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A TROPICAL WATERSIDE HOME MADE FOR THE THAI CLIMATE

By livingasean
April 7, 2017
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story: Wuthikorn Suthiapa / English version: Peter Montalbano /

/ Photographs: Sitthisak Namkham /

This tropical waterside house brings back memories of Thai life as it was along Khlong Samsen (Samsen canal) in bygone times. From the outside, it looks straightforward and contemporary, but inside is a fascinating mix of antiques from the owners’ collections.

1122 — Outer stair, up from the pool to the second-floor balcony

koh170106-0911 — Perforated fence with wind baffles for good air circulation within the property

koh170106-0033 — Blocks with 1-inch spaces to control fresh air coming into the house

koh170106-0288 — Work room with a library design

To match the Thai climate, Associate Professor Dr Tonkao Panin designed this house in a tropical style.

Although it has a contemporary look, the tropical waterside house contains a mix of antiques and collectibles belonging to owners Kajorn Tanaphaet and Eugene Kroon. A major design challenge for Dr Tonkao was to make old and new fit well together.

koh170106-038 — Swimming pool, designed as to appear continuous with the khlong (canal) outside

“My requirements are simply stated: 1. I don’t want luxury. 2. I want high ceilings, and 3. Air conditioning should be minimal. Tonkhao’s proportional design successfully connects the entire property: balcony, reception parlor, reading room, down through the kitchen and out to the swimming pool and pier.

“There are a lot of reasons I’m pleased with this location: it’s at the end of the soi, quiet and peaceful, one side opens onto Khlong Samsen, and there’s space in front for a nice garden.

“I bought the place some time before I ran across a house designed by Tonkao in a book I was reading and managed to get him to come design this one.

“As you can see, the end result is a good-sized house with a great style,” says Kajorn.

The design of this tropical waterside house took 8 months, and construction an additional year.

“We did it little by little, along the way discovering things we liked in the detail suggested by the word ‘house.’ Here is a mixture of many things: some sections come from Eugene and me, some from Tonkao, and there are things the craftsmen suggested as we chatted during construction.”

Aside from the remarkable style and the great number of owner-collected antiques and collected artifacts, another point of interest is the unusual transverse placement of the house, set crosswise on the property.

“Kajorn wanted to have the house right on the water,” explains Professor Tonkhao, “and orienting the house this way lets it catch the constant breeze from the lawn out to the khlong.”

So this tropical waterside house has permanent natural ventilation. “Even though the design is straightforward, we want it to create a feeling somewhere between being inside and outside, a tropical feeling.

“The house is designed so it can fully open up to the air from terrace and doorways, that all can be left open. At the same time, balconies and doors block the direct sun from entering the building, creating different levels of sunshine and shade inside and out.”

Even in the late afternoon, it’s still shady and cool. The patio has a long porch deck reminiscent of an “arcade,” the façade of a Sino-Portuguese-style house.

There’s a balcony door which can be opened vertically as a sunshade, a similar design to a Thai-style “baan krathung” pop-up window.

Features such as this help create an amazing sense of comfort for a Bangkok house.

Owner: Kajorn Tanaphaet and Eugene Kroon

Architect: Reserch Studio Panin by Associate Professor Dr Tonkao Panin & Thanakarn Mokkhasamit

Extended Family’s Big Wooden House in Bangkok

By livingasean
April 5, 2017
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

/ Story: Jeadwonder / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Sitthisak Namkham, Piyawuth /

Young married people these days tend to move away to have children and live separately, but Chang (Somprasong Sawat) and Bua (Buachomphu Ford) have brought their families back home. Everyone living together in a warm communal atmosphere makes this big wooden house a true family home.

koh11 — Mother and her younger sister live in the left wing. Behind is the parking area. Spaces are separated with drapes that can be rolled up and put away to create a common space for big family dinners.

koh22 — Teak wall and outdoor connection of mother and younger sister’s house.

“We’re all one big family, Mom, my sister, and my family, which right now is me, Bua, and our three young sons. It’s comforting to have relatives nearby. Grandma and Auntie help with the grandchildren,” Chang says with a smile.

Kanika Rattanapreedakul of Spacetime Architects Co.,Ltd. designed the house: Chang had learned about her work from a magazine article about house design in New York’s Soho district, where Kanika was the single Thai woman featured among a number of Westerners.

Her design resulted in this unique 1,000 square meters big wooden house, divided into three main sections. The first part, in the center, holds the swimming pool and central area of the house: living room, dining area, and Western-style kitchen. This is everyone’s common area.

koh100903-02444 — Dining area and light-use kitchen.

tt100903-00333 — Chang and Bua’s parlor, used for a meeting room or just to socialize.

tt100903-0599 — Fresh red tones enliven Chang and Bua’s living room.

koh333 — Left: Chang’s sister’s private kingdom. Right: A glass corridor on the second floor connects Chang’s house to the central area.

A section of the lower floor is designed for parking. The mother’s bedroom on the second floor has a classic décor. A vertical garden adds a feeling of warmth. The third floor is Chang’s sister’s domain. The right wing is surfaced with aluminum paneling, for a modern, fashionable “industrial” look: the family calls it the “tin house.”

“I collect paintings, so we have a room for them; in fact the room is designed around them. I favor surrealism and expressionism. You don’t have to understand everything to appreciate the art: it’s enough for it just to have an emotional impact.”

tt100903-06111 — Chang and Bua’s art-gallery bedroom connects to a spacious white bath.

The ground floor next to the pool has a reception area for guests, decorated with Chang’s art collection and next to a glass room where Bua practices yoga or sons play with friends, neighbors, and relatives their age.

The second floor is a mezzanine, with young Matt’s bedroom and a small pantry. Finally, on the third floor is Chang and Bua’s bedroom and two more small rooms for the children as they get bigger.

The design takes everyone’s needs into account in creating not only a beautifully designed and fully functional living space, but more than that, a place that brings together the love and warmth in the family, something that can’t be found anywhere else but here, their “home sweet home.”

Owner: Somprasong Sawat and Buachomphu Ford

Architect: Spacetime Architects Co.,Ltd.

Plan to Build a Fully Integrated District Set in Motion

By livingasean
April 4, 2017
SPECIAL SCOOP,SPOTLIGHT

Thailand’s largest private sector property development called “One Bangkok” will become a new global landmark when its first components open in 2021.

/// Thailand ///

TCC Assets (Thailand) Co, Ltd and Frasers Centrepoint Limited (FCL) will jointly develop “One Bangkok,” the country’s first and largest fully integrated district based on people-centric principles and a focus on environmental sustainability and smart-city living.

Out of the total land area of 16.7 hectares, the project has a generous allocation of 8 hectares of green and open space to the city center. “Our vision is to create a place that people can love and want to spend time in,” said Mr. Charoen Sirivadhanabhakdi, TCC Group Chairman.

The project will be undertaken with an estimated investment value of approximately US$3.5 billion. It promises to become a new global landmark destination when its first components open in 2021. “The fundamental aim in the planning and design of One Bangkok is to enhance Bangkok’s stature as a key gateway city in Asia,” said Mr. Charoen.

The development project will have a gross floor area of 1.83 million square meters, consisting of five Grade A office towers built to LEED and WELL standards, five luxury and lifestyle hotels, three ultra-luxury residential towers, a comprehensive array of retail offerings within differentiated retail precincts, and a rich variety of civic areas, and art and culture facilities.

An integrated city-within-a-city district, One Bangkok is expected to be completed in 2025.

Mr. Charoen said, “We are honored to be entrusted by the Crown Property Bureau to turn this important plot of land in the heart of the city into a showpiece district.” The land is leased from the Crown Property Bureau and enjoys a prime location right next to Bangkok’s largest central park — Lumphini Park — with direct links to the city’s mass transit systems, as well as easy access to the expressway network.

The Ironwood: A Chiang Mai Vacation Home Out in Nature

By livingasean
March 30, 2017
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Chiang Mai, Thailand /

/ Story: Monosoda / English version: Peter Montalbano /

/ Photographs: Nanthiya Bussabong /

Mountains, streams and forests in Mae Rim District embrace the open-air vacation home of a Bangkok metropolitan lady who has chosen tranquil Chiang Mai Province over big-city distraction and confusion.

chiang mai vacation home — Up front stands a beautiful Ceylon ironwood tree (scientific name: Mesua ferrea), also known as “Bunnag” in Thai. The building to the left side holds a reception lobby, with private residential areas upstairs. To the right is a spacious, open dining hall.

Three years earlier, this was just a holiday home for Lady Ying (Supapa Sanitwong). At that time, Prince Dighambara Yugala was in charge of it, and at his suggestion Lady Ying came to see if she should try living here permanently.

“Before, the house was surrounded by jungle. I explored a little each day, and found a nice view of the mountains. When the brush and grass was cut down, I found the river practically surrounded the house! Right then I fell in love with the place.”

Lady Ying bought the estate for her residence, naming it “Ironwood,” and put in a new building as lodging accommodation for visiting friends and family. Later, a hotel was added for guests wishing to experience the natural world of northern Thailand.

The name “Ironwood” refers to the Ceylon ironwood tree (scientific name: Mesua ferrea), also known as “Bunnag” in Thai. “This is a monument to my great-grandmother Jamreun (Bunnag) Sanitwong Na Ayutthaya, wife of Suwaphan Sanitwong in the reign of King Rama V. She’s not well-known, but is always in my thoughts,” she recalled.

The hotel has 5 rooms, each with a view of the Mae Sa River and the pleasant shade of big trees.

One of Lady Ying’s neighbors here is famous sculptor Jamnian Thongma, whose building design talents helped make her dreams come true. There are two zones on the premises, one in front and the other at the rear.

The front area holds two buildings; on the left, a reception lobby, with Lady Ying’s private residence above; on the right, a dining room and catering area. A walkway connects the buildings. The rear zone holds a riverside guest house.

jun161201_09333 — The simplicity of the bare concrete wall helps direct guests’ attention to the natural world all about.

Lady Ying walks us up the white metal spiral stair to her space on the second floor: a comfy, airy little studio with classic décor and a great view of the mountains.

The bedroom connects directly to a spacious bathroom; the kitchen is separated, and from there a stairway leads down to a greenhouse garden. The Ironwood grounds are shady and pleasant, landscaped by Siriwit Riwbamrung and Jaturong Khunkong of the Little Tree Landscape.

The rooms contain antique decorative items collected over several decades: wooden screens from Burma, handmade chandeliers from Italy, mortared columns from India: many remarkable masterpieces arranged to produce a multicultural atmosphere by interior decorator Sorasak Chatrakul Na Ayutthaya.

Taken as a whole, the vacation home has a remarkable mix of a natural setting and cultural atmosphere, with universal narratives everyone can understand. It’s a place that gives a sense of peace and tranquility, just waiting to be experienced.

The kitchen opens out to a stairway reaching up to the rooftop deck and down to the garden below.

Architect: Sorrasak Chatkul na Ayutthaya, Jamnian Tongma

Garden Designer: Siriwit Rewbamrung, Little Tree Landscape (www.facebook.com/Littletreelandscape)

Visit the original Thai article…

THE IRONWOOD – บ้านหลังใหม่ ในอ้อมกอดขุนเขาที่อำเภอแม่ริม

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A Compact Home Studio Where the Old Tells a New Story

By livingasean
March 29, 2017
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Chiang Mai, Thailand /

/ Story: Polaroid / English version: Peter Montalbano /

/ Photographs: Sitthisak Namkham / Styling: Prapaiwadee Phoksawad /

Let’s look inside a compact home studio that’s truly in a class of its own. Glass panels everywhere give it a bright and sunny personality. Interior décor features charming antiques, many redesigned with new forms and functions.

koh161206-010+ compact house — Double height room design reduces heat radiation through the glass.

Torlarp Larpjaroensook, a young and upcoming artist, founded “Gallery Seescape” in Chiang Mai, where his well-known works “Grandma’s Spaceship” and the light switch manikin “Bestto Boy” are on display.

His new pad, a very cool three-story home studio just a few steps away from an old house, stands where Torlarp and his construction team tore down what used to be a 4-by-8-meter art materials storage shed.

restroom — A tree in the bathroom! The skylight above provides natural light. Take a shower, and the drainage waters tree roots below.

The new compact house faces west to greet the old place of residence, with the two connected by a flyover walkway. It’s thoughtfully devised to give new form and function to favorite materials he’s collected. Torlarp’s idea: the narrative in things which have lasted over time will take people’s memories on trips without end.

“My first vision was a bridge between buildings which would give the feeling of being in a tree: look up, see the sky. So from the start the building had to be tall, but the most important element really was the proper use of the antiques I’d collected,” Torlarp explained.

As the artist puts it, more than 30 percent of the new house and fittings come from the redesign of old things. “Teak, old metal: it’s all about what could be used for what, and how? Take for example an old teak door that has been repurposed as a dining table. It’s edged round with copper and refitted with rusty antique iron legs.”

From the start, Torlarp wanted the house to be both art showroom and workshop, which is why it’s so open: installed rectangular steel frames are fit with glass to build entire walls, with a “double space” interior height, creating lines of sight giving a good view of the art work from every spot.

koh161206-0688 compact house — Attic bedroom: The east wall at the head of the bed is a clear glass window designed for waking with the morning light.

The lower level interior is divided into a painting studio, dining area/kitchen, and a sitting parlor. The second floor holds the living room and home office, while the third floor is an attic bedroom with a round skylight to allow sleeping beneath the stars and waking with the sun.

“I’m interested in architectural openings: doors, windows, etc., connecting the indoor and outdoor worlds. They’re points of change for wind, sunshine, and even people. That’s how the project started,” Torlarp explained.

The convex curvature of the kitchen countertop is a space-saver.

Under extreme space limitations, free and comfortable living can only come from well-thought-out planning. In this particular case, the stairs were a challenge.

“The staircase is actually a showy part of the house I’m really interested in, since it’s involved with both building height and space used. It had to take up the least possible space and, at the same time, function as a piece of art right in the center of the house,” added the artist/homeowner.

“Managing materials is hard, especially using leftovers. I needed ten steel segments to make the stairs, but could only get four, so I had to scramble and rethink the whole process,” said Torlarp, smiling with pride at the end result.

Owner/Designer: Torlarp Larpjaroensook (www.torlarphern.com)

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8 ASEAN Brands You Should Know

By livingasean
March 28, 2017
CULTURE,DESIGN

The ASEAN has long been a source for much of the industrial furniture sold in Europe and the United States. Nowadays manufacturers in the region can rightfully take pride in the design and production of many of their own Southeast Asian brands. The following is a brief “who’s who” of these brands.

/// ASEAN ///

– Jim Thompson / Thailand –

This Thai silk brand was founded in 1948 by American businessman Jim Thompson, who worked for the United States Army in Thailand. It first reached prominence with the gorgeous silks used in the 1951 movie “The King and I. Today Jim Thompson designs are done by Thai designers near where the silk itself is produced. It is still a leading brand for furniture textiles, costumes, ornamental cloth, and souvenir gifts Thais like to give foreign visitors.

– Kenneth Cobonpue / The Philippines –

Kenneth Cobonpue’s name is synonymous with a famous Filipino furniture brand. Kenneth stands high on the stage of world-class designers for his elegant combination of modern/contemporary design with the use of indigenous materials. His furniture has won the admiration of many Hollywood actors including Brad Pitt and Lucy Liu, and was used in sets for “Ocean’s Thirteen” and the series “CSI: Miami” and “Nip/Tuck.” He also created the “Voyage Bed” model used in Maroon 5’s music video “Never Gonna Leave This Bed.”

– Yothaka / Thailand –

Yothaka is a trend-setter in Thai furniture which has made a name for itself in the world market, especially Europe. Production of its unique and lasting furnishings began by using the water hyacinth, and now incorporates other raw materials, such as pineapple paper and various kinds of string, which add to the characteristic identity of Yothaka’ s contemporary designs. The brand was founded by Suwan Kongkhunthian, presently considered by his peers as one of the great modern designers.

– Schema / The Philippines –

Celia Gamboa Jiao, designer and founder of this brand, shortened the name from “Schema by Kalikasan Crafts,” as it was previously known in the lamp industry, and in collaboration with 3 designers – Filipino Antonio “Budji” Layug, the French Swiss Ségolène Aebi-Faye, and Thai Anon Pairot – developed a wider variety of products which use welding craftsmanship in transforming rough strips of galvanized iron into ornamental works of great beauty.

– Grafunkt / Singapore –

Besides having his “dance card” full of design work for such famous French and Italian furniture brands as Ligne Roset, Living Divani, and spHaus, Nathan Yong also has his own multibrand and furniture outlet under the name “Grafunkt.” Simplicity and elegance wrought with cleverness is the signature charm of Nathan Yong offerings.

– Deesawat / Thailand –

A brand of teak furniture which grew from a family sawmill business into a full-production shop over two generations, Deesawat features works from a new generation of designers representing many countries across Asia. Big names here include the great Japanese designer Toshiyuki Kita’s 2012 “Pumpkin Chair” piece.

– Triboa Bay Living / The Philippines –

Established by Filipino designer Randy Viray in 2008, Triboa Bay Living produces wooden furniture with an inherently simple, natural feel, with wood grain and detailed craftsmanship on display in a fine artistic mix perfectly suited for either residence or resort.

– Ock Pop Tok / Laos –

From humble beginnings as a tiny store founded in 2000 by English woman Joanna Smith and Lao Veomanee Douangdala, today Ock Pop Tok is a worthy representative of the highest craftsmanship and quality in Lao clothing and a leader in promoting principles of fair trade and sustainable business for the indigenous arts and crafts community.

A New Hybrid Home Embraces the Charm of Yesteryear

By livingasean
March 15, 2017
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Bangkok, Thailand /

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

/ Photographs: Soopakorn Srisakul /

Looking anything but traditional, this hybrid steel-concrete home boasts a beautiful open-concept space. By design, it creates the light and airy ambience symbolic of the house on stilts unique to Southeast Asia in former times.

The owner’s beloved traditional-style wooden home was damaged by massive flooding that inundated much of Thailand’s Central Plains in 2011. But love never dies. She had the old house torn down to make room for a new one. The result was a hybrid steel-concrete home with all the charm and character of traditional Thai-style residential architecture.

“She requested stilt house design with three bedrooms,” said Pises Isarangkool Na Ayutthaya, one of the architects on the team. “Much of the timber was recycled from the old house and put to good use in the new, and she didn’t need air conditioning.”

To fulfill the homeowner’s request, the team of architects came up with a house-on-stilts design with extended eaves for sun and rain protection. It was built of a mix of concrete, steel beams and connections strengthened by steel framing for durability. In the meantime, correct building orientation allowed the new home to reap the full health benefits from cool breezes blowing in all day from a nearby canal.

Generous wall openings allow plenty of natural daylight and fresh outdoor air into the home. They include sliding doors and windows along the exterior walls facing the nearby waterway.

To create cross ventilation in the home, air vents are installed on the opposite side to exhaust the warm air, a passive design strategy that keeps the interior cool and dry. In doing so, they were able to eliminate the need for mechanical air conditioning entirely.

Open air vents designed to exhaust the warm air, thereby keeping the interior space cool and dry.

Door panels recycled from the old house find a new purpose as cabinet doors and shelves used for storage.

To ensure nothing goes to waste, timber and other building materials left over from the old house were adapted for reuse in new purposes, such as ceiling panels, windows, handrails, and benches, even kitchen cupboards.

Reclaimed timber worn by exposure to the weather added vintage appeal to the home. It also served as a sentimental reminder of the old house that had been the family residence for many years before the big flood hit in 2011.

From the outside, the new house may look anything but traditional. But inside, it’s an entirely different story. The interior calls to the mind the image of the traditional house on stilts in the past, a place of residence thoughtfully devised to fit the Tropical climate. Plus, it’s well positioned to maximize certain aspects of the natural surroundings. And the result of all this: a beautiful home with curb appeal and a panorama of the lush landscape and nearby waterway.

Architect: Pises Isarangkool Na Ayutthaya, Itirit Hatairatana

Visit the original Thai article…

บ้านโครงสร้างเหล็ก ที่ยกใต้ถุนสูงเป็นบ้านริมคลองแบบสมัยใหม่

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A Glass House with Spectacular Mountain Views

By livingasean
March 14, 2017
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Nakhon Ratchasima, Thailand /

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

/ Photographs: Soopakorn Srisakul /

When it comes to embracing the great outdoors from within, nothing beats this house with glass walls all the way around. Aptly named “Baan Asai,” literally a house to live in, the modern living space in Nakhon Ratchasima is crafted with skill and imagination to achieve one goal – soak up the spectacular mountain views. The homeowner, Issaraporn Prasongkij, designed this residential cluster herself.

An interesting amalgam of the traditional and the modern, the two-story home was built fast thanks to advancements in metal tech industries. Metal became the primary building materials for two reasons – shorten construction time, and in turn avoid any negative impacts on the environment.

From a distance, the house looks like the coming together of three mirror cubes, each serving specific purposes. To minimize reflections on glassy and metal materials, the architect chose to cover them with hip roof design in pleasing shades of brown. The muted earth-tone colors not only gave the house a comfortable feel, but also enabled it to blend into the natural surroundings.

Because the outside walls are transparent, much of the house’s interior can be easily seen outside. The beauty of it lies in the detail of furniture, fittings, and other decorative accessories.

The owner and her husband handpicked these items for their cozy appeal, from area rugs to cushions and throw pillows to porcelain sets. They even designed some of the items themselves and had them made to specification.

To take in a panorama of the surrounding mountains, all the exterior walls are glazed using clear glass mounted on aluminum framing that takes priority over any other building materials.

The first floor living room boasts double height ceilings that rise as tall as 10 meters from the floor to the apex. Close at hand, an alfresco leisure corner and dining space with an island kitchen counter lie within easy reach from the carport.

With good reason, areas that require privacy, such as bedrooms with en suite baths, are partitioned off from the rest. The house’s two bedrooms are tucked away in the innermost part of the second floor with sweeping views of the Khao Yai Mountains.

The couple also has plans to build a community of urban residents who have come to call this part of the country home. They are looking at a form of co-housing similar to the ways of life of the Thai people in times past. It’s interesting to see how such a fascinating scene will unfold in years to come.

Owner/Designer: Issaraporn Prasongkij

Visit the original Thai article…

บ้านอาศรัย ความเป็นโมเดิร์นที่รายล้อมด้วยธรรมชาติ

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A Cozy Brick House the Pride of Two Generations

By livingasean
March 11, 2017
HOUSE,LIVING

/ Pattaya, Thailand /

/ Story: Ajchara Jeenkram / English version: Bob Pitakwong /

/ Photographs: Soopakorn Srisakul, Sungwan Phratep /

This old house that’s the pride of two generations has been given a new lease on life. Tastefully renovated, it transformed into a modern brick home that took the beauty of brick masonry to a whole new level.

The heritage building has served as a big family’s rendezvous in Pattaya, a seaside town just two hours’ drive from Bangkok. Those times are gone now. The extended family home is now in the hands of the second generation with a smaller household. That’s reason enough to restore it as a new place of abode ideally suited to a modern lifestyle.

“First, I started out with a building inspection looking to identify parts that needed repairs and whatnot,” said architect Kasin Sornsri.

“I talked with both generations of the family, and I could feel the love they had for this house. So, I decided to go for a renovation instead of a teardown to make room for a new building.”

In the process, the old roof that fell into disrepair was replaced by a moderate-pitch roof with shingles. Beautiful shed roof design was chosen for its ability to provide tall ceilings, which directly benefited the interior living spaces on the upper floor.

Like the architect intended, the new feature added attractive curb appeal to the home and its lively green surroundings when viewed from the street.

On the first floor, an open-concept dining room is capable of entertaining up to 20 houseguests. The architect has kept the iconic archway design and brick walls on the front façade pretty much intact.

In the meantime, appropriate adaptations are made to best suit the way of living of the second generation family, while the first generation family enjoys plenty of room for privacy complete with a dining space and kitchen.

Over all, the interior design presents the character and atmosphere resembling that of an antique store. Pieces of vintage furniture and stained glass decorations give off friendly vibes conjuring up the image of a family way of life back in the day.

To make it more inviting, custom mosaic tiles paired with window grills in complementing shades echo the beauty of a fusion of Eastern and Western design. Well put together, they breathe new life into the old brick house that has been home to a big family for two generations.

Built to last, and further improved through renovation, this brick house in Pattaya now stands ready for the future.

Architect: Kasin Sornsri of Volume Matrix Studio (www.facebook.com/volumematrixstudio)

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TIFF 2017 Showcases Beautiful ASEAN Vibes

By livingasean
March 10, 2017
HAPPENING,SPECIAL SCOOP

A Mecca of the latest in designs and lifestyle trends from across the Region, TIFF 2017 is the exhibition you can’t afford to miss.

/// Thailand ///
Photography: Rithirong Chanthongsuk

Every year the Thailand International Furniture Fair (TIFF) continues to attract wider audiences from across the country. The landmark event has become a Mecca for designers, craftspeople, and the industries to present the latest in designs and innovative ideas to public views. Here are some of the trend-setting shows from 8-12 March 2017.

– Podium –

Podium’s 2017 collection features beautiful pieces of cane furniture made using the latest in cane weaving techniques. Also known as rattan, or wicker among Americans and Scandinavians, cane furniture is sought after by aficionados of the minimalist and Tropical decorating style.

– Yothaka –

An exciting collection by Yathaka is known as “Yothaka X Galvanii.” It’s the product of collaboration between the master craftsman and the galvanized steel furniture specialist. The Yothaka collection offers a series of metal panels with complementing weaving crafts that blend well with galvanized steel sofa sets by Galvanii.

“Customers prefer our products because they not only give their homes a refreshing change, but also make good conversation starters.” - Suwan Kongkhunthian, designer at Yothaka — “Customers prefer our products because they not only give their homes a refreshing change, but also make good conversation starters.” – Suwan Kongkhunthian, designer at Yothaka

– Galvanii –

Durable galvanized steel is an ideal material for outdoor furniture. Galvanii has the design and cutting-edge technology capable of doing exactly that.

– Hat –

Hat is a group of award-winning designers. The cohort of creative thinkers is widely known for impressive designs of great originality.

– Kenkoon –

Highlights of the Kenkoon booth include an enormous coffee table designed for the outdoors. The table comes wrapped in materials designed to emulate beautiful sedimentary rock formations.

tiff35 — Design // Metchanun Suensilpong and Group

“This table is made of the material that we’ve never used before. You can expect more of new materials from Kenkoon Design in the near future,” Metchanun Suensilpong

– BaanchaaN –

A forest of elegant chandeliers and hanging lamp ideas by BaanchaaN is inspired by the beauty of weaving crafts.

– Masaya –

This up and coming brand is making great progress and likely to become even more successful in brass furniture design. Masaya just won a DEmark Award last year.

– Ease –

Ease, an embroidery design studio, has come up with the aptly named, “Silence Collection” for 2017. Its embroidery design acoustic board is the product of collaboration between Ease and Feltech.

Design // Nichepak Torsutkanok and Wanus Choketaweesak

“I want to bring common patterns in everyday life to the limelight, whether it’s old wallpaper patterns, or curved iron designs, or tile patterns,” Wanus Choketaweesak

– Plural Designs –

Plural Designs rose to fame with its ingenious modern design. Now the designer has made the brand even more attractive by adding a touch of craftwork to the design.

– Dots Object –

The wooden fixed-gear bicycles on display bespeak the designer’s passion for bicycle riding.

– Deesawat –

Deesawat, one of Thailand’s big names in furniture making, reveals a new lounger with brilliant design. Made for space saving and mobility, the comfortable lounger can fold vertically, pack, and store neatly when not needed.

– Corner 43 –

Making heads turn at TIFF 2017 are a set of woven chairs by “Salt and Pepper Design Studio X Corner 43.” The eye-catching chairs are made using special weaving techniques. The group also has on display plenty of beautiful pieces inspired by weaving crafts.

– Bambunique –

Bambunique takes the charm of bamboo into the world of contemporary design. It features new collections including beautifully handcrafted cosmos tables and Tether chairs in pleasing shades that restore glory to bamboo design.

– Studio 248 –

This young and synergized group has never run short of great ideas. Its showcase this year includes an expandable pendant lamp shade for indoor use, and a wooden folding chair.

“Asked to design a chair for TCDC Commons, I come up with one that is foldable, easy to carry and stack up, but still comfortable enough to sit on,” Jakkapun Charinratana

– Ayodhaya –

Ayodhaya’s signature is about using natural materials for their ability to bring out a touch of the Orient. Its products should go well with eco-chic decor.

– Plato –

If you are a big fan of teak wood furniture, the Plato booth is a must-visit.

– Mobella –

Mobella creatively adds a traditional Thai-style ambience to the living room with a comfy modern sofa set. The company also introduces “Mobella Home,” a sister brand, at this year’s show.

– Eqologist –

Uniquely designed indoor pendants by Eqologist are made of eco-friendly cassava particles with a bamboo base.

– ROOM Lab –

ROOM Lab is a group of fun and creative designers. These wall clock designs crafted of wood highlight the brand’s charm and personality.

– Patapian –

Patapian presents fine woodcraft products paired with unique weaving designs. This year the designers introduce two new items — an adjustable wood tray, and a handheld mirror inspired by a snail in motion.

Blog : thailand

This tropical waterside house brings back memories of Thai life as it was along Khlong Samsen (Samsen canal) in bygone times. From the outside, it looks straightforward and contemporary, but inside is a fascinating mix of antiques from the owners’ collections.

Young married people these days tend to move away to have children and live separately, but Chang (Somprasong Sawat) and Bua (Buachomphu Ford) have brought their families back home. Everyone living together in a warm communal atmosphere makes this big wooden house a true family home.

Thailand’s largest private sector property development called “One Bangkok” will become a new global landmark when its first components open in 2021.

Mountains, streams and forests in Mae Rim District embrace the open-air vacation home of a Bangkok metropolitan lady who has chosen tranquil Chiang Mai Province over big-city distraction and confusion.

Let’s look inside a compact home studio that’s truly in a class of its own. Glass panels everywhere give it a bright and sunny personality. Interior décor features charming antiques, many redesigned with new forms and functions.

– Jim Thompson / Thailand –

– Kenneth Cobonpue / The Philippines –

– Yothaka / Thailand –

– Schema / The Philippines –

– Grafunkt / Singapore –

– Deesawat / Thailand –

– Triboa Bay Living / The Philippines –

– Ock Pop Tok / Laos –

Looking anything but traditional, this hybrid steel-concrete home boasts a beautiful open-concept space. By design, it creates the light and airy ambience symbolic of the house on stilts unique to Southeast Asia in former times.

This old house that’s the pride of two generations has been given a new lease on life. Tastefully renovated, it transformed into a modern brick home that took the beauty of brick masonry to a whole new level.

A Mecca of the latest in designs and lifestyle trends from across the Region, TIFF 2017 is the exhibition you can’t afford to miss.

– Podium –

– Yothaka –

– Galvanii –

– Hat –

– Kenkoon –

– BaanchaaN –

– Masaya –

– Ease –

– Plural Designs –

– Dots Object –

– Deesawat –

– Corner 43 –

– Bambunique –

– Studio 248 –

– Ayodhaya –

– Plato –

– Mobella –

– Eqologist –

– ROOM Lab –

– Patapian –