Luxury Living magazine # 8 issue

LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE

LUXURY LIVING

THAILAND EDITION

BASK BY GARY FELL ECO-LUXURY ON GILI MENO LEATHER LUXE ULTIMATE XMAS GIFT GUIDE

CITY BREAK SUNSHINE COAST SERENITY

BENTLEY MULSANNE THE MARQUE OF SUCCESS

Thai Tonic

2 Exceptional Offers

For Sale

Living Area: 188 sqm Land Size: 820 sqm.

3 Bedrooms / Swiming Pool

Price: THB 7,800,000

For Sale

Living Area: 265 sqm.

Land Size: 2,200 sqm.

3 Bedrooms / Swiming Pool

Price: THB 13,900,000

OK Properties land & house

New payment concept: Lease - Purchase First payment: 6,950,000 / Rest up to 10 years

More Infos: www.samuipleasuresalesandrentals.com

+66 (0) 869 869 869

Villa Ban Chok Laab

New payment concept: Lease - Purchase First payment: 3,900,000 / Rest up to 10 years

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR Our final publication this year represents our culmination of efforts to provide you with an international quality, luxury magazine from the sunny shores of Thailand’s jewel in the ocean, Koh Samui. Now we extend our reach further. We welcome our new readers in the United Arab Emirates and we look forward to delivering an even higher standard of content and design to an ever-growing audience throughout South East Asia in 2016.

Heralding the arrival of party season, we shake off the low season blues with some fab drab plus necklaces to invite even the most retiring suitors to snuggle up beneath the mistletoe. No plans for New Years Eve? Be sure to check our deluxe guide of where to go and what to do throughout Thailand. Pre-party cleanse and renew yourself during Loi Krathong, Thailand’s captivating annual festival of lights.

Inspiration from the Far East decorates our design pages and we take a lesson in furniture on our table manners.

Multi-award winning architect and Principal of GFAB Architects, Gary Fell speaks to us about building luxury in the modern era. His latest project, Bask Gili Meno of Indonesia, represents a man-made triumph of working in harmony with the rich biodiversity of a unique environment.

Luxury Motors welcomes Roderick Elme to the fore as its new editor. He takes us for a spin in the Bentley with a gentle musing on the perfection of a time-tested beauty.

Lifestyle lovers and wine enthusiasts will adore our inclusion of bespoke wine cellars - something sure to increase the value of any luxury property and the drinkability of any vintage.

From all of us here at Luxury Living, thank you for inviting us onto your coffee tables and into your lives. We spend hours pondering your penchants and estimating your interests, and consequently, we feel intimately connected to you, fellow lifestyle and design lovers. Gratitude abounds with the privilege of doing what we love for those who truly appreciate our efforts.

Thank you for joining our journey. We look forward to stepping boldly into 2016 with you.

Katy Thomas editor@luxuryliving.com

New modern design OXYGEN seaview condominium on Koh Samui just 500 meters away from the sea between the beaches of Chaweng and Bophut and only 15 minutes drive from the main shopping centers of the island.

FEATURES: • Just 500 meters away from the sea • Spectacular sea views • View of the Big Buddha Statue • 25 meter long swimming pool • Children’s pool • 300 sqm gym • Pilates studio • Sauna

• Hammam • SPA • Hotel Reception • 24 hour security • CCTV • WI-FI • Parking area • Fully managed

7 – 12 % RENTAL RETURN

Samui Richmond Co., Ltd. | Samui K&M Co., Ltd. Plai laem soi 6, Bo-phut, Koh Samui, Surat Thani 84320 Phone call or SMS: +66 (0)86-407-28-29 E-mail: info.oxygensamui@gmail.com Website: www.oxygen-samui.com

LUXURY LIVING ADVERTISING

SPACE

AVAILABLE

WWW.LUXURYLIVING.COM +66 (0) 9 900 900 18 ADS@LUXURYLIVING.COM

CONTENT FASHION FIX: Nui Ami

// 010

LOI KRATHONG

// 014

BEST BEACH CLUBS IN SAMUI

// 018

CITY BREAK: Serenity on the Sunshine Coast

// 026

WEEKEND AWAY: Isaan

// 030

ACCESSORY NECESSITY: Oriental Living Eleanor Bolton

// 034

XMAS GIFT GUIDE

// 036

FEATURE INTERVIEW: Gary Fell

// 038

CELEBRATING NEW YEAR: In Thailand

// 044

DESIGNER Q & A: Andrew Speer

// 050

INSPIRED INTERIORS: Table Manners Carpet Couture

// 054

KHWAN BEACH RESORT

// 057

SPOTLIGHT ON: Verapat Sitipol Angelys Balek Kittipoom Songsiri

// 058

LUXURY MOTORS: Bentley - The Marque of Success

// 064

AWARDS

// 070

THE LITTLE BLACK BOOK

// 087

Katy Thomas Editorial Director

Antonio Doani CEO Luxury Living

George Willoughby General Manager

Roderick Elme Motors Editor

Caris Cruz Features Writer

Writers: Fortune Obiagbor Imogen Shepherd

Olga Apostol Sales Director

Polina Gerasimova Assistant Manager

Anusart Panapoy (Jome) Head Designer

Paris Robe In Blush Silk

London Chemise In White

Paris Chemise In Blush Silk

Fashion Fix : Nui Ami

Paris Print Pyjama

London Lace Chemise In Black

Paris Pyjama In Blush Silk

Look your best and get some rest in sumptuous sleepwear by Nui Ami this party season.

Beauty sleep has never been such a treat.

Venice Camisole Copper & Black Silk Print With Black Lace

010

LUXURY LIVING

Venice Champagne Silk With Gold Lace Chemise

Venice Robe In Champagne

Paris Camisole In Blush Silk

Venice Copper & Black Silk Print Pyjama

Sleep beautifully Launching to the public in September, Nui Ami is a British brand offering exceptional sleepwear with a unique and contemporary approach to sizing. The signature chemises, camisoles and sleep bralettes are specially created in nine cup sizes that subtly support and compliment a woman without compromising comfort.

NUI AMI’s first collection, ‘Cities-Part 1’, is inspired by the world’s most alluring cities, and the women who embody their spirit. In London she is modern and bold. In Paris she is sophisticated and chic and in Venice she is opulent and seductive.

Nui Ami captures her essence for all women.

The London range encompasses fresh and modern pieces in black and white including Nui Ami’s signature chemises in a wonderfully soft silk jersey blend as well as a seductive silk jersey with lace mix. Knee length robes with tulle detailing and cami and short sets with lace trim perfectly complement the city’s vibrancy.

The Paris collection effortlessly reflects the city’s gentler soul. From soft blush pink silks to a subtle spring blossom print, the range includes sophisticated yet relaxed pyjamas and robes.

Black lace and blush silk camisoles and chemises, silk trimmed shorts and a black lace bralette can be mixed and matched as desired.

Seductive and captivating, the Venice collection embraces both old worldly glamour as well as the modern Italian woman. Ivory silk and gold lace chemises sit beautifully next to copper and black print pyjamas, camisoles and shorts with richly flowing silk robes featuring delicate lace shoulder details.

Designed and made in Britain using the finest Italian silks, French lace and Austrian jersey, Nui Ami embodies a distinctive and intelligent blend of fashion, form and function. Available in size 30 - 40, B - F, Nui Ami ensures a perfect and confident fit and softens the boundaries between night and day and between sleepwear and loungewear.

www.nuiami.com

LUXURY LIVING

011

NIKKI BEACH PHUKET 62/11 Moo 6 Cherngtalay, Thalang, Phuket, Thailand, 83110 Phone: +66 (0) 76 681 161

NIKKI BEACH KOH SAMUI 96/3 Moo 2, Lipa Noi, Koh Samui, Surat Thani, Thailand, 84140 Phone: +66 (0) 77 914 500

reservations.phuket@nikkibeach.com

reservations.kohsamui@nikkibeach.com

NIKKIBEACHPHUKET

NIKKIBEACHKOHSAMUI

@NIKKIBEACHPKT

@NIKKIBEACHSAMUI

#NIKKIBEACHPHUKET

#NIKKIBEACHKOHSAMUI

NIKKI BEACH - THE ULTIMATE LIFESTYLE & HOSPITALITY BRAND THAT COMBINES THE ELEMENTS OF MUSIC, DINING, ENTERTAINMENT, FASHION, FILM AND ART INTO ONE. CALLED THE “SEXIEST PLACE ON EARTH,” BY THE LONDON OBSERVER MIAMI BEACH | ST. TROPEZ | ST. BARTH | MARBELLA | CABO SAN LUCAS | MARRAKECH | KOH SAMUI | MALLORCA | IBIZA | PHUKET | PORTO HELI | BALI CANNES FILM FESTIVAL | TORONTO FILM FESTIVAL | PARK CITY | MONTE CARLO

WWW.NIKKIBEACH.COM

From North to South: The Gleaming Lights of

Loi Krathong 014

LUXURY LIVING

On every twelfth month of the Thai Lunar Calendar, just as the moon illuminates the night in its roundest glory, thousands of people will gather by the riverbanks. In their hands, a small vessel, heavily adorned with flowers and ribbons, and in its heart - a candle. Little lights form a romantic glow below the heavens, as the night stars shine with envy; knowing that tonight, their radiance will be overpowered by these man-made crests, glittering through the waterways of Thailand.

This is Loi Krathong, an annual festival that takes place every November; a much-awaited festivity of lights looked upon by many parts of the world. The premise is simple: each person joins the crowd with their tiny, handmade boats-something which can be made from the trunk of a banana tree or weaves of the spider lily plant. Colourful floral gems are arranged all throughout these krathongs and the pièce de rÊsistance, the warm sparkle of the candle placed at the very core, created to light the whispered wishes along the paths of Thai deities. Loi Krathong, in its uncomplicated sense, means floating baskets.

The idea must have originated from the ancient rites of paying tribute to the water gods that helm the liquid roads enveloping Thailand. At the request of Rama IV, Buddhists took their patron on spotlight; Loi Krathong became a reverential ceremony for Buddha. But generations spun this event into new contexts; depending on which region you occupy in Thailand, there are different ways to celebrate Loi Krathong, all of them eloquently magnificent.

LUXURY LIVING

015

LOI KRATHONG IN THE NORTH In Chiang Mai, the crown of the north, as well as other adjacent regions, Loi Krathong coincides with another momentous event: Yee Peng. This symbolic festivity embraces the idea of candlelit vessels, but locals, instead of primarily making krathongs for their waterways, create glowing receptacles called khom, which are sent forth into the night sky. Northern Thailand celebrates the coagulation of both festivals in a jamboree of lanterns, as the townspeople send out their khoms to ward off bad luck and send misfortune into the air. The lanterns are released after a whispered prayer, and the owners of any lantern that disappears from sight; before the glimmer of the candle dies out; can anticipate good fortune.

There are different kinds of khoms crafted for different purposes. Khom Theua is a lantern to be carried throughout the Loi Krathong parade; it will afterwards be taken to the temple to be used as an ornament. Khom Kwaen, a lantern variety of different shapes, is meant as a symbolic tribute to Buddha. Khom Paad highlights the twelve horoscopic signs and is usually latched upon temple entrances. Khom Loi is a small hot air balloon. This cylindrical paper lantern rises about a meter high and is girded by wire circles and a kerosene tray to lift it high into the night sky.

Locals use Khom Loi to celebrate Yee Peng. Some will write their names and addresses on the cover, and a unique game of lost and found is set. If the lantern is discovered lying on the ground, the finder can bring the remnants back to its owner and in return, will be given a cash prize.

LOI KRATHONG IN THE SOUTH The river-floating jubilee happens in the southern districts of Thailand where crowds gather, carrying tiny floral-filled receptacles with twinkling candles.

Before the celebration, you can see locals busily attending to their own krathongs, decorating it to their heart's delight, like a wonderful, tangible masterpiece sent to the gods. People celebrate creativity as institutions set out artistic contests for the best floats. Families use this to bond together, helping each member adorn their tiny boats for hopes of good luck.

At the day of the event is the strong fragrance of the incense, where small trails of smoke bristle atop the decorated boats. When the full moon appears, candles are lit; and families and friends symbolically hold their floats together as they make a wish. Each krathong makes its way through the riverbed given a small push, carrying prayers down the banks. Everyone strains their eyes on their own krathongs as it quietly floats away, carrying every dream to the deities with the hopes they will be heard. Consequently, it is also believed that sending a krathong can ward away troubles and misfortune and are also sent as an apology to the water goddess for any wrongs committed against her in the year that has passed.

The romantic flickering of lights is only among the many spectacles this festival offers.

016

LUXURY LIVING

LOI KRATHONG ALL OVER THAILAND Despite the differences in observing this holiday, Thailand's north and south regions both embody the magically romantic experience this event has to offer. Each area has its own highlights, with beauty pageants, parades, concerts and fireworks topping off the graceful landscape of glowing lights.

The whole country is lavishly decorated with flowers and handmade ornaments, lauding local craftsmanship and tradition with every piece of art. Even locals dress up in their finest attire, showcasing Thailand's best in one astounding festivity.

It is the season when the heavens, in turn, look down in this part of the world with yearning. The moon will be all aglow, yet blushing at how the Thais manage to replace the stunning galaxies with warmly-lit candles, flickering through the clouds. Jewel-coloured stars will be just tiny, unnoticeable dots while wonderful handcrafts and firelights take the spotlight, forming a gorgeous panorama of hopes, dreams and prayers sent across by humans to the divine.

LUXURY LIVING

017

BEST BEACH CLUBS IN KOH SAMUI

018

LUXURY LIVING

As one of the prime holiday destinations in Southern Thailand, Koh Samui hosts a great choice of beach clubs entertainment options. The undisputed Ground Zero of nightlife on Samui is of course Chaweng, which is the Samui version of Patong Beach in Phuket; featuring a myriad of lounge clubs, naughty bars, beach bars, and discos, it is definitely the place to have fun at night, on a visit or a vacation. Here are a couple of beach clubs in Koh Samui that guarantees such pleasures:

NIKKI BEACH CLUB

With a strong capability in providing structured and cutting-edge events to customers such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, L'Oreal, and more, Nikki Beach Club exudes professionalism in crafting couture happenings based upon its clientele’s needs and desires. In addition to being only of the few venues on the lush islands of Koh Samui with the capability to provide a sit-down event for 300 people, Nikki Beach Club's 3000 guest capacity venue can provide intimate to lively cocktail services, hors d'oeuvres, delectable buffet brunches, elaborate productions, live performances, beach barbecues, film screenings and more. Selecting Nikki Beach Club Koh Samui as the beach club of choice provides exclusive access to the brand's arsenal of thoroughly Western-trained staff members, creative and efficient special events crafters, a wide selection of entertainment, interactive activity stations, dancers, bike riders, touring international DJ’s and so much more! Nikki Beach Club Koh Samui prides itself on its relaxed, friendly staff and their Amazing Sunday Brunch is an international institution - a must see-to-believe for island visitors.

LUXURY LIVING

019

KC BEACH CLUB

KC Beach Club and Pools Villas are where beautiful people from across the globe come to relax, party and share good times under the tropical sun of exotic Koh Samui. This chic retreat is located on Chaweng beachfront, with pure white powdery sands and divine aquamarine waters, the perfect backdrop of a fabulous party! At KC Beach, you can lay back on a stylish lounge, get cozy on a beach cabana and float around on the free-form swimming pool while listening to the cool club tunes from the resident DJ. With a mellow vibe during the day, this is the ideal venue to enjoy a tasty Italian lunch and cool down with a refreshing dip in the pool. As the party atmosphere warms up, there is plenty more with hostesses to serve delicious cocktails and champagne from a well-stocked bar, plus excellent entertainment from saxophone players, drummers and dancers. You can also savour delectable flavours of fine Italian cuisine at Luciano Restaurant, a fashionable dining venue located onsite. Situated poolside Luciano has a casual beach-chic atmosphere that blends with the cool vibe of the trendy beach club.

CENTARA GRAND BEACH CLUB

Superbly located along Chaweng, Koh Samui's finest heritage-inspired beach club, Centara Grand, offers first-class Thai hospitality amidst old-school style and luxury. Enjoy the exceptional facilities of this award-winning deluxe resort that combines the spirit and culture of the island with a tranquil ambiance and historic beauty. A choice destination for lovers of water sports with a superb spread of beach frontage that offers stunning poolside lounging and dining. Centara Grand Beach Club Koh Samui is located on Chaweng Beach, amidst a tropical vista and well known as the finest beach on Samui Island. Their Sunday Brunch is perfect for families, catering a Magician and onsite kiddy-sitting service so Mum and Dad can drop off the little ones and enjoy free pour drinks all day!

ARK BAR BEACH CLUB

This Beach Club is centrally located on Chaweng Beach, Samui's liveliest town on the island's east coast. The seafront property not only enjoys a 150 meter garden sandy beach but it is also located close to all major shopping, restaurants, nightlife and entertainments and only about a 10-mimute drive from Samui International Airport. Ark Bar Beach Club the premier destination for night-time shenanigans, and the party goes all day long too.

020

LUXURY LIVING

PAVILLION SAMUI BEACH CLUB

Pavillion Samui Beach Club is a boutique collection of Thai-inspired accommodations located beachfront in Lamai, in Samui, Thailand. Lamai, while home to a wide stretch of waters that is best for swimming, also contains several of some of the most interesting tourist attractions available on the island. Hin Ta and Hin Yai, also known as Grandpa and Grandma rocks, are must-see rock formations located within 5 minutes from the beach club. The stunning beachfront pool is situated adjacent to their incredible spa - perfect for sipping cocktails during a mani-pedi or a massage before a sunset swim!

CHA CHA MOON BEACH CLUB

Opened in 2013, Cha Cha Moon Beach Club is a stylish bar and nightclub located right on the beach of Chaweng between Ark Bar Beach Club and Montien House. The access to Cha Cha Moon from Chaweng Beach Road is a journey in itself; punters have to walk through a long sandy part flanked by an abandoned resort under construction before they reach the vivid colourful light of the beach club entrance. Wide open on the beach and built mostly with natural materials, Cha Cha boasts of a modern architecture which successfully integrates the existing coconut and palm tree fringing Chaweng Beach. Full and Black Moon Parties are the climax of Cha Cha’s regular gigs and the sound system here is arguably the best on the island; national (Nakadia, Mung Kunt, Bata live percussion) and international (Joe Rickard, DJ A, Darragh Casey) DJ's set the beat and entertain a crowd of dancers on the beach.

Beach Clubs in Koh Samui are superb places to spend the day, a lazy afternoon or even to just snatch an hour away from it all. The food and drink menus have something to suit every taste, and you are assured of a warm welcome if you choose to visit any of them.

LUXURY LIVING

021

OCEANA 

Beachside Condominiums

From Only 2.75m Thai Baht

+66 (0)77 952 288

info@oceanares.com www.oceanares.com

WEIGHT LOSS WIN! HERBAL DETOX Love the idea of a detox but can’t stomach the thought of a colonic? Rated as one of the best detoxes in the world by Vogue, The Source in Lamai, Koh Samui offers a truly unique cleanse using powerful ancient herbs.

What is a herbal detox? it is the cleansing and detoxifying of the body using premium quality herbal formulas (capsules, syrups and tinctures). Simple and easy to do the formulas are taken morning and night daily for 7 days or longer. What makes this herbal detox so unique is the complete absence of awful and invasive colonics. The organic formulas gently purify and ‘restore’ the inner organs, cleanse the blood, eliminate parasites and candida, populating your gut with healthy flora.

How does it work?

Unique in that it can be done anyplace, at any time, as there are no colonics necessary, leaves you free to work and continue your normal routine. A superior intestinal formula via capsules does a much better elimination job and far less invasive than the hydrocolonics usually required. You can choose what to eat each day from the list of healthy choices (fresh juices, whole fruits, greens, raw food, normal diet etc.). Each day you feed the body with great nutrition as the herb minerals do all the work providing high energy levels during the program.

Customers can stay in a private villa on the beach to do the program or they can purchase to do it any place or time they choose or take it home with them.

What are the benefits?

Ranging from substantial weight loss, to brighter eyes and skin, feeling healthier, sleeping better, more energy and relief from illness the benefits are unique to each individual and their needs. Interestingly, the weight loss can continue even after the program has finished and generally stays off too, due to the herbs cleaning and supporting the ‘inner terrain’ of the body. Sugar, caffeine and junk food cravings dissipate with the program. Most lose 4kg in the first 4-6 days with another 1-3kg being dropped in the last few days if completing the 14 day program. Choose a program, Detox (7 formulas), Weight Loss or Ultimate Detox (both 16 formulas), each very comprehensive in targeting different organ systems of the body including the liver, kidneys, intestines, hormones, blood, immune system and lungs.

Ivor Fitzpatrick, founder of The Source is a Family Herbalist and member of BHMA (The British Herbal Medicine Association) and ESCOP (The European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy)

The Source Herbal Detox www.TheSourceSamui.com

Mobile: +66 (0)89 0679 856 E-mail: info@sourcesamui.com

179/12 Village 4, Lamai, Koh Samui 84310, Thailand (near Tesco Lamai)

D I A RY Luxury Living had to test The Source's wildly intoxicating claims of better health and miracle weight loss.

Read on to learn first-hand what the Herbal Detox experience entails...

Day 4 I’m shocked how flawless my skin looks after a shower - somehow I’ve literally taken 5 years off my face overnight! How is that even possible on no sleep?! Skin tone and texture is even, refined, pores have disappeared and not a fine line to be seen!

Usually somewhat bleary and bloodshot eyed in the morning; my eyes are so bright. Incredible.

Compliments pour in all day long. I could get used to this.

Day 5 Day 1 Excited to begin and impatient for results. The first slow-pressed orange juice of the day is divine. The herb capsules are strangely filling and oddly enough I refuse the last glass of orange juice in the evening - I feel full.

Day 2 Nothing gets me out of bed faster than the smell of hot espresso - but today I bound into the kitchen for a glass of fresh juice instead. The tinctures go down better today, in fact all the supplements taste more appetizing on Day 2. I now enjoy chewing on the slightly sweet and complex medicinal mixture of the “Weight Aid” herbal paste. The biggest surprise of the day is the lack of caffeine and sugar cravings - by 5pm I’m usually 3 or 4 lattes down. I don’t even miss it.

Day 3 My son is sick, so none of us sleep the night before. We all rise at 6am and start our day early. It’s 4pm before I realise I haven’t even missed my usual coffee fixes.

It’s crazy how much energy I have! On a full nights rest, I’m usually ready to take a break right now. Instead I power through my work and get more done than usual.

Pleasantly surprised to see I’ve lost a kilo already. The herbal formulas appear to work their magic without upsetting my sensitive stomach.

I’ve lost 2 kilos yet I never feel hungry. Bizarre not to be craving my daily chocolate fix but I simply don’t miss it. I look forward to my herbal paste now and take my time enjoying the complexity of flavours and the natural stamina it gives me.

Usually slightly anaemic, I love how much energy I have without having to consume large portions of red meat!

Day 6 It’s the weekend now and rather than lazing at home as per usual, we cram an action packed day of family fun - Weight continues it’s climb down and I’ve noticed my nails have rapidly grown long and strong. Another added bonus of the detox?

Day 7 Final day and mildly disappointed the detox is coming to an end. Lighter and brighter than when we started a short week ago, we start planning our first meals for tomorrow - which is surprisingly difficult when you don’t feel hungry for anything!

Considering the excesses of orange juice consumed in the last week, you’d think we’d be sick of it by now. Instead we celebrate the end of our detox by ordering a juicer over the internet!

CITY BREAK SERENITY ON THE SUNSHINE COAST Words & Pictures by: Imogen Shepherd

Reconnect with serenity on the Sunshine Coast No one knows when it happened exactly, but our lives have become so busy! There are endless things on our ‘to do’ lists and not enough hours in the day. Our time with family and friends can often be interrupted by emails or phone calls - or a mind that is preoccupied with work. We’ve mastered the art of multi-tasking but at what cost to our sanity and wellbeing?

The Sunshine Coast located in Queensland, Australia is a place where the only thing more refreshing than the water, is the lifestyle. With endless beaches and easy smiles, it is a place where you can forget everything and that feeling is unforgettable. Suddenly there are enough hours in the day for the things that matter. Life slows down so you can catch up with each other, catch some good waves or even your own dinner.

Wanderlust Sunshine Coast festival will be held from 15-18 October and will bring together a remarkable group of yoga and meditation instructors, surfers, hike leaders, musical performers, speakers, artists and chefs for a transformational retreat. This is an experience that will get into your mind, body and soul.

026

LUXURY LIVING

Reconnect with your body Whether sitting at a computer or carrying around a toddler - our bodies can become stiff and sore from our daily chores. If you want to learn some tools to keep your body happy, at Wanderlust there will be classes for all levels, from beginner to expert, as well as a wide variety of practice styles. Mix in meditation or relaxing yin classes with sweaty, uplifting vinyasa, or challenge yourself with something completely new like standup paddleboard yoga or aerial yoga. Feel the energy of hundreds of yogis moving together in a flagship outdoor venue, or drop into an intimate, indoor class accompanied by a live musician or DJ. And what a setting! With white sand between your toes, a light salty ocean breeze at your back and the relaxing rhythm of the rolling surf in your ears, it is hard not to feel grounded and alive on the Sunshine Coast. wanderlust.com/festivals/sunshine-coast

Reconnect with Mother Nature You may laugh at the thought of wrapping your arms around a tree trunk, but studies have shown that people who spend time with Mother Nature are less stressed than their city counterparts. Explore the vast Hinterland with its spectacular Glasshouse Mountains with a stroll through the forest where you can marvel at the call of the Whip Birds. With hundreds of walking trails that zigzag their way through some of the most spectacular rainforests and national parks, the Sunshine Coast is an ideal place to get back in touch with the universe. Climb one of the many coastal mountains such as Mount Coolum to soak in the breathtaking views. Or, if you’re more of a beach person, sink your toes into the soft white sand - there’s nothing more invigorating than a dive into the ocean. visitsunshinecoast.com.au

LUXURY LIVING

027

Reconnect with your taste buds When it is time to whet your appetite, the thriving foodie scene has everything from fine dining restaurants to freshly caught seafood barbecues. From waterfront restaurants to specialised cafes, food festivals and cooking schools, the Sunshine Coast is guaranteed to tempt your tastebuds.

Awarded two Chef Hats in the Queensland Good Food Guide, two Chefs Hats in the 2015 Australian Good Food and Travel Guide Chef Hat awards and ranked in the Top 100 Restaurants in Australia by The Australian Gourmet Traveller, we recommend a visit to The Long Apron. This restaurant continues to deliver European-inspired menus with flair and élan. Friendly, personal service adds to the relaxed atmosphere and there is even the opportunity to get together and share a delicious meal as a group over the french table. spicersretreats.com

Reconnect with your loved ones The perfect getaway isn’t counted in minutes, it is measured in moments and the Sunshine Coast offers a range of accommodation options for you and your loved ones to rest and relax in comfort.

Novotel Twin Waters Resort is located on pristine Mudjimba Beach and is set amongst 36 hectares of natural bushland and situated around a private beach-lined lagoon. Conveniently located only five kilometres from Sunshine Coast Airport and an hour's drive north of Brisbane, the Novotel is a premium four star holiday resort offering endless outdoor, rejuvenation and wellbeing options to inspire mind, body and spirit.

The resort has 361 rooms and suites including overwater lagoon suites, resort rooms (ideal for couples and small families), and one and two bedroom suites (for those looking for a large room and self-catering facilities).

For a completely indulgent Sunshine Coast experience the lavish and immensely popular over-water lagoon suites, rest on Novotel’s expansive salt-water lagoon and feature a king sized bed, lounge area and opulent spa bath. Resort facilities include an outdoor heated pool and spa, Nouveau Restaurant, Aqua Bar & Lounge, Deli Market and Café, Fish and Chippery, Lagoon Day Spa, Xperience Segway tours, Water Park and a Peter Thompson and Mike Wolveridge designed 18-hole championship golf course. novoteltwinwatersresort.com.au

028

LUXURY LIVING

Oceans Mooloolaba is a five star resort perfectly positioned directly opposite Mooloolaba Beach and in the centre of the Mooloolaba Esplanade. The property features spacious and private apartments and penthouses, providing a sanctuary to relax and rejuvenate in style and luxury by the ocean.

The beachfront holiday resort also offers five star facilities for families, couples and groups to enjoy. 46 exquisite suites and penthouses encapsulate state of the art facilities; cutting-edge, smart technology and design details that re-define the words style and quality. The furnishings at Oceans Mooloolaba are sophisticated and contemporary in a predominantly neutral palette with natural finishes such as stone, timber, marble and glass, to create a feeling of calm sophistication, serenity and understated luxury accommodation. Mooloolaba is a carefree yet vibrant seaside village located 14 kilometres from Sunshine Coast Airport or one hour from Brisbane Airport. oceansmooloolaba.com.au

Connect with the region Sunshine Coast Airport is conveniently located in the heart of the region. Jetstar and Virgin Australia offer multiple daily direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne, Qantas with flights from Sydney and seasonal services from Auckland - connecting destinations from all over the globe. Alternatively, fly into Brisbane Domestic or International, just one hour south of the Sunshine Coast. Getting around the region is easy by road with rental cars, buses and private transfers available.

If you long for time and space to just ‘be’, to slow down life’s hurried pace and connect with the healing power of nature, then allow yourself to be embraced by the quiet beauty of the Sunshine Coast. Take in the sweeping coastal and country views. Let the organic lifestyle and creativity of others inspire you. Allow yourself time to rest, reflect and relax in body, mind and soul.

For more information go to visitsunshinecoast.com.au

LUXURY LIVING

029

WEEKEND AWAY: Isaan Nestled away in the quiet, north eastern part of Thailand is Isaan, a blushing retreat offering a wondrous sight of green pasturelands, open sky and cultural monuments. No coastline is within view, but despite the lack of beaches, Isaan distinguishes itself as a serene escape in the Land of Smiles. The off-beaten region is a perfect holiday spot for those who need a whiff of fresh air, agricultural scenery and a change of perspective on the whole.

It is a place fit for exploring, a mine embellished with hidden gems waiting to be uncovered.

Isaan's foundation is traced through the royal roots of Chenla, an ancient Cambodian monarchy. There is dignity in distinction, and to date, many of the locals exhibit traces of their rich, cultural heritage through language, food and the arts. Stepping into the rich, green soil of this north-eastern Eden offers new discoveries, cultivating history and art in one's heart.

In rural areas, tourists may find it hard to converse with the locals, whose prevalent dialect is a coagulation of Thai and Khmer.

However, one can rely on the grace and kindness of the Isaan people, usually manifested in communicative gestures, actions and smiling faces.

030

LUXURY LIVING

Words by: Caris Cruz

AWAY:

Isaan occupies Thailand's biggest region, extending its reach up to 160,580 square kilometres. The mountain range of Phetchabun and the neighbouring Khorat Plateau makes a delicious view of the land's topography. On the other hand, the legendary Mekong River wraps itself around the north and east part of the region, while the southern part is embellished by the grand basin of the Mun River. The weather is warm and humid, like a liquid embrace from the summer sun, and this can be enjoyed all year round unless Isaan is submerged in a seasonal dose of precipitation.

Reaching this serene hideaway can be conveniently done through private car, bus, train and plane rides.

Main cities such as Khon Kaen, Udon Thani and Sakon Nakhon are accessed through air from Bangkok.

Plane transports are subsequently followed by mini bus services, taking tourists to their specific itineraries. By train, one can reach Isaan from Bangkok to either Ubod Ratchathani or Nong Khai main stations.

Nakhon Ratchasima is the province's capital and is a favourable spot for travellers due to its network of transportation. Its main road, Mittraphap Rd, extends from Saraburi to Nong Khai. Inspired by the US transportation grid system, travelling from Nakhon Ratchasima is fairly convenient. A number of hotels are lodged adjacent to its stations, as well as a massive shopping center, succinctly named The Mall.

Tourists can enter Laos through Isaan gateways Nhong Kai and Nhakon Phanom, with both provinces serving up delightful views of architectural portraits as well as agricultural panoramas.

LUXURY LIVING

031

PLAY:

Due to its expanded landscape, travellers can discover many things to do in Isaan. Walking is less of a chore, more of a feast for the eyes. For example, Nong Khai's Sala Kaew Ku Sculpture Garden is a revelry of comedy and creativity, as religion-inspired stone cuts amaze onlookers in a curiously dramatic sense. Surin's annual celebration of elephants garners the attention of tourists, wherein gentle giants amass in a day's stretch of fun-filled activities.

Phanom Rung Historical Park in Nang Rong reveals the whimsical charm of Khmer temples and is among the most visited spots in the country.

When in Isaan, visit Khao Yai National Park. This natural gem is tagged as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, also the first of its kind in Thailand. The sight of the flora and fauna induces heart-swelling admiration for Mother Earth's beauty, allowing each onlooker to open their hearts in caring for the environment. https://www.thainationalparks.com/khao-yai-national-park The perfect place for wine connoisseurs is Loei, a vast spectrum of hills; also a prominent province when it comes to wine making. Relish traditional Thai gourmet cuisine while sipping a glass of decadent liquor in Chateau de Loei, the province’s entrepreneurial darling. Guests can nibble on grape pickings, tour around the orchard and get their hands on a Chenin Blanc, the company’s well-loved wine. http://chateaudeloei.com

Shopping in Isaan is best done in Nakhon Ratchasima, locally known as Khorat. Tourists will enjoy wandering from one shop to another, unearthing unusual commodities from vintage toys to clothes.

This district also gurgles with cheap yet delicious street food. However, get ready for some zing; local delicacies are famous for their kick, elevating one’s spice tolerance to a whole new level!

032

LUXURY LIVING

STAY:

Isaan's agricultural terrain is a lovely backdrop against which is a variety of accommodations.

Hotels serving all budgets are located in the midst of the earthen and green hues, offering a pleasant, restful vacation for all guests. The province does not lack in amenities; with amazing resorts scattered all over its districts.

Kirimaya Golf Resort & Spa is a five-star, luxurious hotel sheltered in the bounteous landscape of Nakhon Ratchasima. Thanks to its surroundings, guests can enjoy the crisp, fresh air as well as the rich view of its plantations. The location is conveniently adjacent to Khao Yai National Park, resplendent in rich natural jungle, waterfalls and wildlife such as Asian bears and Indochinese tigers. This deluxe accommodation offers spa and recreation facilities, along with high-end amenities laden in each room.

Isan Boutique Collection breaks away from the common view of hotel chains. Villas are scattered all across Thailand, each designed with Isaan's aesthetics, giving guests a unique and personalised experience during their stay.

Properties vary from province to province, each blending in with the landscape that particular region offers. The brand has flourished into three branches: Mekong Villa, Phunacome and Suppanniga Home.

http://www.kirimaya.com/

http://www.isanboutiquecollection.com/

Tohsang Khongjiam Resort in Ubon Ratchathani offers a magnificent accommodation just beside the banks of the Mekong River. The sight of the glittering waterway combined with the beautiful rural pastures imparts a feeling of peace and relaxation to every guest. Each room displays a unique aesthetic reflecting the cultures of Thai, Khmer and the Balinese nationalities. Among its best offerings: Tohsang Spa, which presents the healing experience of Thai Massage infused with the fragrance of flowers and herbs. Cafe de Khong is just within reach, a restaurant perched on a terrace; a great venue for dining with nature. http://www.tohsang.com/khongjiam/eng/cafe.htm

LUXURY LIVING

033

THE MEMPHIS COLLECTION

Tapered Necklace Grey

Multi-Strand Necklace Navy

40-50 Coiled Necklace Navy and Fluro Red

Double Loop Necklace Navy

Coiled Flash Necklace Grey and Fluro Red

Eleanor Bolton’s collection for 2015 introduces vibrant fluorescent splashes of colour to her unique and innovative lines of hand stitched coiled rope jewellery. Complimenting her traditional subtle tones of grey and navy, the new range is inspired by the graphic and colourful patterns of the Memphis group, an Italian design group who created Postmodern fabrics and furniture in the 80’s.

Half Coil Necklace Fluro Red

Long Coiled Necklace Fluro Red

The 2015 collection features materials including high quality acrylics, cotton braids and 100% cotton yarns with plated brass tubes, combining both stitched and yarn wrapped detailing with rose gold, yellow gold and silver plated accents and magnetic clasps on some of the necklaces.

Stitched Bangle Grey and White

ory

Double Flash Necklace Navy, Fluro Red, Fluro Yellow

Stitched Bangle Navy and White

034

Stitched Bangle Fluro Red and White

LUXURY LIVING

Acc

www.eleanorbolton.com

Stitched Bangle Fluro Yellow and White

ess

Worn by themselves or layered, the new range fits perfectly within the ever growing sports luxe trend and is an easy addition to a white tee or as a statement piece in the evening.

ity Nec

ess

Nuzzle up beneath the mistletoe with a kiss of natural finishes and fibres. Perfect for sun-soaked days that turn into starry nights.

PA P U A

N E C K L A C E S

These tribal necklaces believe to be originated from different tribes or villages around the pacific island.

These ornaments were objects with high prestige value in traditional societies. Not only worn on for daily use or ceremonial occasions but they were also used as a type of traditional currencies.

www.oriental-living.net

LUXURY LIVING

035

Xmas

Gift Guide LEATHER LUXE

Deck the halls this season with a gift of luxury leather for your loved ones. Stylish, classic, timeless; quality leather gifts are favours of elegance that can withstand the test of time.

02

01

03

1. Life of Riley - Leather Drinks Case 2. Life of Riley - Wine Cooler 3. OKA - Bar Accessories

05

04

07

4. OKA - Leather Accessories 5. Life of Riley - Horse Cushion 6. Life of Riley - Leather Director Chair 7. Life of Riley - Leather Lantern

06

www.lifeofrileyonline.co.uk www.okadirect.com

LUXURY LIVING

037

Multi-Award Winning

Architect and Principal of GFAB Architects

Gary Fell talks design inspiration and the monomania of architecture.

038

LUXURY LIVING

What started your career - or rather, when did you know you were destined to be an architect?

I grew up around buildings and construction. My father was a carpenter and I would spend time on sites with him. I think I was around 14 when I expressed an interest in being an architect. This was derailed for a few years in my later teens, largely by careers advice at school who made it sound dreadfully dull. I came back to it around 21 after working in the theatre on sets - I basically saw that this was fun too but essentially very similar to architecture and embarked on my studies then.

Which project from your earliest years as an architect stands out as a hallmark of what would later become a signature style?

I had an unusual start as an architect. At the end of my post-graduate studies some friends and I entered a major competition and were short-listed (Cardiff Opera house) against what were the top architects of the day. We didn’t win but pretty much straight out of college I was offered a chance to join the design team for a large hotel (Four Seasons Sayan) here in Bali. This project effectively had many of the features which became hallmarks of our design - landscaped roofs with an intimate connection to nature and the building site in question. I think its safe to say I cut my teeth on this project and many of the fundamental approaches we undertook on this building became ones we have developed since.

LUXURY LIVING

039

Where did you study and what inspired you the most as a student?

I studied at London (UCL) Bartlett school of architecture. I’ve always been somewhat Catholic in what inspired me - on the one hand modernists such as Mies, Corbusier and Niemeyer on the other Romanesque and Renaissance architecture were very much interests of mine which might explain somewhat our attempt to synthesize traditional techniques and a more contemporary design aesthetic.

What was it about architecture and design that appealed most then?

I enjoy the process of designing and always have. Way back when, I viewed architecture as an art which encompassed all the others and still enjoy the fact that we get to design other living fundamentals, such as furniture as part of what we do.

What do you enjoy most about your work now?

The challenges of a new site and program. It’s a little “boring” to say this I know, but architects are somewhat monomaniacal - we love what we do and can’t imagine doing something else.

To you, what are the essential elements of modern design?

This is something I would hesitate to make a statement about. For us, its about synthesising traditional techniques largely without historical reference or imitation of “styles” but this is perhaps more about the places where we work than any great statement about what is modern. In fact we very much don’t see our work as particularly modern despite its outward appearance, much of what we do is predicated on tradition and traditional technologies.

040

LUXURY LIVING

You live and work predominantly in Asia, how has the shape of this landscape impacted the style of your architecture?

I think it is safe to say that it has largely determined what we do and how we approach our work.

Often we are given challenging sites, more often than not on hillsides. This, along with the obvious passive thermal benefits, lead us to favour the use of landscaped roofs which, at a very basic level, allow other houses to see the views over those in front.

How is this dynamic changing as we become more aware of a dwindling supply of natural resources?

Whilst our own work tends to place relatively heavy emphasis on lower energy consumption I’m afraid the short answer would appear to be “very little” – we still see a preponderance of ill-suited architecture in this region – the glass towers built on the N American model, so unsuitable to the climate and closer to home, the demand for “local” roof styles without any of the cross ventilation benefits are somewhat tragic.

LUXURY LIVING

041

Tell us a bit about one of your recent projects, Bask.

Bask is a beach resort set on the small island of Gilli Meno just off the coast of Lombok. From the beginning, we set about trying to capture some of that “island getaway” feel without recourse to the kind of style and look that typifies this kind of resort. In short we wanted the feel without the look, which we felt was long past its sell-by date.

Bask features some fairly unique ecological initiatives how have you managed to integrate these into a luxurious experience?

We firmly believe that luxury and space go hand in hand.

One might say (as we often do) that space is the ultimate luxury. Our goal was to present something which was at once somewhat “raw” and “rustic” in feel whilst being nonetheless contemporary in design. Finishes are very simple, indeed much of the appearance comes from the basic construction techniques for example; off form concrete finishes abound and timber is left untreated.

Here, we applied what is now our “standard” approach of utilising the garden roof to keep the properties cool/ insulated, but have also looked to utilise things like the roof of the central facility as a solar farm. I should say here that there is nothing in Bask which we see as either unusual or in any way “anti-luxury” much of what we suggest can in fact be applied to just about any property with little or no issue or changes. What is perhaps lamentable is that in so many places we work, local permit rules make the use of such technologies near impossible – take Samui and Bali for example, both places have deemed that “local” style, primarily expressed in terms of roof form are necessary, meaning our approach is often at odds with the permit system and buildings are less energy efficient as a result.

What were some of the challenges you had to overcome when working within and conserving the Gili Meno ecosystem?

The 2 biggest challenges working in Meno are both transport derived - on the one hand no motorised vehicles are allowed on the island meaning everything has to be done by hand. On the other, there is no proper wharf serving the island which again make for difficulties in construction. Beyond this, contractors see the place as something of a “hardship posting” - all these factors push prices skyward and so making things within a budget is the major challenge really.

042

LUXURY LIVING

In terms of innovation, what excites you most about the future of design?

Design is a process of constant innovation for us and in all honesty, reading about things (technologies) that are possible or commonplace in so-called “western” countries amazes me. In general I think both the quality of and emphasis upon design has improved massively and I for one am glad of this. As to where the future of design lies etc, again, I wouldn’t be so bold as to make such statements.

Your talents have garnered you attention and awards from all around the world – what do you think is unique about your aesthetic that is so universally pleasing?

I have no idea - as they say “if I knew that I’d bottle it” What we hear from those who commission us is invariably the blurring of the distinction between the landscape and the building. But I think also, it is likely the use of materials our work usually makes use of local materials as part of the design, more often than not these are expressed ‘as found” and this rougher more “rustic” look likely tempers the more explicitly “modernist” lines of the architecture.

Our buildings are also characterised by good air flow which also has a big impact on their impression of spaces - comfort is a big factor for any of us, our designs seek to provide this without recourse to mechanical ventilation which these days people are very conscious about with respect to energy use. All these add up to a favourable response to our work. This is in direct contrast to when I started Gfab - back then to be frank I couldn’t give my work away, everybody I met wanted some variation on a traditional house with all the formal idioms - thankfully this has changed in the last 10 or so years and we find ourselves much in demand.

LUXURY LIVING

043

CELEBRATING

NEW YEAR

2016

THAILAND FOR NYE 2016 Despite the barriers of religion, caste, creed, everyone awaits the greatest festival of the year, and it comes at the end of the year. The entire world anticipates this momentous occasion and waits eagerly for the New Year's Eve. No matter your schedule, you should try to manage some time off for at least for this one day because it is the time when all people come together to dance in the rhythm of New Year's Eve celebration. If you are going to enjoy Asia this New Year's Eve, sample some cultural events as well as exclusive upscale luxury parties in some thrilling destinations like Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Railay. Ring in 2016 in truly unforgettable style, Thailand for New Year’s Eve offers something for everyone.

Often referred to as Thailand's "Rose of the North", located on a plain surrounded by beautiful mountains and tranquil lush green landscapes, and being much more peaceful than Bangkok, Chiang Mai still manages a cosmopolitan atmosphere blended with deep historic roots, and is a home of significant number of expats.

You can expect that the celebrations taking place in Chiang Mai in New year's Eve will be as remarkable as its surroundings, typically including the bars near Thanon Ratwithi, Thanon Moon Muana, and Thanon Nimmanhemin where the resident locals are sure to be found.

A traditional celebration that awes locals and visitors alike every year (allowing them to participate if they wish) and again on New Year's Eve in Chiang Mai, is the release of the countless candlelit lanterns into the beautiful night's sky. Everyone stops what they are doing to watch them float towards the heavens, hovering little incredible stars, seeming to carry New year's Eve hopes and dreams with them. It is a truly incredible sight that comes close to outshining the fireworks that follow.

Experience a new perspective on the festive season and celebrate New Year's Eve in Chiang Rai. Discover the finest offer of culinary delights and authentic entertainment in the beautiful natural surrounds. Amidst the renewing green sounds of nature, bid farewell to the old year, and start a wonderful New Year in a one-of-a-kind riverside celebration. Experience a contemporary take on the legendary Lanna Heritage. Feast on a mouth-watering array of international cuisine featuring the finest selection of local specialties, delicious Thai favourites and regional flavours whilst enjoying the sparkling entertainment and New Year's Eve party fun. Be dazzled with an enchanting glow of hot air lanterns and countdown on the water with a magnificent fireworks display leading into the New Year.

In Railay, this year's New Year's Eve can be an extraordinary one if you choose to enjoy seclusion and seduction in one of its unique resorts. The landscape is one of the lush green hills, coconut groves, and limestone cliffs surrounded by tropical forest on Railay Beach. The Railay Princess Resort and Spa situated within Krabi's Marine National Park, turns your abstract fantasy into tangible reality.

An ideal holiday resort for those looking for a variety of choice to spend their time, whether it be relaxing on the beach, or taking in the many local breathtaking sights in addition to the many other activities, such as rock climbing, swimming and snorkeling, kayaking and exploring nearby unseen islands. Krabi town in itself can be an adventure not to miss on New Year's Eve since it is only 17 Kilometers away, and also well served by the tour counter.

046

LUXURY LIVING

LUXURY LIVING

047

Bangkok is probably the most sought-after destination throughout South East Asia for the coming New Year's Eve. The dynamic capital city of Thailand offers grand celebrations for the annual occasion. For this New Year's Eve, Bangkok will rock with its amazing nightlife and buzzing atmosphere and will take the entire celebration to its penultimate level. The city has many popular parties, but the place that draws the largest crowd is the Central World Shopping Plaza. One of the biggest shopping centers of the world, it will feature the biggest countdown event in Bangkok, which occurs right in front of the Central World Square. Here, you can join thousands of other people who gather there in order to attend the celebration on New Year's Eve to welcome in the New Year.

The prime spirit of the festival begins with the New Year's Eve spectacular firework shows. With the joy of welcoming the New Year with friends and family, you will forget all the tensions, worries, and sorrows of the year past. Enjoy the evening with magnificent lights, different types of sound shows, and live concerts by popular local bands. If you really want to witness all such entertainments, try to reach Central World Square at least 2 hours before midnight in order to avoid the traffic.

But what will you do if you do not like the crowd and want to spend the evening very privately? Do not worry; there are plenty of options, which will most definitely please those seeking a quieter, more intimate affair. Parties organized at most of the more exclusive clubs in the city on New Year's Eve might be better suited to you, or consider a romantic dinner by the waterside with your loved one, which can arguably be the best way of celebrating with a personal connection. The riverside is obviously one of the best places for celebrating this festival in the city, or beachfront dining for those on the coast. Countdown the evening by gazing into your lover’s eyes and enjoy the fire shows and revelry from a distance as you recline in the tropical warmth and exceptional cuisine that only Thailand can offer.

048

LUXURY LIVING

You can also welcome aboard "New Year's Eve Party Dinner Cruise" along Pattaya Bay. Celebrate the New year's Eve in the center of the festivities on the sea of Pattaya Bay cruising on the Catamaran ICE. Enjoy a romantic candlelit dinner, surrounded by stars, twinkling lights, and the floral atmosphere, while celebrating by the sea.

Savour a superb Fondue Bacchus aboard the Catamaran "ICE" on the sea and enjoy superior service and attention.

Meeting and check in at Wine Cellar, Naklua Road Soi 12, Pattaya at 7pm. Boarding will start from 7.30pm and departure at 8pm sharp, expected return at 1am, Special New Year's Eve Package includes; Welcome New Year's Eve Cocktail, Fondue Chinoise, After Dinner Digestive, Midnight Snack and a glass of Prosecco. Price per person Baht 2,100 THB, and you can make a reservation prior to the New Year's Eve to Khun Roger at ro@foodcomthailand.com, Tel: 038 22 6053.

Not leaving out Koh Samui, there are several spots across Samui where you can join New Year's Eve celebrations. If you are after a laid-back evening, you can dress casually and stay to enjoy the fireworks. After the fireworks, there will be an opportunity to light a floating lantern and let your wishes for the coming year float skyward. If you want to celebrate in style with a sumptuous feast, head to one of the island's luxury hotels for the evening. In the mood to party too? Select a dazzling beach club.

If you are staying in one of Koh Samui's luxury villas, you may be able to arrange for a Thai chef to create culinary delights of your choice. These can be washed down with a paired cocktail designed just for you. Samui is a great place to relax and unwind on New Year's eve, so if a hammock, a spot for a meditation and some healthy smoothing are more your style- you can find that too.

Many people celebrate New year's Eve to farewell the year that ends and welcome the New year. It is also one of the largest global celebrations because it marks the last day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, December 31st, before the New Year. With all these, you should count down and look forward to spending this New Year's Eve in Thailand.

LUXURY LIVING

049

Designer Q&A: with

Andrew Speer Managing Director at Cellar Maison

050

LUXURY LIVING

1

Is there a growing trend for installing bespoke wine cellars currently?

Yes, we have noticed a 30% increase in 2014 on the average number of inquiries from architects, developers and home owners looking for climate controlled wine cellars, wine walls and wine rooms.

2

Are owners choosing to remove existing wine storage and install their own design?

Many wine cellars we remove to replace with a bespoke installation seem to have been purely for functional storage, climate control and design aesthetics have not been considered. We have found that many wine lovers and wine investors, who in the past had the majority of their collections in bonded storage, are now wanting a bespoke wine cellar to carefully store and display the mature 'ready to drink' wines at home creating a fabulous environment and talking point for entertaining guests at home.

3

Do your clients perceive that having a bespoke wine cellar will add value to their property, or are they primarily wine enthusiasts?

We are working with some high-end property developers who, based on consumer research, are now implementing a wine cellar or feature wine walls into their new build residential properties. I am confident that within the next decade, a climate controlled wine wall will be as common as a cinema or games room has become, as the wine and food culture continues to evolve so rapidly.

4

Currently, what are the most desirable styles and features requested by your clients?

Our contemporary wine pods and wine walls are proving to be in high demand, incorporating colour changeable LED back lighting, stainless steel or wooden bottle displays all displayed behind a screen of frameless glass.

The wine wall does not take up a whole room, it can be displayed as a functional feature within the kitchen or dining room instead of being hidden away in a basement/cellar.

5

Can you give an indication of the investment required?

A wine wall or pod can cost around 800,000-3,000,000THB depending on the size and complexity of design, however some larger wine cellars in private homes can be as much as 30,000,000THB

www.cellarmaison.com

LUXURY LIVING

051

START FROM 10.9m THB

OZEN RESIDENCE CO., LTD.

Registered under number: 0845558005389

Tel : +66(0)77.423.421 UK : +66(0)95.804.6954 FR : +66(0)95.632.0171

115/38 MOO 6, Bophut, 84320 Koh Samui, Suratthani www.ozen-residence.com Email : ozen@samui-invest.net

Inspired Interiors Table Manners

Boomerang Lounge Chair

054

Nordic Writing Table

www.oriental-living.net

Danish W Chair

Papa Bear Chair

LUXURY LIVING

Denon Side Table

Oaxaca Table

www.green-decore.com

Picket Black & Cream Rug

Arrow Light Blue Rug

Carpet Couture

Gion 1

Great Wave of Kanagawa

Fine Wind Clear Morning

www.shogun-designs.com

Tenjin

LUXURY LIVING

055

K H WA N BEACH RESORT

+66 625 65 07 96 info@ khwanbeachresort.com www. khwanbeachresort.com MAENAM BEACH KOH SAMUI

Duplex Luxury Private Pool Villas Boutique & Art Gallery Hotel

K H WA N B E AC H R E S O R T Designed by Heart, with Art Khwan Beach Resort features luxury duplex villas with private pools and a delightful seaview. Here, every detail has been thought out and designed with grace, for the ultimate enchantment of the eyes.

Art is at the epicenter of this unique Boutique and Art Gallery Resort concept, from the outside monumental frescos, to the very last finishing artwork and dĂŠcor pieces. Celadon, ceramics, jars, wall paintings, everything is artistically inspired.

GREETINGS WITH

HEART AND ART When you think of a romantic destination, if you allow your imagination to conjure up the most tranquil image of style and seclusion in tropical surroundings it is likely that the images of even the wildest imagination will not come close to the incredible sights of Khwan Beach Resort A Tropical Lifestyle

At Khwan Beach Resort, absolute relaxation is an elegant combination of fine art and tropical lifestyle amidst stunning ocean scenery.

Khwan Beach Resort is located on the clean and pure beaches of Maenam on the north shore of Koh Samui.

Khwan Beach Resort is the one and only Boutique Gallery Hotel in Thailand – located on Koh Samui - where art lovers will enjoy authentic and original pieces of art designed by a handpicked selection of Thai artists.

Niran, Bird and Lek are the first three Thai painters selected to perfect the stylish interior designed by artists Franck & Co. These luxury villas offer style and sophistication with innovative, elegant furniture to ensure the definitive home-away-from-home concept.

This deliciously secret spot has been chosen for its cunning ability to offer you beach frontage, ocean views and town center activities whilst ensuring your privacy and seclusion from other visitors or passersby. The villas provide large windows open to a cozy terrace and private pool, offering a relaxing view over the sea and a gated lush garden. The concept is intended to provide a perfectly private experience while ensuring high quality services.

Khwan Beach Resort Offer :

www. khwanbeachresort.com

10% discount on the standard rate upon presentation of this page * Cannot be combined with other offers

LUXURY LIVING

057

Spotlight On: Verapat Sitipol Nature Captured on Canvas Words by: CARIS CRUZ

A movement of colours, a dance in the woodland, the changes in abstract; all these are interpreted in Verapat Sitipol's latest art collection, The Forest Seasons. Pastoral details are pictured in drippings of oil on canvas, all in beautiful, radiant colours. In this work, Sitipol leads a walkthrough of innocent curiosity; of how the sunlight peeks through the leaves, a kaleidoscopic spectrum forming a tableau over what is normally, green and earth.

Sitipol successfully showcases nature's different moods and its effect on even the subtlest details. Shadows of twigs and branches are captured in clear view, allowing one to inhale the magic which we tend to overlook.

In winter, droplets of water reflect a rainbow of hues in the frost-bitten trees. Strong chocolate, sapphire and emerald colours float during springtime, while the rain flushes the well-illuminated scenes into blurry pastels.

Sunlit forests welcome the vivid colours of yellow, while at night, flowers huddle into a romantic tone as it waltzes under the moonlight.

"How time determines the changing lines and colours of nature is what inspired me to create this new series of oil paintings called The Forest Seasons,” he explains. “For the past few years, I have largely isolated myself in a studio near the forests of Kanchanaburi province where I let myself be absorbed by the tropical seasons.”

“The deep green forests of the mountains, the changing colours of their leaves, the solid brown earth, the fogs that span horizontal space and distance - they allow freedom of my brushstrokes - and open my eyes to the ever-changing colours.”

“In them I deepen the understanding of abstract beauty and fulfil the aesthetic qualities of these present works."

The Forest Seasons is Sitipol’s “most stylistically definitive works to date.” The series made its debut in the Serinidia Gallery ANNEX and is now on display at the prestigious Sala Ayutthaya, adding 7 new paintings never before showcased in public.

LUXURY LIVING

059

Spotlight On: Angelys Balek Beauty Behind the Spotlight Words by: CARIS CRUZ

Her mother wanted her to be a beauty queen.

She has the face of a woman worthy to be Miss Thailand, but instead of pursuing the crown, she draws out a sceptre of another kind: a pen; by which she outlines her next artistic feat.

There is power in beauty, but better yet, there is another power in boldness; Angelys Balek knows this well, as she chooses to work behind the scenes rather than walk on runways, basking under the spotlight.

After finishing her Fine Arts degree at Bangkok University, Balek further explored her talents as she entered the London College of Design. This experience merged her creative soul into her productive mind, enabling her hands and heart to work in accordance and produce a world-class collection which pierces through trends of current fast fashion.

It was in 2010 when Balek launched a clothing label under her own moniker, ANGELYS BALEK. There, she freely probed her fashion potential.

Three years later, her endeavours paid off; she became a finalist of WGSN Global Fashion Award 2013 and lodged an anchor in the American fashion scene with her Fall/Winter collection.

Balek's take on women and wearable pieces for them is what gives her brand a distinct flavour.

More than just clothing, the items off her rack are works of art; an intriguing symphony of bold patterns, impressionist paintings and radiant colours which are truly eye-catching even from afar. Thanks to Balek's strong art aesthetics, she infuses her own illustrations onto the fabrics, giving her clothes a rare charm.

Her muse is an urban female; smart, sophisticated yet playful and fun. These words are greatly reflected on her apparel, as well as her clients, including Giuliana Rancic, Jamie Chung, Maria Menounos and the Kardashians. Balek’s delectable apparel constructions and sultry silhouettes perfectly match the unique woman of today who is just like her: brave, bold and beautiful.

To date, Balek travels back and forth from her New York and Bangkok flagship stores while personally managing her company. Her 2015 Spring/Summer collection, Nostalgia, features a marriage of stark colours and jewelled tones, with hints of a great renaissance inspiration.

LUXURY LIVING

061

Spotlight On: Kittipoom Songsiri Delighting In Details Words by: CARIS CRUZ

There's a rare, exhilarating feeling in re-exploring the familiar. It is as if you are given a new vision; with joy and magic, you discover the wonders in the little things you often overlook. This newfound experience serves as a ballast to spark your creativity and inspire you throughout the day.

Such is the work of Kittipoom Songsiri, the man behind Thailand's greatly awarded furniture brand, Karv Design.

Helming at the intersection of fine, detailed craftsmanship and modern-day industrial use, Karv Design produces everyday objects in a fascinating yet practical approach.

Taken from its name; the brand fashions out its products from Songsiri's brilliant imagination and a skilful manipulation of wood.

Hangers, book stands, stationery racks and small furniture items are among Songsiri's best works; paltry items, some may think, but it is the nugatory details that make life more satisfying. With his works, Songsiri demonstrates that design can incorporate a pleasant experience to our daily lives, adding a touch of humanity to lifeless objects.

He invites users to wonder with his smartly designed pieces. With Karv Design, Songsiri is able to bring out the child in everyone, albeit in a more efficient nature.

In his world, tiny wooden desk boxes are more than your regular storage; they can resemble your pet or a whimsical little village. Hangers are not just dull corner installations; they can be made fit to a modern space, no matter how small. A small wooden table, with joints detached, can be moved and dismantled when not in use. Shelves in the shape of a ladder can carry different types of books and small items for display and organisation.

Other than showcasing his creative acumen, Songsiri asks users to embrace nature and welcome it into their homes.

Oak, Walnut and Para plywood are among his favourite materials; elements straight from Mother Earth's bosom.

His well-wrought designs are silent messages; nature will be a part of human’s life, no matter how small.

By adding a dosage of passion into function, Songsiri places his heart in his craft; when it comes to good design, a little goes a long way. Kittipoom Songsiri is unerringly attentive to the extraneous and in doing so, produces a surprising kind of delight in the details of daily life.

LUXURY LIVING

063

LUXURY MOTORS Bentley The Marque of Success Words by: RODERICK EIME

Make no mistake a Bentley is the ultimate symbol of your success

064

LUXURY LIVING

Easing myself into the diamond-quilted hide seats is the first installment of my all-sensory introduction to the mighty Bentley Mulsanne. We all remember that ‘new car’ smell from our childhood when we all too willingly assaulted ourselves with the pungent aromas of plastic, vinyl and sundry acrylic sealants. In the Bentley, however, my nasal passages are delicately caressed with nuances of century-old burled walnut and perfumed Scandinavian leather.

My hands embrace the steering wheel, itself wrapped in hand-stitched hide against a backdrop of highly polished solid wood panel. The dash, while replete with every conceivable visual aid, still pays homage to the golden age of motoring with delicately replicated ‘organ stops’ in the air vents. These push-pull actuators are even meticulously tuned to simulate the look and feel of a vintage stopper.

You could easily spend an hour or more consuming the dizzying array of goodies within arms’ reach while the custom Naim 1.1kW 13-channel audio system rouses you with Bach, Bolan or Bacharach.

While that figure is impressive on its own, it’s the 377kW exuded from the massive 6.8 litre twin-turbo-charged V8 that will get your pulse racing. Even in a massive vehicle that weighs in at more than three tonnes, the Mulsanne can certainly get up and go. The huge L-Series powerplant traces its heritage back to 1959 and now, at the peak of its development, produces multiple time the power and torque of its predecessors, while reducing emissions to forensic levels. That said, when urged, you can reach the legal speed limit in around 5 seconds while on your way to the (highly illegal) top speed of almost 300kmh.

There has always been a quaint old saying that if you need to ask the fuel economy, then you can’t afford a Bentley, but for the record, a carefully driven Mulsanne will deliver a comparatively frugal 10litres/100km on the open road.

To appreciate the level of attention that goes into a car with a pricetag more in the realm of real estate, we need to visit the historic Bentley factory in Crewe, UK.

LUXURY LIVING

065

To the Home of Bentley The venerable Pyms Lane factory once produced the magnificent Rolls Royce Merlin aero engines that many say won the war for Britain when fitted to such illustrious aircraft as the Lancaster bomber and Supermarine Spitfire.

Today’s manufacturing process is whisper quiet by comparison. Conveyors silently transport the chassis above our heads where teams wait to perform their allotted tasks. Axles, transmissions, electrics and the coveted all-leather and walnut interiors are delicately installed without any sense of urgency. Even though the Crewe factory is now producing more Bentleys than ever before - as many as 10,000 in a year - there is no rush.

Across from the ‘line’ is the diligent ‘sewing circle’ where craftsmen and women sit at their benches hand-stitching the soft leather to the rims of steering wheels.

“Depending on the degree of customization, it can take up to 16 hours to stitch a single wheel,” we’re told by David, a craftsman who considers himself a mere pup, with just a decade of service.

Customisation is a hallmark of the Bentley ownership experience, evidenced by the range of vivid colours rolling along the production line. Lime green, fire engine red, and submarine yellow adorn the customised line-up, while most customers, I’m told, are content to choose from the generous palette of more than 100 factory-favoured tints. Interiors too can be customised with your own shade of leather, or if leather is not your thing, customers can request Oxford cloth.

While walnut is far and away the most favoured timber for the interior, elm, oak, maple and even eucalyptus are on hand. The top-of-range Mulsanne uses solid timber, computer cut to perfection on massive machines, then hand-finished.

“We’ve had some curious requests,” Robin Peel, Head of Marketing and Communications and our guide tells me, “including one lady who was so taken by the colour of a favourite kitchen appliance, she brought the whole item into us so we could copy the colour. It’s not unusual to be shown samples of nail polish, for example.”

066

LUXURY LIVING

Clearly, Bentley is a brand that attracts colourful individuals and the roll call of luminaries who own and drive a Bentley is vast. Of the most visible, David Beckham stands tall in his Continental, while Hollywood heartthrob and tough guy, Mark Wahlberg has been seen in his Mulsanne. Of the more colourful variety, Paris Hilton, is often spotted showing off along Rodeo Drive in her custom pink GT Coupe. In popular culture, Ian Fleming’s original James Bond drove a Mark IV, a variant that never existed, while several real Bentleys made cameo appearances in the screen adaptations. The Avengers’ character, Steed, drove a number of different Bentleys, one of which was a 1928 Bentley 4 1⁄2 litre.

While some outlandish personalities may be attracted to Bentley, there is still the sober society who takes comfort in the marque’s unrivalled prestige and workmanship. HRH Queen Elizabeth II is the proud owner of a custom-built state limousine while her grandkids, Prince William and Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge, were seen alighting from a sparkling Flying Spur for a red carpet event.

Most cars, Robin tells me, end up in the US or Middle East, but more and more are heading to Asia, particularly China.

With Bentley approaching its centenary, the simple guiding principles instilled by the founder, Walter Owen ‘WO’ Bentley, still stand true to this day, perhaps even more so.

“To build a fast car, a good car, the best in its class”

www.bentleymotors.com

LUXURY LIVING

067

Boat-Business * Price: THB 3,150,000 * More infos: 0 869 869 869

Seesara

For Sale

14,6 m. / Thai Registation / Pier with electric + water suply reg. Thai company (for boat, visa, work permit) / TAT - Licence / Insurance

Luxury Living LED Advertising

Luxury Living LED Advertising puts you in front of your audience in vibrant and accurate colour.

Operating LED Digital Commercial Advertising Screens on Koh Samui we offer two high-traffic locations paired with high-definition digital screens

• LED SCREEN CHAWENG LOCATION • LED SCREEN BOPHUT LOCATION

Contact us today to let our business work for yours.

123/189 Moo1, Bophut, Koh Samui, Suratthani 84320 Thailand Tel: +66 (0) 779 522 88, + 66 (0) 9 900 900 18 E-mail: ads@luxuryliving.com

Luxury isn't about expense.

Luxury is about the pursuit of perfection, whatever the cost.

LUXURY LIVING M

A

G

A

Z

I

N

A W A R D S

E

I n re c o g n i t i o n o f t h o s e w h o c o n t i n u a l l y s t r i v e t o b ea t t h e i r o w n p e r s o n a l b e s t , t h i s y ea r t h e s e b ra n d s t r u l y i m p re s s e d .

LUXURY LIVING M

A

G

A

Z

I

N

A W A R D S

E

The inaugural Luxury Living Magazine Awards starts here.

Are you amazing at what you do?

More to the point, are you the best in your industry?

If so, we would love to hear from you!

The Luxury Living Magazine Awards are a set of different awards across all the areas of the magazine that we serve. Winners will receive a stunning certificate with “Winner 2015� and your company name for you to print as many times as you wish, plus badges for your social media pages and website.

Display your award in pride of place to let your new and potential customers know you excel in one of the most competitive sectors to achieve in - the luxury lifestyle arena.

Located in the sweltering heat of the tropical Thai sun, what our readers need, are performance products. We need products that wont sweat off or melt off, dry out or crack up - products that can handle the heat and the odd torrential downpour. Put through the gamut of all-weather tests - the beauties kept us looking our best in all weather conditions.

BEST IN

BEAUTY

BEST NO-MELT MASCARA C E RT I FICAT E

LUXURY LIVING M

A

G

A

Z

I

N

E

2015 WINNER BEST IN BEAUTY

ESTEE LAUDER "DOUBLE WEAR"

BEST ALL-PURPOSE PRODUCT BEYOND ORGANICS "TOP TO TOE"

BEST LIPS & EYES LIVING NATURE "LAUGHTER & MIDNIGHT"

072

LUXURY LIVING

In the age of the internet, we are looking for quality, consistency and of course, that most intangible and irresistible of distinctions interminable style. From packaging to delivery, to brand and back again, these fashion favourites stole our hearts and our wardrobes this year.

BEST IN

FASHION

BEST ONLINE MALL C E RT I FICAT E

LUXURY LIVING M

A

G

A

Z

I

N

E

2015 WINNER BE S T I N FAS H ION

NET-A-PORTER

BEST BELT

HERMĂˆS

BEST EMERGING DESIGNER

ANGELYS BALEK

LUXURY LIVING

073

Luxury defines not only a class of product but a way of life, a style of living that persistently pursues the best for our hearts, minds and bodies. With wellness at the forefront of the search for immortality, these places take pleasure in providing a path to enlightenment.

BEST IN

LIFESTYLE

BEST DESTINATION DETOX C E RT I FICAT E

LUXURY LIVING M

A

G

A

Z

I

N

E

2015 WINNER BE S T I N L IF E S TYL E

THE SOURCE

BEST LIFESTYLE RETREAT

KAMALAYA

BEST WELLNESS CENTER

VIKASA

074

LUXURY LIVING

Thai cuisine is famed the world over for an intoxicatingly explosive mix of sweet spices and salted sour flavours. Delighting in the incredible blend of local and international dining options that abound, food for the table becomes food for the soul in a taste of the tropics that is Thailand.

BEST IN

DINING

BEST THAI C E RT I FICAT E

LUXURY LIVING M

A

G

A

Z

I

N

E

2015 WINNER BE S T I N DINING

LONG TABLE

BEST STEAK

THE KITCHEN TABLE

BEST JUICE

PROJECT JUICE DELIVERY

LUXURY LIVING

075

Steeped in a rich history of spectacular art, architecture and design, modern Thailand serves as a launchpad for some of the greatest international artists of our time. From gallery to muse, this is a country that expresses its unique heritage and creative worldview unlike any other.

BEST IN

ARTS

BEST EXHIBITION C E RT I FICAT E

LUXURY LIVING M

A

G

A

Z

I

N

E

2015 WINNER BE S T I N ARTS

VERAPAT SITIPOL

BEST TRADITIONAL ARTIST

DIREK KINGNOK

BEST PERFORMANCE ARTIST

KAWITA VATANAJYANKUR

076

LUXURY LIVING

Inside and out, your home is the hallmark of your style and success - a personal expression of comfort and elegance, or personality and functionality. Those brands that manage to capture the imagination and transcend purpose with a statement of stunning clarity have earned their place among the best in the world.

BEST IN

INTERIORS & DESIGN

BEST INTERIOR DESIGN C E RT I FICAT E

LUXURY LIVING M

A

G

A

Z

I

N

E

2015 WINNER BEST IN INTERIORS & DESIGN

ARKITEKTURA

BEST CUSTOM FURNITURE

ORIENTAL LIVING

BEST LANDSCAPER

BARTHOLOMEW

LUXURY LIVING

077

Serving an addiction for connectivity; we seek out the tech toys that aim to simplify life and streamline our daily activities. Secondarily, technology should be durable and beautiful enough to add an element of delight to even the most mundane tasks or lifeless corners in the house or office.

BEST IN

TECHNOLOGY

BEST WEARABLE WATCH C E RT I FICAT E

LUXURY LIVING M

A

G

A

Z

I

N

E

2015 WINNER BEST IN TECHNOLOGY

APPLE

BEST FITNESS TRACKER

MISFIT SWAROVSKI SHINE

BEST AUDIO BANG & OLUFSEN BEOSOUND MOMENT

078

LUXURY LIVING

As top speeds continue to out-race each other, today's luxury drivers are looking for something more in the face of dwindling resources. Excessive consumption is so passĂŠ. Speed and comfort now seek out performance and conservation. These incredible feats of engineering do well to surpass the best in their class.

BEST IN

MOTORS

BEST CAR C E RT I FICAT E

LUXURY LIVING M

A

G

A

Z

I

N

E

2015 WINNER BEST IN MOTORS

ASTON MARTIN CONCEPT

BEST YACHT

ECLIPSE

BEST BIKE

DUCATI DIAVEL

LUXURY LIVING

079

The cornerstone of our offering here at Luxury Living Magazine is rooted in property. It is where we started and where we shall always return to. A solid investment, and tangible trophy to admire on a daily basis; a premium property should return increasing dividends of joy and satisfaction to her owners and creators with time.

BEST IN

PROPERTY

BEST DEVELOPMENT C E RT I FICAT E

LUXURY LIVING M

A

G

A

Z

I

N

E

2015 WINNER BEST IN PROPERTY

AQUA SAMUI DUO

BEST ARCHITECT

GARY FELL

BEST CONSTRUCTION

SICC

080

LUXURY LIVING

Congratulations on building a superb standard for excellence, we wish you another year of success in 2016.

For the full list of winners, please see our website: www.luxuryliving.com/mag/luxury-living-awards

IN THE KITCHEN Where did your passion for baking begin?

It all started with the cookies. It was clear to me that I should serve my guests at MAGNOLIA SPA home made cookies after their treatments. So I started experimenting.

My kitchen became like a cookie laboratory. I spent hours, days, weeks, trying all sorts of combinations, looking for the one, original, tasty, crunchy cookie to impress my customers with. After 3 whole months of testing, tasting and trying, the “end product” was born.

My sesame - peanut and cashew nut - chocolate cookies became so popular my spa clients started asking if they could buy them!

- WITH -

Dalia Dillon -&-

Magnolia Cafe

The Magnolia cookies are now celebrating their 8th birthday.

What inspired you to start your own café?

My kitchen became my studio and I spent long hours there trying new combinations and flavors. As I am not a professional baker, my work becomes more creative, more challenging and more fascinating because I am not bound by any rules or recipes. When I am out of Thailand, (which happens quite often) I really miss my studio hours.

When did Magnolia Café take off?

Two years after came MAGNOLIA CAFE. The beginning was with a simple variety of sandwiches and soups but I quickly found that wasn’t interesting enough for a wider crowd of tourists and locals. Since then we kept adding dishes, spices, flavours including everything from local Thai food favourites along with a Mediterranean touch from Europe and influences from the Middle East.

Your cookies are divine! Do you plan to expand your operations outside of Koh Samui?

People keep asking me if I plan to export it outside Koh Samui, outside Thailand? Well, it didn’t happen yet. but who knows...... maybe I am still waiting for a smart marketing idea!

And today, will we still find you in the kitchen?

I could never forget the excitement of baking!

With the coffee shop came the need for all sorts of cakes. I started with cheesecakes. Plain, coated with all sorts of berries and chocolate, then came my famous Oreo cheesecake which became the Magnolia Café signature cake. It is a delicious and decadent cake that everyone loves – young or old!

What is next for you and your baking enterprise?

Today, we have very nice selection of cakes and pies and Kevin, the Manager of Magnolia, has just created a new facebook page called MAGNOLIA CAKE DELIVERY. It’s a great idea for birthdays, weddings or any kind of special occaision where we can send to your house or venue anything from our cake selection. Just make your order and we shall deliver it to your door! We do cake decoration as well with hearts, flowers and name writing to make sure your cake is beautiful to match your special day.

22 Moo 2, North Chaweng Koh Samui, Surathani Thailand 84320

www.magnoliakohsamui.com Mobile: +66 81 891 4523 (Dali) Mobile: +66 88 110 9649 (Kevin)

logo-AquaSamuiDuo.pdf 1 05/01/2015 12:58:38

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

K

Samui’s Best Value Residence Designed by

Multi-Award Winning Architect

GARY FELL

2 bedroom villas from 5.9m THB 3 bedroom villas from 13.9m THB

MULTI AWARD W I N N I N G

LUXURY SEAVIEW VILLAS

+66 (0)77 952 288

office@aquasamuiduo.com

www.aquasamuiduo.com

www.si a ma d r.com

BOUTIQUE LAW FIRM IN KOH SAMUI

International Legal Team Our legal services are targeted to support foreign investors in Thailand, including Foreign Direct Investment, Real Estate Transactions, and Civil Litigation.

Legal Services FOREIGN DIRECT INVESTMENT / REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS DISPUTE RESOLUTION / NOTARIAL SERVICES (Notary Public)

109/5 Moo 1, Bophut Koh Samui Suratthani 84320 Thailand Phone: +66 (0)77 427 437 E-mail: info@siamadr.com / Daniel@SiamADR.com

THE

LITTLE BLACK BOOK OF PROPERTY IN PARADISE

Exclusive properties at exclusive prices.

The essential address book for the ultimate investor.

Aqua Samui 2 Bedroom Deluxe Villa REF. ID: AQUA-006 Location: Chaweng Price: (Per Night) 275 $ to 500 $ Property Details: » Living space: 180 sq m » 1 master room » 1 room – sofa bed Features: » Designed by award-winning architect Gary Fell » Stunning panoramic sea views » Large open-form layout » Fully-equipped modern kitchen » Private infinity swimming pool » Smart home system automation » Secluded terrace RENTALS

9 bedroom villa in Bang Rak | Location: Bang Rak | Price: 2,250 $ to 5,965 $ (per night) | REF. ID: E9BLB Property Details: » 9 Bedrooms » 10 Bathrooms

Features: » 24-hour personalised services » Fully equipped fitness centre » Panoramic seaviews » Private cinema » Oceanfront infinity pool » Oceanside jacuzzi and sun deck

» » » » »

65” flat screen TV Fully-equipped kitchen with breakfast bar Floating sala Poolside garden Private beach access

Telephone: +66 (0)80 8936771 | E-mail: office@luxsamui.com | Website: www.luxsamui.com

Property Details: » 5 Bedrooms » 6 Bathrooms

» » » » »

Features: 270-degree sea view State-of-the-art barbecue unit Infinity-edge swimming pool 60” 3D TV

Aqua Samui 2 Bedroom Villa

REF. ID: AQUA-004 | Location: Chaweng Price: 275 $ to 400 $ (per night)

Property Details: » Living space: 180 sq m » 2 Bedrooms » 2 Bathrooms Features: » Designed by award-winning architect Gary Fell » Stunning panoramic sea views » Large open-form layout

» Fully-equipped modern kitchen » Private infinity swimming pool » Smart home system automation » Secluded terrace

» Bose V35 entertainment system » Fully-equipped kitchen with breakfast bar » 2 poolside sales

» Private garden » Sun terrace » 24-hour personalized guest service

Exclusive 6 bedroom seaview villa REF. ID: SJV20 | Location: Choeng Mon Price: 1,800 $ to 2,600 $ (per night)

Property Details: » Total area: 1,072 sqm » 6 Bedrooms » 6 Bathrooms

Telephone: +66 (0)80 8936771 | E-mail: office@luxsamui.com | Website: www.luxsamui.com

Features: » Uninterrupted ocean vistas » One of the largest private infinity pools on Koh Samui » Exquisitely designed gardens and ponds » Large fully equipped TV room with plasma screen » 2 fully-equipped kitchens » Jacuzzi » Large private terrace » Huge sunken living room

RENTALS

5 bedroom sea view villa | Location: Bang Por | Price: 1,100 $ to 2,100 $ (per night) | REF. ID: VBV4B

5 bedroom villa in Ban Tai

Panoramic 5 bedroom villa

REF. ID: NVB-5 | Location: Ban Tai Price: 36.000.000 THB

Property Details: » Living Space: 480 sqm » 5 Bedrooms » 6 Bathrooms

SALES

Features: » Incredible sea and mountain views » Private swimming pool

REF. ID: FS-RW5B2 | Location: Chaweng Price: 43.000.000 THB

» Pool deck with bar » Barbecue sala » Fully-equipped modern kitchen » Kids’ zone » Spacious courtyard » Big roofed terrace with modern sound system and projector screen

Property Details: » Living Space: 861 sqm » 5 Bedrooms » 2 Floors

Features: » Panoramic ocean views » Private swimming pool » Fully-equipped modern kitchen » Spacious terrace

Ultra-modern 5 bed seaview Villa | Location: Chaweng Noi | Price: 45.000.000 THB REF. ID: UM-5BCVS

Property Details: » Living Space: 691 sqm » 5 Bedrooms » 6 Bathrooms » 3 Floors

Features: » Picture perfect panoramic sea views » Private swimming pool » 2 Jacuzzis » Fully-equipped modern kitchen » Spacious terrace

Telephone: +66 (0)80 8936771 | E-mail: office@luxsamui.com | Website: www.luxsamui.com

3 Bedroom modern Beach Villa | Location: Laem Noi | Price: 45.000.000 THB

REF. ID: AQM-831788

SALES

Property Details: » 3 Bedrooms » 4 Bathrooms

Features: » Spectacular sea views » Private beach access » Swimming pool » Private courtyard » Fully-equipped modern kitchen » Wide selection of cutting edge technology

Contemporary 2 Bedroom Tongsai Bay Villa REF. ID: CL-VPLTS Location: Plai Laem Price: 25.600.000 THB Property Details: » 2 Bedrooms » 2 Floors Features: » Spectacular sea views » Panoramic glass windows » High-tech LED lighting systems » Revolutionary sweeping elliptical roof » Private swimming pool » Spacious terrace » Fully-equipped modern kitchen » Eco friendly design

Telephone: +66 (0)80 8936771 | E-mail: office@luxsamui.com | Website: www.luxsamui.com

LUXURY poweryachttours

THE VACATION OF YOUR DRE AMS IS HERE EXCLUSIVE PRIVATE POWER YACHT TOURS FULL TIME HOSTESS GOURMET LUNCH & REFRESHMENTS (ALCOHOLIC DRINKS INCLUDED)

travelinfo +66 (0) 7 7 952 288 |

PHONE: +66 (0) 9 18 360 360 ch t @@ u x ur rr r v vnn.com | w w w.. u x ur rr r v vnn.com

IMAGINE YOURSELF

WAKING UP TO THIS DREAM! AQU A S A M U I Multi-Award Winning Project is now also for rent P RI CE S STA RT ING AT 250 $ P ER N IG H T (fo r r ent) 10. 9 m TH B (fo r sale) • Breathtaking panoramic sea views • Centrally located in Chaweng • Private infinity swimming pool • Secluded terrace Aqua Samui offers stylish vacation and lifestyle properties unlike anything seen before in Asia.

These chic and ultra-contemporary villas are i n s p i r e d b y d i s t i n g u i s h e d a r c h i t e c t G a r y Fe l l o f G FA B A r c h i t e c t u r e ; with a design mandate to create spacious yet affordable luxury; a re situated high in the hills o f Chaweng incorporating awe-inspiring panoramic views over Chaweng beach towards the shimmering blue seas and clear horizon beyond.

Offering unique buying and investment opportunities which include both 2 bedroom villas and two styles of 3 bedroom villas; Aqua Samui villas boast a modern, minimalistic design that makes outstanding use of open-plan space and the surrounding natural elements. Each villa integrates rooftop water features, floor to ceiling glass panels, private swimming pools and an individual terrace that literally spills into its tropical surroundings.

Get one step closer to experience luxury living in paradise and contact us today!

123/198 Moo1, Bophut, Koh Samui , Surat Thani , Thai l and, 84320 Rentals: +66 (0)77 952 288, www.aquasamui.com, booking@luxuryliving.com Sales: +66 (0)77 952 288, www.aquasamui.com, office@aquasamui.com

INTRODUCING OUR HOT NEW COLLECTION - SUMMER BREEZE

T H E

H O M E

O F

I N S P I R E D

I N T E R I O R S

Phuket 424 Srisoonthorn Rd. Cherngtalay Tel/Fax: +66 (0) 76 325 419

Samui 9/18 Moo1 Maenam Tel/Fax: +66 (0) 77 247 675

info@oriental-living.net

www.oriental-living.net