Joglo Living :: Khayangan Estate, Bali

I had the absolute pleasure last week to assist a lovely client with her furniture layouts for a traditional Joglo she is building in a beautiful tropical setting just inland from Noosa. 

If you are wondering what a Joglo is? They are a type of traditional crafted timber house, mainly found in Bali and Java and built to be dismantled and moved easily. 

I have attached a fine example of one, recommended by my client, with The Khayangan Estate in Bali. These particular Joglos were once the traditional home of Javanese aristocracy and have been saved from destruction and lovingly restored.

Fantastic indoor / outdoor views...

Note the use of high ceilings, low perimeter shading and no major internal walls allowing cool breezes to flow throughout.

images from The Khayangan Estate

The result seamlessly mixes traditional craftsmanship with antique pieces and contemporary furniture within a tropical backdrop. 

Having travelled to some hot places I have nearly always been more comfortable with the heat with high ceilings, massive ceiling fans and shaded open areas rather than enclosed rooms with air conditioning units... 

In the absence of having one of these Joglos shipped over from Bali for myself... I await with excitement to see my client's one finished in the not too distant future and the chance to visit The Khayangan Estate the next time I am in Bali. 

Have fun.

Waka Nusa Resort :: Nusa Lembongan, Bali

Another interesting place I have stayed in Bali is the Waka Nusa Resort on the Island of Nusa Lembongan, situated 12 kilometers East of Bali.

The resort faces Sanur and the impressive Gunung Agung volcano (at 3100m) and because of its isolated location and limited infrastructure, the Island has been preserved from the growth and progress that has evolved in Bali over the last ten years.

The resort has 10 thatched huts based on a palm tree plantation with a white sandy beach, a beautiful turquoise lagoon and coral reef. Diner is alfresco style and literally on the beach edge with your own bamboo lantern.

images via Waka Nusa Resort

The hut construction materials used are in keeping with the natural landscape, local available materials and local tradition; traditional 'alang-alang' thatched roofs, coral and earth pigmented wall rendering (no VOC's here), local wood joinery and traditional decoration.

As Nusa Lembongan has an ancient and fragile ecosystem the island's power and water supply is limited. The huts do not have air conditioning (only overhead fans), intercom, TV's or telephone in the rooms. Instead of air-conditioning, there is natural ventilation which is forced by the lower wall inlets bringing the cool air in from the outside garden. The hot air is let out through the Terra-cotta outlets at the top of the roof.

It was nice not to have to rely on power and the creature comforts of air-condionting. We found the fans and the natural ventilation enough comfort... and embraced the calm and quite atmosphere without phones and the TV in the back ground.

If you are likely to miss your sports channel then this is not the place for you but if you fancy a peaceful and beautiful island getaway then look no further.

Have a great weekend.

Bali Spirit Hotel and Spa :: Ubud, Bali

I could not help myself but to mention another place I have stayed in Bali...

I just love places surrounded by rainforest and located near water. One such place is the Bali Spirit Hotel and Spa nestle on a hillside above a gorge just outside Ubud. I love the combination of its natural location and hand crafted Balinese architecture.

However it's not a place if you do not like walking up and down steps! But if you like to swim in an outdoor pool surrounded by rainforest; or read a book to the sound of a river flowing below; or take a dip in the nearby traditional Balinese bathing pools; or just relax with a traditional Balinese massage in a garden pavilion to sounds of frogs and the flowing water... then this is your place.

the rainforest pool...

breakfast by the river below

the main building

As you can see from the photos, the main building has been lovingly restored and retains a traditional Balinese character and feel. Windows and doorways are made from carefully carved timber along with the old four poster beds and foyer furniture. The hand woven fabrics and textiles are also sourced from local craftsmen and designers.

images via Bali Spirit Hotel and Spa

If you are interested in staying one day, then this is one of those mid range hotels that makes you feel like you are stay at the luxury end without the associated charges.

Have a great weekend.

Komaneka Tanggayuda :: Ubud, Bali

Today there has been non stop rain here in Brisbane... This rain reminds me of our first trip to Bali a few years back and a rather soggy stay in Ubud.

Ubud is a beautiful hillside village in the centre of Bali. If you prefer not to be part of the party scene on the coast and would rather relax in a day spa surrounded by lush rainforests, rice terraces and plenty of culture then the inland villages of Bali are the perfect option.

At the time I was designing a Balinese day spa here in Australia… so this trip was well timed and added an extra dimension to my interior design research!

As it was Christmas, we treated ourselves big time and stayed in the Komaneka Tanggayuda resort, just outside Ubud. This picture says it all...

Our accommodation was this Valley Pool Balinese Villa with our own private infinity edge plunge pool, day-bed pavilion and outdoor bathroom!

The design style of this resort reflects a contemporary interpretation of traditional Balinese architecture. It is also a great example of the architecture being constructed from local materials. These included "alang-alang" thatch roofing; "paras" sandstone and other Indonesian stones for the floors, walls and hand made outdoor bath; and hand crafted local furnishings and furniture.

This outdoor stone bath also came with its own surrounding frog pond! It was quite an amazing experience to have your own frog chorus in the evenings.

images via Komaneka

With such stunning views overlooking the surrounding landscape it did not matter that it rained the whole time. It was still warm and we could spent most of the time outside under the protection of our day bed pavilion reading and listening to the rain... bliss!

Since then there is now three in the resort chain. So if you feel tempted you can check them out here.

Have fun.