RESORT DREAM❤️ 🌴HOME & GARDEN Award-Winning Landscape + 8 Garden Design Tips ft. Howie's Homestay

Tour this amazing resort home and pick up 8 great landscaping/ design tips for your own garden! Also 8 easy tropical plants are suggested for your own paradise. This luxurious and extraordinary tropical home & garden at Howie's Homestay is in Chiangmai and the work of King of Resort architect, interior designer and landscape architect BILL BENSLEY.
Let's connect!
Instagram, TIK TOK: @leafing.around
/ leafing.around.official
You can stay at this resort at:
howieshomestay.com/
Image credits:
Bill Bensley
Howie
Dennis Hundscheidt
Robin Wong

[@dineshapunchihewa1228]

I bought a house and done few repairs . Then found out I had no money for landscaping the garden. So I decided to do it my self. Thank you for lovely ideas , I might steal some for my tiny garden.

[@shihabuddin4275]

Share it with us

[@docimma]

You can often find free plants in forest!

[@LishAnn-rb3xz]

This is paradise. I just love it.

[@Ang.0910]

Same and boy is it a lot of work and money

[@rosetealatte9282]

I was enthralled with the host and her adorable speech affectation. She was so enthralled with the garden, and her zeal made the show all the more enjoyable.

[@leafing.around]

🙏🍀☺️ thank you🦋🦋🦋

[@eduardochavacano]

Yes. Because she managed to keep me glued to the video till the end.

[@BondJFK]

@@eduardochavacano but she called manual old kitchen grinder as erotica art says lot about her knowledge and interest in the field, at least she should ask owner what is that

[@walterhefty5618]

I don't know about y'all, but this gal touring the garden is freaking adorable. 😍

[@winstonmiguelgumangan8863]

Those "erotic stone sculptures" you identified are in fact used to pound rice to separate the grain from the husk. It just got filled with rain water. Those flat stones with roller like stones are used to grind corn, grain and tubers for the kitchen. Ahhh apartment living has taken the rural out of most of us city dwellers.

[@leafing.around]

Oops...😅😅

[@harrysamuppet6804]

This property & garden are beyond stunning. This bloke has to be the most perfect example of when having money & taste come together. The garden is so quirky & lush and the attention to detail in both the house & garden is staggering. The house is just so bunged of “stuff” which you can tell all means something to its owner. He has literally created paradise!

[@hmf2833]

Thank You! from Howie

[@socket_error1000]

This has to be one of the most beautiful asian garden homes I have ever seen. It embodies everything you want in this style. It is as close to perfect as it gets.

[@zenthumb]

Creating a beautiful sanctuary with gardens is more important than having the rarest plants. I love the fact that you give importance to garden design. =)

[@leafing.around]

Yes I started out wanting to make a garden and I don't know how I ended up buying/collecting rare plants... You just gave an idea for new year resolution. No more buying "rare" plants!

[@chinesevocabulary7829]

Creating a beautiful sanctuary with gardens is more important than having the rarest plants

[@gnarbeljo8980]

Astounding space! Far from most people with unlimoted budgets manage to create beauty even close to this home and landscape. Most who attempt it don't have this persons (or couples) vision, taste and interest in nature, local artisans craft, and sculpture they clearly have. It's over the top luxurious of course but not gaudy, kitch, or too artficially arranged anywhere, just magical! The brickwork elements of the garden are particularly beautiful, and the way the water is featured in different ways everywhere is just dreamy. What a fantastic tour ! One thing though: If you don't want to literally kill thousands of flying birds you do NOT decorate with mirrors with no grid or lattice structure in front of it. The owner likely has people picking up birds with broken necks every single day, 100%. This goes also for modern or MCM buildings with huge glass panes in woodland, the windows outside reflect the suroundings and therefore birds fly at high speed straight into them. I've lived like that for a while and it was really tragic the amount of daily deaths, it broke my heart. Perhaps the two opposing mirrors with not so much space between isn't as bad if they arent double sided, idk... It's just an aspect seldom ever mentioned in architecture but a reality one should know about and safeguard against. Thanks for a terrific tour! I cant imagine a more luxurious way to have a relaxing vacation!

[@marceloabreucultura]

Here in Brazil we have these amazing trees with their trunks and branches covered in big and think thorns like the ones you showed us in the video. In winter, these magnificent trees lose their foliage which is replaced by white or pink flowers all over the branches. A true feast for the eyes. It’s the Ceiba speciosa. I guess it might be the one you showed us. Hope it helps. All the best.

[@theweirdplantguy4873]

Yes, I think you are correct.

[@leafing.around]

Thank you Marcelo for letting me know!😊

[@diegonunes7949]

Yes, is Ceiba speciosa or Paineira here in Brazil!!!

[@janetshepherd9062]

Loved this! 😂❤

[@mightylawrence1796]

Love it I was hearing and seeing plants names that I never heard of before.

[@mpc13]

Thank you for the tour, Irene! The "sculptures" at 7:43 are traditional stone grinders. Used to grind grains, herbs, and spices. The ones with the phallic shape lol are the rollers/pestle.

[@leafing.around]

And they really are shaped so realistically the human phallic form like that...the real kitchen stuff?

[@rajaj01]

@@leafing.around ofcourse... They use lentils and rice soaked ... Grinded one by one to make Idli... kzbin.info/www/bejne/r5uolpp9mNuEe5o

[@sudhamuralidharan6574]

Hi Namastey, vanakkam I m from southern part of india Beautiful garden 💜 The stone items you saw opposite Lord Ganesha s statues are used for grinding The flat one is called ammi to grind chutneys etc The square ones with a hole topped by another stone handle is called aatukal used for making idlis, dosais, vadai etc We are using for centuries Thanks

[@leafing.around]

Ah...thanks for the details of what each makes too...And the stump thing to pound....is also shaped exactly like that?? It so totally looks like erotic art to me then😄

[@sudhamuralidharan6574]

@@leafing.around erotic relates to creation 😂😂😂

[@mr.zenedin1735]

@@sudhamuralidharan6574 where are you sudha in India I'm sure your WhatsApp plz 🌹🥀

[@srinivasashree0000]

Namaskaara from Karnataka 🙏

[@AN-fo1dy]

@@leafing.around The "stump thing" is not made for pounding, but for grinding soaked rice and pulses/grains in a circular motion in the hole in the base square granite piece. The shape of the stone in the hole (stump) is like that to assist with gripping it with one hand. (The "stump" is too heavy to be picked up for pounding purposes)

[@dingdonglong803]

What a beautiful home/garden. If I had an unlimited budget like Howie, I would take this over those mega mansion you see in the western world. This place has so much life and soul to it…saying it’s exquisite would be an understatement!

[@patriciaaberth6664]

What a beautiful piece of heaven, thank you Irene for this great video. This family is truly blessed.

[@lovemeditation8981]

Thanks, Irene, I agree this is one of your best episodes. What a fantastic garden, showing what can be achieved with, good design, a generous budget, and an obliging Client. What a wonderful example of a modern tropical garden, one I will have to visit when I am next in Chiang Mai.

[@marceloabreucultura]

Hi Irene. Thanks for yet another incredible video. Such a joy to start 2023 surrounded by so much nature

[@ranger2316]

I am simply blown away with the landscaping and building design! What a home. I was watching this with an eye toward ideas I could incorporate into my garden in the Tampa-St. Pete area and I think we have a good many similar plants that we could use. This was a great video, thank you so much for providing it to us.

[@thelmavillanueva3339]

Thanks for touring us into this amazing and whimsical garden, really one of kind❤️ This is one of your best episode!

[@sagebrush22]

One of the most incredible gardens and home I have ever seen. How awesome to live there. It needs to be a Museum some day. I would love to stay there some day. Thanks for the video. So whimsical, off the wall and works so well!

[@elainectlow]

Wow! It's a true haven with pants and water features! Lovely and very exclusively decorated with so many varieties of plants 🪴 I really enjoy 😉 your updates 😊 thank you

[@freakemshoes]

Absolutely, love this beautiful and tranquil garden. I am not want that walks barefoot other than on sand, however, all I want to do is take my shoes off an ground myself through their garden. The designer, Howie and his wife did a wonderful job with their beautiful resort home. I pray I am blessed with the opportunity to visit it 🛐

[@rosehill1595]

Wow, this is one to watch more than once - beautifully designed. I'll join the chorus of not every plant has to be a rarity - a garden is so much more satisfying when all the parts play well with each other, a bit of repetition - a grand symphony. Thanks for the tour it was a treat to wander about with you in this retreat:). Outstanding video, Irene!

[@leafing.around]

Thanks Rose! Yes prices goes up and down....what's rare today may not be rare next year...I think this is my biggest learning! *sobs over too much spent on 'rare' plants*

[@TruthQuest4700]

This garden is genuinely transporting into what seems like a lucid dream. I can only imagine the soil there is like touching black gold!

[@arvera357]

Once again Ms Irene is whimsical...that is why I love watching the videos she posted..so amazing ♥️ Cheers 🤗

[@JessieMcbride-tv5xi]

I think contrasts in environments like this one are absolutely beautiful 😍

[@TheSushmaHomeSellingTeam]

The entire landscaped area were visually beautiful and since their a lot of plants and trees surely, the ambiance here is so cool. 😍

[@bhaskarjyotidas2331]

No words can define the beauty of this place.. Enthralled, mesmerized..

[@jonadevera5152]

This the second time I watch I am blown away I love plants,ideas to build my home in S.E Asia,it’s so educational and I’m speechless.

[@Rodaportal]

The garden design here is absolutely captivating! 🌿 It's not just about rare plants; it's about creating a sanctuary where nature and design harmonize beautifully. I can't help but admire the attention to detail in both the house and the garden. It truly feels like a paradise on Earth! 😍 The whimsical touches and lush greenery are so enchanting. Thanks for sharing this incredible tour, Irene!

[@user-ns8zk7he4l]

Получила эстетическое удовольствие от прогулки по этому райскому месту.Спасибо огромное!!! И большой привет из Крыма🤗🤗🤗

[@LUISHENRIQUE-lf9lq]

Que lindo! Adorei todas as plantas, o uso de plantas tropicais conferiu ao projeto uma exímia experiência. A junção das peças de decoração, arquitetura e paisagismo ficaram impecáveis. Amei.

[@ANANEWYORK1]

Another marvelous video, Irene! Thank you for always bringing such great content!

[@emmagordon3394]

Relaxing and soothing experience. Very much enjoyed the tour. Simply AWESOME!

[@johnbroot5628]

That speaking voice is gold! She doesn't need any jewels as her voice is like a priceless gem that is very attractive, endearing, and it is really calming. It is so pleasing to the ears. Got me subscribed not just by her golden voice but also by her being a good and informative vlogger.

[@johnbroot5628]

I forgot to mention that she is also has a very pleasing personality and looks. She has a positive aura which is also like a magnet.

[@leafing.around]

Can't sleep for days now 🥰🌴🦋🙏

[@DhangsKitchen]

Can’t thank you enough for bringing us to this beautiful home garden! Heaven on earth hehe🎉

[@gemmagajo5082]

Wow...a beautiful place to spend time with your beloved one...wherein you can do meditation and have some reflection in life...the best place to unwind ...and have chitchat.

[@marasmithson6218]

Wow hey Irene, I've been waiting for your next tour! I hope you had a good time the last weeks!

[@GingerJar]

Love ChiangMai where the air was jasmine-scented...& this place! I wish to go back & visit this place! Lovely lovely video & illustrated advice!

[@wairimuwanjuhi7435]

Most beautiful manmade place I've ever seen. Just magnificent

[@atociekawe9136]

This is just the most beautiful place in the world. Thank you 😊

[@boroiasar12]

OMG don't think I've ever seen such a beautiful place...love it 😍

[@dodonggoldblum2085]

im a fan of bill bensley. his house in thailand is unbelievable. ive been getting inspiration from him

[@jotilochun80]

Magical garden! Brilliant tour: fun, knowledgeable and educational ❤

[@venehamilton7010]

Irene, you really did it this time. This is a magnificent sanctuary. The garden is amazing and tranquil even just viewing gives a calming effect.

[@margaritacano815]

Gracias Irene. Sus videos son maravillosos, qué manera de hacermos viajar a través de sus relatos! Saludos desde Colombia ❤

[@Ginasierra51]

This place is so huge i cannot imagine how the designer do the land scape put those things in proper places amazing!

[@mirib5007]

Dreamy and enchanting. I love your flowing vest! Beautiful.

[@neilsant1194]

Its magical and dreamy. Architecture that moves you like u are in fantasy. Every angle is interesting

[@theweirdplantguy4873]

Once again Irene you have shown us a magical place with amazing landscape! The Tree with all of the spines is Ceiba speciosa or the Floss Silk Tree. The reason for no leaves could be just a seasonal change. I grow one in Minnesota USA so it is indoors now because we have two feet of snow on the ground. I stop watering in late fall-all the leaves fall off-and store dormant into the spring. Spring, summer and fall when activity growing- I water like crazy-but I do keep it in a aroid/succulent mix that dries very quickly. The older bark on the outside is much deeper green/brown in color and the new bark being created is an almost emerald green. Very beautiful once you get passed the thorns. I always put it in an out of the way space-the thorns do heart 😢 Again thank you for bringing us along 🎉

[@leafing.around]

Halllo weirdplantguy 🍀😊thanks for the valuable ID!

[@evaauto3302]

Wow! The place is breathtaking. My first time to see a garden with huge mirrors.

[@jednoducha]

Thank you for your interpretation. The garden is really beautiful. Beautiful interior design. Beautiful a fish.

[@truthbetold2611]

I love how you describe plants. It's poetic in a fun way : )

[@lindaedwards4632]

What an incredible place Irene, thank you for the tour 💕😀🇨🇦

[@nadiabifout723]

Its such à plaisure to see all those traisures thanks to all caftmen owner and spacialy this Chanel . Love from algeria

[@MiaUy]

It's beautiful! Stunning garden landscape! I got some ideas now what I want for my farm. Stay blessed 🙏

[@TigerMa75]

The number of times I have watched this video…a lot! One of my favourites-love it!

[@leafing.around]

I am honoured....glad you love it!🥰😃

[@lindas5964]

This whole tour was magical❣️The bits of humor and light hearted narration added to the whole uplifting experience. ❤️ On a practical level, the idea about how to hide the garden lights was very much appreciated! 😉

[@paulwillingham3449]

That is a wonderful video Irene. There is so many ideas to take away from it. I love different aspects of garden design and I especially like the use of art and different features in a garden as focal points. The photography in general as well as your use of technical information was excellent. That is arguably one of the best videos you have done. I'm sure that is a magical garden to visit. Many thanks Irene!

[@leafing.around]

Thanks Paul for being so observant and encouraging! Truly such an amazing place....AND cuz am feeling chatty - share bit of an inside story - I think the biggest garden I had covered. During the session I started to get dehydrated and if noticed at the end of the video I started to run out of energy. In the evening eventually collapsed over fine Italian food al-fresco with Robin who was filming me. Whilst I enjoyed the nite at a suite in the hospital with drips, dear Howie had to help get Robin back to the airbnb because Robin had no idea where we lived :P

[@paulwillingham3449]

Goodness Irene! I'm glad you are better now. That must have been a very eventful visit. I hope you are feeling much better now. It's good to hear from you. Take care.

[@oceanocean4383]

Beautiful ! thank u for sharing plants bring Happiness to my Heart! love your videos Leafing Around! thank u

[@arunbadalkar6936]

Great landscape designer & created an outstanding design ! This is true delight to eye & mind.!

[@parislim853]

Very beautiful property, everything in those spaces are screaming my name. Love the statue

[@saminaafzal150]

Speechless like you were while exploring this amazing heaven simply wow❤

[@julieplustache6085]

What an amazing tropical oasis! Thank you for taking us along

[@ppsthlm]

What an amazing place!! Bill Bensley is such a playful magician. I wanna live here 😊

[@nelidabatiller9360]

It's a wowow.. jaw dropping garden, everybody's dream of! 🌷🌾🪴 Love it!😍😍😍 Amazing..😮😮😮

[@leafing.around]

Glad you enjoyed it🥰🍀🌴

[@sachindave3333]

It's the cool garden I have ever seen so far on the internet I mean I am sure there are better looking gardens outlets but he has almost everything. High five for the effort and making a new substantial ecosystem.

[@ivanileang]

Such a beautiful garden ❤ Awesome video, keep it up !

[@desicaingagiola6008]

What a magical place to live! Thank you for talking us a long with you. Loved it! 😍🥰

[@leafing.around]

Yes I am now dreaming...where shall I find lots of money to buy a big piece of land build my dream home...😄

[@kadensinclair]

Thank you! Wonderful explanation for many things and the tour was great. Helps us with ideas as we build our community spaces.

[@RJ-db7rj]

Wow!!!!it's amazing one should take those ideas and make environment pleasing

[@andrewtremelling4777]

What a wonderful video Irene. I love Bill Bensley’s and Chirachai’s designs. Not relying on individual plants but the balance between soft and hardscape with whimsical folly’s to discover throughout. Really well presented. Thank you😅

[@leafing.around]

I studied their garden intensely over IG when designing my own!😄

[@ANANEWYORK1]

This garden has the serene harmony that I so love about your garden, Andrew.

[@mightylawrence1796]

Is Chirachai’s also a Garden Architect? Or the one who designed the Villa?

[@leafing.around]

@@mightylawrence1796 Jirachai is the horticulturist...and I think landscape designer.

[@jenniferjuteram5145]

Beautiful & calming video & place! Thank you!

[@CaviteBoy23]

Amazing resort and you did a great job sharing it😃❤️

[@jonardpaduahealthylifestyl7890]

Good Day My Friend, Garden Design, Amazing and Very Beautiful Thank For Sharing this video, Watching From Camiguin Island Philippines, Take Care Always God Bless You and Your Family.

[@mightylawrence1796]

Hi Irene. I really enjoyed this episode. I don’t have any regrets that I have come across this particular, peculiar experience of a place that has an incredibly detailed structures, gardens and different kind of classical plants. And design bummers in the garden. It’s splendid indeed.

[@leafing.around]

Appreciate your lovely feedback - hope to share more amazing places & gems that I find!

[@genevievegreene1595]

The pale pink plant at 13:50 bordered in green that is next to the cordyline is a croton as well. That garden is breathtaking.

[@steveriddle6105]

For me, it looks more like Graptophyllum Pictum.

[@leafing.around]

I actually didn't know and had to Google image search this plant!

[@genevievegreene1595]

@@steveriddle6105 so I googled that, you are correct. However, we call all of those plants croton. At least here in the Caribbean.

[@jacksgrowingdiaries5974]

I was here telling my daughter we call it fresh cut in Jamaica. I’ve never heard it called croton or by it’s scientific name. We call it that because we scrape the branches and mix it into a paste and put it on scratches, scrapes, small wounds.

[@jenniferh7020]

Absolutely beyond gorgeous! 🤩 And thank you to the delightful host and the excellent put unobtrusive videographer. 😎

[@leafing.around]

🥰🥰🥰 thank you!

[@MarikaMedia]

You did the best job I've seen with a tour. Your voice is so serene and perfect for these types of gardens. Thank you for your work. 🙌🏽

[@leafing.around]

So nice of you. Thank youuuu🥰🥰🥰🙏

[@MarikaMedia]

@@leafing.around you are so welcome. You are fun and so easy to understand for someone like me three years in and still learning. You are saving me from expensive horticulture classes. ❤️ I really want to have an Asian inspired zen garden even tho I live in Georgia. I missing "home" which is Sagamihara, Japan for me. So if I can have some inspiration outside I'll feel a little less homesick. 😊

[@susanbacolod9346]

wow,I Love every Episode u showed to us,so very detailed & very beautifully presented,you know also how to elaborate or describe such an item,talking of art, antique articles,plants & others,& most if all im picking words like. the "rule of the odd" the principle of design , Love it ,,,more power & good luck Irene , Happy & Healthy 2023

[@leafing.around]

Thanks Susan for such specific feedback and encouragement! I spent Christmas and New Year working on the video and soooo happy with your appreciation 🥰🌴

[@durbansaladyinaccra2173]

Well Howie definitely succeeded in creating his own little piece of heaven on earth.

[@abcdef-lk3lb5th]

That's awesome I love to see those so articulous and gifted by God just phenomenal word is this absolutely beautiful you're giving back to the Earth making it become gardening yes beautiful

[@sandragoerlich7134]

What a beautiful place, thanks for sharing Irene!!!

[@ItsLi90]

Chiang Mai in Thailand was generally always one of my fav. Places. Was there only 2 times tho, even tho my family ( thai and chinese mixed ) lives in thailand. I grew up outside of asia ,so i only visit thailand mainly to see family and travel not too much around thailand if i do, mostly i stay in the south and in the central parts , as my fav places are usually with ocean. But north thailand is still one of my favs nature-wise after some oether places here, that do not include any ocean area.

[@petersvan7880]

Wow! One of the most beautiful, exquisite gardens and properties I've ever seen. The attention to detail and workmanship is just stunning. Also love your presentation: such a soothing and s*xy voice :)

[@laceyclawson]

This is my first time to your channel and i must first say that i find you absolutely stunningly beautiful and your voice is so soothing and feminine, which for me made the video of this incredible, peaceful resort so much more enjoyable and actually quite inspirational to be honest. I found it extremely informative and educational and i love all of the unique and rather odd features showcased in this place. I love how they were able to resemble that of a rainforest in a backyard and how well everything seems to be thriving there. I am someone who struggles with abstract thoughts and creative processes, but watching this video actually made it more palatable for me to understand and gave me the opportunity to see such abstract areas broken down into smaller ones that are so much easier for my brain to process and understand and i am so grateful and appreciative of you sharing this with me because for so long I’ve been trying to find a way to learn how to be more abstract and creative and this was exactly what I’ve been searching for! Thank you so much for this highly enjoyable video that was filled with so much valuable entertainment!

[@leafing.around]

What a lovely word of appreciation... thank you so much my dear.🥰🥰🥰 and am so happy this little channel found you at last! This video is v memorable for me because after filming this one, we filmed the "erotic garden" find it in my channel here...and in the evening I collapsed and ended up in a hospital!

[@nami-vlog]

Beautiful footage, I'm thrilled! Greetings from Germany 📸💜💜💜💜👍

[@noradimagiba1954]

You had me there for a bit, Irene, when those ghostly figures appeared! But again, thanks for taking us with you to these amazing garden. No fancy rare plants but well placed tropical ones. Such a well thought-out garden. And you describe it perfectly as it is. Love this video like all the rest.

[@leafing.around]

Thanks Nora! :) My new year resolution I think is to stop buying 'rare' plants! I need to save money to buy a big piece of land....to build my paradise like Howie!!

[@noradimagiba1954]

@@leafing.around that would be a very wise move! ❤️ Can't wait for you to actualize your dream!

[@arthuslim]

another gem of a video from Irene. always wow.

[@lydvincecruz8395]

Amazing 👏 🤩 Thanks for sharing 👍 Very much appreciated.

[@nickrodis6862]

Thank you for sharing the best resort in the world we will stey there in the near future with my family. Happiness to all of us.

[@nhorael-hajj6355]

The most beautiful vila a ever seen😊 I have been in Indonesia and Malaysia I seen this gardens very amazing thank you Irene for this wonderful episode hope to see more of this

[@leafing.around]

My pleasure 😊 to share this gem with you and the world!

[@sandyclark2385]

Your hair looks great Irene. Very relaxing to watch this. Well presented. Greetings from Australia

[@LittleShibaInu]

Great sharing video, that was such a beautiful view that make me feel relaxing with a soft music ❤❤❤

[@mariadesantacruz5960]

Amazing!Love the design!the gardens!the interiores!Fabulous!,congrats from Argentina

[@Godwinpounds4333]

Hello how’re you doing?

[@valorianbronze2683]

I love your enthusiasm. Thank you for sharing the video, I really enjoyed it!

[@eduardochavacano]

I watched the entire video, my gosh. That is amazing, 30 minutes and i finished the whole thing. The GARDEN and all the arts and crafts, simply perfection. I was hoping I could get ideas and copy for my little garden. Id have to watch it again. But i think the garden could have used Bird of Paradise plants like those in the entrance of the gate. I didnt like the toilet though or the bath being too open. Great Tour of the whole property and nice interview. Chiangmai is so beautiful indeed.

[@jpuang]

Like the saying "home is a palace".Thanks for sharing the beauty and Garden Design Tips. greetings of peace from Indonesia

[@goctalis3064]

Thank you for this overwhelming video!

[@pritig1407]

paradise.. i am short of words.. truly marvelous..

[@kittisakchooklin874]

thank you for sharing. Love hearing where you got the inspiration.

[@mitosnieves432]

Wow! Beautifully designed! Congrats on this episode😍