaksonline.com, shoppers will receive a code to purchase the Olivia Mirror from Tonic Home at a very special price.
Discount code is good from July 1, 2008 until September 1, 2008. Check it out!

Stumble Upon Toolbar

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Murano Flower Sputnik - Antique vs. New

"Sputnik lighting" has been popular since the first artificial satellite was put into outer space in 1957 by the Soviet Union. The resulting fashion trend called the "Sputnik Lamp" consists of a metallic sphere with bars jutting out in multiple directions holding light bulbs or lamp globes at the end. Many designs featured Murano Glass in various shapes, however the most popular form seen was the "floral" shape.
The "Murano Flower Sputnik" light fixture above is an Italian design from the 1960's. Found on 1st Dibs from a dealer in California, this beauty runs about $4200.

Tonic Home was delighted to find the similar "Sputnik" design (shown above) in it's Floral Glass Chandelier.


With a diameter of 27.5", the glass and chrome light fixture is a fashion statement on it's own. The retro chic design is updated and gorgeous at $1350.

Stumble Upon Toolbar