Chai Style Art: Family Hits the ‘Gas’ and Pops the Top

After two renovations, the Marzullos have arrived at the perfect family compound with young energy and sensational sparks of modernism and sentiment.

Powerhouse mom, Robyn (daughter of Honey and Howard Workman), ultimately took over the years of rebuilding to achieve just the right family enclave. The Marzullo Sandy Springs home is alive with Tony’s car collection surrounded by an expansive pool and patio area, and art that’s not too precious, but varied and creative.

They are just “out of the box” enough to combine University of Florida touches with winning the neighborhood’s Halloween’s top prize for creepy details, in front of the pristine symmetry of domestic bliss inside. Self-made business owner Tony said, “Life is just too short to be ordinary. That’s why I visited the Porsche facility in Stuttgart to get up close with my cars.”

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The Marzullo garage has University of Florida colors: orange and blue for flooring. Some very impressive cars rotate in and out at Tony’s whim.

Robyn takes pride in daughters, Ava and Josie, as “self-advocating, kind and knowing who they are.”

Take a tour with the Marzullo’s Aussie doodle, Lozi, and Labradoodle, Penny, starting in the pool area that rivals South Beach splendor.

Robyn designed her office with Japanese-inspired wallpaper, Love’s Blossom, and light pink cabinetry.

Marcia: How did you arrive at this open and livable renovation?
Robyn: A long story. We went through multiple builders and designers. The end goal was to maintain the modest exterior with a floor plan for entertaining and tremendous family space in the lower level and outdoors. Coming out of COVID taught us that this home is “forever” and part of how we raise our family in togetherness. As for the reliability of the builders, I ended up doing all the “managing” myself. Starting in 2008, we knew we wanted to “pop the top” and open the ceiling expanse in the kitchen and living room.
Tony: Things that reinforce family life are the exterior putting green and a saltwater pool expanse (29’ x 20’). The girls especially like these funky plastic Spun chairs by Herman Miller also in the Museum of Modern Art. The firepit/patio and its heating elements are conducive to indoor/outdoor entertaining right off the kitchen. A really clever family touch since we all like to do jigsaw puzzles is Robyn’s design of the MARZULLO letters which occupy a long wall downstairs.

Robyn designed the guest room in black and white with colorful accents.

Marcia: Your office is charming. What were you trying to achieve?
Robyn: I started with the Japanese inspired wallpaper, Love’s Blossom, and carried through the light pink cabinetry. Actually, my favorite piece is in the guest powder room – by Louis Icart. In the master bath is a subtle piece “Knot…not,” by R.C. Fulwiler. The Victor Vasarely pieces in the living room once hung in the men’s department at Neiman Marcus.

Tony stands by an original oil that Robyn commissioned for Father’s Day of his favorite Porsche 993 Turbo.

Marcia: What art do you collect?
Tony: We buy mostly local art. One favorite is the late Todd Murphy whose originals are in the dining room and living room on linen of a bird weeping. There’s a De La Croix’s “La Parade” in the dining room. The Stacy Milburn artisan mirror is an abstract fun piece with deconstructed liquefied layers. And we treasure this original hand done needle point by our uncle, Eddie Goodman “Erte.” The set of nine ivory paper round medallion sculptures in the master are from the Scott Antique Market.

The Marzullo master bedroom has a set of nine ivory paper round medallion sculptures from the Scott Antique Market.

Marcia: And furnishings?
Robyn: A wide swath of variety. The living room cocktail table is from Etsy, the chandeliers are from Gabby Home and Lighting Masters. We have studded lamps from ADAC. The floors are bleached and stained oak.

Marcia: Would you describe downstairs as a “man cave?”
Tony: Partly with the large projector/120” movie screen and sectional sofas; but the kids have the foosball/pinball/Pac-Man games. We host 30 for the Super Bowl. Also here is my favorite collectable art, handmade smoked wood, and bead mask from the Masai tribe in Kenya. Behind the bar is a very cool original oil that Robyn commissioned for Father’s Day (by Pepper) of my favorite Porsche 993 Turbo. This particular car has special meaning since when times were not so good, I almost had to sell it. So, I myself know the “ups and downs” of markets and the end result of hard work. The painting by Fuller hung in the office of the Henredon CEO during the 1970s. The Special Olympics piece downstairs is from when I was on the Georgia Board of Directors.

Josie and Ava share love with Aussie doodle Lozi and Labradoodle Penny while relaxing in Herman Miller plastic spun chairs.

Marcia: What is your business model at Gas Motor Cars in Marietta?
Tony: We take pride in selling rare and unique pre-owned automobiles. We will not sell a vehicle unless it’s truly flawless. Our business runs better and grows faster when we have no unhappy clients. We have a large selection of high-quality vehicles from Corvettes, Ferraris, Mercedes, to Aston Martins and, my “fav,” Porsches. We have an expert team who explains things “straight up” and the intricacies of owning such special vehicles. Being local, we have a ready-made clientele with high profile music, sports, and business “players,” but do business all over the U.S.

The lower-level entertainment area hosts up to 30 for the Super Bowl on the big screen. The large painting (left) is by Fuller (1970).

Marcia: What’s so special about the University of Florida?
Tony: Are you kidding? I, like my dad, John, attended and played football. Dad was varsity and I starred in the TEP Nose Bowl! That’s why we have the gator sculpture at the front door. Note the Gator orange and blue flooring in the garage. Our oldest, Ava, a current student at Weber, is Chair of Student Philanthropy, and “possibly” (finger crossed) could be a Gator class of 2029 to carry on the family tradition. Josephine, an Epstein student, is head of the Crew and Blue Club there (eighth grade).

The backyard saltwater pool stretches 29’ by 20.’

Marcia: What do we see in your garage?
Tony: From left to right — 2019 Porsche 911 Irish Green TARGA 4 GTS), 2023 718 Boxster Spyder by Deman Motorsport, 1955 silver 550 Spyder, similar to James Dean’s car.

The kitchen was part of the renovation, but Robyn says she still doesn’t do much cooking.

Marcia: Last word. Who’s cooking in this immaculate kitchen?
Robyn: Certainly not me. Tony makes pasta or risotto. I order out from Canton Cooks.