The dining table is topped with white marble, which is easy to clean. Decorative branches painted white give the sense of sitting under a tree.The standout feature in this room is a modern adaptation. The set of a hundred lights hanging by short stems from the ceiling complements the exquisite white sofa set and flawless acrylic furniture.
There is a white home tucked away inside a condominium in the heart of Bangkok. It’s luxurious, yet feels as easygoing and welcoming as if we were visiting a single house with a yard. But here, as far as the eye can see, are views of this great city.
Anantapha Thongthawat, who designed the 180-square-meter suite, told us how it came about. “To get the result the owner was looking for, I had to combine distinctly different stylistic concepts: Asian ornamentation, minimalist simplification, and modernity, and give each room a distinct character.”
To the owner, nothing compares to his favorite color. White of many shades was used on floor, ceiling, furniture, and ornamentation, all done for his satisfaction. “I like pure white” he says. “It looks straightforward, clean, comfortable. In a clean, white room I can feel truly relaxed.”
According to what some believe, the placement of acrylic “earthen” jars will make the homeowner a money magnet. On the wall hangs a painted picture canvas entitled “Money Comes,” another charm to induce riches to come pouring in.Artificial rattan chairs and wooden stools along the edge of the porch and a floor paved with river pebbles creates a refreshing atmosphere, enhanced with an aquarium visible both from inside and outside.
Stepping out of his personal elevator, we walk into the central part of the house passing a parlor/reception area, a desk, and a dining area. All three rooms are directly connected. The concept came from the functionality of the porch in a traditional Thai house. A main walkway connects everything.
From here you can access all the other areas, entering them through sliding doors suspended by rails set above, so that one space flows easily into another. For a practical use, the maid’s quarters are set close to the service area. There’s efficient division of space everywhere.
The large main room with a modern look is arranged with chic finesse. The table and acrylic counter parallel each other, with plenty of space left between for good functionality. Planter boxes filled with white pebbles hold upright large branches resembling trees.
The long continuum of the main room connects to every space in the home. The use of clear acrylic planter boxes is an intriguing artifice. The mango branches are painted white. The space was inspired by Thai house verandahs, which make room for shade trees to grow through.A mix of modern and oriental styles: The counter’s marble surface matches the dining table. Hanging lamps are tied to a white steel frame.Dimension is created with varying shades of white, from clear white to cloudy white to dark white.
From any perspective, the whites create a sense of deep order and a startling beauty in this home. We can say without reservation that we’ve fallen under their spell. Have the charms of whiteness begun to work their way with you yet?
The master bedroom is spacious and simply furnished. Here the inspiration came from a Chinese-style bed. Lines are reduced to simplicity, suggesting Eastern influence, as well. Handmade lamps are made from white yarn, a chic artistry that gave the room the name “the Chinese bedroom.”“The Japanese bedroom” is a mix of Eastern influence and a tidy, pleasing contemporaneity. The bed is at a raised level, giving the feeling that the mattress sits directly on the floor.
With incredibly lush gardens on the property, this house brings to mind an ideal tropical jungle, but with even more bright colors of flowering and leafy plants than in the real thing.
Gardens all around the house create a relaxing green atmosphere.The water pond comes in two parts — a small still-water pool for goldfish, and a bigger pond that holds Amazon arapaima with strong currents running through it.From the inside looking out, colorful varieties of plants abound. At the far end a beautiful waterfall fills the garden ambience with soothing sounds. In the foreground are two separate fishponds.
The owner got what he wanted — a permanently blooming tropical rainforest garden with beautiful trees in almost every corner. Most of them are native species with beautiful leaves and flowers. The owner had gone to Chiang Mai to pick them out himself. His favorites include cigar flower, fan palm, and a lot of fern varieties.
A previous architect had designed and built the hardscape at the same time as the house. Only later on was the garden design and landscaping taken on by Panat.
Panat said that all remaining landscaping was dependent on the big trees the owner had planted before any designing went on, and on the hardscape which had already been set up.
Oak-leaf ferns thrive at the water’s edge while red rhipsalis ramulosa hangs down from treetops as if growing naturally.A bridge made of old railway ties crosses a small pool at the center of the garden. /// The main yard connects the front of the house to the tropical forest garden near the fence. Here plants with different leaf textures create a natural-looking atmosphere.The house opens onto a grass lawn. Across the pond a relaxing deck and lounge leads to the inside garden.
The designer responded by using ground cover to highlight groups of mixed plant varieties, playing with various flower and leaf colors, helping keep the large garden from an overly formal or harsh appearance.
Everywhere around the house are ponds and the sound of running water. The owner takes pleasure in coming out to admire his garden every day. It’s the best possible reflection of his love for lovely, peaceful gardens in a perfect natural setting.
Wooden decking affords plenty of space for deck furniture made for socializing and admiring the scenery. Parts of the wood deck juts out over the carp pond.The owner came across a bird sculpture at a community mall and commissioned an artist to design one like it for his own use. He wanted it to give the impression of birds in flight while functioning as fountain and waterfall ornaments. ///The walkway connecting the house to the carport runs past a spirit house set on a beautiful garden spot.The swimming pool is at the center of the house. For privacy, tall plants block outside view. A passageway conveniently connects this spot to the gym. /// Chaise lounges by the swimming pool are the owner’s favorite hangout, where you can find him almost any day.
The living room is an open space that connects to everything else, the result that the owner was looking for. A TV-mounted wall made of black sheet metal separates the parlor from the dining area with brickwork in the background.The half-console half-table is a standout feature. It’s both a table and the headboard that turns a basic bedroom into a master suite.
This room started out from the owner’s fascination with the loft style of Mellow Restaurant & Bar. He loved the place, and asked who had designed it. The restaurant owner then referred him to Prasert Chaisitthiroekkul of Whitespace, PLC.
The two began working together to produce the trendy mix of rough and orderly room that struck such a deep chord with the owner. The designer said that the owner wanted a smart and tidy look. With that in mind, he created as much open space as he could while connecting everything together.
He set aside the basic materials from the original condo, such as polished tile floors and white walls, in favor of unfinished surfaces that had a different kind of beauty.
The old space had 3 bedrooms. The owner thought two should suffice. He converted the small bedroom into a workspace-cum-reading room and – since he loves drumming – a practice studio with electronic drum equipment.
The closet doors are faced with charcoal-colored mesh for a fresh, chic look neatly camouflaging the contents behind.A floor-to-ceiling sliding door with safety glass panels in a black metal frame separates off the workspace and drum practice room.
“I wanted to fill the room with furniture, because the space was so wide open and interconnected, all the way from the front door through the kitchen and living room. I wanted there to be visual points of interest capped by the big table here, a real favorite of mine. It’s more than just a gorgeous piece of craftsmanship; it’s really useful for a lot of things.”
The designer added a lot of little details here and there, for instance using mesh screening instead of an opaque door for the clothes closet, and putting brick walls to build on the contemporary “loft” ambience.
The elegant dining area with a long table connects the counter to the kitchen at the rear. Metal black lamps hang from the ceiling, contrasting with the warm colors of brick and woodThe white bathroom isn’t much changed from the original construction, but the medicine cabinet was recessed to make the mirror even with the wall, and there is a shelf below for placing toiletries.
When asked about the furniture, the owner chuckled to himself saying: “I bought it all myself, but I always consulted the designer first. If I found something interesting, I’d send him a picture. Sometimes I found myself wondering if this was my house or his.”
The stylishly chic condo is a perfect mix between the feel and functionality, and the modern industrial loft space. Obviously it’s a narrative of what the owner himself is all about.
A rose arbor leads into the center of the garden. Its smooth grass lawn makes for a truly distinctive look the owners love.A symmetrical play of hedges and plant beds with squared or rounded frames are interspersed with sweet flowers that relieve any harshness.This grey house in the “English Country” style stands out in the middle of a European-style garden. Open lawns, variegated flowerbeds and flowering plants are spaced at intervals.
Divided into small sections, the garden starts at the front of the house, with a neatly trimmed Hokkien tea hedge formally arranged for a welcoming effect. This spot has an intentionally playful feeling. Seasonal flowers are planted in open areas while the formal design is preserved with the Hokkien tea hedges framing the flowerbeds.
Next to the house is a cobblestone path; here landscaping is in “mixed border garden” style. Assorted plants with detailed leaves and bright flowers grow together for a natural look, rather than clearly separated into plots. From here two more spots are visible; a circular grass lawn surrounded by rose beds, and a courtyard set up like a chessboard.
Behind the house is a beautiful and varied rose garden, once more hedged in by Hokkien tea plants. In spite of the single level garden design, there is a background of tall trees to dispel any sense that dimension might be lacking.
Hokkien tea hedges are laid out in elegant symmetrical lines, giving just the right feeling of formality to this expansive garden.Big “chessboard” in the garden: Concrete squares alternate with savanna grass. Cement chess pieces add narrative.Mountains and tall trees fill out the landscape, making the garden appear like a natural continuation of local topography.
Stepping into the house you still feel the owners’ dedication to the natural world. Glass doors all around open on the beautiful garden outside.
Each bedroom on the second floor has a private balcony for coming out to sit, feel the breeze, and enjoy the garden. A simple look around shows that the European garden, plants, and nature itself are things this family takes delight in, and provide a true retreat from the workaday world.
The parlor has lots of openings for outside light. One wall is of brown brick with orange accents, rising all the way to the ceiling to add visual warmth.The dining area connects to the parlor, which has a lower ceiling.The bedroom has a warm feeling even with its cream-colored drapes, bedstead, quilt, and wooden floor.Inside the arbor is a glass table, attractive and comfortable to use.
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)
The designer put a hint of Japanese style with this built-in table. It can be used as a sofa, too.The rooms are not very spacious, but the design allows for large, attractive overhead lamps in the living room because of its raised ceiling.
Three young sisters, came to live together in a two-bedroom condominium. Naturally, interior design and décor was high on the list of priorities.
The eldest sister saw a TV program. Impressed with the detailed interior décor there, she searched out the designer, Kritcha of ‘Elevacon’ Interior Design Work, who agreed to take on the job.
“These three young ladies have truly differing tastes,” said the designer. “The oldest likes a combination of English and American styles. The middle one likes the Japanese minimalist style, while the youngest favors realism, showing the natural surfaces of materials.”
The campus theme combines seriousness and fun. To reflect that, the combination of dark and light wood are used and different styles of lamps are installed.
The designer said: “An important feature here is the sliding wooden partition we put in to separate the sleeping area from bathroom and dressing room, so that each of them has privacy. With one person at a time in each section, no one feels cramped.”
The small bedroom of the eldest has a clear underground American hip-hop flavor. The gray brick wall is really stylish. “The eldest one has a clear concept on both preferred design and functionality. She even let me know exactly what she would put in her closets.” the designer commented.
At the front door is a floor-to-ceiling shoe storage cabinet. Next to it, a 15-centimeter-deep storage shelf is raised off the floor to avoid a cluttered look.
For the common area–living room, Kritcha felt it would be a place all the young ladies used for having friends coming over, so she did it up in a campus theme. To lighten the reserved atmosphere of a student lifestyle, she added some playful touches: plants, and entertaining decorative items with unique and interesting shapes.
The youngest sister likes to cook, so the new pantry is expanded, adding an L-shaped counter for an extra space. The clothes washer and dryer are covered with matte PVC film, a tasteful addition for an overall harmony.
Before leaving, the designer whispered to us how these youngsters had altered her original concept quite a bit. She had seen them start really having fun, coming up with new ideas, bringing things they wanted to use to spice up the ambience.
The shared bedroom is orderly and simple. Still, there is interesting detail: lighting works are hidden inside the lowered ceiling panels. The gaps in the ceiling are echoed with the long mirror set in the wood wall paneling.
“It was fun to watch them doing this,” she said. “Together, they were like school girls. Each one bringing in so many different things. It was like they really went back to the campus!”
The eldest sister’s bedroom offers a bit of underground chic with its stylized gray brick wall, reducing any seriousness implied by the brown leather bed upholstery. The shelf’s inner mirrors add an interesting dimension to the room.
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.
Pad Thai is one of Thailand’s best-known dishes. What’s not so well known is that some noodles sold to tourists under that name isn’t Pad Thai at all, and this is especially true with what you’re liable to find sold from cart vendors around Khao San Road. Let’s take a look at what Pad Thai is really all about.
/// Thailand///
Story: Samutcha Viraporn /// English Version: Peter Montalbano /// Photography: Rithirong Chanthongsuk, Supawan Sa-ard
Pad Thai at a famous restaurant it the Pratu Phi district. Here, it’s said, the prime minister who invented the dish came to eat and gave the taste a big “thumbs up.”
In fact 99% of the restaurants in Thailand sell authentic Pad Thai with only slightly varying recipes, and all with the same ingredients. The basic recipe calls for kuai tiao rice noodles stir-fried with tofu, chopped garlic chive, chopped sweet radish, dried shrimp, bean sprout, flavored with mandarin juice, sugar, and roasted peanuts, and eaten with fresh vegetables like garlic chive, raw bean sprout, and banana blossom. Another very popular variation includes the addition of big shrimp into the stir-fry mix. Pad Thai sold from Khao San tourist area carts, though, has quite a different taste. If you gave some of that to a Thai, that person might say, “this is actually pad si iw (soya-flavored stir-fry) with skinny noodles, more like.”
Cart selling Pad Thai along Khao San Road. Look, the cook is a foreigner!Some cart vendors offer a variety of noodle types to chose from.
Of course, if you aren’t yourself too familiar with Pad Thai you probably won’t suffer much, because whatever noodle dish it is probably won’t taste too horrible, but if you’re looking for the real thing, this is not Pad Thai. Starting off with the flavor, they use dark soy sauce instead of the delicate tamarind juice with its hidden sour and sweet flavor. They follow up by putting cabbage, khana (Chinese kale), and carrots instead of those pungently fragrant garlic chive leaves. Done that way, Pad Thai becomes a completely different kind of stir-fried noodles.
Fresh shrimp Pad Thai adds large shrimp, and the tamarind sauce/shrimp oil combination gives the noodles a more reddish tint.False Pad Thai. This has a very salty and oily taste, and also uses the wrong vegetables.
So, then, what is that real Pad Thai all about? In the early days of the Thai republic, around World War II, Field Marshal Plaek Phibunsongkhram was Prime Minister, and he wanted to create a Thai dish which would express Thai national identity. The following video clip, produced by the Thai Tourism Authority, does a good job explaining the origin and composition of Pad Thai:
In the midst of a verdant oasis stands a contemporary home with bare concrete walls and wood decoration. It blends perfectly well with a peaceful country setting in Rayong, a province on the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand.
The home consists of two buildings rising in perfect harmony with nature, thanks to the raw look of bare concrete finishes.
“I used to live in the house next door. One day this home was up for sale, so I bought it because I liked the design and the decoration,” homeowner Prom Duangkai said with a smile.
“I gave it a complete makeover, turning it into the kind of dream home that I have had for a long time. Old house poles and full-grown trees on the property were left pretty much intact. Upon completion, I sold the old house and then moved over here.”
The one-story wing of the house is used as work room and space for entertaining houseguests. The main entryway has folding shutters that open up the entire front façade to connect with the great outdoors.The hobby lobby: The homeowner’s favorite hangout is the front porch, where time goes by slowly and is spent working on creative projects. It has all desirable qualities – ease of care, plenty of natural light, and good ventilation.Furniture items in dark earth-tone browns blend nicely with the atmosphere inside the welcome area. The homeowner’s woodwork and décor items are on display here.
There are two buildings on the property. The smaller, one-story wing abutting on the street in front serves as work room and space for receiving houseguests. It has a spacious front porch that is being used for hobbies and carpentry work.
Good ventilation paired with plenty of natural light turns the area into ideal workspace. Walk in the door, and you find simple living room ideas and decorative pieces crafted mostly of wood. Every piece fits in well with the raw appeal of naked concrete finishes in the room.
Upfront, bi-fold doors open all the way from one side to the other, making the room feel light, airy and comfortable all day.
Generous wall openings increase the amount of fresh air circulating indoors, while lush vegetation permeates the landscape to reduce the harsh effects of solid concrete walls.
“I designed everything myself, from the basic structures, to furniture, to décor. I like bike riding and making road trips to reconnect with all that nature has to offer. It is about a longing for good times and going back to the beauty of our natural home,” Prom said.
“I’ve always wanted to incorporate the raw feel of wood and bare concrete finishes in the design. It’s a way to create a living space that syncs with the rhythms of nature. That’s the reason for choosing naked materials. Then, I put in large windows and doors so that the garden can be seen in full view from inside.”
[Left] Awning windows provide better protection from the elements and create a natural ventilation effect. / [Right] Big rocks placed one on top of the other make a set of steps that connects the porch to the side yard.Prom added that he was a big fan of DIY furniture and handcrafted decorating items. Besides saving a lot of money, they can be custom-made to meet specific everyday needs. Every now and then he created one-of-a kind furniture and décor items in this way. They might look unfinished and far from ideal. But that’s exactly what gives them the power of giving delight.
A twig anchored to a home office desk serves as rack for hanging hats and tchotchkes from a lifetime of carpentry. House and garden publications that are his pastime are kept here.
Move on to the second building. It’s a two-story place of residence that shares the same characteristics as the first building.
The exterior walls are of naked concrete finishes mixed with wood. There’s an element of surprise though. An opening in the second-floor balcony allows a Pride of India tree (scientific name: Lagerstroemia speciose) to rise from the ground up and shoot right through reaching for the sky.
Here, nature has priority. It’s the homeowner’s favorite shady garden nook, where time goes by slowly. It’s a place to sit down sipping coffee taking a break from pruning trees in the yard.
The homeowner’s creative space is a patio complete with a set of workbench and stool made out of materials left over from other projects. The coarse bark texture of the house pole in the background harmonizes with the rustic country ambience.The front porch offers plenty of space for potted houseplants, including miniature succulents and bonsai trees.A thriving Pride-of-India tree shoots right through an opening in the second floor balcony. It is the intention of the homeowner to let nature permeate the living spaces where possible.
In retrospect, it’s amazing to think about all the benefits that trees are giving us humans. Particularly at this house, they provide a refreshing change and the inspiration the homeowner needs to satisfy his passion for wood. Needless to say, it’s an enchanting place to live and work.
For the homeowner, nothing beats a bike ride around the neighborhood in the afternoon. Oftentimes he runs into something worthwhile to take home. Even twigs and tiny found objects sometimes make great décor items.
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![[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] Awning windows provide better protection form the elements and create a natural ventilation effect. [Right] Big rocks placed one on top of the other make a set of steps that connects the porch to the side yard.](https://livingasean.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/006-6-1024x730.jpg)
