Tonic Design Amagansett Conservancy

With over 20 years of design expertise and excellence behind it, Tonic Design is arguably one of South Africa’s foremost furniture and interior design practices. The Johannesburg-based studio is best known for its stellar portfolio of residential projects and its distinctive furniture designs that are undeniably current, enduringly classic and instantly liveable.

One such ultra-liveable design is a private residence in the Amagansett Conservancy Area on the south shore of Long Island, New York. Recently completed, Tonic worked closely with the owners to transform the East Hamptons property into a primary residence.

Tasked with reimagining the interior to support year-round living, the studio shifted the aesthetic to a more layered look that reflects the owners’ eclectic, well-travelled lifestyle.

“Given the site’s rich natural heritage and protected status, our material and colour palette was largely influenced by the surrounding landscape, allowing the interior to adapt to and reflect the area’s seasonal extremes,” says Tonic.

As such, blonde wood flooring can be found throughout and also wraps many of the rooms, creating a warm elegance while providing a neutral background for colourful art and furniture pieces. At the same time, a custom olive-green bank of cupboards in the kitchen provides a focal point and intimate link to the outside as it beautifully reflects the natural surroundings visible through the floor-to-ceiling windows right next to it.

The set-up is characteristic of the entire home’s design – easy, elegant spaces that seamlessly flow between inside and out, allowing for stylish, laid-back living – whether around the fireplace in winter or on the expansive patio in summer.