are, for the most part, run by the most recent influx of island dwellers. They arrived on the eve of the new millennium when Bali, contrary to the rest of Indonesia, was experiencing an economic boom; t rue to form, they are more likely to be seen speaking urgently into a hand phone than swaying somnolently on a hammock in the hills. And, of course, these movers and shakers subscribe to the tropical dream: they buy land and buy houses, start businesses, tap into the island's enduring natural and artistic resources... and fuel the fires of commercialism. Their abilities, the island's abundance of natural materials, the flexibility of the local craftsmen who can copy-and-craft simultaneously, and the continuing growth in tourism, have spawned this next tier of talent. Today, Bali's bevy of builders, furniture designers, ceramicists, jewellery designers, fashionistas, carvers, glassmakers, lighting designers, glazers and the like, are too numerous to catalogue
Laminated glass bar counter and sculpture by Seiki Torige at the Biji restaurant at Begawan Giri Estate, outside Ubud.
The living area in Mrs Sin Sin's private villa is suffused with light and space.
In many cases, these craftsmen echo the ethos of the buildings they decorate. Carvers, furniture makers and lighting specialists often use organic materials that are plentiful in Bali: be it local wood, bone, mother-of-pearl, resin or any of the smooth stones so famed island-wide, they cut, carve, shape and coax these materials into home-makers' dreams. The designs are cutting edge, and would look as stylish in a loft in New York as on a verandah with a ricefield view. Similarly, fabrics such as batik and ikot, sourced from around the archipelago, are stamped and sewn into scatter cushions, curtains and romantic drapes for the bed. The resultant high-quality collections are now exported as well as sold within the island market. The demand for such home decor items from high-end boutiques in North America, Europe and Australia is seemingly insatiable.
A table runner serves as a wall hanging and a fish lamp as a lampshade, in the Gaya Gallery, Ubud. The profile on canvas is by Filippo Sciassia.
Put simply, Bali is going global. Film-stars in Bombay commission Bali-style villas on the Indian Ocean; American television tycoons want their piece of paradise in California, Florida or the Bahamas and take their design brief from a villa complex in Bali; and private properties in Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Australia and other countries in the region buy into the Bali design boom. Increasingly, Bali's villas have become the new benchmark for tropical living: their originality of expression, rising quality and intense creativity have put them centre stage in the tropical design world. Long may it continue.
An attractive composition of a recycled glass vessel, and two mixed media works by Seiki Torige for Esok Lusa.
A bold and contemporary housing project by the GM architects.
colonial modern
Situated in Umalas in the Desa Bumbak region, this country residence was designed by French painter and sculptor Claude Paparella. It functions both as a private den and place of inspiration, as well as a showcase for the artist's works. The L-shaped colonial style building sits on the side of a hillock; from the garden, an interesting perspective is formed with the black terrazzo stone steps (see below left) contrasting starkly with the white polimonon borders as they sweep up to the back entrance of the house, meeting the verandah on the left and a covered patio on the right. In the interiors, Paparella's penchant for Zen style shows through the charming interplay between modern colonial solidity and Zen austerity.
The black and white theme reappears repeatedly in the interior design, and also in the artist's works, which are displayed throughout the house. But mediating these somber hues are the strong colours and contrasting textures in the furnishings. Various materials are used in the house-from sirap in the roof, coconut wood in the pillars, and white lime finish in the walls, to black cement for the flooring, polimanan white stone in the bathrooms, and merbau wood for the bed room floors.
The bathroom is designed in modern tropical style as an area for all purposes. As such it requires the same attention as all other living areas In the middle of the room a brazier-like sculpture with an eye-catching red motif stands on a square of grey tiles, like a Turkish bath. Baskets of assorted sizes and textures are arranged in the back recess.
The dominant colour scheme of black and white makes a striking setting in the entrance porch. The antique Javanese door and hexagonal coconut wood columns add warmth and texture. Under the white washed wooden roof, a sculpture shaped like a chaise longue and carved out of a single piece of teak takes pride of place. Around it are functional colonial lamps, a huge white stone vase and a contemporary painting.
In the living room, the black and white theme is counterpointed by the contrasting pure red in the linear sofas and handmade wicker chair. This striking colour combination creates a formal yet inviting environment. In the back corner, a tall wooden table designed by the artist has Zen lines. A handmade coffee table in black, polished cement, also by Paparella, has a unique relief design; the set of funky pig carvings adds a lighter note to the whole setting.
Red is once again a prominent tone in the main bedroom. The white walls and mosquito netting are a clean canvas for the old Chinese cabinet and the modern wooden sculpture. The adjoining bathroom, with its standing wash table, can be viewed through the doorway.
Situated in the corner of the large and spacious living room, the lounge area is furnished with a hand-painted organza silk drape designed by Dominique Seguin, huge white floor mattresses and soft silk cushions in red, pink and lilac. This relaxing niche is well situated to catch cool cross breezes from the two large windows.
The traditional setting in the smaller of two bathrooms highlights the different textures employed here. The striking black terrazzo wash basin contrasts with the white ivory stone of the standing wash table. The light coloured window drapes complete the atmosphere of luxury and privacy.
