The Office

I was sceptical about open plan when the original drawings for the refurbishment of the flat were first mooted, but this picture demonstrates well the benefit of being able to see the larger spaces beyond those within the area you are in. This is the view from my desk in the office, looking into the living room. The two tracks in the floor allow the sandblasted doors to slide closed, and to screen off the office, when a formal and uncluttered scene is required. The picture also demonstrates two other features that I have mentioned previously - the benefits of mood lighting, and the reflective qualities of the sandblasted glass, which enhance space.

Parentheses (brackets)

Wall brackets make for an interesting change in decoration, and I have used them in this bedroom design, to accommodate celadon vases, both in the seating area, and near the bed. They are the same hue as the table lamps, so there is repetition of a theme, which is a feature I use quite frequently in designs. The fabrics are all Jim Thompson, the bed cover padded silk made to order from Hanoi. The wing chairs face the TV, which I always locate in a separate room to the living room.

Crosses to bear

I'm all for icons, but there is always a danger of using too many religious ones, such as the cross, to make your house look too much like a church. It's OK if you're the Pope, but a less desirable scheme if you haven't even made it to the priesthood. I'll be saying my three "Hail Marys" shortly.

And of course the Buddha image is used frequently in non Buddhist houses as a decorative object. In Thailand, apart from anything else it needs to be placed above head level, to give it its revered status.

Saffron & Purple

I mentioned a more vibrant colour change in a recent post, ("Mint green and candy stripes"), and this is what I have in mind, using the combination of saffron and purple, which in Thai silks will look even more dramatic, and I think the white palette, (floor and walls) can take this easily. This picture is from a hunting lodge in southern Africa and unfortunately the dark woods and tiled floor don't do the colours justice.

Wood screen printed fabric

The origins of these gold hand printed fabrics, (known as "Pha Kiao") come from India, and date back to the mid fifteenth century, when Indian textile trade with Ayuddya, the former capital of Thailand, was at its peak. Originally designs were hand drawn on cotton, but today they are applied using wood screen prints and are supplied by Khomapastr in Bangkok, and produced out of their factory in Hua Hin. These fabrics can be seen in many royal palaces and other national landmarks.

Tablescapes (3)

This eclectic display on a mahogany tripod table includes a crackle glazed lamp, a bronze dog, a nickel car mascot (hood ornament) of a skier, a piece of red coral, a Fornasetti dish, and a Goliath railway clock in a silver frame.

Powder room chatter

I'm never quite sure why guests are always reluctant to use the fresh linen hand towels on offer, preferring to use the already used towel, or if they're both fresh, none at all. This pair of sage green with crown-motif embroidery come from Hanoi; the quality of embroidery is very high, and the shop that supplied these, Tan My, in Hang Gai Street has a wonderful selection, including bedding, napery and quilts. It has pictures in the shop of some of its more illustrious patrons, including the Queen of Spain. The second picture shows a vignette in another bathroom, using white porcelain pieces, (Kwan Yin the Goddess of Mercy, a Chinese Buddha, and three pagodas), against the backdrop of white "linen" tiles, completing the overall expression of "clean" white.

Ecclesiastical coffee

My love of architectural prints allows me to easily adore this tower of coloured demitasse coffee cups by Richard Ginori. Sadly, I think they are no longer in production, but I do recall coveting them many years ago when I found this picture, and saved it in my "must have" file. Again, although I can live without demitasse cups, (and I have too many that are not used), these are still very desirable and depict some of the beautiful architectural gems of Italy; I recognise St Peter's (green), St Mark's (yellow), but for the others I am less sure. Help welcome!

Mint green & candy stripes

The plainest colour schemes provide the cleanest canvas for accessories. The mint green, and white silks from Jim Thompson allow for the use of pink candy-striped cushions, of two tones. This, combined with white walls and white marble floors creates a haven of blissful calm, and an atmosphere far removed from the bustling city. In cooler climates warmer tones work effectively to enhance that desired result. Subdued night lighting changes the entire mood once again, giving warmth from dimmed overhead halogen bulbs, that reflect on the shining marble and the many pieces of silver throughout the room. In the C18th, mirorred candle sconces were created for the same desired effect.

Ecstatic Whispers

A glorious and enduring love affair produced this icon (top "The Whisperer", lower "The Spirit of Ecstasy"), which resulted from an affair of one of the early owners of a Rolls Royce, who had the mascot fashioned out of an image of his mistress. Initially it was called The Whisperer to those who knew of the affair, but latterly the statuette changed and the more glamorous name endured.

And another one

Obelisk Display Stand

This is a rare C20th display stand in faux bois, and is a one of the many tear outs that I have collected over the years. I have recently come across it again, and I am not surprised that it is reminiscent of a smaller scale teak display stand from Hanoi that I wrote about in a recent post, (Tablescapes 2). Obviously some ideas remain in the mind for many years, and I think this reinforces my belief that I have a style that I have not altered greatly over the years.

Tulips are better than (n)one

Despite the profusion of exotic and glorious flowers in Thailand, tulips do not feature. In C17th Holland vases full of tulips were status symbols with which wealthy families adorned their reception rooms. Tulips, at the height of tulipmania were extremely valuable, (as much as a house itself). These pictures depict tulipieres, which were designed to support flowers with weak stems, and prolong the length of their display period. (From House & Garden by Virginia Fraser; photos by Michael Dunne)

Daybed divider

In this living room scheme I have used a daybed to divide the sitting and dining areas, but allowed elements from both to be used to bring them together; the reds and creams in the Afghanistani rug are repeated in the red and creams of the dining chairs; the yellow cache pots atop the torcheres is repeated in a planter beside one of the green armchairs; the reds in the daybed's cushions are repeated in both areas. Originally we laid a light maple floor, but the construction work was so poorly executed that it all had to come up, and white granite tiles which replaced it were deemed more hardy, and they also provide a very cool backdrop, both texturally and visually, in this very hot climate. Having lived with this for 3 years now, I think the next colour palette will be more vibrant, and the white floor certainly permits this.

Silk bergeres

These white silk-covered bergeres (Jim Thompson fabric) are based on an C18th design and were made in Bangkok by my excellent furniture maker. The oil on canvas pictures are by Thanh Son, a graduate of Hanoi Industrial Fine Art College, and are impressionistic scenes of Hanoi, some of which are now fast disappearing, as the city rapidly modernises. The perspex table is one of a pair, (the other not visible) which has black perspex for the top and base. Inside is an armillary. In the table not shown, there is a bronze obelisk.

Regal kneeling

These English giltwood footstools are currently up for auction at Sotheby's, and would make a welcome addition to those of us who need to kneel. You might need to do a bit of begging to the one who controls the purse strings too, as their estimate is USD5,000-7,000. But you get a pair for that!

My other car is...

This delightful old Austin (A40, but not sure, as I don't know my cars from my elbow) was spotted at Chatuchak weekend market, sprayed in this charming yellow. Although vintage cars are rare here there are still a few collectors, and their rarity can turn heads. The lack of air conditioning however makes them less than ideal in Bangkok's summer heat, or indeed any season. But pretty things aren't always practical.

Songkran

Today is the first day of the Thai new year (Songkran) and throughout the kingdom Thais have travelled to see their families, making Bangkok a relatively quiet and peaceful place for five days. The new year is marked in several ways, including a cleansing ritual of pouring water over statues of the Buddha, (such as this one, in our lobby), in the belief that doing this will bring good luck in the coming year. Unfortunately the water pouring, or more correctly throwing, has taken on a more aggressive approach with the use of high powered water pistols, and large containers to heavily soak innocent passersby. This is more prevalent in the north, and in rural areas, but Bangkok also has its wetspots, which are best to avoid, unless of course you enjoy that sort of thing. And believe me, many people do! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thai_New_Year

Down on the farm

A recent acquisition (from H Gallery: www.hgallerybkk.com) has been of this Thai artist Mitree Parahom, in his Si Saket series, a 38 year old graduate of Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok. This one of a series of 13 paintings extols the virtues of agrarian life in his native Isaan region of Thailand. To my mind there is a similarity in the style of this series to pictures by the renowned Mexican painter Diego Rivera (particularly The Flower Vendor, and similar)http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/rivera_diego.html

Architecturally printing

In this drawing room scheme I have retained my limited use of colour - predominantly black and white, (but broken by burnt orange and the eau de nile of the carpet border). The black and white is emphasised by the extensive use of C18th architectural prints, which have been framed in antiqued silver and cream passepartout. The sunlight in the room also draws attention to the wood colours of the mahogany display stands, the central table, (a miniature partners' desk), and the side tables. Other decorative pieces include a C19th Buddha (Burmese) and various Buddha fragments including a Sukhothai period head and the hand of a bronze statue (C19th Burmese). The exquisite C18th chimneypiece has panels of jasper, sienna and the carving of a pastoral scene, in the white carrara central panel. The 4x4m rug is sisal, with a black border.

Tablescapes (2)

This obelisk with half sides slatted is made from teak and came from Hanoi. It makes a different and interesting display stand for a collection of antique silver pieces, and is in keeping with a repeated theme of the neo classical, throughout the overall scheme.

A Rake's Progress

There's an interesting exhibition currently on at one of Bangkok's art galleries, with these works by Pornchai Jaima. I think this series of "vices" (gambling, drinking and cock fighting) is particularly amusing, and reminds me of Hogarth's Rake's Progress.
 

Pornchai's style is similar to the old school of Thai temple painting, where there is little or no perspective, but it is charming and more light-hearted. The temple influence is not surprising given his upbringing in a temple, as a monk's attendant.

In the mood

Good interior design should evoke sexiness. It must be able to relax you, but excite you aswell. Surely that's sexy? I sometimes fear that my own personal taste may be considered too formal, and this might not create the desired relaxed mode, but I was truly pleased that the other night when old friends said they felt so relaxed in my apartment environment, (not to the point of having sex, I hasten to add). I think formality, or being surrounded by beauty enables this to be achieved. But the biggest contributor is probably lighting too.

Because of subdued lighting it is almost impossible to read anything in my living room at night, but it wasn't created for that purpose. Subdued lighting is an absolute must. I like this picture advertising one of the great designers of interiors and furniture, Bill Sofield, (as sold through Baker), and I think it illustrates this point well.

Scrolling up and down

These are two great examples of Chinese furniture that is made here in teak, stained in a dark brown varnish, from a supplier that I have used on a number of occasions, both for their existing designs, and for my designs made to order. Their range covers furniture, bronze, stone and paintings. I also used their skilled painters to restore the Regency red lacquer chairs, where the backs had warped and needed to be completely reinserted and the painting motif redone. They copied so well, I cannot tell the difference between the original and the restored.

Perspex in perspective

This is a perspex side table I designed and had made, using a red lacquer tray inset. Depending on the light it can appear as though the legs are silver, (especially at night with artificial light). That apart, perspex is a wonderful material, both for making furniture, but also making stands to display objets. When making furniture I think it works best if it can incorporate other elements, such as the (Vietnamese lacquer) tray, and I have made a series of tables with a variation on this theme, which I will show in later posts.

Talented friends

Edward Hopper (the cat)?http://www.artchive.com/artchive/H/hopper.html#images

Elizabeth Peyton (the portrait)?http://www.artnet.com/artist/13437/elizabeth-peyton.html

Neither, but from the easel of my very talented young Korean friend. I'll start taking commissions now...in both senses.

Daybed believer

I created this daybed with arms, in a black squiggle over white cotton fabric by Jim Thompson. Thailand is of course recognised as the home of the legendary Thompson, who disappeared in mysterious circumstances in Malaysia in 1967. Happily the (essentially silk) business which he founded still flourishes today, and I have no doubt that he would be proud of the creativity that is its hallmark. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Thompson_(designer)

Good Morning Vietnam

This uplifting picture is what I see every morning as I progress from my bedroom to the kitchen to begin the morning juicing ritual. It is by Nguen Minh Tan (a graduate of Hanoi Fine Art University) and is a huge piece, measuring 134cm x 148cm. Although it projects an easy simplicity, the colours bring a sense of happiness, which is always a welcome start to the day. From an interior design perspective, I particularly enjoy the over sized scale of the picture on a relatively small wall space, and I have used this feature on a number of occasions throughout the entire apartment. Vietnam has produced some great new talent on to the art scene, and the crop from the north are particularly noteworthy. The picture is entitled The Quiet Summer Path, and another aspect that I find appealing is that it is not convincingly Vietnamese in its subject matter; it has a sense of the Mediterranean, with all the climatic glories that permits as well. In addition, two of the painting's main colours are identical to the yellow console table and the Japanese red-lacquered stands that precede it in the hallway, (as shown in the earlier post, Hall of Mirrors).

Chinoiserie - dining room (2)

The limited colour palette that I previously mentioned was used in this dining scheme, is broken by the use of a framed Chinoiserie wallpaper fragment, surrounded in a gold coloured bamboo frame, enhancing the oriental theme. Whilst there are these obvious elements of orientalism, they are clearly projected in the style of the Regency, (C18th English), but a much less elaborate version. Perhaps one of the most obvious examples of the original is displayed in all its vibrancy in the Royal Pavilion at Brighton, http://www.royalpavilion.org.uk/ the wild creation of the Prince Regent, one of the greatest contributors to the Royal Collection: vide George IV in this: http://www.royalcollection.org.uk/default.asp?action=article&ID=69.

Chic & Cheerful Storage

The useful thing about used champagne boxes is that they can be re-cycled as storage for wine, as demonstrated here. This storage room is located near the central core of the building so it benefits from the most ambient temperature in Bangkok's mostly hot climate. Eco-friendly elements abound in this scheme, you will note!