After spending last week in Bali with my hubby and my family, my head is still swirling with all the beauty and creative energy I felt there. Here are some of my favorite photos . . . I already want to go back {we walked along this cliff to reach the small temple above} Thanks for letting me share!

{stunning 12th century carved stone gate}

{our home for a few days!}

{little leaf trays of flowers, incense food in leaf trays are scattered all around as offerings}

{peaceful rice fields}

{each home or building has its own small shrine to the gods - I love that traditional black and white check!}

{great surfers beach - love the color of the water there}

{a stone carving of the god Ganesh}

{wood mask carving is another traditional Balinese craft}

{Sunset where I sat for on my birthday with my family and had drinks - pure bliss!}

Bali Bound! {And so happy!}

My wonderful Mom, Dad and Brother are in S.E. Asia! And we are headed to Bali today! As famous as Bali is for its beaches and coastline, I find the lush green interior equally amazing. I love visiting the temples, taking the windy roads past the rice fields, and seeing all of the local craft traditions. Much more to come! 

{via}

Bali Chic . . . Part Trois

Ok, I promise this will be the last of the Bali posts (at least for a while!). Here is a collection of images and pieces which I particularly loved and thought embodied the ultimate Bali Chic! 

A scene in Bali from the film Eat Pray Love with Julia Roberts . . . I could not resist! A great example of the traditional fabrics and offerings. The photo is by Francois Duhamel via Elle Decor.

A woven rattan outdoor lantern, these were all over in varying sizes, it reminds me of a fisherman's basket. The villas, hotels, and restaurants in Bali do a beautiful job with soft outdoor lighting! 
                      

 
A teak root sculpture, Canton whitewashed bookcase, and Hullet solid wood side table - all by Lio Collection, a few of my favorites! 

 The whitewashed interior of Cafe Bali in Seminyak - not only was the food wonderful here but I loved the white, breezy decor with colonial and antique touches. A lovely combination of East and West {photos via Haute Habits}

Nusa Dua batik fabric in shell and gold. Traditional batiks are generally more brightly colored but they are also making some more modern versions like this one. It would be stunning pillows and reminded me a bit of Fortuny's timeless fabrics.

108 white Japa Mala buddhist prayer beads strung on orange thread. I am already kicking myself I did not bring some of these back with me!

A Balinese carved stone wall mural, I love the organic flow of it! 

Bali Chic . . . Part Deux

For me, one of the defining characteristics of Bali Chic is the graceful juxtaposition between the ornamental and the plain. Bali has a wonderful tradition of wood and stone carving but has also managed to embrace some modernist restraint and clean lines. This play of elaborate and simple spaces is shown particularly well in the new architecture in Bali. I call it a type of organic modernism! We were lucky enough to stay in a house, Villa Double N, for the weekend (Please don’t hate me, but it was amazing! And shockingly affordable in the off-season for sure!) I hope to return to Villa Double N again soon! 

 Villa Double N at night . . .  Beautiful! The architect was Jeghier Architecture, with offices in Bali and Malaysia, www.jeghierarchitect.com. 

 

The intricately carved wood and limestone gate marking the entrance to Villa Double N! What a welcome! (photos by Noe Rebull!)

 Close up of the wooden doors with decorative brass studs . . . 

Outdoor lounge furnished with bamboo shades and Balinese day beds. I especially love the sea green and soft peach they used for the upholstery. The small tables are also perfect!

A traditionally carved stone planter filled with water lilies on the grounds of the villa.

 View of the rice paddies from the top floor! 

The History of Bali Chic

After a weekend with friends in beautiful Bali, I have decided that the term Bali Chic could not be more true! I was so taken with the creative spirit and energy the Balinese devote to everything they do. The island is full of inspired and unique furniture, stone sculpture, architecture, accessories, fashion, restaurants, artist studios and galleries. Bali is one of the thousands of islands which make up Indonesia and since the 1920’s it has been a has been a haven for western tourists seeking to explore its distinct culture. The international attention began with the arrival of many western artists in the 1920’s, and Bali became an artist colony of sorts, the most notable being German painter Walter Spies and Dutch artist Rudolf Bonnet. In the 1930’s a stream of fashionable and famous visitors such as Charlie Chaplin and anthropologist Margaret Mead encouraged the artistic development of the island.

 
Artist Walter Spies in Bali in the 1950s with Gela Forster, the photo was taken by Rudolf Bonnet! Very dramatic!  

Bali Life by Rudolf Bonnet, dated 1950, done in pastels on paper. The piece was sold in 2007 at Christie's Hong Kong.

The majority of the population practices Balinese Hinduism which is a unique combination of local beliefs Hindu influences. The island is dotted with thousands of puras or temples and personal shrines, which adorn almost every home and business. They are all beautifully decorated with intricately folded palm leafs, traditional black and white fabric, flowers and small offerings of fruits and cookies. I snapped a few photos of ones I passed!

While all this sounds very official and serious, the spirit and vivacity of the culture is felt in all the design and art here! It’s a kind of effortless, breezy, inspired chic . . . Bali Chic!
I will post more inspirations from my time in Bali in the days to come! 


Please note: wikipedia, artnet.com, notablebiographies.com were referenced for this post! The photograph of Walter Spies is from the collection of the Tropenmuseum in Holland.