Bali Interiors founder Sheila Man has opened Bi Design House, a five-bedroom guesthouse showcasing art, design and craft talents from across Indonesia.
Bi Design House was envisioned as an alternative to the typical hotel; every room has its own style and character, thanks to the careful curation of locally sourced art, furniture and objects.
The house is located in Canggu, a surf destination in southwest Bali, and was originally designed by Bali-based Argentine architect Sylvia Fairman as a home for Man, her husband and their two children.
After five years, when their oldest daughter left for university, the couple decided to move to a smaller house and convert the property into a design-led hotel.
Man, who also works as a photographer, invited Canadian interior designer Annie Gauvreau to help her reimagine the building as a space where guests could find creative inspiration.
“Bali Interiors has always been about elevating and showcasing Indonesian talent, so having the same ethos and values in our hotel came completely naturally,” Man told Dezeen.
“Bi Design House is a reflection of the incredible variety of skills and talents that you can find in Indonesia; everything you find in the hotel was made here.”
The house is organised around outdoor spaces; a central courtyard divides the building into three blocks, while a pool terrace and garden extend along the rear, offering views over rice paddy fields.
Bedrooms can be found on the ground and first floors. A “mythic muse” provided the starting point for the five bedroom designs: Luna, Sol, Phoenix, The Portal and The Oracle.
“My goal was for each room to have its own feeling and energy,” Man explained. “I wanted people to have their favourite room and to keep coming back to it.”
“Annie helped me with textures and colour schemes, empowering me to trust my instincts and be bold,” she said.
“I knew I wanted to add colour, wallpaper and some statement pieces, like the bed headboards. Once I found the ones I loved, everything started to fall into place.”
These statement pieces also include furniture by Anysia Imada Kristandi of Anada, such as the wave-edged desk and daybed, mixed-media artworks by Athena Anastasiou, and linen lamps by Lumiere Shades.
“I wanted to incorporate weaving, rattan, pottery, woodwork, natural fabrics, paint and art,” said Man.
“I think interiors should always reflect and reference the geographic and cultural location. If I did a project in a different city, it would be totally different.”
A kitchen, dining and living room is the heart of the home, while a workshop offers space for creative activities ranging from talks to pottery classes.
The aesthetic in the communal spaces is more eclectic than in the bedrooms, reflecting the more indoor-outdoor nature of these spaces, both of which feature arched glass doors.
Here, contemporary furniture, art and objects are paired with antique finds. Decorative ceramics are dotted throughout, while other eye-catching additions include a pendant lamp by lighting atelier Ong Cen Kuang and textiles by Spanish studio Ranran Design.
Like Fairman, Man was born in Argentina, so the architecture takes cues from Buenos Aires as well as Bali.
Details were designed with consideration for the natural flow of air through the building, with elements including a wall with half-moon perforations, which forms the backdrop to the staircase.
The shaded courtyard functions as an extra room, used for hosting dinner events, yoga classes and tea ceremonies.
“I was adamant about having a courtyard,” said Man.
“The weather in Bali is a big factor to consider; we made a lot of design decisions to create a cool environment without the use of air conditioning in the main living and kitchen area.”
The renovation took two years. The works largely involved upgrading fittings and finishes, with few layout changes required for the switch from home to hotel.
“We couldn’t be happier with the result,” added Man.
“Our boutique hotel is designed for those looking to revive their creative spirit and connect with others. We want our guests to rediscover the joy of creativity and community, free from expectations and pressures.”
Other recent Bali projects on Dezeen include hotel furniture made by Max Lamb from waste and an abandoned theme park where pavilions were installed for the Jia Curated design festival.
The photography is by Sheila Man.
