Finding and Building a Residence for Mr and Mrs MTSINTERNATIONAL

[jizzybloke]

Looks very nice SEA T, they have done a great job!

[SEA Traveler]

Thanks Khun Jizzy, but there is still a long way to go on some of the finer finishing details of this project. Will continue to keep a close eye on the efforts and report accordingly.

Caio!

[HINO]

I see some changes so I guess I need to get over there for some pics of our own that Neung has an eye for. We will send in a few days.

All looks good though and the colors are coming together well.

Who was your interior/exterior designer for the color and tile selection?

You and Mrs Sea?

[SEA Traveler]

I see some changes so I guess I need to get over there for some pics of our own that Neung has an eye for. We will send in a few days.

All looks good though and the colors are coming together well.

Who was your interior/exterior designer for the color and tile selection?

You and Mrs Sea?

Khun Hino,

Pictures always appreciated, especially if they reflect a question that needs to be addresses to Khun. I will be commenting on some recent pictures in a follow on entry in a day or two.

The most recent posted pictures above do not reflect a real accurate comparison between the color of the paint on the exterior of the house and the perimeter wall. From your view, what were you able to determine?

As it relates to the interior/exterior "earth" color scheme, I will have to say that Mrs SEA and myself agreed pretty much on having neutral colors and nothing too ostentious. A little highlight was desired and I think we accomplished that with the trim around the windows and the dark brown colored soffit. Mrs SEA was left with the responsibility to actually pick out the colors though and after she selected them and presented the colors to me. On one of the colors, I asked a question or two about, she eventually changed it but overall, she did the matching of the colors. With the eventural adding of medium cherry wood color of the Makha wood floors and the Teak doors, the dark chocolate brown soffit and front gate, along with the darker trim paint around the windows, I think that she hit a winner. But, to each their own. We got what we were looking for and are pleased with what we selected...

One thing I will add though, Khun's scetch artest and interior designer for the built in custom kitchen/bathroom cabinets and other special amenities was top notch. She did provide some real good ideas. I'd suggest you talk to Khun about possibly talking to her or including her in your design process.

Again, thanks for the insight and looking forward to some of Neung's pics being forwarded. Possibly they will show a better compairson of the colors than the cell phone pics.

[Loombucket]

We have been discussing roof colours, as I don't want a hidious blue that is all the rage around here. Given that your pictures were taken on a cell phone, what is your colour and what is it called please?

I do like those steps.

[SEA Traveler]

Khun Loom,

Have you ever heard of the saying "the longer you hold onto something the sooner you will need it after it is disposed of"? Well, over this past weekend, I was going through my construction stuff for the house that I have with me here in the U.S. and got rid of the CPAC tile brochure that had the color, style, model #, and cost of the tile at time of purchase indicated on it. I no longer have that info with me. All my detailed files remain in LOS and will not have access to them until August.

What I can tell you is that the roof tile was sort of a two tone ceremic tile made by CPAC. Other than that, I am at a loss. what I will do though is e-mail Khun and see if I can get info on the tile used. Might be a day or two. In the mean time, here are 2 pics I took of the tile stacked prior to being placed on the roof and after it was placed on the roof. The picture was taken by myself with a Sona digital camera not a phone camera so the color will be a little more true. One Canadian that came by did not like the color because he thought it too dark... the same guy mentioned that he did not care for any of the tile colors used in 3 or 4 of the other houses in the area and he pointed. Not sure what he did care for. Anyway, the tile color is not as dark as a chocolate and not a light as a copper but I'd put it somewhere in between the two. Kind of depends on how the sun is hitting it because it is sort of two tone and has some colored specs in it.

Here are the 2 pics.

[Loy Toy]

Great house, congratulations and thanks for sharing your adventure with us.

A few questions and or help if I can provide it.

1. I don't know if you are planning a stand alone water heater which services the whole house or you have individual instantaneous water heaters on each water outlet. Both methods are OK but I have just installed a solar heating console on my roof and this unit works superbly. Could boil and egg in the water and the savings on electricity is also a bonus.

2. When you fit your electric wiring at the junction point and for example lights and just say your computer ask your electrician to fit frequency invertors which contols the current coming into you outlets. As you probably know the power flucuations here are extreme and I can guarantee that you light globes will last a lot longer not to mention the protection for your expensive electrical components.
These units are not expensive (around 250 Baht each) but you will get up to 3-4 years out of your globes.

Good luck

[SEA Traveler]

Great house, congratulations and thanks for sharing your adventure with us.

A few questions and or help if I can provide it.

1. I don't know if you are planning a stand alone water heater which services the whole house or you have individual instantaneous water heaters on each water outlet. Both methods are OK but I have just installed a solar heating console on my roof and this unit works superbly. Could boil and egg in the water and the savings on electricity is also a bonus.

2. When you fit your electric wiring at the junction point and for example lights and just say your computer ask your electrician to fit frequency invertors which contols the current coming into you outlets. As you probably know the power flucuations here are extreme and I can guarantee that you light globes will last a lot longer not to mention the protection for your expensive electrical components.
These units are not expensive (around 250 Baht each) but you will get up to 3-4 years out of your globes.

Good luck

Khun Toy,

Yes, an adventure it is.

Central water heater already installed and in place. Although having solar panals was an initial consideration of mine, I opted not to pursue. Not that I am not interested in saving a dollar or two or because I don't support things green, but because other considerations.

A friend who built somewhere up in the Ayutaya area also had plans that included solar water heating panels and when I ask him if he followed through with that concept, he also indicated that he went the traditional way.

Something I can always consider later if I feel the urge. but good to go for now.

The frequency inverters thing sounds interesting and as if it is good sound advisement. Thanks. I'm not sure if it would be the easiest thing to install right now and at this point. I will however look into this a little further. Thanks.

[SEA Traveler]

10 June 08:

Khun's contract is multitasking this week. He's still got driveway and patio tile being installed, the pump house construction, and painting going on. There is also the swimming pool contractor in the mix, and now after talking and discussing about the front gate and top of the wall steel grating back in late April, the gate contractor is doing his thing. Here are some pictures from todays effort.


Above Picture: Driveway tile.


Above Picture: A closer look at the driveway tile and extended yard.


Above Picture: A closer look at the driveway tile. I think Khun was a little taken aback when I called him up and jokingly advised him that he had used the wrong tile in the driveway. I let him off the hook real quick as I didn't want him to to start having the workers start tearing it up.


Above Picture: Here is the PVC pipe that that was layed to and in the pump house. I mentioned it in a previous post that I had to work some issues to get the pool contractor back at the sight. Thanks Khun for your intervention on that issue.


Above Picture: Here is the beginning of the steel grating that is being installed on top of the wall. No boo's and hissis out there. It isn't a jail and it doesn't look all that bad. Just don't want to make it too easy to get in.

[HINO]

Khun Sea,

Looks good even under the rain clouds. I do believe you need to put gutters at least around the front. When the rain came down there was a lot of water coming off that big roof and flooding the area and anyone trying to walk around. I know its early yet so I'm sure you have plans for that before the final finishing touches.
We were there just before lunch and it appears the workman added the steel on the wall just after we left. I saw them drilling up top but missed the install. Will the steel remain black? Or get some different color?

The driveway tile is really nice and seems not too slippery in the water. Good choice as is the patio stuff.

[HINO]

Great house, congratulations and thanks for sharing your adventure with us.

A few questions and or help if I can provide it.

1. I don't know if you are planning a stand alone water heater which services the whole house or you have individual instantaneous water heaters on each water outlet. Both methods are OK but I have just installed a solar heating console on my roof and this unit works superbly. Could boil and egg in the water and the savings on electricity is also a bonus.

2. When you fit your electric wiring at the junction point and for example lights and just say your computer ask your electrician to fit frequency invertors which contols the current coming into you outlets. As you probably know the power flucuations here are extreme and I can guarantee that you light globes will last a lot longer not to mention the protection for your expensive electrical components.
These units are not expensive (around 250 Baht each) but you will get up to 3-4 years out of your globes.

Good luck

Loy Toy,

Interesting info on your number 2 comments.

Can you expand on this a bit more? Do you have a product name and model number? A link possibly to a web site? Or possibly where you purchased this item?

You wet our appetite but don't tell us where we can sample the wine!

Please tell us more about this money saving device

Thanks

Hino

[a. boozer]

Khun Sea,
The driveway tile is really nice and seems not too slippery in the water. Good choice as is the patio stuff.

HINO, Do agree about the driveway tiles, they do look good and certainly seem slip proof!

SEA, Had a nose around the sight yesterday, it certainly is coming along. Although not yet completed, the wooden floors are looking good - a good call. Am sure that you will be satisfied when you return in August.

[Loombucket]

What I can tell you is that the roof tile was sort of a two tone ceremic tile made by CPAC. Other than that, I am at a loss.

No sweat Mr. Traveler, thanks for the, better quality, photos. I think that Mrs. LoomB wants to opt for a green now. Personaly, I would prefer to blend in to the surrounding area, rather than stick out.

[The_Dude]

Above Picture: Here is the beginning of the steel grating that is being installed on top of the wall. No boo's and hissis out there. It isn't a jail and it doesn't look all that bad. Just don't want to make it too easy to get in.


Well ST, you are really making a statement for the thives "Stay Away"! What color shall the finish be in? I like it, people might think your residense will be a new consulate (embassy).

[Marmite the Dog]

Just don't want to make it too easy to get in.

Make sure it is insulated and wire it up to the mains.

[The_Dude]

A little overkill Marmite. But that wouldn't be a bad idea for those who really have the bollocks to get in. He'll have to go DC voltage at 12kv + to really do damage.

[SEA Traveler]

Well ST, you are really making a statement for the thives "Stay Away"! What color shall the finish be in? I like it, people might think your residense will be a new consulate (embassy).

Wait until I have the electric wire installed... He Hee Heee.

Contents of the consulate will be more than modest with noting of substantial value.

Metal grate at top will remain as is, "black". The front gate will be chocolate brown though and if I remember correctly, there will be some gold paint in various areas of the front gate but not too much. For detail only.

Appreciate the kind words.

[SEA Traveler]

A little overkill Marmite. But that wouldn't be a bad idea for those who really have the bollocks to get in. He'll have to go DC voltage at 12kv + to really do damage.

Khun Dude, I'll be calling you when I want the 12kv + power strung up. thanks.

[SEA Traveler]

What I can tell you is that the roof tile was sort of a two tone ceremic tile made by CPAC. Other than that, I am at a loss.

No sweat Mr. Traveler, thanks for the, better quality, photos. I think that Mrs. LoomB wants to opt for a green now. Personaly, I would prefer to blend in to the surrounding area, rather than stick out.

Khun Loom,

good that you are leaving the roof color selection up to Mrs Loom. If it doesn't look good, you can always blame it on her. But you know how it goes, it will still end up being "your bad". Lots of fun though. Caio!

[SEA Traveler]

11 June 2008:

Being made aware of 2 potential construction issues from a friend visiting the sight, thanks Hino for the advisement and the pics, I contacted Khun and made him aware of my concern.

1st, the Master Bathroom toilet was not centered between the shower wall and the sink counter top. This is not a surprise to me because back in April when I was at sight, I had asked Khun if he would move the placement of the shower wall by about 30 cm. In turn, this put the toilet off center and since the PVC pipe for the toilet had already been placed, there was no effort to make that adjustment as well. In any event, Khun said that he would adjust and have the toilet centered. Will have to see how this works out and I will update accordingly.

2nd, After the PVC Patio doors were installed and the patio tile placed, the contractor continued to use that area and passage way as a work area and primary passage way. Consequently, there was an increased potential for damage to the patio door threshold, PVC frame and glass to be damaged. After advising Khun, I was advised that he would initiate some protective measures. I will be getting a report on this soon also I suppose.

In any event, if these minor issues are the extent of what I’m going to have to put up with for the duration of the project, then I’m considering myself blessed. Keep on truckin…


Above Picture: The 1/2 wall to the left of where the toilet is going to be is the wall that I moved by 30cm to the left. This was just enough to off center the toilet. Not too big a deal but Kun indicated he would make it right.


Above Picture: here you can see where the area around the threshold of the PVC patio door is being used as a work area. Hummm. We got this corrected before any actual damage occured. Live and learn...

[DrAndy]

A toilet does not need to be centred, you can always put the paper roll on the big side

[a. boozer]

A toilet does not need to be centred, you can always put the paper roll on the big side

That might work for those of a slimmer stature than myself, but I like some space around me, whilst having a relaxing read on the 'throne'!

[SEA Traveler]

A toilet does not need to be centred, you can always put the paper roll on the big side

Thanks Khun Dr but I'm being slightly anal about this. . Really, I appreciate your comments and I understand and considered this and am not all that concerned however, if it can be centered without too much difficulty and at no additional expense to me, then it should be centered. I'll advise in the thread how it goes.

[SEA Traveler]

A toilet does not need to be centred, you can always put the paper roll on the big side

That might work for those of a slimmer stature than myself, but I like some space around me, whilst having a relaxing read on the 'throne'!

! Me 2... Have a good one Khun Boozer!

[SEA Traveler]

12 June 08:

Major issue resolved today with the rework effort to have the Master Bathroom "TOILET" centered between the shower wall and the sink counter top wall. Hooooa!


Above Picture: Toilet centered between walls...