On the town
The bond between mother and son is as strong as it gets; and can be likened to a vast space filled with unconditional love, mutual respect and unforgettable memories. Such too is the case in the relationship between VISAKA HONGSANANDA and youngest son VARIT (also known as Pao)
“WHEN MY SONS were born, I understood immediately what pure, unconditional love is. Seeing Pao and his older brother Tanos (Palm) grow up together, provided me with so much happiness,” Visaka recalls. “When they were young, we were really close and did everything together. I would teach them to love and cherish each other, because the bond that binds family together is stronger than anything else. In the end, whether we encounter happiness or sadness in our lives, this family bond protects us, and guides us on how we should lead our lives.” Her son, Varit agrees with his mother’s philosophy of what constitutes a family. “I was really close to my mother growing up. I would follow her everywhere she went. But now that we are adults, we have duties and responsibilities. I accept that there would be less time to spend together, but we always find time to talk. When I have time off work, I would take her out for a meal. I always take care of my mother as best as I can,” he says. Varit grew up in his extended Hongsananda family in a home where the love for and attachment to each other knew no bounds. “The most important consideration in a large family is making sure everyone is happy. Having a big family is great, as there are elderly people who can give you advice. I believe there are two types of families: the first
“The townhouse has a private and very comfortable feeling,” says Visaka. “I like the size of the rooms, which is just right – not too big that it could make you feel lonely, or too small that it’s uncomfortable” visaka hongsananda
type is a family that includes parents and close relatives, and then there are friends – another type of family that I also consider as kin. I am especially close to my cousins, as I grew up with them since we were kids. My mother made me realise the benefits of an extended family; having the freedom to live our own lives but at the same time knowing there’s a special point of connection with cousins, sisters and brothers, regularly meeting and caring about each other,” Pao says. His mother Visaka also firmly believes in the benefits of having an extended family. “This is something very important in traditional Thai culture. In the olden days, people used to live together as a big family, including grandparents, parents, uncles, aunts, cousins and grandchildren. In this type of extended family there was always abundant love and warmth. However, in the modern day, while traditional Thai families still exist, individual family members have more privacy and there are clear boundaries. This shows the fusion between the modern way of living and the traditional extended family,” she says. These opinions of the ideal, modern Thai family shared by Visaka and Varit are at the heart of The Palazzo Srinakarin, an unrivalled luxury mansion development by AP Thailand. The Palazzo Srinakarin is a perfect fit for the lifestyle aspirations of an extended family, with emphasis on luxury, quality and a design that meets the needs of all family generations. Inspired by an American Neoclassical style that’s a fusion of classic and modern architecture, the mansions perfectly combine luxury and simplicity with functionality. This approach is evident from the outside; an imposing entrance with a veranda flanking the house leads to a long stairway that are wider than normal. A majestic living room offers a doublevolume space with a ceiling height of seven metres and a transparent mirror that lets natural light in. This natural light acts as a point of connection to the exterior spaces, while making the interior of the house look even more spacious. The kitchen is designed as an inviting space to be enjoyed by the whole family. It is divided into Western- and Thai-style kitchens with counters placed close to the dining table, ideal for preparing food and dessert. The Thai kitchen is designed for preparing big meals, boasting a simple elegance and organised look. All the ground floor bedrooms have been thoughtfully planned to have spaces and private zones for relaxation, such as a private veranda to enjoy the beautiful and lush landscaped gardens. Large windows allow plenty of natural light to flood through. There is also an en suite bedroom
“I like anything that looks simple but with luxury undertones and quality finishes. If I had to choose a house, my most important considerations would be simplicity and good functionality” varit “pao” hongsananda
on the first floor, which can be adapted into a guestroom. “The townhouse has a private and very comfortable feeling,” says Visaka. “I like the size of the rooms, which is just right – not too big that it could make you feel lonely, or too small that it’s uncomfortable. There’s a lot of space for the modern family to use and I think the bedroom on the ground floor is a great idea for elderly people so they do not have to use the stairs. The surrounding landscape is great for walks outside too.” In her opinion, The Palazzo Srinakarin is a perfect fit for how she believes the elderly generation would like to live. Pao, who studied design, is just the right person to share his perspective of the design elements of The Palazzo Srinakarin. “I like anything that looks simple but with luxury undertones and quality finishes. If I had to choose a house, my most important considerations would be simplicity and good functionality. The Palazzo Srinakarin fulfills all these requirements. It’s so spacious and at the same time gives me a feeling of utmost comfort. Something else that I consider important is location. From here, it’s easy to get around. There’s an Expressway closeby, with easy access to my office on On Nut Road, or I can get to the Sukhumvit area easily through On Nut Road and Udomsuk. “The Palazzo Srinakarin is the kind of house where you can live comfortably together as a large family of at least six people, with everyone enjoying their own privacy. Since there are no fences within the development, it makes you feel closer to your neighbours – similar to the concept of modern families where your neighbours are also part of your family,” he adds.