Blog : HOUSE

A Modern Box-Style Home with Tropical Garden View

A Modern Box-Style Home with Tropical Garden View

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story: Wanoi / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Soopakorn, Nantiya /

Looking for a beautiful box style for your dream house? Here’s a box-shaped house inspired by the ethos of “form follows function” plus the beautiful panoramic view of an exotic Tropical garden. For lack of a better word, it’s a perfect combination of visible shape, color and texture, and practicality that happens by chance and ends in a happy and beneficial way.

box-shaped house
The 350-square-meter modern box-shaped house took two years in the making.

Patchara Wongboonsin, the project architect at POAR, said that he didn’t have a particular style in mind when he started examining and evaluating different designs for the new home.

At the time, charm and good looks weren’t that important. He just wanted to create a practical, well-functioning house. After much deliberation, he had the winner — a modern box-style home that brings on the happy vibes by letting nature permeate.

“The house isn’t meant to be photogenic,” said Patchara when asked about some elements of design. “Everything and every component part has a reason for its existence. Take for instance the big steel beams upfront that make the house look rather unique. They are there for a future expansion plan.”

Tropical Style Garden

Overall, the interior is plain and uncluttered. Every living space and function is well thought out keeping in mind the movement of the sun and the amounts of light that change throughout the day.

Like so, the washrooms, storage space and essential maintenance work rooms are located in the west side of the house plan where the heat of the afternoon goes to work removing stuffy odors and preventing moisture damage.

box-shaped house
A high-ceilinged room on the first floor makes the interior living space feel light and airy all day long.

There is no need for air conditioning or electric lights during daytime hours, which translates into big savings on utility bills.

box-shaped house
Immediately appealing is the master bedroom, which spans 13 meters from one end to the other.

The master bedroom enclosed by glass walls affords a beautiful view of the courtyard garden abundant in Tropical plants and exotics thriving luxuriantly. It’s exemplary of integrated design that blurs the boundaries between indoors and outdoors. The result is an amazing panorama that the homeowners enjoy in the comfort of their bedroom.

A beautifully crafted stairway hides behind the wall for good reason. It’s obvious the architect didn’t want anything in any way, shape or form to interfere with the relaxed ambience of the living room.
A beautifully crafted stairway hides behind the wall for good reason. It’s obvious the architect didn’t want anything in any way, shape or form to interfere with the relaxed ambience of the living room.
Kids’ bathrooms are the most colorful parts of the home.
Kids’ bathrooms are the most colorful parts of the home.

For charm, good looks and the interior that’s pleasing to the senses, a palette of natural, earthy colors is used. The walls are painted a soft shade of gray to enhance special effects from nearby green spaces. The architect also uses wood jambs and engineered oak wood flooring to create warm interior spaces.

box-shaped house
Tropical trees and exotics thriving luxuriantly in the yard reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the home, creating indoor thermal comfort.

Tropical Style Garden


Architect: Ornnicha Duriyaprapan, Patchara Wongboonsin of POAR (www.facebook.com/poar.company)


Visit the original Thai version…

บ้านโมเดิร์น ที่พึ่งพิงธรรมชาติเพื่อตอบโจทย์ฟังก์ชั่นการใช้ชีวิต


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Incredible Small Townhouse Renovation in Selangor

Incredible Small Townhouse Renovation in Selangor

/ Petaling Jaya, Malaysia /

/ Story: Ajchara Jeenkram, Wuthikorn Suthiapa / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Sitthisak Namkham /

 

For 40 years, this modest two-story home has stood in a residential neighborhood near Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. Noise pollution has turned many people away, but the architect David Chan of Design Collective Architects (DCA) has grown so acquainted with living in the area that he decided to stay. A frequent flyer, he thinks it wise to live a stone’s throw away from it all.

Selangor

Selangor

Incredible Small Townhouse Renovation

 

No need to say renovation came as a challenge for Chan, who usually made a living designing larger houses. Strictly speaking he had a task that required great effort and was hard to accomplish: Create the good life in a space that was far from generous.

 

Incredible Small Townhouse Renovation

Selangor

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He started out with ventilation improvements. To bring in crisp, clean air, solid front doors were removed and replaced with steel wire mesh paneling. Meantime, blowholes were put into the exterior wall to facilitate heat dissipation and increase indoor thermal comfort.

Chan did a partial tear-down, turning the upper floor into a mezzanine. The result was a light and airy living space in an 80-square-meter townhouse with double high ceilings. Where appropriate, he added windows and other wall openings and painted everything white and soft shades of gray to make the interior appear larger than it was.

 

Design being so well thought out, who needs air conditioning?
Design being so well thought out, who needs air conditioning?
Selangor
For security window bars, simply does it.

Incredible Small Townhouse Renovation

Incredible Small Townhouse Renovation

Selangor

Despite it being a small townhouse, Chan added some much-needed patches of green to the design. He put a hole in the backyard floor and planted a leafy tree that was visible from the living room and bedroom.

The complete makeover went as planned. Chan and his family now live in a beautifully remodeled home in an expedient location in Selangor that best suit their specific needs. Incredible as it may seem, the tiny home is where life begins again, and love never ends.

Selangor

 


Owner/Designer: David Chan of Design Collective Architects (DCA)


 

A Concrete House with Bamboo Interior Decoration

A Concrete House with Bamboo Interior Decoration

/ Chiang Rai, Thailand /

/ Story: Otto Otto / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Sungwan Phratep /

Introducing a plain and simple concrete home that captures the essence of the cultures of Southeast Asia. Like an unforgettable journey back in time, it uses bamboo design for interior decoration. Step inside and be enthralled by a bewildering array of items made of bamboo and craftworks showcasing a passion and individuality.

The homeowner is a nationally renowned painter. When his old house was receiving more visitors and friends than it could handle, he decided to build a new one right next to it. The result is a living space handcrafted with grace and sustainable elegance.

The first floor holds a trendy open-concept living room with dining space done in the loft style. It houses a collection of paintings that dominate bare concrete walls.

If visitors should feel like spending the night here, guest accommodation is only a flight of cantilever stairs away.

Loft House with Entrancing Bamboo Design

Loft House with Entrancing Bamboo Design

There is a touch of the exotic in the bedroom designed by award-winning designer/carpenter Yutthana Bumrungkit. He thinks this modern building needs a bit of craftworks to create a delightful local ambiance.

Ceiling treatments are fashioned from cleaved bamboo paneling, while the walls are covered in flattened bamboo poles arranged horizontally to highlight a naturally split pattern and nodes in rustic amber color.

Even the doorknob is crafted of a bamboo gnarl.
Even the doorknob is crafted of a bamboo gnarl.
Light switches are hidden in plain sight behind knotted bamboo sticks put together in a miniature lattice.
Light switches are hidden in plain sight behind knotted bamboo sticks put together in a miniature lattice.
Rustic handrail is crafted of a giant bamboo pole, part of the designer’s rare collectibles.
The rustic handrail is crafted of a giant bamboo pole, part of the designer’s rare collectibles.

Ceiling treatments combine strand woven paneling with braid design, ideal bathroom décor of bamboo aficionados.
Ceiling treatments combine strand woven paneling with braid design, ideal bathroom décor of bamboo aficionados.
An ultramodern chandelier fashioned from sheets of mulberry paper fills the interior with an orchestra of electric lights.

The raw look of lofts and warmth that comes with bamboo design combine to give this house modern rustic appeal while showcasing the owner’s passion and individuality.

In a nutshell, the giant woody grass of Southeast Asia still has plenty of room to grow in the world of modern design.


Designer: Chan Sippasattra, Yutthana Bumrungkit


Visit the house on YouTube…

 


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Aluminum House: A Bright and Airy Home with a Twist

Aluminum House: A Bright and Airy Home with a Twist

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story: wanoi / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Soopakorn Srisakul /

Tropical houses are known for being well-ventilated and filled with natural light, and we have come to expect that they be built the traditional way. Well, they need not be. This airy house with a twist looks cool with a beautiful swimming pool beside the living room.

Stunning Airy House with a Twist /// LivingASEAN

Wanting to build a stylishly chic modern home, the owner sought the advice of Ayutt Mahasom, the architect renowned for innovative integrated design that was his signature. Obviously he came to the right place.

Stunning Airy House with a Twist /// LivingASEAN

Stunning Airy House with a Twist /// LivingASEAN

The architect started out with the form, color and texture first and foremost. All aspects of interior and exterior design were taken into account until he found the right balance.

To fulfill the owner’s wish, he designed rooms on the upper floor to appear as if they were hovering in mid-air. This was achieved by concealing supports in beams and structures that connect them to the foundation behind aluminum composite panels in black.

The result is an airy house filled with natural light that appears lightweight, while the external envelope is characterized by sharply angled architectural designs.

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The front façade is the house’s most eye-catching feature. It’s built strong using aluminum board and batten siding in rich, gleaming shades of bronze.

The exterior wall panels go through mesmerizing color shifts as sunlight and temperatures change throughout the day.

Stunning Airy House with a Twist /// LivingASEAN

Great looks matter, but attention to detail is just as important. The house sits on high ground 1.5 meters above street level. To conceal the difference in elevation, the architect puts in subtle steps and gentle slopes arranged in way that’s well suited to the purpose.

Taken as a whole, inspiring beautiful yards add curb appeal to the home. Nature pervades the landscape. Where appropriate, the architect puts in lush green lawns and leafy trees to create a peaceful Tropical ambience. It’s so thoughtfully designed that visitors don’t even notice the difference in ground level.

Stunning Airy House with a Twist /// LivingASEAN

The hallway is lined with mirrors to make the indoor green space appear larger than it is.
The hallway is lined with mirrors to make the indoor green space appear larger than it is.

Stunning Airy House with a Twist /// LivingASEAN

Stunning Airy House with a Twist /// LivingASEAN

Stunning Airy House with a Twist /// LivingASEAN

The house affords 1,200 square meters of living spaces divided into three separate units for the parents and their two daughters.

There is a shared poolside living room that looks like a summerhouse with 3.5-meter-high ceilings. A peaceful and relaxing place, it’s the heart of family life thanks to Ayutt taking the time to make sure the furniture selected is right and appropriate.

To avoid muddling up the general appearance of the bronze façade, the architect chose only pieces in light colors in keeping with the modern minimalist-style home.

All things considered, the house is elegantly fashionable. It’s light and airy, and it’s made for comfortable living taking into account the climate of Tropical regions

Stunning Airy House with a Twist /// LivingASEAN


Architect: Ayutt Mahasom of Ayutt and Associates Design (AAd) (www.aad-design.com)


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Living in a Rustic Farmhouse amidst the Rice Fields of Chiang Mai

Living in a Rustic Farmhouse amidst the Rice Fields of Chiang Mai

/ Chiang Mai, Thailand /

/ Story: Atto Otto / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Sungwan Phratep /

If living in a minimalist, rustic farmhouse is your thing, but what you’ve found so far isn’t cool enough, then this hip house amidst the rice fields of Chiang Mai may change your mind. The hybrid wood and concrete home stands in nature’s peaceful embrace. It’s attached to paddy fields on a rural road leading to the city. Here, misty morning mountain views can be seen from miles around.

Chiang Mai Family Homes

Albeit a little plain and unpretentious, the two-story family home has some modern elements to it. That’s reason enough for Keatnapin Sobhinnon and Patsa Attanon to buy it for their quiet country retreat away from hectic urban life.

Awesome Rural House on a Farm

Chiang Mai Family Homes

Building a home on sloped ground typically calls for a split level floor plan, and in this particular case stepped foundations become necessary. This results in utility spaces and service rooms being assigned to different levels.

On the outside, an open air car park is leveled out for safety. It’s supported by a concrete retaining wall to prevent erosion on sloped yard. The front entry area is easily accessible via a wooden footbridge, an architectural feature that makes the house façade look calm, cool and welcoming.

Chiang Mai Family Homes

Keatnapin Sobhinnon and Patsa Attanon

Walk in the door, and you find living room décor delightful and attractively old-fashioned. Do-it-yourself crafts and decorating ideas add fun touches to every part of the room.

Chiang Mai being a handicraft capital, the homeowners enjoy the freedom of creating their own design for every piece of furniture. Then they simply ask local artisans highly skilled in woodworking to make the pieces to their specifications.

Needless to say the interior decorations convey a great deal about their fun and vibrant personality – warm, inviting and without pretense.

Chiang Mai Family Homes

To create extra living space outdoors, the couple make the terraces larger than originally planned. This is achieved by connecting the platform next to the house to a nearby rice granary, or “Ruaen Long Khao” in the vernacular of the Northern Region.

Strictly speaking, it’s a storehouse on stilts for threshed grain common in the area. The old granary has since transformed into lodging accommodation for visiting houseguests.

Chiang Mai Family Homes
An expanded terrace space connects to the nearby “Ruaen Long Khao,” an old rice granary-turned-lodging accommodations for visiting houseguests.

As Patsa described it: “It’s beautiful out here all year round. I especially love it when it rains as rice paddies and the surrounding hills come alive with all shades of green, entirely different from our home in Bangkok.

“When we came here for the first time, it felt like being in another world. No need to say we were filled with joy. I think this house was made for us.”

With a breathtaking panorama of mountain landscapes and the comfort of their home, it’s easy to get why the couple love this country home among the rice fields so dearly.

Chiang Mai Family Homes


Owner/Designer: Keatnapin Sobhinnon and Patsa Attanon


Visit the original Thai article…

บ้าน ครึ่งปูนครึ่งไม้ ในบรรยากาศธรรมชาติ


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Living with Cats in a Beautiful House in Malaysia

Living with Cats in a Beautiful House in Malaysia

/ Petaling Jaya, Malaysia /

/ Story: Wuthikorn Sut / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Sitthisak Namkham /

Ever wonder what a dream house for cats looks like? Here’s a perfect place to find happiness and fulfilment in life for kind pet owners and their feline friends. This new house in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia is obviously designed with cats in mind. The front façade is wrapped in galvanized expanded metal mesh from top to bottom to protect the cats from wandering off or going into harm’s way.

Petaling Jaya

Sharing his slice of paradise, Chan Mun Inn of Design Collective Architects (DCA) said: “I live with my wife and our seven cats in this house.

“There used to be only four, but I adopted more cats. So I ended up with seven of them. They were the reason that we left our old apartment in the city and built a new home in the suburb.”

Petaling Jaya

He made the right decision. The apartment back in Kuala Lumpur was a bit chaotic. The new house in suburban Petaling Jaya, Selangor turned out to be a convenient and practical solution. Now he can work in the comfort of his new home and occasionally go to meetings in the city.

In the process, the quality of life for him and his family, as well as that of the cats, has improved markedly.

Petaling Jaya

Petaling Jaya

The overall design got its inspiration from Rumah Melayu, or the vernacular dwelling of the Malays. The new place of residence differs from traditional residential design in that it’s built of modern materials, utilizing new technologies.

The new home boasts high ceilings for a light and airy feel. Correct orientation allows it to take advantage of certain aspects of the surroundings. Take for instance, the pinnacle of the steeply pitched roof, which is set at an angle that effectively shades the house from the scorching afternoon sun.

This results in thermal comfort in the interior living spaces. Like the house on stilts done in accordance with tradition, the ground floor is set aside for a carport, storage spaces, and a gym, while the entire upper floor provides ample spaces for modern living.

Living with Cats in a Beautiful House

The front façade covered in expanded metal mesh is built that way for a very good reason. It protects the cats from wandering off, getting lost or going into harm’s way.

In the meantime, they keep the domestic feline population from coming in contact with stray cats. Plus, attention to detail ensures that every door closes securely. Even door knobs are carefully thought-out so that no cat can open them.

Petaling Jaya
The entire wall is covered in beautiful brickwork. Natural tones and rough textures make the 10-meter-high wall look very interesting.
The home office offers maximum workspace, while the bedroom is cool and restful. Unmistakably very good ideas!
The home office offers maximum workspace, while the bedroom is cool and restful. Unmistakably very good ideas!

“The view from my bedroom will be the same until someone buys those hills,” said the architect.

Thoughtful design ensures that surrounding landscapes can be seen in full view from the master bedroom. Well, at least for now. Everything changes. “The view from my bedroom will be the same until someone buys those hills,” said Chan Mun Inn with a smile.

This has been the story of kind pet owners and their feline companions, who had to choose between suburban and city living. With less traffic and more natural surroundings, they have made the right decisionb. In such a beautiful home, they can live happily ever after.

Living with Cats in a Beautiful House

Living with Cats in a Beautiful House


Owner/Architect: Chan Mun Inn of Design Collective Architects


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A Modern Country House among the Fruit Trees in Rayong

A Modern Country House among the Fruit Trees in Rayong

/ Rayong, Thailand /

/ Story: Wuthikorn Suthiapa / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Rithirong Chanthongsuk /

Forget big old mansions. There are ways to make your home feel cozy, warm and welcoming without burning a hole in your pocket. Carefully thought out, an ordinary place of abode can transform into a salubrious holiday destination. Here’s one picturesquely situated among the fruit trees in the lush countryside of Rayong, a coastal province made famous by fruit orchards about two hours’ drive from Bangkok.

modern country house Rayong

The country house with contemporary flair stands in perfect harmony with its natural environment. For the homeowner and his family, time spent among the trees is time never wasted. It’s easy to get why they have long wanted to grow a fruit farm in this part of the country.

Here, the spiny Tropical fruit with a creamy pulp called “Durian” is an agricultural crown jewel. So upon acquiring the land, the homeowner asked an architect friend of his to design a wooden house set in the most beautiful surroundings. And the rest was history.

modern country house Rayong

modern country house Rayong

Proximity to a large water body made it necessary to position the house facade facing west and confronting the afternoon sun.

To dissipate heat and prevent it from entering the home, the architect stepped up to the challenge by putting in a terrace in front of the building and planted leafy trees to shade the area. It turned out to be a clever solution that maintained a comfortable indoor climate all year round.

Rayong

modern country house Rayong

Technically speaking, the modern country house among the trees is made up of four modules — three bedrooms and a living area with open air kitchen. They are conveniently connected via a system of corridors that also double as multi-use spaces.

The wooden walkways are raised a good distance from the ground to improve ventilation beneath the floorboard, resulting in thermal comfort in the interior living spaces.

modern country house Rayong

Sharing her experience with us, architect Kanika Ratanapridakul said: “Had I designed it differently, the interior living space would have become very uncomfortable. So to create efficient ventilation, I put in plenty of windows and chose a high-roofed design.

“If it were one big building, the house would have looked bulky and taken up too much space. I took advantage of the space that we had to craft a house consisting of four separate modules, each of which served specific functions.

“And the result of all this was a charming country house with contemporary flair, one that was designed for cozy and comfortable living. On the outside, the spaces between different modules provided peaceful corners for relaxation plus pleasant surprises waiting to be discovered.”RY06

From her point of view, it was a mission accomplished and something to be proud of. The homeowner has got exactly what he has been longing for, a handsome country house where the time goes by slowly every time he comes for a visit. It’s a family holiday retreat only for now. The homeowner intends to live here for permanently after retirement.


Architect: Kanika Ratanapridakul of Spacetime Architects Co., Ltd.


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A Marvelous Beach House on Ko Pha-Ngan

A Marvelous Beach House on Ko Pha-Ngan

/ Surat Thani, Thailand /

/ Story: Wuthikorn Suthiapa / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Sitthisak Namkham /

Many have dreamt of owning a beach house on a beautiful island. The owners of this property have made their dream come true with style and grace.

beach house

beach house

The pier at Ko Pha-Ngan (Pha-Ngan Island) is always bustling with activity as tourists keep coming in droves, looking forward to the party. But the island on the Gulf of Thailand is also known for its fine collection of tranquil beaches, especially the one on Hin Kong Bay, where this charming beach house is located.

The casually cool house sits embraced by a circle of trees that gives it a tropical touch and camouflages it from the busy streets. The wide open design ensures every part of the stilt house is easily accessible wherever you may be, from the room at the rear to the front porch to the infinity pool that connects to the ocean beyond.

The house with a twist features a tree trunk that continues to grow through the floorboard. A clever design element, the tree had been there long before the owners decided to put in a home.

Not wanting to cut it down, they built their home around the tree and let it keep on growing. They are just happy to live and let live despite having to adjust the floorboard and roofing from time to time.

Beach House

Beach House

Beach House

Almost all the furniture in the house is made of wood, a personal preference that fits in well with the kind of home they live in. The interior living space is bedecked with ornaments and souvenirs from a lifetime of journeys as well as stunning found objects that were washed ashore.

Both the first and second floors feature long corridors that provide easy access to every part of the house. The owners have wanted their beach house to be a seaside resort designed for relaxation and good times with family and friends.

“While I am here, every day is a holiday,” said the owner with a smile.

“I love to just lie down in the living room and gaze out into the sea. Every now and then, friends come over for a visit, and we throw a barbeque party. My husband usually spends his time in the garden taking care of plants and things.”

One last word. If you haven’t thought of owning a beach house before, this picturesque house on a paradise island will make you want to have one.

Beach House


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The Clever Home Office Restoration of Studio Bikin

The Clever Home Office Restoration of Studio Bikin

/ Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia /

/ Story: Supachart Boontang / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Rithirong Chanthongsuk /

Every teardown has an impact on the look and feel of the environment in which you live. If you find your suburban home outdated, perhaps this renovation of Studio Bikin’s home office is an inspiring way to breathe new life into it.

Studio Bikin

Studio Bikin

This two-story house is the home office of Farah Azizan, co-founder of Studio Bikin. It is located in Bangsar, a residential suburb on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.

“The house was built in 1950, almost seventy years ago. The structure is solid, and everything else is in good shape,” said Azizan.

“There is a simple, timeless elegance to it. So, I decided to do a complete renovation, combining a home and an office in one.”

Studio Bikin

 

Studio Bikin

MH12

Azizan tried to keep all existing elements and structural integrity intact, making the house capable of withstanding the desired loads for long life.

Metal grilles on the windows and doors and floor tiles were left the way they have always been. To create an airy interior living space, parts of the walls on the first floor were removed.

Meantime, glass louvers were retained to aid in heat dissipation, improve air circulation, and allow plenty of natural daylight.

 

The owner added the loft style to the design by putting in cracked concrete wall textures for a little bit of a grungy, urban feel. Special techniques helped make the ceilings and walls look interesting.

This was achieved by lining the mold with plastic wraps before concrete was poured. Wrinkles in plastic sheets left their marks on concrete surfaces resulting in aesthetically pleasing textures.

Tricky space staircase: The treads may differ in shapes and sizes from one step to the other, but the stairs are safe to use.
Tricky space staircase: The treads may differ in shape and size from one step to the other, but the stairs are safe to use.

Studio Bikin

Studio Bikin

The decorating style is anything but obvious. The interior space of Studio Bikin’s home office boasts a mix-and-match style that goes together well with a modern loft ambience.

This is evident in a set of a teakwood sofa and leather butterfly chairs, and shelving filled with glistening utensils silhouetted against a textured concrete wall.

 

The handsome abode has been home to more than one generation, yet there is a timeless elegance to it. The house of Studio Bikin has undergone complete renovation for comfortable living with modern amenities. Clever home improvement hacks have made it unique, trendy and cool in its own special way.

Studio Bikin

MH11

 


Owner/Designer: Farah Azizan of Studio Bikin (www.studiobikin.com)


 

Home of an Antique Lover

Home of an Antique Lover

If you have passion for antiques, but can’t find the way to fit them in your place, this house may give you an idea.

/// Thailand ///
Story: Kasama /// Rewrite: Phattaraphon /// Photography: Nantiya, Damrong /// Style: Praphaiwadee /// Owner/Designer: Natthaphon Wutphet

HP02

HP01

Natthaphon Wutphet, photographer for stylish Thai magazines “Hamburger” and “a day,” owns a 320-square-meter residence in the Rama 9 district. When he first got the house, it was seriously run-down, but that allowed him to give it his own type of new life.

“Being a photographer, I get to see a lot of other people’s houses, and that’s given me a lot of ideas for my own,” said Natthaphon.

The stairway has no banister, which adds to the open look of the house.
The stairway has no banister, which adds to the open look of the house.

HP08

His place has an extraordinary “American vintage” ambience, the décor featuring his own special collections arranged in just the right way. The downstairs ceiling was pulled out, and a wall of white brick rises the full height of the house. The metal door was made to look rusty and old to give the sense of a return to a long-ago era.

HP03

Vintage barber chair, wooden shoe cabinet, brick against bare concrete: more gnarly cool chic.
Vintage barber chair, wooden shoe cabinet, brick against bare concrete: more gnarly cool chic.

Natthaphon explains his design concept: the house is like a box, a container holding valuable items. The challenge is to mix and match the items and set them together in the most suitable way. “Actually there’s no ‘style’ at work here. It doesn’t have to be American, antique, industrial, or whatever, it’s all just me thinking, ‘the new stuff I bought, how can I match it to what’s already there?’ It’s all fun like a puzzle, fitting each piece in with the others.”

He loves things that hold memories of the past. His ornamental items were brought from second-hand markets. When buying something old he likes it to be functional, not only decorative. All his collection can be used in photo projects he does in a home photography studio at the front of the house.

“What I want is that feeling when someone walks around the house and says ‘this is…Oh, wow!’ Just that’s enough to make me happy,” He laughed merrily.

HP10

 

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