Our team meets the owners of this modest-sized condominium. With beaming smiles, the owners open the door of their little perfect room for two to greet us.
A table with wrought-iron legs topped with wood harmonizes with the straightforward designs and colors of the chairs and the metal-framed sliding door. To prevent the room from looking too dark, the designer put in the golden stools.The owner tended to buy similar accessories to what she already had because she didn’t see them in her sight. To solve this, the designer made space for hanging small accessories on the side of the cabinet. The owner likes the idea a lot.
“We met our designer all because of Room Magazine,” one of the owners said. She was referring to the owner and designer of a Parisian-style suite featured on the magazine’s March 2012 issue.
“I had already bought the place, but didn’t know where to start. Every day I dropped by at a bookshop to buy books and magazines on interior decoration, bring them home and talk with Aor and my parents. This went on and on, until we saw that edition of Room. Well, for me that was love at first sight. And Aor felt the same way.”
View from the entrance. A metal framework partitions the space into a dining area and a parlor. From this angle, it’s like looking into an outdoor greenhouse.
There were plenty of problems to be solved with this room. Accommodations and adjustments had to be made for their lifestyles and personalities. Bell works in the fashion business, and likes putting on makeup while watching the morning news. Aor gets up later. So they put a vanity and a television outside the bedroom.
The bedroom is simple but striking. The pigeon-gray wall contrasts with the crimson bed sheet. Gimmicks lie in details, such as using an industrial lamp instead of an ordinary reading light, while a fancy crystal chandelier-like lamp is hanging on the far side.
Bell doesn’t see herself as full of feminine sweetness. Her favorite color is “pigeon grey,” which has a hint of blue. But she also wants the place to be a comfortable one for Aor, her other half, too. The couple then trusted in the skills of their designer and let him run his own ideas to work on the transformation of the space.
The designer has managed to adjust the room plan and move a door for added convenience. He also inserted a little pet door for Minnie, their dog. The door has a unique look, studded with different kinds of brass rivets.
The end result was more than satisfying. When they had their first look at the designs and models, they were delighted. “It was really gorgeous! Aor and I made almost no changes from his original design. It was exactly what I’d had in mind, in both design and function. We both saw it as the perfect solution.”
The path from design to finished work wasn’t all smooth sailing. Little problems popped up along the way. Sometimes it was the contractor not sticking to the specs. Other times the details or materials weren’t exactly what they had pictured. “The flooring with black and white chess pattern, some parts of the white stone turned yellow, or had a little stained, but I left them that way. If things weren’t too ugly, we were OK with them. Actually, I was impatient and wanted to move in really fast.” (laugh)
The intricate patterns on the closet surface are the designer’s solution to the original design. “These started out as engravings, but it was taking so long. The designer turned them into illustration works instead. The closet ended up being really beautiful, and we love it.”
Maybe it’s destiny that brought Bell and Aor to fell in love with the Parisian-style studio. But beyond the destiny, it’s the matter of efforts and understandings that make the perfect room for them.
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.
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.
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.
“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 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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
/ 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.
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.
The living space inside the studio is wide open. The interior is calm with a beautiful set of table and chairs. Some of Thongma’s sculptures are on display here.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.
The artist’s residence is a simple one-story home. For the most part the structure is built of reclaimed wood and steel framing.
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 exterior wall has a large steel window casing glazed using clear glass. Multiple window panes open to promote natural ventilation.
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.
For an open and airy interior, the living room is not divided into smaller rooms. Décor materials are mostly of European origins. They are placed at random by design.
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.
Time changes, things change. People who stick with stability in life may find the fact troublesome but not Anirut Kittithichot, the owner of this flexible condo. To him, change is certain.
Shelves in this large built-in cabinet can be reassembled to maximize a storage space.
Setting the teak dining table against a mirrored wall makes the table looks longer. Laminated white-oak surface on the cabinet blends with the surrounding and gives an uncluttered feel.
Anirut was a marketing executive at Cotto. He left the job and signed up for a scholarship in business design at Domus University, Italy. Currently, he returned to Bangkok to work in marketing full-time again.
“I like things and got bored of things easily. To me, designing new works is a fun challenge.” Anirut said.
For a single young man like him, this 46-square-meter condominium room is not too small. The space is more than enough to apply his creativity. The empty room was gradually turning into a private kingdom reflecting his personal taste and individuality.
By putting a sticker of his favorite quote and a black frame in, the service door is hidden in plain sight.
The room is relaxing and friendly. Chilling music is playing, while its Scandinavian décor sets an easing mood. “Maybe the relaxing atmosphere comes from a good portion of light color. If I’d used birch wood instead of teak, the rooms would look even more Scandinavian. But I picked a teak table because of its future value. One day I might got bored of it, But I can still adapt it into something else.
Wooden-like ceramic tiles give a rustic feel to the pantry wall while protecting the surface from humidity.
Always falling in love with new things, Anirut chose to mix and match his interior decoration. He also likes the challenge of hunting for rare and interesting items. Some of his furniture took a long journey from Milan. Some are from his trips. Some are from trade fairs, and some are his own creation made by his favorite furniture maker in Bang Po. The most outstanding pieces among these are antlers and furs, which give the room a rustic feel.
Anirut has a clever way of utilizing the space. He avoids installing fixed furniture in case of future changes except for built-in closets to keep little items (which seem to be a classic problem for every condominium dwellers) in some corners.
A hanging lamp is used instead of a bedside table due to space limitation. A sticker on the glass wall is removable. So, Anirut can change it as often as he wishes.
“I like having parties with my friends and having many people come over. But their working hours are odd. So, there are only 3-4 dropping by at the same time. To create an illusion of having many people and also to make the room appears larger, I installed a mirror at a dining table.”
The 2-unit wardrobe has a metal frame instead of a door, since Anirut likes to see clothing inside the cabinet. /// A mirror cabinet in the bathroom adds more space for small items. Lighting is enhanced both above and below the cabinet to reduce glares.
personal style is much loved by friends and acquaintances. Many asked him to design their houses, which Anirut gladly agree to help. His place may be a flexible condo, but for his friends’, he advises differently to each. “I don’t want to walk into their place and like it too much. That would mean it’s my place, not theirs!”
Where do people look for an inspiration? Some discover it in books or magazines, while others turn stories into new thoughts. The owner was passionate about an apartment in the 1998 film “A Perfect Murder.” It was the inspiration that led to his so-called Parisian Studio.
The cabinet face is designed to look as if it holds many drawers, adding more vintage details.
The work corner and the living room are in the same area. The desk consisted of metal legs made from water pipes and a wooden top to fit the width of the wall. Different cushions were originally placed here. But the owner later replaced them with his vintage armchair.
“At first I thought I’d just knock out the ceiling, fix it up, and think about the rest later. But ideas were popping in my head. So, I had to redo everything,” said the owner who also designed the space by himself.
Light-colored décor contrasts with raw surfaces of conduits on the ceiling, utility pipes and the metal arch. The arch’s scale was adjusted to suit a low-ceiling height and to accentuate its clear lines. Pipes were painted white to reduce the rawness of the original metal surfaces.
“I thought it was just a question of making the ceiling higher. But once it was out, I wanted to make an archway pretty much like the loft-style, high-ceiling room in the film.”
The owner had done a lot of research. One design book about the Eiffel Tower caught his attention. “The book enlarged each part of the Eiffel Tower to show exactly what was there. I was entranced by the detailed ironwork because it had such unique elegance.”
The bedside lamp design was derived from one of the owner’s projects for a hotel. To contrast with the lamp’s modern style, he paired it with a vintage wooden bedside table.
As a result, the room was totally transformed. From an ordinary rectangular condominium room, it took on what the owner called a “Parisian Studio” look. The character of the room has certain rawness from the metal archway, while a touch of softness is filled with white tones. Details were gradually added to complete the whole look, just like putting jigsaw pieces together.
As an interior designer, he understood the fact that he could not adjust the floor plan much. The condominium also came with pre-installed electrical appliances, which were mostly immobile. So, he decided to focus on the furniture instead. Most of the furnishing pieces were custom-made. A floor-to-ceiling wardrobe was built-in to make the most out of the limited space, while a queen-size bed was equipped with wheels enabling it to move easily.
The queen-size bed and bedclothes are in shades of white to keep the tiny space from seeming cramped. A little panache is thrown in with the two bedside tables of different styles.
The owner also recognized the importance of a proper space management. A workspace was arranged at one corner close to a wall. The middle of the room was left for a living area. For privacy, he used long curtains to separate his sleeping area from the rest of the room.
Back to our question: Where do you look to find an inspiration? Well, answers may vary. But we know one thing for sure. This Parisian Studio inspired us with lots of little details.
The bedside table is designed to look like an antique. The original model is vertically adjustable. To save costs, this reproduced one can only slide aside.
At first sight, the house seems like a plain-looking Tropical Modern home. But a closer investigation reveals the balance between beautiful design and functions for a practical lifestyle.
In front of the house is a wall of vertical slats with small gaps between them, which allow a very partial view in from outside. A good sense of privacy is created this way.
The house fronts on an open lot to the west, allowing sunshine to pour in at certain times of day, and bringing the world of nature inside.
Every house has its unique character. This Tropical Modern home designed by Kanop Mangkhalaphruet and Ayut Mahasohm is aesthetically elegant and smart enough to serves the homeowner’s every need.
The double-layered roof provides a convenient release for heat. Together with the extended eaves, this helps keep the house cooler.
The house is located on a rectangular-shaped piece of land, with one end facing a village road and the other fronting a canal. Its I-shaped floor plan is laid out along the north-south axis to benefit from diffused sunlight from the north and winds from the south. Other precautions are also taken to avoid flooding at high tides. Meantime, an open space on the north side is reserved for a garden and a pool.
Usable spaces are divided into two main sections — service and residential. The service area consists of a Thai kitchen, a maid’s quarters, an electrical room, a carport, and storage. For practicalities, the section is located close to the entrance.
All physical lines of the house are intentionally designed to create horizontal and vertical relationships.
The residential area has a parlor, living room, dining room, workroom, and food preparation spaces. All rooms are open to take in views of the swimming pool and adjoining wooden veranda, which connect to the garden and the canal beyond. Floor-to-ceiling glass panels can slide open all the way, making the area a perfect space to relax or party.
For the privacy of both residents and visitors, the house offers dual access, one next to a carport and the other via the veranda. If houseguests are being entertained in the parlor, residents who have nothing to do with it can enter or exit through the carport leaving the meeting undisturbed.
Setting the doors back away from the line of support posts makes it possible to open all the doors at once without being blocked by them.
Kids’ bedroom and study room are an extension from the main structure. It adds an interesting feature to the building and doubles as long overhangs protecting rooms below from the elements. Openings are used only when necessary to avoid strong sunlight. Various shapes and sizes of vertical aluminum stripes add fun details to the wall and also protect the house from the heat.
A diminutive courtyard in the middle of the house directly adjoins the kitchen. When it is opened up, it provides great ventilation.
Another outstanding feature is roof design. Long overhangs provide protection for a full array of glass windows that can open to let heat energy out. For durability, handsome abode is constructed of reinforced steel structure. Round pillars are chosen to prevent injuries from accidentally bumping into sharp objects. All of these qualities are incorporated for the sake of practical living.
The bathroom is intentionally designed to be open and spacious, as a lot of light is wanted. There are frosted-glass guard railing and shower curtains that help make the space more private.
Show houses have always been the most interesting highlights at BaanLaeSuan Fair. This year, the main attraction features sustainable design focusing on symbiotic relationships between life and nature. It is inspired by one of the philosophies of HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
/// Thailand ///
Photos: Soopakorn Srisakul
From afar, it looks like a hillside covered in verdant vegetation. But a closer look reveals a uniquely designed home carved into an awesome landscape mimicking rice terraces. The well-defined integration appears to be the living embodiment of His Majesty’s “Three Forests, Four Benefits” concept.
Herbal plants double its use as hanging decorations.
Plants grown on the terrace steps and other useful gimmicks encourage people to exercise more to sustain and improve health and physical fitness. Gardening at different elevations requires walking up and down these steps, which burn calories in the process. Getting around on bicycles instead of cars is another useful shtick.
In the living area, floor cushions work as well as a nice sofa.
Every step of the way, the terraces serve different purposes. At a higher altitude, they provide a lush oasis that showcases the home’s front façade. At lower elevations, they provide steps for easy access that don’t intrude on the landscape. The lower terraces also offer spaces for a chessboard-equipped patio, where people can sit back, relax, or enjoy their favorite game.
A hint of greenery blends into the bedroom.
The house interior is reminiscent of rock-cut architecture carved into the hillside slope. Yet it is well lit and airy. The living room is decorated with wood furniture in natural hues. The area features an LCD screen showing the King perform his noble missions. Patches of greenery abound if you look for spots to give your eyes a good break.
The house is surrounded by trees and plants to blur the boundary between the outside and the inside.
The en-suite bedroom comes furnished with white net curtains in the background. The area boasts clean, simple design. The only decorations are framed photographs of recommended useful plants, such as the Indian rubber tree, the fiddle leaf fig tree, and other species known for their ability to absorb toxic chemicals and help purify air in the room.
At the far end of the interior stand a small kitchen, a dining room, and a kitchen garden. This section is created to show the benefits of having homegrown vegetables and fruits. Not only are they non-toxic. But they also generate incomes for agriculturists and reduce pollutions in the process.
A small pathway leading to the kitchen is also a playground for children.
The show house is open to the public at BAANLAESUAN Fair until November 6, 2016. Drop in on us, and you will find an inspiration or two for your next home improvements project. Be there.
Electrical wires are well-kept in the ceiling, hidden from eyesight.
A chess board is installed here at the foot of the hill.
A microscope is on display inside for children so they can learn more about the nature and have fun at the same time.
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![[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.](https://livingasean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/010-3-1024x730.jpg)
