Properties With Personality
Style, character and privacy are the outstanding features at The Headland Private Estate.
Frangipani Bay has once again broken the mould of predictability by completing this astonishing project. Having acquired the land and six existing villas, adjacent to the Baan Taling Nam Resort, Frangipani Bay considered its options very carefully.
Firstly, this is an outstanding location; it’s a very sizeable plot of land for just six villas. And, secondly, it would have been very easy to tear down the original buildings and build a new resort or a few large luxury villas. However, there were other factors to take into consideration. These villas were the first real high-end luxury villas on Samui and, as such, had a notable history with the island. In fact, the properties held an almost iconic status because of their age, character and location.
Despite the age of the properties, their layout was very advanced for their time and suitable for the modern living lifestyle. More importantly to the ever environmentally aware company, was the fact that the area was extremely well stocked with mature trees and shrubs.
This attractive foliage helps to create an incredibly private and exclusive estate. Therefore, to start fresh construction of a resort, or new larger villas would not only destroy the plants and wildlife but it would also result in the loss of valuable natural privacy.
So the decision was taken to keep the original footprint of the villas and perform a complete renovation to bring the properties up-to-date with a touch of the inimitable Frangipani style.
Few, if any, other developers have chosen such a course of action when faced with similar situations. But the result of this well-executed restoration project may well lead others to follow suit.
Renovating these villas, whilst trying to save the trees around the homes, certainly hasn’t been an easy option. Frangipani Bay’s idea of renovation isn’t just a case of tidying up the old properties by putting in new windows and then redecorating. Far from it: this project has involved changes such as removing walls to be replaced with bi-folding doors; adding new roofs that are partly thatched, in keeping with the Frangipani Bay corporate image; and adding new external staircases to create more internal space and open up the mezzanine areas.
Possibly the most noticeable feature of these modernised villas is the effort taken to ensure individuality and complete privacy. Five of the villas share the same basic design layout. However, the land on which they sit is elevated and sloping down to the beach. Because of the topography of the area, the layout of each garden is unique to each property. No two properties share the same appearance, as each has been built around the existing landscape.
In relation to privacy, every possible area has been accounted for. The project as a whole is completely hidden from view from the small road that runs behind it. There are no roads within the estate, only narrow walkways carved into the landscaping, and whilst walking along these pretty routes, the elevated position of the homes on one side means that you can’t see into them. In any case, you’re likely to be transfixed by the amazing sea-view on the other side of the path.
Some of the villas are on one level whilst others have tiered gardens. At the show villa the infinity pool sits on a lower tier with a completely private sunbathing area. Steps take you up to a beautiful lawn with room for seating and outdoor dining. The bedroom pavilion faces across this garden and over the pool to the awe-inspiring view, framed by the canopy of tress. Each en-suite bedroom has a private rear garden. Ingenious tilting and sliding wooden privacy screens sit in front of the bedrooms and literally slide along the grass separating the rooms from the front garden when required. In addition to all the natural screening from trees, further wooden screens are located in any possible area where a neighbour may catch a glimpse of the property.
The stunning garden and unrivalled views for each of these exceptional homes gives a wow-factor that is matched when you go inside. The challenge for Frangipani was to create something modern, attractive, stylish and luxurious without losing the considerable character of the existing villas. Light, airy rooms with bespoke furniture items made to the right scale for the properties, and the contemporary styling, creates a friendly and comfortable ambience that confirms the company’s achievement.
White walls, floors and woodwork are complemented by the natural greenery that surrounds the properties and is visible on all sides through the bi-folding glass doors and high windows. Vaulted ceilings and an open mezzanine floor add to the feeling of space and light. Each villa has a unique appearance and an intimate feel that instantly makes you want to relax and take in everything about the home, the garden and the view.
As with all Frangipani Bay homes, extraordinary lengths have been taken to protect and preserve the environment. For instance, the villas have been built around the trees and any removed have been replanted; passive cooling techniques have been incorporated into the design, meaning that breezes and natural shading limit the need for air-conditioning; and water collection is controlled with guttering and by having as much turf as possible to soak up surface water, rather than having large paved areas that force the water to run-off down the hillside.
All of the villas are scheduled to be completed at roughly the same time ensuring confidence for buyers that construction work will not be continuing long into the future. The sixth villa is a significantly more substantial property spread over three storeys and with natural internal water features that make it a ‘must see’ property.
These properties are full of personality and are a good size without being too grand. The privacy, exclusivity, location, history and kudos of the project make the rental potential of these homes unquestionable. The show villa successfully showcases the quality, attention to detail, cutting-edge design styles and the respected branding of Frangipani Bay.
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