All in the Family | Thailand Tatler Magazine - The Spirit of High Society

Vichada Sitakalin?s home is elegantly designed but also built to cope with the rough and tumble of two lively children, as Gurleen Khanijoun discovers

On a 10-rai plot off Ramkhamhaeng Road is the home of the Sitakalin family. The compound contains five separate mansions as well as a pool and lawn for each household. Vichada and Tinnakorn, along with their son Krin (5) and daughter Nirin (2), enjoy living near their parents, grandparents and other close relatives while still maintaining their privacy.

?The old family property is perfect in which to bring up my children,? says Vichada, a partner at the Quattro home d?cor companies; Tinnakorn is general manager at Carboline. The homes are linked by tree-lined roads, sharing one set of high iron gates and the compound is safe from traffic and pollution as well as spacious for fun outdoor play like riding bicycles or swimming. At the far end is the couple?s three-storey house which is the oldest on the plot. ?We only live on the ground floor,? says the 37-year-old working mum. ?The comfortable space is adequate for our small family where our children can move around safely from room to room. The other two floors were where our relatives used to stay while waiting for their homes to be built.?

An eclectic array of d?cor and collectibles is on view throughout the home, yet nothing feels cluttered. The airy residence with its high ceilings and large windows welcomes sunlight and fresh breeze, ensuring that family members can get by without the air-conditioner on cool days. Finely crafted mirrors and glass cabinets with decorative furnishings from Quattro House of Mirrors adorn the white walls. ?These ornamental pieces always bring a touch of elegance to any room,? says Vichada. ?They are so much more refined than the usual paintings.? It was easy for her to select each piece, as she knew exactly what she wanted. ?I like to choose contemporary styles with distinctively classic accents,? she explains. ?My background in design made it easier to mix and match each mirror. It took me only a few months to decorate our house.?

The layout is cleverly configured with two adjacent seating areas. The first is furnished with a large, traditional Chinese opium bed displaying flower arrangements and assorted antiques. Behind this are wooden shelves exhibiting colourful painted porcelains in floral designs from Vichada?s great-grandmother as well as vintage dictionaries from her great-grandfather. ?I love collecting antiques and artefacts,? she smiles. ?Traditional accents complement contemporary designs very well.? Meanwhile, the family living room is an eclectic blend of black and white furniture designed by the lady of the house. ?I like the colours, as its classic look goes well with every colour scheme and combination,? she says. A black ottoman sits on the carpet in front of a stone accent wall. ?Unlike a coffee table, an ottoman doesn?t have any sharp edges,? she notes. ?This eliminates the possibility of my small children running around and bumping their heads.?

The custom-made dining table stands under a small, rustic iron chandelier and has matching hardwood chairs and benches. The dining room overlooks a small garden, which features potted ferns grown by Vichada. ?I like to be surrounded by greenery,? she says. ?Planting during weekends is a great way to unwind from a busy week.? Adjoining this area is a pantry where the family eats breakfast and further along is a small corridor where we find Vichada?s study, a quiet refuge where she works after the children have gone to sleep and where a visitor finds clues to the owner?s skills, profession and interests. There are all sorts of books and magazines on interior design, styling and d?cor. ?I spend a lot of time in here, especially when I need quiet moments,? she laughs. A two-metre Christmas tree with bright ornaments and lights add colour and character to the room. ?The decorations belong to my mother who is from the Philippines,? she says. ?She is also fond of collecting items that belong to our ancestors. That is probably where I got my interests from.? The family celebrates Christmas together every year at the home of Vichada?s grandparents, who are Catholics. ?The festive occasion brings our families for a nice, small dinner where we always overeat,? she says.

Across the office is the master bedroom decorated in soft black and white tones. ?The room?s d?cor was inspired by the Habitat rug you can see in front of the bed,? she says. ?From this fabric, I was able to design the entire area.? The bed is one of Vichada?s favourite spaces, as she gets to spend quality time with her family, reading stories to her children and cuddling them before bedtime. Next door is the children?s bedroom, with their nicknames in block letters above the colourful mattress. ?We decided not to use a bed frame, so the kids wouldn?t get hurt when they roll off,? she says. ?We also kept one room as a play area for them and store all the toys there.? A colourful copy of a painting by a six-year-old Bangladeshi child adds energy to the playroom. The art piece was bought from an auction by the Yuvabadhana Foundation for youth development. ?I really liked this painting,? she says. ?It was initially just A3 in size, but I made it much bigger.?

?Our home is very comfortable and neat,? she says. ?However, it is only temporary.? After living there for six years, Vichada and her family plan to move to a much bigger house next door. ?We haven?t set a date yet,? she says. ?But I want a home that is classy, comfortable and eclectic, just like this one.?

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