INTERVIEW : Ty Kedmontri
What’s the story behind this three-story townhouse?
We decided to buy a house around 3-4 years ago, but at that time we had a limited budget. This place belonged to friend of a friend who I knew wanted to sell it, but my mom didn’t like it and stopped us buying it at that time. After searching for condos and new houses, none gave us the feeling of a family home like this place. So we came back last year and got the project started.
What inspired the design?
The designer was a close friend but the mood and tone was set very much by me. Janet found it too rugged at first and said it didn’t look comfortable. That brought us to discuss how to blend femininity with my dark and rustic tastes. She loves flamingoes, and that’s why you can see them everywhere. Like this painting; we had just a plain gray wall initially but Janet requested something to lighten the mood. A friend and I painted it together.
Why did you decide on gray and what impact did it have on lighting?
This house was originally gray, which I liked and might have chosen myself anyway. We repainted the exterior and chose a gray that’s two shades brighter for the upstairs living room. I personally don’t like too much light, so that’s not a problem for me, and also why we skipped trying to add more natural light in the design process. But coincidentally, the wall-to-ceiling glass accordion doors do bring in plenty of light, as does the big window at the back of the house. At night, we use only tungsten bulbs.
Where did you buy all your props?
We love collecting stuff. During our free time we go shopping at Rod Fai Market or JJ Green. I personally like vintage stuff, while Janet bought all the flamingoes—I call it her bird-hunting time. Some of the furniture I also got from my job; shopping from the setup once the shoot is done. Other pieces of furniture are custom-made by the set team I work with. We have more pieces in storage that aren’t displayed here.
What’s the biggest problem you encountered?
This house is located at a T-junction which Thais believe brings bad luck. Previously, I didn’t believe in this kind of thing, but when everyone’s warning you and you’re spending quite a lot of money, it starts to sink in. So we consulted a feng shui master about how to deal with it. Problems arose because the designer, who is my close friend, was done with the designs and I then needed to show them to the feng shui master for approval. Elements which the designer thought were important needed to be changed, so the compromise between the two disciplines was quite challenging.
Shopping List
Essentials
MOTIF. 3/F, Erawan Bangkok, 494 Phloen Chit Rd., 02-250-7740/1
Casa Pagoda. 45 Sukhumvit Soi 45, 02-258-1917
128 Studio. Phase 1&2, Crystal Design Center, Praditmanutham Rd., 02-102-2082
Ethnicraft available at Craft Noble Soho Thonglor 02-714-9040
IKEA. Soi Mitraphap, Bangna-Trad KM. 8. 02-708-7999
SB Furniture. Praditmanutham Rd., 02-515-0922
My Happy Pet. Order online at @myhappypet
