Chiang Mai (Northern Thailand) Tourist Guide


	S.P. Publishing Group Co., Ltd. 11/1 Soi 3 Bamrungburi Rd., T. Prasingh, A. Muang., Chiang Mai 50200 Tel. 053 - 814 455-6 Fax. 053 - 814 457 E-mail: guidelin@loxinfo.co.th

LIVING IT UP:
Gerard Habitat-
Beautiful Rooms with a Bamboo Finish

Text: Finley B. Luge
Images: SP

Furniture with flair

Upon reaching the end of his career in civil engineering, which took him to various posts around the world, Monsieur Gerard made the excellent choice of deciding to retire here in Chiang Mai. With the free time that was afforded him, he began to play around with the idea of using bamboo, a material he had long had a passion for, to make furniture out of. Convinced that it was possible to make top quality furniture from this green resource he sought a partner to assist him in setting up a factory to take his idea to the next level. So fourteen years ago, M. Gerard struck an alliance with Khun Tosporn, a native of Chiang Mai who had the know-how and local knowledge to assist with the project.

The first few years were a challenge. Refining the technique of transforming bamboo into a world class line of furniture was a painstaking process with years of experimentation undertaken from both a design and practical perspective. With just a mere two workers at the outset, the factory, based in Mae Joe, has grown to employ over 100 members of staff. One of the main drives of succeeding in this endeavor was that with the current rate of world deforestation people around the world were starting to stand up against the trade in wooden furniture made from tropical woods, with a number of countries passing laws restricting their importation.

Bamboo by contrast is a prime renewable resource since it grows ten times faster than trees. In fact bamboo is a type of grass, not wood, and has a life cycle of just over three years. Although other countries like Indonesia also produce bamboo furniture, Gerard Collection uses a specific genus of bamboo found only in Northern Thailand called Pai Sang which is known for its strength and resistance to external stress which would cause it to split, and each bamboo stalk, part of the many pieces required to produce a single unit of furniture, is individually picked from the perfect bamboo tree, bearing in mind straightness, thickness, colour, discoloration, height etc. Once put together, the furniture is treated against parasites, hand doweled, and then polished over a lengthy period of time to obtain its final finish. Long established as one of the most respected and original home decor and furniture designers in SE Asia, Gerard Collection has loyal customers around the world and here in Thailand, including Armani Casa, the Armani furniture collection, who, like many others, produce their own range of furniture utilising the Chiang Mai factory.

Every piece of furniture imaginable has been created with artistic flair and durability. Beds, tables, sofas, chairs, lamps, mirrors, all in a range of colours and styles, have been masterfully produced, a sample of which can be viewed in the new showroom on Nimmanhaemin Road Soi 3, the ground floor of their recently opened petite boutique hotel, Gerard Habitat.

This ultra-luxurious hotel has been impressively designed in contemporary style utilising the exquisite bamboo furniture from Gerard Collection. A mere ten minutes from the airport and the old city, Gerard Habitat is also within walking distance of all the boutique shops, restaurants, coffee shops and vibrant night life of the Nimmanhaemin Road.

From the moment you step inside the lobby, the bamboo furniture is on display, with the front desk beautifully panelled in this versatile eco-friendly material, matching the panelling inside the lift. Twelve rooms are set on two floors; six are fitted with a corner bathtub with whirlpool jets (I-Spa bathroom design) and all have air conditioning; balcony with out door seating; 32" LCD TV with cable TV featuring 60 channels; DVD, CD MP3 stereo surround sound system; kitchenette with full set of dining utensils, 20-piece stoneware dining sets for four and a small pantry including two-ring electric stove and hood; two-door refrigerator with free daily mini-bar; kettle with free coffee, tea and Chinese tea; digital safe box; Microwave Oven, and smoke detectors. Free wireless internet at an impressive 4GB speed is also fitted throughout the building. All the rooms are large with beautiful spacious balconies and the four suite rooms have a spiral staircase (finished in bamboo of course) leading to a mezzanine level where the bed with wide screen TV is located, leaving a very open and airy lower floor to relax in. From the rubbish bin to the coat hangers, everything that can be made from bamboo has been, and the overall finish is wonderful.

Downstairs there is a pretty garden area, decorated with a water wall and verdant plant life, where you can sit in shaded comfortable chairs and have a read or a drink. Breakfast is included in the very reasonable cost of the rooms, taken in the adjoining Country Cafe, a very popular place in its own right.

Rooms are available daily, monthly and yearly, and you will be hard pressed to find a better quality room anywhere in the area for the prices quoted. In any case, the furniture on display must be seen for its distinctive qualities, and whilst you're having a look, be sure to check out the hotel and pass on what will inevitably be a warm recommendation to your friends and family.