Bali Style

Sensual, vibrant, startling and exuberant ornateness characterizes the easily recognized forms of Bali. Forms that speak a visual language of a people who adore drama, nature and beauty but above all refuse to take life too seriously. Drama is an underlying force, within fabric designs, wood and stone carvings, architecture, performing arts, paintings and expressed in music.

A mild mannered people who live in harmony with nature is a paradox when examining the design elements of their arts. Most of the Balinese people lead simple, rural lives yet their arts are voluptuously grand. Balinese people live in homes with very little comfort, yet when attending religious ceremonies they dress in gold brocade and fabrics that are intricately printed with delicate design detailing.

Everyday dress for men and women is the traditional sarong. A simple rayon printed fabric that is fashioned to drape at the waist is totally in concert with the manner of ease and elegant beauty that Bali represents. Traditionally women were bare breasted, but today a simple cotton or rayon blouse, away from the skin is worn. Older women on the island of Bali still go bare breasted.

Housing is simple, yet artistic. The main pavilion is the living space for the family. We would think of it as a family room and living room as one. Typically influenced by Western style a separate dining area is usually set up. This main pavilion will have extremely high ceilings with open walls. All construction is of coconut wood, and woven thatch. Teak detailing, carving and wood work is merely decorative. The thatch and coconut wood columns offer the structure for the style of Architecture found most commonly in Bali. Seating is large, overstuffed on teak frames. Sofas are grouped into large conversation groupings that are dressed in natural woven cottons made locally. Woven cloth, batiked into bright accents is typically hung high at the ceiling and dresses a space from above. Sometimes waving in the breeze of a ceiling fan or trade winds, depending on location of the structure. Lighting is at the personal space. Floor lamps have bamboo bases, and cotton woven shades. Area rugs are fluffy natural wool, and soft to bare feet. Barefeet are everywhere. Textures are made for bare skin. Soft, supple and snuggly for late afternoon naps and cuddling. Art is found in carvings, old painted carving surfaces and decorative panels built into the architectural structures.

Sleeping rooms are separate wings with shuttered walls, or closeable window walls. These rooms are typically airconditioned for Westerners building in Bali. All beds are draped with bed curtains. Lumunous billowing linen or cotton gauze textiles allow breezes but keep out any insects and offer a privacy factor while sleeping that is intimate and romantic. Tied back during the day with cotton cords and large cotton tassles. Beds are high on platforms of teak. Open beneath with large white cotton duvets and large piles of white pillows. Sink into bedding that offers comfort, closeness and fast sleep. Beds are usually laced with orchids by invisible staff that scents everything with natural flowers and floral essences. Tea is presented at bedtime infused with floral buds and leaves. Sleep is honored on the island.

Bathing spaces are located off the sleeping rooms offering a luxurious approach to bathing that is uncomparable elsewhere. The use of natural stone slabs to form bathtubs, outdoor showers, tile floors glazed to a cool shiny finish, and waterfalls that go from outside to inside and begin a peaceful indulgence in the bathing spaces. Toilets are typically alcoved or separate spaces, with walls covered in grass woven cloth and shined tile floors. Showers are typically made for two and multiple shower heads give choices of rain or spray, and are typically built into walls that are covered in flowers or plantings. The luxury of taking a flower petal bath in a tropical environment is not compareable to any kind of luxury that I have experienced. There is something about coming back to a bath that has been prepared for you after a long day of shopping in hot markets and carrying handmade treasures back to the sleep
space. Slipping into a sarong and woven bamboo sandals and preparing for dinner is extremely laid back Bali Style.

Water, sun, sand, cool cotton sheets, cool tile floors, teak platforms inside and outside, and plunge pools welcome you to an archipelo of islands that are known as Islands of the Gods.