LIVING / Living ASEAN - Inspiring Tropical Lifestyle

French Cottage Garden

By livingasean
November 28, 2016
GARDEN,LIVING

The beautiful cottage garden at the Melt in Your Mouth riverside cafe’ was born out of a warm, semi-formal style of southern France.

/// Thailand ///

Story: Warapsorn /// Photos: Sitthisak Namkahm /// Photographer Assistant: Busakorn Kuankid /// Garden Decorator: Suthathip Phaiboonnunthaphong and Isara Phaengsri

*The pavement leading to the cafe’ is covered in black carpet stones. For a pronounced look, the gaps between stones are filled with fine-grained gravels.*

Two siblings, Somboon and Poonsuk, have always been hard-core coffee lovers. They decided to make use of a plot of land belonging to their father by turning it into a cozy café on the bank of the beautiful Kok River in Chiang Rai.

*Bushes trimmed for a manicured appearance mix well with nearby freeform flower plants. The vine-covered façade of the café enhances the garden’s natural ambience.*

“The original design was a raw, wooden-focused because there were only coffee and few Northern dishes on the menu. Later the architect suggested that the café would be too big for just a small number of dishes. At the time, a senior acquaintance of ours came up with European food and cake recipes. So, we toned down the café design from a raw look to a French vintage style.” Kulnaree Suralertrangsan, Somboon’s wife told us.

“We knew nothing about garden landscaping. Luckily, someone introduced us to Suthathip and Isara. Customers often asked us about the style of our garden. We had to go back to Suthathip and Isara to learn more. They said it was called Southern French style. The design coincided with the café by chance.”

*The cafe’ is an elegant glasshouse, parts of which are covered in Cat’s Claws (Macfadyena Unguis-Cati (L.) A.H. Gentry) giving the space a vintage look.*

The garden is semi-formal in style with a black water fountain at the center. It’s an outstanding feature there. The garden floor is covered in black carpet stones with fine-grained gravels filling the gaps in between. Neat, well-trimmed shrubs, notably Fukian tea trees (Carmona Retusa), thrive along the edges. Nearby colorful flowering plants abound. They include Chinese violets (Asystasia gangetica), cat’s whiskers (Orthosiphon aristatus), snow roses (Serissa) and shrubby bush clovers (Lespedeza bicolor). Their vibrant colors provide a welcome contrast with the surrounding hardscape.

Clever outdoors hacks: A lone park bench is thrown in to break a long line of violet wild petunias (Ruellia squarrosa (Fenzi) Cufod) along the stone paver walkway. /// Little African violet pots are put on the edge of the walls.

Different types of pine trees are also grown here, for example, creeping junipers (Juniperus procumbens), Italian cypresses (Cupressus sempervirens L. ‘Stricta’), Khasi pines (Pinus kesiya Royle ex Gordon) and Orientali arborvitae (Thuja orientalis Endl), which go together well with a European-style garden and thrive in cool weather in the northern part of Thailand.

*The cafe’s glass walls provide opportunity for customers to connect with the outdoors.*

*A fair amount of space is left between shrubs for easy access and care. Fine-grained gravels provide a welcome contrast to nearby lush foliage and flowering plant species.*

*Flowers and grasses make for beautiful table decorations and fit in amazingly well with a relaxing ambience.*

There is a seating area next to the front courtyard, which serves as a reception area and a popular photo spot. Table sets await customers who prefer dining alfresco on a nearby stone-on-grass lawn. Meantime, cool breezes keep the spacious river-view terrace comfortable all day long. It’s a lifestyle in close touch with nature. Herbs, such as rosemary and mint that thrive on the premises, are picked fresh everyday for use as ingredients in food and drinks on the menu.

The semi-formal courtyard showcases a gorgeous mix of beautiful shrubs trimmed for a manicured garden appearance. Fukian tea trees and Elfin herbs thrive alongside lively colors of flowery bush plants. Freeform shapes prevent the garden from looking too formal.

*A large table set in the middle of the garden is perfect those who love dining alfresco.*

Besides the relaxing atmosphere, the Northern cuisine is the main attraction here. Those mouthwatering dishes made the traditional way combine to make this café an enchanting place to be. Its first-class recipe is a heritage from Somboon’s great grandmother, who was a housekeeper for Princess Dara Rasmi in times past. For visitors to Chiang Rai, spending an afternoon here is obviously an unforgettable experience.

The beautiful allure of a fountain garden makes it ideal for family activities and social gathering. Ground cover filling the gap between stone pavers strikes the right balance between hard objects and lush greenery. /// A small table set under an old Indian almond tree gives a hint of a tea corner in France.

link: http://www.baanlaesuan.com/category/gardens/

Everyday Relaxation: A Lovely Home in the Hills

By livingasean
November 25, 2016
HOUSE,LIVING

Surrounded by mountains and the clean, pure beauty of nature, the owner of this lovely home in the hills feels there is no better place for him and his family to have a wonderfully peaceful retirement life. No more do they have to travel abroad for relaxation.

/// Thailand ///

Story: Warapsorn /// Photos: Sitthisak Namkham /// Architect: Dot Line Plane
/// Interior Decoration/Construction: Happy Hours Co., Ltd.

Surrounded by mountains and the clean, pure beauty of nature, the owner of this lovely home in the hills feels there is no better place for him and his family to have a wonderfully peaceful retirement life. No more do they have to travel abroad for relaxation.

We come in from the carport to a welcoming parlor furnished with an antique console dresser.

The stairway in the entry hall leads up to the second floor.

The living room adjoins the dining area. This part of the house is light and spacious, with glass doors on all sides.

The house is modeled after residences in the Cotswolds, an ancient rural area in the south of England, and adapted to suit the weather and available building materials in Thailand. With a steep, narrow-eaved roof, it has arched entryways and many windows. The top floor is really an attic, with the roof as ceiling. There is a fireplace and chimney for use in the cold season. The charm of the house shows in the craftsmanship.

The island can easily switch uses to serve as a dining table

The living room has a high ceiling, with beams added in to illustrate details of house construction.

The workroom is warm and comfy with long glass windows looking out on the garden.

Outer walls are of stone, which provides good insulation, and the longer the house stands, the more classic its beauty will be. The interior is open and comfortable. Glass windows and doors open wide for garden views, besides catching the breeze and letting in natural light during the day.

Colors are earth tones, warm and relaxing. The garden is designed to match the style of the house: warm and natural-looking, after the fashion of English gardens.

Where the home environment is naturally lush and green and the weather is cool and comfortable almost the whole year, each day of life brings deep relaxation and comfort.

The master bedroom with charming country-style furnishings: Wooden beams are set above the bed for decorative effect. Recessed and indirect lighting provides a soft, relaxing illumination.

Bedroom décor on the lower floor features cream tones, with olive-green walls. /// The master bath has a double washbasin with a stylish marble countertop .

A verandah with warm-colored wicker sofa and chairs opens out directly from the living room. On good-weather days this is a great place for breakfast or an informal lunch.

The deck on the far side of the house is under an extended roof. Table and chairs are set out for easy dining or a small family party.

The kitchen building is for serious food preparation. Split off from the main house, it still has a section for non-cooks to sit and hang out. /// A small swimming pool, set off from the house, is covered to protect against the heat.

A Homey Condo

By livingasean
November 24, 2016
HOUSE,LIVING

The impeccably proportioned home is a homey condo in a skyscraper-studded Thonglor District. Ten years ago, his parents bought 70 square meters worth of room here to use for rental income. As the room deteriorated over time, the owner found a chance to transform it into a home of his own.

/// Thailand ///

Story: Mone /// Photographer: Damrong /// Style: Praphaiwadee /// Designer: Arujit Lertkitja

“I wanted an ordinary cabinet, but we couldn’t find a cabinet to match the other ones. One day I stumbled across a telephone booth, which was big enough to hold a washing machine. Finally I decided to put it in for a unique look!”

Different shades of teakwood add dimensional depth. Silver lamps draw attention to the pipe system on the ceiling.

Thanks to the owner’s job as marketing manager, working in real estate put him in touch with Arujit Lertkitja, interior designer for Coquo Studio. When Oat sounded him out about taking on this project, he got back a slew of ideas for a dream house makeover: “I didn’t know what the style I wanted was called, so I opened up magazines looking for keywords, and sent Oh over two hundred reference photos. Oh’s suggestion was to add sweet details by selecting lighter shades of wood since my wife would be living here, too.”

A metal-framed mirror wall creates an illusion of a larger kitchen.

From the reference pictures and many heart-to-heart chats with the designer, the two came up with the “industrial loft” style. From a two-bedroom flat, it was converted into a studio. Just one bedroom was left. Walls were demolished to connect the kitchen, dining room, and living room, while doors were put in to clearly define private areas: bedroom, bathroom, and dressing room.

This white-themed kitchen corner has an especially sweet and classic look. It's a “full kitchen” for people who like to cook. The island adds an extra space. It also functions as a cocktail bar during a party. /// The chic-looking built-in shelves hold Oat’s books and collectibles. — This white-themed kitchen corner has an especially sweet and classic look. It’s a “full kitchen” for people who like to cook. The island adds an extra space. It also functions as a cocktail bar during a party. /// The chic-looking built-in shelves hold the owner’s books and collectibles.

The old condo ceiling was completely removed to display the newly installed pipe and conduit systems. Besides adding the rawness, the removal also raised 20 centimeters from the original ceiling height. They used materials with rough surfaces, such as white brick and black window frame, all for a slick and modern look on a budget.

For a more relaxing look, brick pointed white add texture to the walls in the living room and workroom. /// Floating shelves and tables lined along the wall reduces tension while providing full functionality.

To add warmth and reduce the room’s harsh roughness, the owner and the designer kept the teak floor, but scoured and polished to make it pale and bring more light into the room. Oh decided on built-in furniture with some movable teak pieces, planed them down and painted them white for a softer look.

These fit in nicely as a set when mixed in with furniture from old houses, which the owner himself had searched out and selected.

Oat replaced the old bathtub with a shower, separating dry and wet bathroom areas with a black-framed metal partition. The wood tile floor here brings a warmer feeling and a connection with other rooms. — The owner replaced the old bathtub with a shower, separating dry and wet bathroom areas with a black-framed metal partition. The wood tile floor here brings a warmer feeling and a connection with other rooms.

“I was consulting with the designer about furniture all the time. Before buying, I sent pictures to get her comments and suggestions. Sometimes she’d run into something really suitable, and just buy it herself in advance.”

The clean and orderly bedroom connects to a dressing room. The black metal doorframes go well with the other parts of the home. Large glass pane along the corridor makes the space look wider and more open. — The clean and orderly bedroom connects to a dressing room. The black metal door frames go well with the other parts of the home. Large glass pane along the corridor makes the space look wider and more open.

Besides the totally pleasing décor, the impressions of this house left us with the kind that really makes a place a “home,” in contrast to just a “place to live”. The word “homey” really fits the surprisingly mellow ambience of this industrial loft residence.

Having wooden-shuttered windows behind the wash basin connecting to the bedroom creates a nice view from the bathroom, and also lets more natural light come in.

A Modern Steel Framed Home Holds the Secret to Happiness

By livingasean
November 23, 2016
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story: Ekkarat Laksanasamrit / English version: Peter Montalbano /

/ Photographs: Sitthisak Namkham /

A person’s sense of proportion in creating a house to suit his own lifestyle can have energizing results. We recently visited a modern steel framed home in Bangkok’s Viphavadi Rangsit area that illustrated this. Nutt Chenyawanit, owner of Tin Home Toy merchandise, designed this house as a reflection of his identity.

From details of home décor, such as galvanized iron and stylish plant containers, to the overall house design, we saw a modern steel framed home that retained the flavor of Tropical architecture.

Open and relaxed in a traditional house style reduced to essentials, with a high pitched gable roof, extended eaves and awnings for sun and rain protection, this house with a modern appeal looks the epitome of good design, one that holds the secret to what makes people happy in life. An it looks fun to live in, too.

We asked the homeowner for his thoughts on design. He explained: “We like high ceilings; low ones feel cramped. The living room and stairwell area reaches up a full two stories, and elsewhere on the ground floor ceilings are generally three meters or higher. On the second floor, ceilings follow the roof slope, for the most part.”

The exception is the master bedroom, which has a standard ceiling height. “Bedrooms with high ceilings feel too buoyant,” he said.

The entry area has eaves overhanging the walls reaching out 4 meters, both aesthetic and practical.

The Tin Home Toy office building next door, built in a similar style, was here before the house and now is separated from it by a swimming pool. Nutt favors architecture with steel-based frames that give it a raw cool modern style.

The metal post-and-beam design for floor and roof here made for rapid construction and quick cleanup. It presents a stylish façade of show brick walls and glass panels.

Extended eaves, large doors and windows provide good ventilation and make the house comfortable for living. Metal frameworks minimize the need of support posts for the extended eaves, freeing more space for parking. High ceilings allow warm air to rise and exit through upstairs windows.

The living room with a double height ceiling is open wide on two sides to catch the sun so artificial light isn’t needed.

Usable space on the ground floor holds the living room, stairwell, dining room, kitchen, and service areas like a storeroom and laundry. Upstairs consists of bedrooms and a workroom. Hallways are at least 2.5 meters wide for a spacious feel.

Walking around, a visitor has the sense that each space is made for specific purpose, some for children, some for moving around in comfort, some for convenience.

modern style steel home — A small storage space by the stairs for bicycles gives a hint about Nutt’s spare time activity.

A closer look at the details reveals a “set aside” concept that reflects the way good judgements are made. In this particular case, it shows in design innovations such as high ceilings that bring the sort of happiness and contentment we find in this modern steel framed home.

The bedroom with windows opening into the bathroom: open, relaxed, and good ventilation.

The ceiling follows the roof slope in this relatively large bathroom. An array of wooden shutters opens directly into the bedroom.

Architect: Nutt Chenyawanit and Jirayut Chaiyajamrunphon

Visit the original Thai article…

องค์ประกอบอย่างลงตัวในแบบ บ้านสไตล์ดิบเท่

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Fresh Air, Sunshine and a House Built around a Tree

By livingasean
November 23, 2016
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand /

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

/ Photographs: Soopakorn Srisakul /

Nestled in the countryside at Baan Rai Thawsi just outside of Pak Chong, Nakhon Ratchasima, this light, bright and airy home is bursting with joy. Away from city lights, it’s built around a tree to reap the health benefits of fresh air, sunshine and cool trees providing shade in the environment. Here, the towering mountains of Khao Yai National Park to the south can be seen from miles around.

Seen from a distance, the transparent house façade is designed to take in an expansive panorama of countryside landscapes. The upper floor under a mansard roof holds calm and peaceful bedrooms.

Homeowner Piyaporn Taepaisitphongse was first introduced to Baan Rai Thawsi while her mother was attending a meditation retreat at nearby Baan Boon village, taught by the revered Buddhist monk Ajaan Jayasaro.

It’s easy to get why she came away impressed. Out in the foothills, it’s calm and peaceful. In her words: “Mom brought me here and I liked it. She wanted a country house, so here we are!”

A healthy tree thrives in the middle of the house plan, a focal point for people going from one part of the house to another.

Piyaporn’s mother added: “We built it here for a lot of reasons. As Bangkok people, we feel safe living in a housing development. Here neighbors watch out for each other, plus it’s a peaceful and comfortable atmosphere.”

This was certainly clear to our team. Most households are also practicing meditation, adding to the pleasant ambience.

In a creative way, the tree at the center of the house plan connects the home with nature. Nearby, concrete walkways around the building fuse into a single path reminiscent of classic Japanese design.

The walkway around the building connects people of different generations. For Grandmother, it’s a place for walking meditation. For the little ones, it’s a semi-outdoor area to run and play in.

Piyaporn said: “We wanted a place to live after retirement, when we get old. And Mother is making plans now. We like the design by Rujnumporn Keskasemsook, of Sook Architects. He’s the one who created this open and airy house.”

The tree at the center of the house plan blocks the sun’s harmful rays from penetrating the walls, keeping the living room cool and comfortable during daytime hours.

The kitchen conveniently connects to the dining room and living area, thanks to an open concept floor plan that promotes interactions and socialization processes in the family.

Architect Rujnumporn’s design also includes lodging accommodations for houseguests staying overnight and pathways to get out there and experience the natural surroundings firsthand. From the front, we get a wide view of the duplex style home that blends right in with the environment.

The downstairs external envelope is glazed using clear glass standing tall from floor to ceiling, surrounded by covered walkway systems that also double as a porch.

The upstairs is quiet and secluded, sheltered by a mansard style roof that makes the house feel roomy and light. The mansard boasts the beauty of subdued color combinations of whites and grays, adding to the home’s proper, orderly look. At the same time, the tree in the middle stands out from the surfaces, easily noticeable from afar.

The little children’s bedroom boasts bright furniture colors silhouetted against the walls in cool-toned white. As might be expected, the bed has drawers for storing toys.

Overall, interior décor is simple, partly because it’s a vacation home. Plus, the homeowner prefers it that way. Furniture for the most part is movable, except for the kitchen that contains built-ins for ease of maintenance.

Flooring and ceiling materials are made of dark-colored artificial wood, creating a visual contrast with the building’s glass enclosures. It’s a design that seeks reconnections with the natural world outside while creating a warm and peaceful ambience inside. In the evening, sunlight shining softly through the tree creates breezy patterns like poetry in motion on the white walls.

Easygoing décor in the bedroom with a slanted ceiling that matches the mansard roof. There’s quiet reading nook by the wall.

From the outside, the two wings stand separated by a tree in the middle of the home plan. One wing serves as small hostel with eight beds for guests; the other wing holds the family residence with a bedroom downstairs for Mother, and the other bedrooms upstairs for the homeowner couple and their little children.

The “house built around a tree” in Pak Chong seems like the perfect example of a co-living arrangement, one that gives special importance to family togetherness and the joy of staying in close touch with nature.

Little children enjoy tending plants thriving in the backyard garden; among them, sunflowers, okra, and other green vegetation. It provides a conducive learning environment for kids. Out here, nature is the best classroom.

Architect: Rujnumporn Keskasemsook of Sook Architects

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บ้านล้อมไม้

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Eco Flooring by Deesawat

By livingasean
November 21, 2016
IDEA,LIVING,MATERIAL

After the research, Deesawat used many kinds of waste materials to combine and create building materials as the new way.

For the eco flooring, basic materials will be cut in various timber species such as teak, white oak, rosewood, and walnut. Deesawat also add up eco board which is recycle material from the trash(aluminum and PE) from UHT milk pack, press into board and profile into another material. With this combination, the product is presented as an interesting combination of materials that can create a good reusable design for project requirement.

Eco Flooring by Deesawat received the DEmark Award in the industrial category from Thailand and also received the Good Design Award from Japan which guarantees the quality of the produce.

link: http://www.deesawat.com/home.html

Craftsman’s Cottage

By livingasean
November 18, 2016
HOUSE,LIVING

The cottage is nestled amidst a thicket of lush tropical plants, including star gooseberry and orchard trees, also known as butterfly. Vibrant tones of green highlight the thriving foliage that has grown so thick it hides the second floor of the building.

/// Thailand ///

Story: Panchat Changchan /// Photographs: Rithirong Chanthongsuk, Sitthisak Namkham /// Owner / Decorator: Pithichinda Chidsin, Kittiwat Sitthi

The house stands enveloped by a thicket of green tropical plants. Tall trees provide a canopy to the interior spaces. Its design takes full advantage of natural ventilation and eliminate the needs for mechanical cooling.

Crisp, cool shades abound thanks to plenty of full-grown trees on the property. Long roof overhangs are built of concrete in smooth finishes. They exist in harmony with textured brick walls that speak to the traditional lifestyle of the area.

Located in Chiangmai, “Junjun Shop & Café” is widely known among handicraft lovers. It is a home with a retail shop in it. The two-in-one business address belongs to Pithichinda Chidsin and Kittiwat Sitthi. Behind the shop windows lies a chic small café. There are retail spaces right next to it that boast a full array of craft items and local handmade goods.

The owners sit by the glass windows enjoying their coffee on a sunny day. /// Kittiwat is not only a skilled craftsman, he also knows a lot about coffee making.

Inside, brick walls with textured finishes add a raw feel to the ambience. They stand tall reaching all the way to the roofline. Craft tables and chairs that fill the display area come from many sources. They represent the skill sets, taste, and styles that the owners admire the most.

Despite its relatively small size, tall ceilings design makes the ground floor business space look wide open and well ventilated. There is a staircase that connects it to the work studio upstairs.

According to Pithichinda, she and Kittiwat thought a home with business in it would serve their needs best. After their final decision to move here, they left the designing work in the good hands of their architect friends.

“I wanted an open space design. I would prefer bricks and wood rather than other materials in order to give it natural appeal and communicate Chiangmai local craft styles. I didn’t give much thought to the decoration. They were sentimental items that I have been collecting, mostly DIY handmade stuff. Kittiwat loved growing plants. So we put in lots of them,” Pithichinda said.

On the second floor, two cottages sit snugly apart from each other. The first is the couple’s residential unit with a bedroom/bathroom combo. The interior is minimalist in style with only a few pieces of furniture. Smooth concrete walls are painted white to give it a light and open atmosphere. There is a staircase that conveniently connects it to the business spaces.

A coffee corner sits on the patio decorated with old pieces of furniture. Long roof overhangs and the crisp cool canopy of tall trees combine to make the area very comfy.

The second cottage features a stark contrast. Its walls are crafted of brickwork with textured finishes that blend well with the business spaces below. It serves multiple purposes as a work studio, living room, and reading room. The business area below can be seen in full view from upstairs. The living room boasts old-fashioned furniture and a rich array of collectibles that the couple has acquired over the years. Other functions, such as kitchen and laundry are performed back in the old house nearby.

Exterior boundary walls separate the new and old buildings. Hollow bricks design promotes natural airflow and serves as a privacy curtain for areas that needs protection.

The two cottages are linked to each other via an open-air deck that has since become an ideal place of rest the two homeowners. It serves multiple purposes, ranging from furniture evaluations to dye testing to growing plants. More often than not it is used for just relaxing after a hard day’s work. “The two of us used to go camping out in the woods a lot. We hardly have time for that now. So, The second floor deck comes in handy. Sometimes, our friends come by and we enjoy the barbecue together up here.”

On the second floor stand two cottages set apart from each other. The atrium that lies in between serves multiple purposes.

The bonfire, the smell of firewood and the cottage itself evoke fond memories of the good old days that the couple still cherish and care for lovingly. There is nothing like coming home to a company of good friends and camping out again, albeit on the deck.

The bedroom is painted in white that look great with doors and windows. Personal belongs, mostly collectible items, are stored in suitcases. /// The craftsman’s work studio shows the owners’ workbench and desk. Box-shaped shelf is mounted on the wall where necessary tools and utensils are keep within easy reach.

Old theater seats made of wood are placed here temporarily as the homeowners try to find a perfect spot for it.

The cottages boast a simple gable roof style that is typical of small-sized homes. Exterior decorating details are minimized. Clean geometric design underneath the sloping planes enhances its modern home character.

A Rooftop House with a Wonderful Panorama of Old Bangkok

By livingasean
November 17, 2016
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story: Tawan / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Soopakorn Srisakul /

In the midst of stunning skyscrapers and the hustle and bustle of city life, there exist serene temples and communities in the old part of town. This is where Jason M. Friedman has chosen to build his rooftop house.

Rooftop House — Spacious glass walls open to take in the view of old Bangkok. The neighborhood boasts a comfortable lifestyle that Friedman has always wanted, and for good reason.

At first, Friedman had planned on buying a condominium within the prime business district. But then he discovered a vacant penthouse unit on the seventh floor. He gave it a serious thought, and the rest was history.

“I was fortunate to have discovered this place. The home with a 360-degree surround view is nestled in the heart of old-town Bangkok. So I changed my mind and immediately got down to the business of remaking it into a residential home,” Friedman recalled.

An al fresco sitting area provides outdoor comforts and a 360-degree view of Old Bangkok. A sky garden filled with thriving houseplants adds green urban space to the top of the building – frugal ideas to reconnect with nature.

Utilizing the vantage point to the maximum benefit, he positioned all the rooms in a way that afforded a beautiful view of the city. Plus, they are conveniently connected to one another.

He put in large wall openings to bring the great outdoors into the home, creating a passive cooling system for everything from the reception area to dining room, to kitchen, bedroom, bathroom and the balcony.

Inside, some of the most eye-catching elements include the exposed brick walls that add rustic Industrial charm to the guest reception area and dining room. Furniture crafted mostly of intricate woodwork dominates the interior living spaces.

Decorating materials, most of which obtained through years of extensive travels, convey a lot about his love for Oriental art and culture. They are placed on display silhouetted against the brownish orange hues of surrounding brickwork, while plenty of natural light shines through the generously sized glass wall.

The kitchen is custom-built since Friedman is particularly fond of home cooking. He usually buys fresh produce and does his own grocery shopping. The room comes well equipped and spacious enough to meet his specs. It’s like putting an entire hotel kitchen in a home setting, so to speak.

For the most part the floors are tiled in black and white, arranged in the chess design pattern to blend harmoniously with nearby exposed brick walls. The bottom line is they are easy to keep clean.

The kitchen is spacious and custom-built to the specs created by Friedman, an avid home chef.

The bedroom boasts clean line design that’s easy on the eyes with furniture speaking to a passion for Oriental style. Awake or asleep, panoramic views of old Bangkok are always there, thanks to large windows glazed with clear glass on all sides.

The food preparation area features a spacious kitchen island table and a backsplash tiled in white for easy cleaning.

While the city continues to grow and face new challenges that come with an expanding economy, one must not forget that Bangkok is where old neighborhoods coexist with new skyscrapers.

There is rustic charm to the beautiful culture and lifestyle that cannot be found anywhere else. This Western gentleman is fortunate to have found happiness in his rooftop home, and is loving every minute of it!

This stylishly chic bathtub is custom-made. The rim comes wrapped in genuine leather for firm grips and safety precautions. — Decorating materials are taken from sentimental collections that Friedman has kept for many years. Imperfections, scratches, and dents tell stories of their journey through time. The same applies to pictures mounted on the wall and the antique hanging lamps.

Sharing his slice of paradise, Friedman said: “Living the best of life is not necessarily about being in a well-appointed home, rich in elaborate design and expensive décor. To me, a happy home is one in which you feel relaxed. It is nice to wake up fully rested and enjoy tranquil sounds of Old Bangkok, its lifestyle, and a culture that is so unique.”

Twin antique bathroom mirrors come in wood frames adorned with Chinese calligraphy. Its traditional look complements the natural finishes on the wooden dressing table.

Owner/Decorator: Jason M. Friedman

Visit the original Thai version…

Rustic Industrial ผสมผสานในสไตล์ไทยและตะวันออก

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10 Inspiring Modern Tropical Houses

By livingasean
November 15, 2016
HOUSE,LIVING

LivingASEAN has selected our favorite houses in the ASEAN for 2016. Of course, all of them present practical solutions for living in the hot and humid climate of Southeast Asia. Check them out!

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Simple Reinforced Concrete Structure House

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Taking a Look inside an Artist’s Studio Home in Chiang Mai

By livingasean
November 14, 2016
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Chiang Mai, Thailand /

/ Story: Warapsorn / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Sungwan Phratep /

An artist’s house is never just a place to live. It’s a collection of creative spaces. Let us now turn to the studio home of Chamnian Thongma, one of the country’s most famous artists and sculptors. Many prefer to call him just “Thongma.” The artist is widely known for having produced many life-size figurative sculptures. His works are soft and sweet with a little bit of rawness to them, the likes of which aplenty right here at this chic studio home.

Chamnian Thongma Studio Home — His art studio is constructed based on a simple design. The exterior walls are crafted of exposed brickwork. The most charming feature is the door shutter that has a classic antique feel to it.

Not affected by the passage of time, the studio home boasts the simplicity of exposed brickwork on the exteriors. Among other things, the most attractive feature is the door shutter with a classic antique feel.

The place is nestled at the heart of an old housing development just off of a major thoroughfare in Chiang Mai. Thongma came across it while working on a decorating project at the home of a friend of his, which happened to be right next door.

A human head bust on display inside the studio home has a raw, rugged look to it.

When he first bought the place, the one-Rai (1,600 sq.m) land was teeming with long tall grasses. After all the clutter was hacked out, it was a beauty just like it had been when the project was completed many years back. It took him just four months to build this new home from start to finish.

Thongma started out with simple design with the work studio occupying the front section facing the highway. The residential wing is at the rear looking out over a small stream where the soothing sounds of water flowing in the background can be heard night and day.

The home plan consists of three one-story buildings looking very much alike but serving entirely different functions. They all have simple gable roofs.

The studio’s main entryway sports a different kind of appeal with the door shutters showcasing classic antique design. Next to it stands the residential section, which consists two white buildings.

The fasciae covering the ends of roof rafters are made of reclaimed wood boards. Together they add a country rustic charm to the home. The two residential buildings connect to each other via an unpaved courtyard at the center of an L-shaped floor plan.

The living room in one of the residential buildings boasts the simplicity of sloped ceilings crafted of reclaimed timber. Along the wall, potted Cordyline plants thrive beside other interior décor, also in bold shades of red.

The first residential building houses Thongma’s bedroom, while the second is reserved for guest accommodations. Both of them possess a full array of wall openings to let natural light shine through in all directions.

They double as engine that drives natural ventilation keeping the interior living spaces cool and comfortable all day. Plus, they reduce the harsh appearance and irregular surfaces of the exterior walls.

The house interior is bedecked with décor items from Thongma’s collections. They consist of old furniture from France arranged and utilized in ways that embrace the natural appeal of a European country home.

The L-shaped house plan keeps the bedroom separate from the sitting room without using any kind of solid room divider. The bed itself is an antique item combining intricate woodwork with woven rattan crafts.

On open-concept interior design, Thongma humbly said he felt more content with a simple way of living. “It’s good enough as a shelter protecting him from the elements. It’s warm, inviting and enjoyable here, thanks to plenty of chic décor ideas.”

The unpaved center court covered in pea gravel provides easy access to all parts of the property. Houseplants, including cactus, thrive on the edge next to the exterior walls.

It came as no surprise that Thongma preferred spending time in the open air to being indoors. The natural beauty of the environment was just irresistible. It has all the features to take him straight to nature – the stream, the mellifluous sounds of leaves rustling in the trees, and the lacy canopy of fully grown trees.

[Left] The guest bedroom boasts the beauty of antique French furniture. / [Right] A sundeck with rattan furniture is designed for relaxation at the water’s edge. It is set on a pea gravel patio with retaining walls crafted of brickwork.

The building set aside for guest accommodation has a huge window that lets natural light shine into the interior. It’s made of steel and glass panes. Thongma’s very own residential unit can be seen in full view from here.

Thongma wrapped it up nicely. “Nature and our lives are inextricably linked. It is cool to be able to live in a nature-inspired environment in order to create works of art.”

And that’s exactly what he’s been doing from the start. The studio home best describes who he is and what he is about.

Owner/Designer: Chamnian Thongma

Visit the original Thai version…

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