Branding guru Dolchai Boonyaratavej finally has the tropical-chic home that reflects his true, eclectic identity

          The four-storey house stands on a vast three-rai tract of land in Nonthaburi province, a stone’s throw away from the Chao Phraya River, with a connecting canal running down one side of the property. Rather than building a sprawling low-rise house, Dolchai Boonyaratavej, or Ike as he is better known, chose to indulge in green spaces, gardens, and organic vegetable plots that reflect Nonthaburi’s reputation for quality orchards.

          An architecture graduate, Ike became an award-winning advertising creative director before his current occupation as a highly sought-after branding consultant. When he’s not consulting clients or sharing his wisdom with his students at Chulalongkorn University’s Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy, Ike is flexing his degree by designing impressive projects, like Ndol Streamside Thai Villas in Saraburi and Baan Ya Hom Zantiis Thai restaurant on Ratchadamnoen Avenue.

          Ike’s passion for design comes from his grandmother, the elegant Phutson Mojdara whose impeccable taste in décor was instilled into him at a young age. Despite his deep-rooted interest in architecture and design, bolstered by formal training, however, Ike never had his own house. Instead, he invested his efforts into his parents’ house and enjoyed the convenience of a condominium that belonged to his brother. It wasn’t long ago that he felt it was high time he had a place of his own, and the family-owned piece of land just outside Bangkok provided the perfect blank canvas for his imagination to run free.

          The house itself boasts a modern exterior, with brown wood panels and dark aluminium frameworks that are minimalist yet ensure that the house doesn’t clash with the pastoral setting. Ike conceptualised the entire house himself, employing only a structural engineer to handle the infrastructure requirements.

          The ground floor area—set aside for his office and aromatherapy product laboratory—is discreetly hidden behind a vertical garden of green khoi, or toothbrush trees, a distinctly more environment-friendly choice than brick or tiles. Entering the house begins with a flight of stairs, where at the landing you are greeted by a koi pond, proper lap swimming pool, and a terrace. Within the glass-paneled walls of this second-floor living area is a dining room that can open up to the terrace, preventing the need for air conditioning on cool (and less polluted) days.

          There is a stark contrast between the modern exterior and the chinoiserie of the interior, reflecting Ike’s eclectic character, which he likes to call “tropical-chic”. Admittedly mischievous and childlike in personality, this quality accounts for his success in advertising and explains the wide variety of artefacts and Chatuchak-finds present all around the home.

          Ike has a habit of combing annual outlet sales to buy fabrics for pieces like curtains and wall hangings. He loves a good bargain for home décor items and possesses an uncanny knack for convincing owners to part with their prized belongings, such as a pair of antique ceramic Foo lions or two moss-covered stone Balinese barong.

A moss and leaf-covered barong is at one with the Balinese-themed water garden.

          The house was designed with a very basic layout to display his collectibles. In the indoor living area are some of Ike’s most treasured items: a six-paneled gold Japanese print on the main wall, an antique Chinese screen featuring battle scenes on one side and serene landscapes on the other, a wooden antique Ayutthaya standing Buddha in the Abhaya Mudra pose, and, of course, the ceramic Foo lions mentioned earlier.

A six-paneled gold Japanese print on the wall and a pair or ceramic Foo lions.

          Above the second-floor library area filled with design books is a recent acquisition of a carved wooden Chinese lintel that looks as if it was always meant to be there. Vintage velvet colonial settees add warmth to offset the chinoiserie, while the dark walls are perfect for highlighting the blue and white porcelain, which Ike is also fond of. A baby grand piano at the far end of the living area is where the homeowner indulges in his passion for music; he is a talented singer and composer, often performing at charity events.

Dolchai’s prized blue and white porcelain collection.

          The third floor holds a family lounge where Ike can relax with a private massage or just watch television. His large bedroom overlooks the swimming pool, and there is a generous ensuite bathroom and an overflowing walk-in closet. Two more bedrooms accommodate his live-in staff who are more or less like family.

Ike’s love of blue-and-white and chinoiserie is reflected in the decor of bedroom.

          At the top of the fourth-floor landing is an antique wooden altar with old Buddha images as well as Ganesha, the Hindu patron deity of the arts and sciences. There is a cosy study adjacent, with the homeowner’s collection of branding books, and a small but well-equipped fitness room. This leads out to a rooftop terrace that is perfect for sunrise coffee or sunset aperitifs against a view of the river.

On the top landing is an antique wooden altar with Buddha images as well as Ganesha.

          Ike has put a lot of thought into his garden space to make idyllic. Starting from the front entrance, the path is lined by manicured plants and cast-iron benches, evocative of an English garden. It leads towards a fountain and trellised pavilion at the far end. From the fountain, the path takes a left turn, and the shrubbery becomes more tropical. Another pool dominates this little courtyard, with a stone Ganesha overlooking the Balinese-inspired setting. Meander past another large covered pavilion used for casual barbecues, and you will reach an enclosed kitchen garden where a large variety of Thai herbs and vegetables are sprouting profusely, from chilis and limes to kale, morning glory, wing beans, eggplants, and the ubiquitous chaphlu (wild betel) and much more. Although it was unintentional, the kitchen garden now supplies fresh and organic cooking ingredients for Ike’s Thai restaurant.

          Completed just before Covid, Ike was more than happy to spend lockdown pottering around at home, spending most of the daytime on the second-floor living area, conducting Zoom meetings with clients or classes with students from his poolside desk—often in his swimming trunks with a shirt thrown on for propriety’s sake. He has now put the stress of his previous competitive advertising life and the chaos of Bangkok city traffic behind him and is, for once in his life, taking life one day at a time.