Thread: One year on completed house build

Originally Posted by terry57

Only thing I would add is a heap of large potted plants a

That's 4 Rai there Terry...potted plants?

I'd be more unnerved by Terry's comments on here than icemans. Please don't show him your wallpaper for Christs sake.

Originally Posted by Dillinger

Please don't show him your wallpaper for Christs sake.

I think both of you would be more interested in the toilets...

Looks like a no-nonsense, utilitarian solution to the site. I like the veranda and breezeway. The finishes and colors, well let's just say it could be worse. Most houses around here are bright purple or pink so the Thai taste in colors leaves a lot to be desired. I'm sure you will enjoy living there, the surroundings are nice and it looks like there are lots of opportunities for landscaping and improvements to the grounds.

Originally Posted by Humbert

The finishes and colors, well let's just say it could be worse. Most houses around here are bright purple or pink so the Thai taste in colors leaves a lot to be desired.

You left out the lime green.

^^Thanks Humbert, sort of tongue in cheek comment I like.

^Dare to be different! Latest new color of choice around here as well.

Originally Posted by terry57

The design of the house is only relevant to the person who has built it.
One may think its really good and another may think its not so good, doesn't matter, we are all different.

Absolutely yes, Terry. And the same with colors. I like those bright colors, ala San Francisco and Charleston, South Carolina houses. But look at my house! I chose a lot of beige (blah?) colors. Totally a matter of taste. Well OK . . . some people have really poor taste.

Originally Posted by ltnt

That's 4 Rai there Terry...potted plants?

I'm talking about potted plants on your Balcony and under croft.

In my gaffs I fill them up with quality potted plants. Even in Bangkok here I have them on my balcony but they are food producing, chillies limes and such.

Some nice potted plants would set of that Balcony and the under croft.

You have plenty of time to tend them.

Once again, I love plants but not everyone does.

Individual taste innit.

^Good God man, please don't tell the wife! I'll be living in the garden section of Chiang Rai for weeks trying to fill those voids...What a bout cleaning...bugs...upside perhaps a maid? Hummmm...

Originally Posted by Iceman123

The design is very basic. Classic function over form. A half decent architect could have got rid of the utilitarian look pillars etc,and made something exceptional out of the raised lower area.
The colours (note non septic spelling) are terrible. Surely when that vivid orange was being applied someone would have had the temerity to laugh or scream loudly.

The tiles used at ground level, are excellent for disguising dog vomit however do nothing to enhance the build.

Whilst I am being critical, designers can be worth their money, taking the Jewish hemorrhage when it comes to style can be a false economy, in terms of personal enjoyment and value.

Have a look at this house, look at the design quality, the use of the open spaces on the bottom, ignore the pool and other extravagances. I am sure that you could have justified incorporating some of these ideas into your build.

K2 Design
Go to portfolio and look at Captiva house.

CAPTIVA HOUSE.

How much all in including the fittings here in Thailand ? (w/o the pool and other extravagances)

^ ^

I'm surprised your house is so barren of potted plants.

Thais like their plants Huh.

I'd be hanging planters of that balcony growing all sorts of Herbs and food plants.

Perfect spot for them and easy to tender whilst your pissing around hanging out.

^You have no idea as to the size of this place Terry...I could by for months and never fill the voids...remember its just me and the wife. I ain't doing no work!!!

Very nice mate, similar to a concrete version of an Aussie plantation house methinks.


Pretty much similar to our concrete bunker.Slightly higher under house ceiling with a second bed, laundry/bathroom and a plughole for the beer fridge…have just square boring concrete columns.


I am exceedingly jealous of your wide veranda…in hindsight should have extended the roof and incorporated a wider veranda (ours is only 2 metres). We are however on a steep incline and the supports could be about 30-50ft..
Maybe when the wife inevitably 555, wins the lucky numbers or lottery we will make some modifications.

Originally Posted by 12Call

CAPTIVA HOUSE.

How much all in including the fittings here in Thailand ? (w/o the pool and other extravagances)

Dependent upon your taste, how close you want to get to the original, and internal layout, you could go pretty close in LOS for 15 mill. (Not incl land)

Absolute class house, I almost had a go at it until my circumstances changed in Thailand
A few months ago.

How remote are you lt?

Really does look like a cracking venue.

Originally Posted by somtamslap

How remote are you lt?

There ain't no 7/11's for 54 kilometers Slap. Pretty remote, but I can go west to Mae Chan, south to Chiang Rai, East to Chiang Kong or North to Mae Sai...I'm right smack in the middle of nowhere...Baan Doi next town is Baan Doi Luang and then there's always Chiang Saen for nothing but the Sunday market for Laos. You cout rut yourself silly here Slap. Loads of aged females looking for ferang husband...or a sht time I hear.

Originally Posted by crepitas

We are however on a steep incline and the supports could be about 30-50ft..

Post and pile...or fill? Options. I kept expanding the deck size up to start of construction.

I agree with some here on the potted plants idea, but those things draw critters and I don't need any more critters. We need to put one of those Chinese wood beds downstairs for afternoon naps as well a couple swinging chairs. The garden will grow as time moves on, so hopefully the greenery will encapsulate the environment on its own...roses...40 different bushes in progress now and counting... it still looks barren. My mangoes are coming along, berries too, couple of small tamarind trees planted, loads of bananas and many wild flowers sprouting as we get rain...if and when now...

Originally Posted by ltnt

^Good God man, please don't tell the wife! I'll be living in the garden section of Chiang Rai for weeks trying to fill those voids...What a bout cleaning...bugs...upside perhaps a maid? Hummmm...

On the contrary, mate.....
One needs to engulf oneself in the greenery.

Throughout the property and extended with hanging baskets and other in-house plant life accompanying items.

You'll be surprised what it will do for your spirits...or not.

Can you get upstairs without getting wet when it rains?

I really like the wrap around porch, is screening in a porch that size very costly?

I wouldn't go too overboard with the greenery ,, you don't want to create hotel mosquitofornia

Originally Posted by nigelandjan

I wouldn't go too overboard with the greenery ,, you don't want to create hotel mosquitofornia

I agree but some of those wacky concrete gnomes would be nice.

Originally Posted by runker

Can you get upstairs without getting wet when it rains?

No, we get wet...not much of a problem. If I need to unload the car I can wait till it stops.

Originally Posted by runker

is screening in a porch that size very costly?

I wouldn't think so. Screening is cheap and labor is even cheaper. Screening kills the view and air flow. Also requires maintenance.

Originally Posted by nigelandjan

you don't want to create hotel mosquitofornia

That's one more good reason.

Originally Posted by Humbert

I agree but some of those wacky concrete gnomes would be nice.

Yes nice little fellows...I need to look into that one Humbert. Had some around the Koi pond in Phuket...

looks good but as I have limited mobility now, the stairs would be a problem but with out the top floor it would be great.