Midtown condo with amazing views perfect for urbanite, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Wed, Jun 25, 2008, by Chris Reinolds - Rayandra Slonina's Midtown condo is meticulously designed to reflect her warm and open personality. The 1,900-square-foot space is on the fourth floor of MidCity Lofts and offers a northeastern view of the city. MidCity Lofts has 132 units and was built in 2002.
"This was the first place I bought and the first and only place I looked at," Slonina said.
She bought the unit in 2003 and began shaping the raw space in 2004. She now shares the home with her two miniature dachshunds, Arabelle and Kaiser, and boyfriend, Scott Small. Slonina, 36, runs a professional development and coaching firm for financial advisors. Small is a physician.
Describe your decorating style: "My decorating style is soft modern — not a lot of tchotchkes and stuff. It's a little feminine and has texture and a playful quality. I love to entertain, and each room has to have a focal point. It's not too stuffy, and I'm hoping it's a reflection of my personality."
Jenny Wood of Jenny Wood Interiors did the design, which includes custom furnishings.
Coolest feature: The building's sky lounge and rooftop pool. "It's got amazing views of the city. It's one of the biggest selling points." Slonina said another cool feature in her home is the faux treatment on her walls and concrete columns. Tobey Sanders is the artist.
"That's one of the first things that people notice," Slonina said.
What's the heart of the home: The couple enjoy hanging out in the living room on the sofa with lots of pillows. But Slonina also adores her bedroom which she describes as "Alice in Wonderland. I feel like a princess in it, I love it," she said. "I wanted it to be a refuge."
Why a condo? She chose a condo because in her former job, she traveled extensively and needed the concierge convenience. (She does own a vacation home in Big Canoe north of Atlanta.) She and Small are globetrotters for pleasure as well. Their next trip: Kenya.
"We are true urbanites. When (Scott) gets outside the perimeter, he literally starts to convulse," she said, laughing.
The building includes professionals ranging in age from 20 to 60, and it's been easy for Slonina to make friends and build a social life. She is also president of the MidCity Lofts Homeowners Association.
Past or future project: Slonina is content with her home. Eventually, though, her love for Kaiser and Arabelle will drive her toward a place with a doggie door and a fenced yard.
Tips for good living: "Your friendships and relationships are really things that will attest to your strength of character," she said.
"You have to balance work and play. We strive for that," Small said. Slonina added, "I was in the corporate world ... I worked all the time."
She also volunteers with PAWS Atlanta. "I'm always asking where else can I make a contribution?"
What makes your house a home: Says Small: "Two filthy animals." (Smile)
Says Slonina (lovingly): Every time you try to make something perfect, they come in and chew it up."
She says it's also important to have a couple bottles of Veuve Clicquot and a well-stocked wine cooler. (They have two, and Slonina likes the term 'winerator.') That way she can offer a glass if a friend happens to drop in. She wants her home to be welcoming, hospitable.
Describe your most cherished item: "The chandelier that hangs in my bedroom. It was the first thing I bought for the home. I LOVE that chandelier. It has flowers and gold and it's such an unusual shape."
C Lighting provided the home's lighting, including her favorite chandelier.
Lighting the Way, The Social Butterfly, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Thurs, Dec 6, 2007 - Yaacov Golan, owner of C Lighting in Buckhead, has one of the nicest holiday traditions. Each year Golan, a native of Israel, throws a party coinciding with Hanukkah. The event benefits the Center for the Visually Impaired, which provides services for people who are blind or visually impaired. He considers helping those with limited vision during the time of the Festival of Lights to be a mitzvah, or good deed. More than 400 people attended this year's party agreed. The crowd included Nick Gold, Sara and Armand Harris, former DeKalb County CEO Liane Levetan, Bram Majtlis, former Atlanta Mayor Sam Massell, Bill Stewart and Fran Steinberg. The event raised nearly $6,000, and here's the newsflash of the evening: Teri MacMahon and Wanda Morgan of Atlanta won the raffle drawing for a most-fab trip to Austria.
