livingasean, Author at LIVING ASEAN - Inspiring Tropical Lifestyle //

Hipster’s Nest Boasts Industrial Scandinavian Charm

By livingasean
January 13, 2017
HOUSE,LIVING

Were you wondering if designers of hipster hangouts do live in hip places as well? Perhaps the answer lies in this Industrial Scandinavian style home.

/// Thailand ///
Story: skiixy /// Rewrite: Phattaraphon /// Photography: Nantiya, Damrong //// Style: Praphaiwadee /// Owner/Designer: Natthaphat Suriyakamphon

The fourth floor of “Casa Lapin X49,” one of Bangkok’s hippest cafés, is the home of designer Natthaphat Suriyakamphon, an architect at Be Gray Co, Ltd. Sharing his slice of paradise he said that when his career brought him to Bangkok, this commercial building was just too big for a single guy to live. So he got his friends to join in and did a makeover, turning the space downstairs into a favorite hangout place for hipsters.

Like the café, his accommodation is stylishly furnished. It’s a harmonious marriage between Scandinavian and Industrial styles. The crisp interior combines organic and industrial materials for a perfect compromise. The warm and inviting living space boasts the fresh-air aesthetic appeal of wood furniture, brick walls, and decorative ironwork designs.

Natthaphat intentionally designed openness into it. Everything connects easily to everything else in a natural way. The dressing room-cum-bathroom splits into two distinct areas – wet and dry rooms. The bedroom comes complete with sumptuous fabrics, ornaments and furniture with unique character. The decorative pieces get switched around and rearranged from time to time.

This used to be a desk. Now it doubles as a washbasin, too.

HN04 — No balconies to put plants? Let life-giving light shine right into the rooms.

“My space is 60 square meters, so I have to make the most of it,” explained Natthaphat. “Whatever I keep has to be something I like a lot and can’t bring myself to get rid of. However small, there’s always a place to put something that I think belongs here.”

Natthaphat said he liked things that were not overstated. Instead of being done up or carried to excess, materials should show their true nature. He doesn’t mind scratches on the floor or other imperfections that come with ordinary use. As he puts it, everything has wear and tear over time, but it still looks cool.

That pretty much summarizes the decorating ideas at all Casa Lapin coffee shops. The hip hangouts are the embodiment of his passion. They are the signatures of an architect, who puts so much of his personality in the design.

Leaning House: An Out-of-the-Box House Design

By livingasean
January 12, 2017
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Chiang Mai, Thailand /

/ Story: Nutt / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Nantiya, Jirasak / Styling: Praphaiwadee /

This leaning out-of-the-box house design may make you feel dizzy. But you will feel better if you see the inside and know the story behind it.

“The property itself was an odd shape, four sides, but not with equal lengths, so it wasn’t expensive,” said Sirisak Thammasiri, the owner and designer of this slanting house.

“But it had charm, a nice natural look, and I designed it with terrain features in mind.”

First floor: big open space with light and air. Cool metal stairway. Feeling free. — The image of the first floor presents big open space with a light and cool metal stairway.

When Sirisak was little, his run and play space was the dikes separating flooded rice paddies with mountains in the backdrop.

So he designed his house as one big box popping up out of the ground, bringing a feeling and memory of the mountains to mind.

There’s also a grass lawn in the front yard to remind him of the good old days running in the fields.

The stairs, walls, and roofing are designed with inclined surfaces and diagonal lines. He got the idea from the bicycle frame and was struck by the strength of diagonals.

Sirisak has found a challenge in designing unconventionally and drawing on concepts from the outside of textbook architecture.

Beams extend outwards seven meters at an angle to the ground. Clever design makes the drainage plane of the wall a part of the roof.

In the meantime, the roof also doubles as the exterior wall. The house sits facing south, so the front facade is surfaced with wood to protect the house from afternoon sun.

The interior living space gives the feeling of airy comfort. Windows abound, which helps with ventilation and openness. They allow natural light in and save electricity.

Downstairs, the living room connects seamlessly to the pantry, and through it to the split-level kitchen.

Not far, a set of stairs crafted of bent steel plates leads to bedrooms above. The second floor boasts beautiful glass paneling designed to take in panoramic views of the mountain landscape.

LH08 — Sirisak takes in pure mountain air from the second floor balcony, his favorite hangout.

“For this odd shape, the folks around here have given it several names, including ‘the house with laid-back shape,’ ‘the slanting house,’ ‘the boat-shaped home,’ and even ‘that house that points towards the sky,’” he said jokingly.

“My neighbors were always asking things like: ‘Don’t you get dizzy inside that thing?’ Or ‘How can it possibly be comfortable in there?’ Sometimes I invited them in for a look-see.”

To achieve his goals, Sirisak needed a fair amount of confidence and courage to be different in a stylish way. That’s what it means to have a passion for this out-of-the-box house design.

out-of-the-box house design — “This house itself is like a teacher to me. It gets me running experiments all the time,” said the owner.

Owner/Designer: Sirisak Thammasiri of NOTDS Co., Ltd. (www.facebook.com/noneotherthandesignstudio)

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Fashion Designer Home Embraces the Elegance of a Bygone Era

By livingasean
January 11, 2017
HOUSE,LIVING

In the trendy world of fashion, leading designers rise to fame for having good taste and style in their collections. The home in which they live also shows their impeccable fashion acumen. Check this out.

/// Thailand ///

Story: Monosoda and Phattaraphon /// Rewrite: Osatee Ularangkoon /// Photography: Nantiya /// Style: Praphaiwadee /// Design – Décor: Thita Kamonnetsawat and Phongsak Kobrattanasuk

“Rotsaniyom” is one of the most recognizable up-and-coming brands on the Thai fashion scene. The millennial clothing brand grew out of a love affair that young women have always had with elegant lacy things. In a tiny alley of Bangkok’s Thewet neighborhood stands a white house filled with passions for bygone times. It’s the home of big ideas. Thita Kamonnetsawat and Phongsak Kobrattanasuk, proprietors of the aforementioned brand, live here.

“We wanted a single-family home in Old Bangkok, where we grew up,” Phongsak explained. He said the old house that had stood here for more than 70 years was brimful of historical charms. He and his better half fell for it immediately.

The old house was later torn down to make room for a new one. For the couple, it was the opportunity to begin blending their different tastes and personalities, turning it into a sophisticated Bangkok abode filled with handsome details. The new house speaks to the concept behind their brand. It’s not only a residence, but also a completely equipped studio and showroom.

The wardrobe holds their latest collection.

The couple had everything they needed both for modern comfortable living and for work. The smooth, precise style is evident in polished white marble surfaces on the lower floor. The upstairs studio has the easy grace of an earlier era, full of creamy white lacework from both vintage and newly designed collections.

“Besides lace fabrics, I liked working on ornaments ideas.” Thita said. “Phongsak was more interested in furniture. We wanted our clothing store to look like an antique shop, one that’s capable of adapting old-world lifestyles to fit in with the modern brand. It’s like bringing in work and making it a part of our lives. We do everything according to the way we have always been, driven by passions that the two of us share.”

The studio doubles as an exhibition gallery for lace collections.

Overall the new home is tastefully furnished to the couple’s lifestyle and desire. It fits the definition of “Rotsaniyom,” which is Thai for a taste for fashion or fashion sense

“Famous or not, our designs offer a compelling alternative. They thrive on imperfections and forever-changing fashion trends,” said the owner.

Links: http://www.rotsaniyom.com/

American Industrial Loft Style

By livingasean
January 10, 2017
HOUSE,LIVING

Old things can have a refined charm. They show dedication to detail in design that’s hard to find in present-day products. Sharing a love for all things retro, two homeowners have turned them into an online business, “The Kasama.”

/// Thailand ///

Story: Gobbi Chirawat /// Photography: Nantiya /// Style: Praphaiwadee /// Designer: Natthaphon Siriphanit and Pitikon Ariyakhajon of TIMEOUTCAMP

Entering their midsize townhouse was like walking into another time. The front door – black steel with a glass façade – leads into a room done up in what you could call an “American industrial” loft style. The living room’s walls bear the marks of the wooden frames, giving them a raw texture to complement the antiques and collectibles on display here: old cameras, tools, and equipment used in factories during the Second World War.

The workroom on the third floor, with its beautiful wall of white brick, is used as a studio where they take pictures of merchandise to be posted on Facebook. Scattered about we see such miscellaneous items as a fine collectible leather “U.S. Mail” bag from the World War II era.

The owners with their lovable collection: wooden shelving creates order. — The owners with their lovable collection.

“The Kasama started out almost five years ago,” said one of the owners. “We started out with all girls’ and women’s clothes, but with smallness as part of the concept. We kept that in mind as we branched out to sell things people depend on, and coined the name ‘lifessories’ for another store to sell useful items, bric-a-brac, and house decorations. We want the concept to reach further than to just what people wear, to be an expression of their lifestyles.”

Their personal tastes have mixed with ideas coming from creative circles in the industry to find a place in every detail of the interior décor. Each spot in the house has a story begging to be researched.

“The house itself is not so detailed, but the little things here are. The beauty is in their details and their narratives, and these themes are repeated everywhere in our house and possessions. We always give a lot of consideration to the origin of each thing. And the detailed elements must contribute to functionality, too. Yes, the kitchen should be pretty, but you have to be able to actually cook there!”

The owners are fortunate to share so many preferences and styles. That makes the house something greater than just a place to show off private collections. It collects happiness and contentment, too, and here this couple can share things they both admire and make use of, in a setting that reflects both their passions.

And here are last words from The Kasama owners before we left. “We’re surrounded by little things we love. This gives us happiness and the feeling that this is our own special space, where we can be who we truly are.”

“We designed things so as to mix our collections together in a harmonious way.” — “We designed things so as to mix our collections together in a harmonious way,” said the owner.

Link: www.facebook.com/thekasama

Home Renovation / Classic Meets Avant-Garde

By livingasean
January 9, 2017
HOUSE,LIVING

Classic meets avant-garde in this unique space, yet it still has the warm feeling of a real home.

/// Thailand ///

Story: Wilasinee /// Photos: Nanthiya, Damrong /// Style : Praphaiwadee /// Designers – Decorators: Butsakon Sapsanthitikun and Radikan Wetsawan

When the long trip of taking her college-age daughters from the old house in Samphran district of Nakhon Pathom Province for drop-off in the center of Bangkok became too exhausting, the owner decided to find a place to live near the University instead. She needed both convenience and a place close enough to Samphran that she could occasionally go back and forth.

Eventually she found this 350- square-meter condominium and fixed it up as a second home. It took two years of design and decoration, but in the end it filled her every need.

“From our first discussions with the designers we developed a pretty clear concept. Mom used to favor the classic Roman style, but when we bought these rooms, we all agreed to switch to a more contemporary look,” said the eldest daughter.

The space was adapted to fit the family. The original three bedrooms became four, one for each of them. Coming through the front door brings us into a large central room with a dining area and a small corner with a counter and fancy round modern-looking table. Décor includes a classic-style chandelier and a contemporary display case. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, simply with the feeling of being a nice place to live.

The design plan splits rooms into a left and a right wing. To the left, next to the dining room is a parlor dominated by navy blue, with an exotic beauty of rippling velvet drapes giving the wall a dimension of light and shadow. Furthest inside is a trendy entertainment room decorated in dark tones energized by the warmth of a big red leather sofa. Outside, the balcony holds a little garden where you can drink in the fresh atmosphere while enjoying a wide urban view.

Also in the left wing is the eldest daughter’s room, decorated in clean, easy-on-the-eye and relaxing tones of white. Here are contemporary touches: cigarette-smoke-colored velvet drapes, a bedside table with a classic form. The middle daughter’s bedroom is here, too, no less special with bright colors, and the same secret sweetness you’ll find in its occupant’s personality,

The right wing includes kitchen, storage room, and a maid’s room. The youngest sister, who is studying fashion design, has dressed up her bedroom in an avant-garde modern style she’s completely in love with.

The mother designed her own room to be sweet, but still full of contemporary chic with a dark wood floor, modern vintage furniture, and shiny sequined throw cushions on the sofa.

Mother's bedroom. — The mother’s bedroom.

The older daughter's bedroom. — The eldest daughter’s bedroom.

The youngest daughter's bedroom. — The youngest daughter’s bedroom.

During the design and décor process, the professional designers got to know the individual personalities, tastes, and preferences of family members quite well, and tried their best to pass on some design knowledge to them, which is how each room came to so clearly reflect the taste of the person living there.

ALIVE by Alex Face

By livingasean
January 9, 2017
ART,CULTURE,HAPPENING,SPECIAL SCOOP

Alex Face is a remarkable Thai street artist. Now, he is revealing the perspective of his art in his latest exhibition, “ALIVE”.

/// Thailand ///
Story: Wuthikorn Suthiapa /// Rewrite – Translate: Osatee Ularangkoon /// Photos: NathawutPengkamphoo, Wuthikorn Suthiapa

Street art has achieved recognition on the Thai art scene over the past decade. The leading artist in this genre is Patcharapol Tangruen, also known as Alex Face. He created the three-eyed baby in fluffy bunny outfit character that appeared on the walls across Bangkok, Jakarta, Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, London, Copenhagen, Amsterdam and Berlin.

While he was an art student, his friends and professors didn’t understand why he kept spraying in public space, and thought it was ridiculous. But Alex Face disagreed. “Street painting is a kind of expression and could draw many audiences,” he said. “If it’s hard for people to engage with art, we should take it to engage with people instead.”

With that idea in mind, Alex Face hit the street with his colorful graffiti and the signature character that was inspired by his daughter. He also met fellow street artists from around the world, got the invitations to work abroad, and became an internationally-renowned street artist.

“I studied art, so I’m interested in all kinds of art,” Alex Face answered when asked about his style of work. “Not only did I graffiti, I’ve also painted, printed and sculpted. I like it all. It depends on which techniques could be compatible with my concepts.” He also said that he set up “ALIVE”, his most recent event, to show his art experience from childhood till now.

“You will see what skills I had practiced, and encounter different kinds of works of art that you’ve never seen before,” he assured.

Alex Face’s ALIVE is taking place at Bangkok CityCity Gallery until February 19, 2017. For more information please visit www. bangkokcitycity.com.

White and Bright / A Glowing White Home

By livingasean
January 6, 2017
HOUSE,LIVING

The most striking thing about this home is its whiteness; but it takes a special technique to create dimension and make the white truly glow.

/// Thailand ///
Story: Sara /// Photos: Jirasak, Damrong, Ketsiri /// Style: Praphaiwadee /// Design: Anantapha Thongthawat, Anan Interior Architect

The dining table is topped with white marble, which is easy to clean. Decorative branches painted white give the sense of sitting under a tree.

The standout feature in this room is a modern adaptation. The set of a hundred lights hanging by short stems from the ceiling complements the exquisite white sofa set and flawless acrylic furniture.

There is a white home tucked away inside a condominium in the heart of Bangkok. It’s luxurious, yet feels as easygoing and welcoming as if we were visiting a single house with a yard. But here, as far as the eye can see, are views of this great city.

Anantapha Thongthawat, who designed the 180-square-meter suite, told us how it came about. “To get the result the owner was looking for, I had to combine distinctly different stylistic concepts: Asian ornamentation, minimalist simplification, and modernity, and give each room a distinct character.”

To the owner, nothing compares to his favorite color. White of many shades was used on floor, ceiling, furniture, and ornamentation, all done for his satisfaction. “I like pure white” he says. “It looks straightforward, clean, comfortable. In a clean, white room I can feel truly relaxed.”

According to what some believe, the placement of acrylic “earthen” jars will make the homeowner a money magnet. On the wall hangs a painted picture canvas entitled “Money Comes,” another charm to induce riches to come pouring in.

008 — Artificial rattan chairs and wooden stools along the edge of the porch and a floor paved with river pebbles creates a refreshing atmosphere, enhanced with an aquarium visible both from inside and outside.

Stepping out of his personal elevator, we walk into the central part of the house passing a parlor/reception area, a desk, and a dining area. All three rooms are directly connected. The concept came from the functionality of the porch in a traditional Thai house. A main walkway connects everything.

From here you can access all the other areas, entering them through sliding doors suspended by rails set above, so that one space flows easily into another. For a practical use, the maid’s quarters are set close to the service area. There’s efficient division of space everywhere.

The large main room with a modern look is arranged with chic finesse. The table and acrylic counter parallel each other, with plenty of space left between for good functionality. Planter boxes filled with white pebbles hold upright large branches resembling trees.

The long continuum of the main room connects to every space in the home. The use of clear acrylic planter boxes is an intriguing artifice. The mango branches are painted white. The space was inspired by Thai house verandahs, which make room for shade trees to grow through.

A mix of modern and oriental styles: The counter’s marble surface matches the dining table. Hanging lamps are tied to a white steel frame.

Dimension is created with varying shades of white, from clear white to cloudy white to dark white.

From any perspective, the whites create a sense of deep order and a startling beauty in this home. We can say without reservation that we’ve fallen under their spell. Have the charms of whiteness begun to work their way with you yet?

The master bedroom is spacious and simply furnished. Here the inspiration came from a Chinese-style bed. Lines are reduced to simplicity, suggesting Eastern influence, as well. Handmade lamps are made from white yarn, a chic artistry that gave the room the name “the Chinese bedroom.”

“The Japanese bedroom” is a mix of Eastern influence and a tidy, pleasing contemporaneity. The bed is at a raised level, giving the feeling that the mattress sits directly on the floor. — “The Japanese bedroom” is a mix of Eastern influence and a tidy, pleasing contemporaneity.
The bed is at a raised level, giving the feeling that the mattress sits directly on the floor.

Picture-Perfect Home in a Rainforest Garden

By livingasean
January 5, 2017
GARDEN,LIVING

With incredibly lush gardens on the property, this house brings to mind an ideal tropical jungle, but with even more bright colors of flowering and leafy plants than in the real thing.

/// Thailand ///
Story: Warapsor /// Photos: Sitthisak Namkham /// Landscaping: Pergola by Panat Sumalroj

Gardens all around the house create a relaxing green atmosphere.

The water pond comes in two parts -- a small still-water pool for goldfish, and a bigger pond that holds Amazon arapaima with strong currents running through it. — The water pond comes in two parts — a small still-water pool for goldfish, and a bigger pond that holds Amazon arapaima with strong currents running through it.

From the inside looking out, colorful varieties of plants abound. At the far end a beautiful waterfall fills the garden ambience with soothing sounds. In the foreground are two separate fishponds.

The owner got what he wanted — a permanently blooming tropical rainforest garden with beautiful trees in almost every corner. Most of them are native species with beautiful leaves and flowers. The owner had gone to Chiang Mai to pick them out himself. His favorites include cigar flower, fan palm, and a lot of fern varieties.

A previous architect had designed and built the hardscape at the same time as the house. Only later on was the garden design and landscaping taken on by Panat.

Panat said that all remaining landscaping was dependent on the big trees the owner had planted before any designing went on, and on the hardscape which had already been set up.

Oak-leaf ferns thrive at the water’s edge while red rhipsalis ramulosa hangs down from treetops as if growing naturally.

A bridge made of old railway ties crosses a small pool at the center of the garden. ///The main yard connects the front of the house to the tropical forest garden near the fence. Here plants with different leaf textures create a natural-looking atmosphere. — A bridge made of old railway ties crosses a small pool at the center of the garden. /// The main yard connects the front of the house to the tropical forest garden near the fence. Here plants with different leaf textures create a natural-looking atmosphere.

The house opens onto a grass lawn. Across the pond a relaxing deck and lounge leads to the inside garden.

The designer responded by using ground cover to highlight groups of mixed plant varieties, playing with various flower and leaf colors, helping keep the large garden from an overly formal or harsh appearance.

Everywhere around the house are ponds and the sound of running water. The owner takes pleasure in coming out to admire his garden every day. It’s the best possible reflection of his love for lovely, peaceful gardens in a perfect natural setting.

Wooden decking affords plenty of space for deck furniture made for socializing and admiring the scenery. Parts of the wood deck juts out over the carp pond.

The owner came across a bird sculpture at a community mall and commissioned an artist to design one like it for his own use. He wanted it to give the impression of birds in flight while functioning as fountain and waterfall ornaments. ///The walkway connecting the house to the carport runs past a spirit house set on a beautiful garden spot.

The swimming pool is at the center of the house. For privacy, tall plants block outside view. A passageway conveniently connects this spot to the gym. /// Chaise lounges by the swimming pool are the owner’s favorite hangout, where you can find him almost any day.

Link: http://livingasean.com/garden/the-house-of-rainforest-garden/

Chic Organic Style Meets the Rawness of Industrial Loft

By livingasean
January 4, 2017
HOUSE,LIVING

A condo room strikes the right balance between the chic organic style and the rawness of an industrial loft space.

/// Thailand///
Story: Montra /// Photos: Damrong /// Style: Praphaiwadee /// Design – Décor: Prasert Chaisitthiroekkul

The living room is an open space that connects to everything else, the result that the owner was looking for. A TV-mounted wall made of black sheet metal separates the parlor from the dining area with brickwork in the background.

The bedroom is minimally furnished, emphasizing a comfortable use of space. The half-console half-table is a standout feature. It’s both a table and the headboard that turns a basic bedroom into a master suite. — The half-console half-table is a standout feature. It’s both a table and the headboard that turns a basic bedroom into a master suite.

This room started out from the owner’s fascination with the loft style of Mellow Restaurant & Bar. He loved the place, and asked who had designed it. The restaurant owner then referred him to Prasert Chaisitthiroekkul of Whitespace, PLC.

The two began working together to produce the trendy mix of rough and orderly room that struck such a deep chord with the owner. The designer said that the owner wanted a smart and tidy look. With that in mind, he created as much open space as he could while connecting everything together.

He set aside the basic materials from the original condo, such as polished tile floors and white walls, in favor of unfinished surfaces that had a different kind of beauty.

The old space had 3 bedrooms. The owner thought two should suffice. He converted the small bedroom into a workspace-cum-reading room and – since he loves drumming – a practice studio with electronic drum equipment.

The closet doors are faced with charcoal-colored mesh for a fresh, chic look neatly camouflaging the contents behind.

A floor-to-ceiling sliding door with safety glass panels in a black metal frame separates off the workspace and drum practice room. Artistry design is evident in the shelving all along the back wall, where the fancy brick shows through open spaces in the frame. — A floor-to-ceiling sliding door with safety glass panels in a black metal frame separates off the workspace and drum practice room.

“I wanted to fill the room with furniture, because the space was so wide open and interconnected, all the way from the front door through the kitchen and living room. I wanted there to be visual points of interest capped by the big table here, a real favorite of mine. It’s more than just a gorgeous piece of craftsmanship; it’s really useful for a lot of things.”

The designer added a lot of little details here and there, for instance using mesh screening instead of an opaque door for the clothes closet, and putting brick walls to build on the contemporary “loft” ambience.

The elegant dining area with a long table connects the counter to the kitchen at the rear. Metal black lamps hang from the ceiling, contrasting with the warm colors of brick and wood

The white bathroom isn’t much changed from the original construction, but the medicine cabinet was recessed to make the mirror even with the wall, and there is a shelf below for placing toiletries.

When asked about the furniture, the owner chuckled to himself saying: “I bought it all myself, but I always consulted the designer first. If I found something interesting, I’d send him a picture. Sometimes I found myself wondering if this was my house or his.”

The stylishly chic condo is a perfect mix between the feel and functionality, and the modern industrial loft space. Obviously it’s a narrative of what the owner himself is all about.

Dreamland Villa with European Elegance

By livingasean
January 3, 2017
HOUSE,LIVING

This English-country-style vacation home with a vast European-style garden is quite an elegant one.

/// Thailand ///

Story: Warapsorn /// Photos: Soopakorn Srisakul, Rithirong Chanthongsuk /// Style: Pakhawadee Phahulo /// Architecture: Phumisak Thiankhaprasit /// Interior Decoration: Nitsanat Jaroenthaithawee /// Garden Design: Kongyos Boonrak and Thapana Vachiramas /// Landscaping: My Garden Corner

A rose arbor leads into the center of the garden. Its smooth grass lawn makes for a truly distinctive look the owners love.

A symmetrical play of hedges and plant beds with squared or rounded frames are interspersed with sweet flowers that relieve any harshness.

This grey house in the “English Country” style stands out in the middle of a European-style garden. Open lawns, variegated flowerbeds and flowering plants are spaced at intervals.

Divided into small sections, the garden starts at the front of the house, with a neatly trimmed Hokkien tea hedge formally arranged for a welcoming effect. This spot has an intentionally playful feeling. Seasonal flowers are planted in open areas while the formal design is preserved with the Hokkien tea hedges framing the flowerbeds.

Next to the house is a cobblestone path; here landscaping is in “mixed border garden” style. Assorted plants with detailed leaves and bright flowers grow together for a natural look, rather than clearly separated into plots. From here two more spots are visible; a circular grass lawn surrounded by rose beds, and a courtyard set up like a chessboard.

Behind the house is a beautiful and varied rose garden, once more hedged in by Hokkien tea plants. In spite of the single level garden design, there is a background of tall trees to dispel any sense that dimension might be lacking.

Hokkien tea hedges are laid out in elegant symmetrical lines, giving just the right feeling of formality to this expansive garden.

Big “chessboard” in the garden: Concrete squares alternate with savanna grass. Cement chess pieces add narrative.

Mountains and tall trees fill out the landscape, making the garden appear like a natural continuation of local topography.

Stepping into the house you still feel the owners’ dedication to the natural world. Glass doors all around open on the beautiful garden outside.

Each bedroom on the second floor has a private balcony for coming out to sit, feel the breeze, and enjoy the garden. A simple look around shows that the European garden, plants, and nature itself are things this family takes delight in, and provide a true retreat from the workaday world.

The parlor has lots of openings for outside light. One wall is of brown brick with orange accents, rising all the way to the ceiling to add visual warmth.

The dining area connects to the parlor, which has a lower ceiling.

013 — The bedroom has a warm feeling even with its cream-colored drapes, bedstead, quilt, and wooden floor.

Inside the arbor is a glass table, attractive and comfortable to use.

Link: http://apinyagarden-coffee.blogspot.com/2014/05/my-garden-corner.html

Blog :

Hipster’s Nest Boasts Industrial Scandinavian Charm

Were you wondering if designers of hipster hangouts do live in hip places as well? Perhaps the answer lies in this Industrial Scandinavian style home.

Leaning House: An Out-of-the-Box House Design

This leaning out-of-the-box house design may make you feel dizzy. But you will feel better if you see the inside and know the story behind it.

Fashion Designer Home Embraces the Elegance of a Bygone Era

In the trendy world of fashion, leading designers rise to fame for having good taste and style in their collections. The home in which they live also shows their impeccable fashion acumen. Check this out.

American Industrial Loft Style

Old things can have a refined charm. They show dedication to detail in design that’s hard to find in present-day products. Sharing a love for all things retro, two homeowners have turned them into an online business, “The Kasama.”

Home Renovation / Classic Meets Avant-Garde

Classic meets avant-garde in this unique space, yet it still has the warm feeling of a real home.

ALIVE by Alex Face

Alex Face is a remarkable Thai street artist. Now, he is revealing the perspective of his art in his latest exhibition, “ALIVE”.

White and Bright / A Glowing White Home

The most striking thing about this home is its whiteness; but it takes a special technique to create dimension and make the white truly glow.

Picture-Perfect Home in a Rainforest Garden

With incredibly lush gardens on the property, this house brings to mind an ideal tropical jungle, but with even more bright colors of flowering and leafy plants than in the real thing.

Chic Organic Style Meets the Rawness of Industrial Loft

A condo room strikes the right balance between the chic organic style and the rawness of an industrial loft space.

Dreamland Villa with European Elegance

This English-country-style vacation home with a vast European-style garden is quite an elegant one.

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