The first impression one gets when arriving at Chuchai Chairitthilert's house on Bangkok's Lat Phrao Soi 81 is the big front door, a combination of wood and stainless steel, which embodies both Western and Eastern styles to present the "Gempeace" sign, as a warm and familiar welcome to visitors.

Chuchai, who owns the Gempeace by Chuchai shops, took three years to build and decorate his new home and in the course of it he spent Bt200 million to mould the décor to suit his lifestyle. It was finally completed just last week.

"Decorating my home to serve my lifestyle was the main aim. It combined both Western and Eastern styles under a vintage and classic concept," he says.

"I enjoy travelling and I wanted my home to combine both a Western house and Thai vintage - especially from the North. As a result I have two buildings in the same area. The main house has a Western style that mixes classic and modern concepts. The second house presents Thailand's culture by combining the building with the big garden," Chuchai says.

The main building, which has two-and-a-half floors, is decorated in Western style with a paint finish on textured walls. A motif featuring vines of ivy is used above every door.

The first floor is decorated in neo-classic style and is furnished with Western antiques.

To the right of the entrance is a long white marble shelf, creating the main feature of a room for relaxing with friends, with a large window onto the garden.

Adjoining this is a room that can be used either for meetings or for dining, depending on the occasion. The theme for its decoration is the word "vanish".

"I have a variety of activities with my friends," he says. "However, I often have small parties, so I have it set up as a relaxing and dining room."

From the dining room, visitors can stroll into an outdoor relaxing area that features a large waterfall garden.

From the outdoor area, stairs lead up to Chuchai's private area on the second floor of the main building.

Here, there are three bedrooms, a prayer room, a fitness room, an entertainment room, a spa room, a coffee bar and another water garden. The main colour on the second floor is ivory, a "middle" colour to lift the highlights. The décor theme is mix and match, modern styles with antiques.

Opposite the main building, across the garden, is a traditional Thai building in Lanna style. This is Chuchai's "second" house, built because of his love for travelling in northern Thailand.

"I didn't want to have two houses in different locations - in the North and in the South - so I decided to build the house in the same location, to remind me that I like to stay in the North," he says.

The first floor of the Lanna-style house is a relaxing area with a swimming pool, a pavilion and yet another water garden, linked with the waterfall garden mentioned before.

The second floor has just one bedroom and one bathroom, decorated in the style of northern Thailand.

Chuchai says it took three years to build his home and another five months to decorate the buildings. He bought almost all of the decorative items himself.

"When I travel in Europe or the US and see some decorative item that suits my home, I will buy it. I also shop around in markets in the North, and on Sundays at Chatuchak market," he adds.

Since its completion last week, Chuchai says he has been ready to welcome friends into a home that really matches his lifestyle.

Somluck Srimalee

The Nation