Some things never go out of style. Here’s a gorgeous urban home that’s clearly reminiscent of a townhouse in earlier times. Its impressive stylishness exudes both class and relaxation, but looks can be deceiving. Albeit rather old-fashioned in appearance, this townhouse in Bangkok was built not long ago; and yet it expresses the visible form, the finishing and decoration that bring vintage elegance back to life.
The beautiful two-story residence belongs to interior designer Napaporn Pothirach, who bought it from a property developer while it was still under construction. She came in only just in time to apply improvement ideas to the original design.
A dining room-cum-workspace is the most elegantly furnished area of the house.
For a well-lit interior, Napaporn replaced solid walls with an array of glass doors with transom windows. Stairway walls and ceilings on the upper floor were removed to make the room feel larger and more connected. Some of the original windows deemed to be too small were replaced with bigger ones.
The homeowner even found a way to create an attic for her kids, turning the space directly below the pitched roof of the house into an extra room. An aberration from a typical townhouse perhaps? But for the children, it seems like a good idea, something fun, functional and happy.
Taken as a whole, the wooden parts of the house bespeak the homeowner’s passion for woodwork. They include window casings and frames, doors, antique décor, crafts and all things made from wood. Napaporn designed all the built-in furniture, fittings and other ornaments herself.
Among others, wooden cupboards with intricate carvings stand out from the rest. Needless to say, the overall effect is impressive.
Napaporn admitted, with a smile, that she sometimes bought decorative accessories with no specific plan to put them. That’s something which came later on. What a nice fluke! They turned out to be a perfect mix and match style with a common hue.
“I once had the opportunity of visiting the house of Geoffrey Bawa, my favorite architect,” said Napaporn when asked about her inspiration.
“I learned the concepts of space management and the art of applying cultural identity to design. They are the qualities that make a residence feel cozy, charming and timelessly livable.”
Space management as a concept may be simple, yet in practice it’s never easy. This townhouse with all the charm and character has proved one thing. The homeowner has successfully managed to put her newfound knowledge to good use. And it showed in the utilization of space and resources, and the way she intelligently designed and decorated her home with crafts.
/ Story: Supachart Boontang / English version: Bob Pitakwong /
/ Photographs: Chaiyapruk Podang /
Created by a master architect, this contemporary wooden home in a suburb of Bangkok bespeaks the timeless elegance of traditional style residential architecture.
“It’s my intention to build this house out of wood because our country has strengths in wooden architecture,” said Chatree Ladalalitsakul, a nationally renowned architect. “Use of wood is the root of our wisdom and culture. It has made us self-sufficient in residential design and construction.”
The three-story home is crafted mainly of wood and structural concrete in beautiful flatwork finishes. Its uncluttered interior space is evidence of a minimalist style, combining aesthetics and functionality in ways that allow materials to show off their unique character.
Because the owner wanted his home to be perfect in every way, he gave the builders all the time it took to do it once and do it right. The resulting unsurpassed craftsmanship took three years in the making. The house emerged as a magnum opus in Thai residential architecture as he intended.
Striking the right balance, the interior showcases just enough pieces of magnificent woodwork, some of which are rare in this day and age.
The house plan is divided into two zones according to needs and activities. There’s a 10-meter-wide open space that clearly separates the private residential area from the office zone. The in-between space provides semi-outdoor room to chill out in the cool breeze looking out over the pool.
The first floor of the residential wing has plenty of room for dining, an open kitchen and piano room. The second floor holds a bedroom with private workspace, while the third contains a multi-use area for rest and recreation plus the owner’s favorite hobby, painting.
Sharing his work experience and a passion for wood, Chatri said: “A culture of wood construction that for centuries has benefited from the wisdom of our predecessors is on the decline. If it’s gone, our next generations will lose it forever.”
Overall, it’s a contemporary wooden home of outstanding merit. This is one that bespeaks the homeowner’s energy and enthusiasm to keep inspiring young architects to do their parts in preserving traditional-style wooden house design and architecture for years to come.
Owner/Architect: Chatri Ladalalitsakul of Tonsilp Studio
Done right, a home renovation project can transform an outdated and tired-looking house that time clearly forgot into a modern residence without losing its old charm.
This old house has stood in Bangkok for almost half a century. When it was time to leave their city condo to be with granny and grandpa, the owners at first wanted to do a complete teardown to make room for a new house. They later decided otherwise for good reason.
Flashback: A tired looking old house façade before renovation, and [below] Shots of an interior stairway draw a comparison between past and present. / Photo courtesy of Pummaree Bawonwiwut and Prasert Chaisittiroekkul
Homeowners Prasert Chaisittiroekkul (left) and Pummaree Bawonwiwut relax in the comfort of home after renovation.
“The initial plan called for replacing the tired looking old house with a three-story modern home and swimming pool,” said homeowner Prasert Chaisittiroekkul.
“But after much thought, we decided to keep the existing structure intact and focused on renovation, reason being that everything about it had a story to tell. Handed down from generation to generation, the house was long overdue for a makeover.”
The project started by taking out the beat-up wood façade on the upper floor and putting in a fresh new exterior wall crafted of black sheet metal with windows in complementing shades.
On the ground floor, the redesigned entrance received an elegant sliding door system with matching glass window panes that stood tall from floor to ceiling. For a light and airy entrance hall, the owners had a big chunk of the upper floor taken out, resulting in a spacious living room with double high ceilings.
The same open-concept design also applies to the kitchen, dining room and adjacent area, the homeowners’ favorite spot with cozy reading nook ideas. The combined spaces boast a big dining table that also doubles as workspace and meeting room.
The redesigned interior speaks to an industrial loft style with a bit of vintage flair to it. Natural wood panels alternating with naked brick walls go hand in hand with pieces of rustic-style furniture. In the meantime, they present a welcome contrast to shiny floor tiles and kitchen countertops. It’s amazing how a home renovation done right can make all the difference.
Owner: Pummaree Bawonwiwut and Prasert Chaisittiroekkul
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.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.
Tropical trees and exotics thriving luxuriantly in the yard reduce the amount of sunlight reaching the home, creating indoor thermal comfort.
Set among lush greenery and a relaxing atmosphere, this light and airy house with gardens brings the whole family closer to nature.
The swimming pool area features a large open space for walking. For simple maintenance, in some places plots of spike moss are planted instead of grass.
After living in an old house on this same plot for 30 years, the Srijakarin family bought additional parcels of land and rebuilt a comfortable home with gardens for three generations of family members.
The newly rebuilt house is divided into three parts. The first is the old house, which was set aside for the owner’s parents. It was remodeled with the comfort of older people in mind.
The second building is a two-story house where the owner lives with his family, and the third a modern Tropical-style structure with a relaxing, resort-like atmosphere. The couple keep their belongings and stay here during weekends and holidays. In the fewest possible words, it’s about reconnecting with nature at home.
Trees and shrubs shade the semi-enclosed pathway connecting the two houses with the swimming pool, giving the sense of walking through a sparse jungle.The overall harmony of garden and house architecture creates a relaxing atmosphere.The stairway overlooks a courtyard between the two houses, showcasing the English style in landscape design.
The front yard is in the English style characterized by neat, clean lines. There are park benches set in corners and trees in zones, while bright flowers thrive in large weathered stone urns.
The inner zone is a Tropical rainforest garden. There’s a good-sized waterfall and the gentle sound of a small brook. The garden is filled with verdant green mosses under the shade of trees carefully selected with the help of the landscape architect.
A delightful Tropical forest garden provides an oasis of calm in the courtyard between the two houses.A veranda along the outside of the house lies in the warm cocoon of a lush Tropical resort atmosphere the owners really love.A wide-angle view shows the interaction relationship between residential architecture and surrounding lush vegetation.
It’s not easy to put together a landscaping combination like this, but in the end a skillful and artistic integration of components, textures, patterns, and colors brought about a lasting and unified harmony of two garden styles – English in the courtyard, and Tropical forest upfront.
The living room showcases the beauty of open-concept design, while a double-height ceiling gives the feeling of openness and relaxation, all with a view of the garden.[Left] The multipurpose room has a big natural wood table ready for all sorts of activities, from casual work to comfortable pleasure reading. / [Right] The pantry is in white, designed for increased light and a feeling of space and comfort.The dining room is ringed by glass to let in natural light during the day. The dark furniture color reinforces a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
All things considered, it’s a house with beautifully landscaped gardens that’s the perfect fit for an extended family, an expression of pleasure and the combined happiness of the three generations that live here.
[Left] The master bedroom is furnished in a chic, fashionable way that invites relaxation. / [Right] The downstairs bathroom has a classic décor, with natural stone floor, walls, and washbasin counter. To one side, mirrors give a sense of spaciousness.For an elegant and practical look, pantry décor is primarily in natural materials and colors.[Left] An outdoor “living room” for the family elders. / [Right] A large sculpture adds dimension and narrative to the Tropical forest garden.A spot in the garden where plants grow as naturally as they would in the wild. The natural effect is enhanced by setting plants at different heights, from ground cover through low shrubs, on up to tall vegetation.
Architecture/Interior Designer: Architecture and Interior Office Co., Ltd. (AIO) by Kowit Suriyporn (www.aiodesigns.com)
A good life begins at home. This beautiful contemporary house is, no doubt, a reflection of that, plus it provides a fine example of how limitations or site issues can be overcome. Because the land has a narrow frontage to the street, the house is built right up close to a neighboring home. So every square meter counts and has to be used wisely.
On the whole, it’s a visually stunning design. The modern-style home boasts a distinctive atmosphere that gives it a European flavor. Especially worthy of attention is an intriguing combination of materials such as stone masonry and craftsmanship in the metalwork.
From the outside the house doesn’t appear large, but inside, it’s actually quite spacious. The building has three floors; the first of which holds a common area consisting of a living room, dining room and pantry. The second and third floors are for rest and relaxation.
Gorgeous privacy fence ideas boast the beauty of stone masonry, wood and metalwork gracing the main entryway.The living room is well-appointed and uncluttered, thanks to there being only a few pieces of furniture. The coffee table at the center has hidden drawers for easy storage.
To build the home on a long and narrow lot, the design team at Workspace Architecture Studiocomes up with a stretched house plan that puts as much usable floor space as possible in the front and back, yet still leaves enough room for a courtyard filled with fresh greenery for year-round decorating.
The dining room is decorated in a modern style with a mild classic flavor from stone furniture, candelabra-like ceiling lamps and a cross-shaped table legs.A beautifully patterned granite-topped table and leather chairs give the room a classy but relaxed atmosphere.
To overcome construction site limitations, classic design concepts are brought into practical use. Among others, beams and pillars are built in a way that blends with interior décor, while other support structures provide decorative continuity and spots to conveniently hide electric wiring.
A black steel-frame staircase offset with vertical lines gives the interior a light and airy feel.Dimmed light in the room builds a warm mood for soft and airy interiors. Décor is mainly of granite and wood while an opening is provided for ventilation and natural light.Bathroom décor of natural wood blends well with white and gray.
The overall effect is impressive. Authentic material surfaces, including stone masonry, metalwork, wood and brass, are left exposed for aesthetic and functional reasons. The stone surface, especially, has its own unique pattern. It’s also durable, lasting for decades, and capable of adding to the variety of textures in the house.
A high-ceilinged bedroom comes in soft-colored décor. Recessed ceiling lights add dimension, creating an illusion of an even taller space.The room for working and reading is located on the top floor. The true surface of the wood beams is exposed for the hint of a loft environment.
As for furnishings, the decorative accessories and furniture, both floating and built-in, are very much a part of the custom design. They are thoughtfully devised to create a harmonious look and, at the same time, perform a dual role in overcoming site limitations and fulfilling the house owners’ needs.
At the end of the day, it’s about making this contemporary home a happy place for everyone in the family.
Due to limited space, the courtyard and swimming pool are narrowly aligned along the outside of the building. Yet there’s room for plants to thrive luxuriantly along the fence wall for privacy and relaxation.
Good ventilation, the core concept of traditional Thai houses, is adapted for the modern age in this contemporary house. From the outside it looks slick and belonging to the present, but this building has the heart and soul of conventional Thai residential architecture.
The owner has been living in this house with his father and mother since he was young. Now he has a wife and kids, and it’s become too cramped to hold all of them. But instead of moving elsewhere, the young couple built a new place where there used to be a garden right next to the old house.
The new design connects the two homes both inside and out, so family members can easily take part in common activities. This modern living concept is actually not a new one, but arose out of the structure and functionality of houses of earlier times.
[Left] To fit the unusual shape of the building and glass walls on two sides, furniture in this fashionable high-ceilinged reception parlor is positioned diagonally. / [Right] A colorful painting with chic graphic patterns adds panache to a light-colored room, brightening up the straightforward house design.[Left] Reception parlor design follows the traditional Thai “Sala” concept. The room is enclosed by glass walls that open wide to the natural world of plants and trees outside. / [Right] The bathroom has uniquely stylish lines.
There’s a pantry in the middle of the house plan, a nice place for family members to sit and talk.
The dining room and living room are similar to an open “Sala” in a traditional Thai house. All the rooms are connected through a large wooden balcony. Both buildings share a main entryway, carports and service areas.
A staircase runs along the wall of the entryway with high ceilings, creating a relaxing visual effect.The continuing space from the first floor to the hallway on the second floor is bright and airy, clearly visible from a wide-angle perspective.The living room on the second floor has a large window with a view of the old house.
Inside there are lots of windows for good ventilation. Beautiful large trees such as Black Afara (scientific name: Terminalia Ivorensis) are planted all about to provide shade. Excellent landscape architecture components such as ponds, a rock garden, and pathways paved with flagstones are added for a relaxing mood.
Trees and shrubs planted outside the bedroom give a nice view and enhance privacy.
This contemporary house is an example of how a residence you love can be expanded and transformed beyond its limitations into a bigger home. As this family has discovered, you don’t always have to abandon the old ways to find happiness.
[Left] To make good use of daylight, a small skylight is cut in the upstairs bathroom. / [Right] The main staircase projects out from the wall. Light cream-colored genuine wood paneling and a clear glass railing make the stair look light, as if floating.The house extends out above the outdoor family area while requiring only minimal support posts.
This unusual home with intriguing ideas hidden inside belongs to Vazzan Tirangkura. With a big smile, he told us the story behind it. “It’s called The Tinman House because I was impressed with Tin Woodman, the fictional character who was looking for his heart in L. Frank Baum’s novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.”
The coming together of vertical and horizontal lines gives a sense of youthful exuberance to the box-shaped house perfectly fitted for a rectangular plot of land. Grayish-black checker plates act as a double skin that prevents heat and filter sunlight, keeping the interior cool and comfortable.
Vazzan had looked for the right location for years before he came across this piece of land by accident. “I was driving one afternoon and got lost. As luck would have it, I made a turn into this side street and found a house listed for sale right there in front of me. The land was 53 square wah (212 sq. m.). I thought about it for a night and went back to settle the deal first thing the next day.”
After a consult with Jun Sekino of Junsekino Architect and Design, the rest was history. Jun Sekino was his favorite architect, who continued to translate his ideas into reality.
“Vazzan wanted this house built for a small family with two kids.” He was single at the time. It sounded ridiculously dreamy to me. But once finished, the Tinman House reflected both the homeowner’s character and a living space that’s raw, something in its true state not pretending to be more palatable than it actually is,” said Jun Sekino.
A modern Buddhist altar is made from a laser-cut metal plate, giving a raw and sleek look, which goes well with the house’s materials and linings.
The rectangular house plan offers 415 square meters of space for practical and effective use. The stairway works as a core ventilation stack. The linear interior hallway distributes functions to all the rooms.
The first floor has a carport, a welcome area, living room, dining room and kitchen, while the second is divided into a library, workroom, dressing room and guest bedroom. The quiet and more secluded third floor holds a master bedroom and children’s bedroom. On the fourth floor lies a sky garden with a peaceful lounge offering privacy.
The open entranceway adopts traditional Asian-style flooring to suit the modern environment. The outcome is an airy area that feels comfortable without air conditioning.
On the whole, it’s a creation based on form-follows-functions and ergonomic concepts. For best results, the homeowner participated in planning every step of the way. He questioned every detail so that all the building designs performed the function tailored to his needs.
Bright yellow epoxy flooring in the dining room; the color is chosen to encourage an appetite. A mirror panel connects the dining room to the living room. Louvers are installed from floor to ceiling. So the wind can flow through and the view outside can be seen.
Minimalist design appears not only in its look, but also in the house’s functionality. There are no door knobs. Instead, bolts are applied for every door in the house. Isn’t that exciting? It’s been a while since we last saw a bar that slid into a socket to fasten the door and window.
The kitchen combines a striking red color with a raw, industrial style. The counter boasts the beauty of simplicity in the form of polished concrete finishes. Supplies are stored inside built-in checker plate closets.
Overall, the decoration is done in a loft style that brings out the true nature of materials. Reclaimed timber recycled from the old demolished house find new purposes as a gigantic bookshelf (0.60 x 29 x 3 meters in size), a work desk, a bedside table and flooring materials, to name but a few.
There are plenty of ideas that take modern loft decor to the next level. Built-in furniture is all custom made, pushed up against the wall to create a roomy living space. The pieces are made from industrial supplies, for example, water pipes, metal plates, expanded metal grating, and checker plates.
More so than anything else, it’s the use of primary colors that adds a refreshing change to the home — red, yellow and Majorelle blue.
A loft-style guest bedroom is ready to welcome his “don’t drink and drive” friends. Shelf-like metal bunks with mattresses have enough room to sleep two people comfortably.[Left] An expanded metal mesh door adds an airy feel to the dry part of a bathroom. Polished concrete finishes paired with a stainless steel bucket make a simple set of wash basin and counter. / [Right] A red custom-made metal door breaks the rawness of unpainted concrete.A roomy workspace on the second floor can be seen in full view through a rope net hung in the middle of the third floor. The wall on the west side is filled with an array of bookshelves, which as a whole provides a buffer against heat.
Taking everything into account, the building external envelope is clear and simple, while interior design is lively and fun. All the spaces and functions are interconnected to serve everyday needs. No doubt it’s a perfect home for a small modern family.
Sharing his slice of paradise, Vazzan said: “Because I travel a lot, I’m very happy when I have a chance to stay home. I love every corner in this house. Each of them is designed having me as its center. It’s thoughtfully devised to be simple, practical and timeless. Even in the next 20 to 30 years, it will always be a contemporary home.”
The stairway is painted Majorelle blue, an indelible visual impression Vazzan experienced during a recent trip to Morocco.Simple master bedroom décor affords a warm, relaxed atmosphere. The headboard is adorned with a laser-cut metal plate featuring dragon and swan design. The metal bed frame is designed by Vazzan himself.
Before we say goodbye, Vazzan has a piece of advice for those planning to build a home of their own. “The owner has to take part in the design, because he or she is the heart of the house — The Tinman House included. The heart of a home is borne by its owner.”
Viewed from the top, a spiral staircase in Majorelle blue connects the dressing room to the bedroom on the second floor.
/ 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.
A high pitched gable roof and bare concrete surfaces set at varying depths for a modern appeal.
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 carport beneath an attractive latticework awning that blocks sun and rain.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.
Next to the garden a metal-frame eave filters sunlight above a rest area, keeping it cool and comfortable even in bright sunlight.The walkway around the house is set out in straightforward lines using low-maintenance materials such as concrete patio pavers.
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 different textures of metal, glass, concrete, and wood mix and match well. The swimming pool is a great feature, beneficial for both the home and the office next door.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.
Old-fashioned shelving at the far end of the living room reaches up to the mezzanine.
Although the ceiling is really high, it has a horizontal dimension, too, as the mezzanine is filled with built-in cabinets and bookcases.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 master bedroom overlooking the garden is simply decorated in white and wood colors.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.One side of the dining room is a food preparation area; on the other a line of windows looks out over the carport.
Architect: Nutt Chenyawanit and Jirayut Chaiyajamrunphon
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.
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.A living room speaks to the rustic industrial style rich in outstanding features. They include naked brick walls, exposed systems of electrical conduits, and a full complement of light fixtures illuminating the space with sofas in a cool-toned white.
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.
The dining table crafted of teakwood displays beautiful wood grain textures in goldish brown finishes. The room comes alive with flowers and a chandelier in vivid colors.
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.
There’s a corridor leading to the quiet, more secluded bedroom at the rear. It runs straight past the kitchen that’s the highlight of this penthouse. In the meantime, black-and-white floor tiles set the kitchen apart from nearby functional spaces, a clever way to separate the interiors into different rooms with using solid dividers.
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!
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.This stylishly chic bathtub is custom-made. The rim comes wrapped in genuine leather for firm grips and safety precautions.
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.
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Never Too Small: Renovation Gives a Townhouse the Atmosphere of Home 
![[Left] The multipurpose room has a big natural wood table ready for all sorts of activities, from casual work to comfortable pleasure reading. / [Right] The pantry is in white, designed for increased light and a feeling of space and comfort.](https://livingasean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/010-9-1024x730.jpg)
![[Left] The master bedroom is furnished in a chic, fashionable way that invites relaxation. / [Right] The downstairs bathroom has a classic décor, with natural stone floor, walls, and washbasin counter. To one side, mirrors give a sense of spaciousness.](https://livingasean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/012-5-1024x730.jpg)
![[Left] To make good use of daylight, a small skylight is cut in the upstairs bathroom. / [Right] The main staircase projects out from the wall. Light cream-colored genuine wood paneling and a clear glass railing make the stair look light, as if floating.](https://livingasean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/011-5-1024x730.jpg)
![[Left] An expanded metal mesh door adds an airy feel to the dry part of a bathroom. Polished concrete finishes paired with a stainless steel bucket make a simple set of wash basin and counter. [Right] A red custom-made metal door breaks the rawness of unpainted concrete.](https://livingasean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/008-8-1024x730.jpg)
