Living Like The Artist
In Grandfather’s House

Nestled in a quiet corner of Samui’s Bang Kao area, this vibrant, raised wooden house, while not boasting the luxury of the island’s villas or a strikingly innovative design, exudes a captivating charm. It’s a charm that ignites inspiration in the many visitors who come to stay, a testament to the dedication of Matina Sukhahuta. She lovingly revitalized her grandfather’s old wooden home, breathing new life into it as a haven to inspire and host visiting creatives as Artists in Residence.

Samui Calling
Let’s rewind to the COVID-19 pandemic. For many, it meant lockdown at home or being unexpectedly stranded in unfamiliar places, even tourists found themselves “stuck on an island.” But for Matina, the younger sister of the renowned Thai fashion brand Sretsis, this experience was uniquely different. She chose the quiet refuge of Koh Samui in Surat Thani for her lockdown, a place holding fond memories from her childhood. However, this return to Samui unexpectedly transformed her life in numerous ways she hadn’t foreseen or planned.

It likely began with Matina’s motorbike explorations around the island during that period, eventually leading her to a piece of beachfront land. This discovery ignited a long-held aspiration to create a space where children could play and learn. “I’m not particularly skilled at many things, but my strongest suit is my imagination,” Matina explains. “I want to foster children’s imaginations.” And this initial spark of imagination grew too significant to keep contained once she found that land. Driven by the dreams and imagination of her inner child, she embarked on bringing Mulamati to life. During this time, Matina lived in various houses in Samui, deeply embracing the island lifestyle, building friendships, and connecting with numerous people. This fashion-savvy girl from Bangkok naturally transitioned into an islander during that chapter of her life.

From Grandfather’s House to Artist in Residence
Her motorbike then led her to an old wooden house in Bang Kao, a once-bustling Samui area due to its pier, now quieter as development shifted. Matina fell in love with its local charm and the old family home.

“Grandpa’s house is known by delivery folks – no number,” she notes. The original owner’s house was rented before Matina took over, its condition far from what it is now. It was a typical low-foundation Samui wooden house. After renting, Matina transformed it, starting with a vibrant green and pink exterior, her favorites, accented with yellow inside. Opening the folding doors and windows now floods the house with tropical light, a stark contrast to her first impression.

The main structure saw minimal changes, mostly a new kitchen counter and a back extension to connect the once-separate bathroom to the house. This included tiling and a vibrant mosaic-tiled built-in tub. Likewise, the front steps have subtle tiled details that echo the Chinese-style roof. “It was originally called the Chinese House due to the roof, a previous foreign tenant’s addition,” Matina noted. Beyond this, it was about repairing and finding compatible materials, all while weaving in Matina’s bright aesthetic through the decoration.

Matina’s initial plan was to live in the Grandfather’s House, but construction delays led her to settle in the adjacent one first. Her vision for the grandfather’s house then shifted to a collaborative creative studio for her island friends. “I imagined a lovely creative hub for us who’d escaped the pandemic, a place to show art and share tea, a gathering spot,” she explained. “But by the time it was ready, everyone had gone home.” So, the house transformed into an Artist in Residence, welcoming teachers and artists working at Mulamati, as well as international artists seeking inspiration on Koh Samui.

14 Days of Living Like the Artist
Our introduction to her grandfather’s Koh Samui house happened back in Bangkok at a Slowcombo party, the inspiring health-focused community space run by Klaiyduen Sukhahuta, Sretsis’s big sister. This sparked the idea to share the house’s story on QoQoon. However, Matina envisioned more than just a home decor piece; she invited us to live and create in the space as Artist in Residence. Thus began our two-week mission to create compelling contents inspired by our time living in the grandfather’s house.

We arrived at the grandfather’s house on Koh Samui in one late afternoon, greeted by a vibrant pink bougainvillea hedge that echoed the house’s green and pink hues. With dusk quickly approaching, we didn’t have much time to explore, and our first night was spent peacefully in a sweet pink bedroom. A mosquito net draped over the bed, and an old dressing table, painted the same rosy shade as the walls, completed the space. The night was tranquil yet alive with the gentle sounds of insects and nature, serenading us to sleep.

Facing west, the house greeted clear mornings with sunlight softly filtering through the back garden’s trees. Opening the front living area’s doors and windows instantly bathed the space in light, just as Matina had said. Inside, the furniture was minimal, catering to essential island living. The existing wall art remained, but we infused QoQoon’s style by placing Matina’s custom vibrant velvet sofas and relaxed beanbags in the living room. The coffee table was styled with a Sretsis Parlour tablecloth and decorative pieces, reflecting Matina’s creative direction. Similarly, the central dining table, adjacent to the fully equipped kitchen, was also arranged with care. All vases throughout the house held freshly cut garden flowers.

Besides the pink bedroom, a small green room offered another sleeping space with a daybed. A guest mattress in another corner of the living room was subtly partitioned for privacy using screens from Sretsis Parlour’s latest collection.

The front veranda offered a serene spot to unwind, whether in the cool morning shade or the gentle late afternoon breeze. Working on the wicker hammock in the soft sun setting light proved incredibly inspiring. Our two weeks in the grandfather’s house were imbued with a peaceful and positive energy that passed down through time. We channeled this into our ‘Samui We Love’ issue, hoping to share that same uplifting feeling with you.
If you’re interested in a creative recharge and sharing good energy, explore more at [email protected] or Instagram @grandfather_house_samui.