IN all my years of travelling, I’ve never experienced the kind of exuberant welcome that I did the moment I stepped foot into The Mandala House. Her arms wide open in welcome, a lady, dark hair cascading down her back, stands at the entrance of the villa, ready to envelop me in a warm hug. It almost feels like a reunion of two long-lost friends greeting each other after being apart for years.
“Welcome to your home away from home!” she exclaims with a chuckle. Dini, as I discover her name to be, is the resident housekeeper. Her steps jaunty, she leads me through the humble entrance, which opens up into a grand living area that’s flooded with natural sunlight and “greened” with a variety of foliage.
Blending whites, wood, concrete, copper and shades of blue, the interior space, with its clean lines, is bold yet calming at the same time. A touch of the Manhattan lifestyle harmonised in a tropical setting leaves me gaping in wonder. The concept of The Mandala House, which opened its doors in November last year, is a fusion of styles from different cultures, tastes and lifestyles.
Its unique design language earned the villa the title of one of “The World’s Most Beautiful Homes” in Elle Decoration this year and it was also featured in the luxury lifestyle and travel magazine, Conde Nast Traveller’s Hotlist 2017.
Nestled in a tranquil green enclave of Berawa, The Mandala House was designed by one of Bali’s most talented designers, Felipe Gonzalez of SUKYF & Architects, a Bali-based Spanish architect, with interiors by Design 4 Corners. It’s located near Bali’s surfing paradise of Canggu. Constructed on a large lot measuring 950 square metres the two-storey home comes with five spacious king-sized suites with en-suite facilities.
“Let me show you around!” enthuses Dini, her excited words slicing into my reverie. From a secret library to a hidden gym, the bubbly housekeeper is intent on highlighting the villa’s unique details as well as the best spots for photo-taking. “You can explore the rest by yourself!” she says, smiling. The extensive tour only serves to leave me with a quandary — with so much to discover about this place, would four days really be enough?
ECLECTIC DESIGN STYLE
The sun floods through my room as early as 6am, signalling the beginning of a brand new day. Two hours pass by swiftly after a short workout at the basement gym and a quick soak of the morning sun. It’s only slightly after 8am when I hear Dini’s cheerful voice reverberate around the villa like a melodious songbird.
“Good morning!” she greets me, a huge smile on her face.
Over breakfast, I learn that the 42-year-old single mother hails from a small village in Bandung. After moving to Bali over a decade ago, Dini juggled multiple jobs to support herself and her family back home. Her portfolio is certainly diverse — a dancer in restaurants, a nanny for a diabetic child, a teacher in a kindergarten and a deli worker!
“When I came to this villa two years ago, it was still under construction. Together with the owner and a few local friends, we witnessed the realisation of this house from nothing to becoming something truly amazing. I fell in love with The Mandala House in that instance!” she confides happily.
The villa’s contemporary design approach blends seamlessly with the adjacent rice fields, the lush landscaped gardens and the pool. Each section of the property offers a specific corner for that perfect sunset setting or the best nook for an Instagram-worthy picture.
When it came to the design brief, the villa’s owner, Ben Jones, who has a background in design and food and beverage, ensured that no stone would be left unturned. Taking into account the humidity of the space, the path of the sun and wind direction, all corners of the villa was designed to capture the very best of these natural elements.
Different ceiling heights also serve to create a sense of playfulness in the interior spaces. Exposed Balinese concrete blocks make up the main interior and exterior element visible from all the ground floor rooms. The large sliding glass doors in the living room eliminate any sense of demarcation between the indoors and outdoors while at the same time, allowing for fresh air to enter, and also offering an unimpeded view of the world outside.
The lofty living area located on the lowest level opens up to an enormous space — simply perfect for fun times with a bunch of friends or a quiet “me” time with a favourite book.
Meanwhile, on the upper level, the open-plan kitchen complete with an island in the centre, with a white marble top, wood tones and standout copper lighting fixture, is certainly attention-grabbing. Just behind it, a collection of books and metallic trinkets add some personal touches to the luxurious villa. Right next to the marble counter is a real palm tree, planted to denote the idea of being closer to nature.
If there’s one thing that’s even more amazing about the villa is the fact that all the five rooms and the living area sport different themes. “This is the metal room decked in metal decorations and darker tones. Every bathroom has different designs and tiles too,” shares Dini with pride, before leaving me to my own devices.
I decide to pay a visit to the master bedroom, which I’d been informed leans towards a more tropical Mediterranean style. It seems that the villa combines the essence of its owner’s personality with the Mediterranean sensibility of the architect’s, and the local Balinese tropical concept. The combination of unexpected styles has resulted in a new design language that has made The Mandala House a highly popular destination among visitors from all over the world.
Outside, the sun is slowly beginning to set. “I need to catch that sunset,” I mutter to myself as I leave the room, making a beeline for the living room. There, I find myself mesmerised by the sight of the glass panels surrounding the living area, which have now turned bronze from the golden rays of the descending sun. Excitedly, I make my way out to the intimate garden patio that faces a sleek sunken bar, which is integrated with the pool. The water too glints with a golden glow. Truly, The Mandala House is deserving of its accolades. It really is a beautiful home away from home.
The Mandala House
Jalan Pantai Berawa, Canggu Permai, Anggrek Plot 5, Canggu, Indonesia.