A language of its own

An architectural marvel, The Mandala House, located in one of Bali’s hippest hoods, charms in many ways, writes

The resident housekeeper, Dini. 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 this year and it was also featured in the luxury lifestyle and travel magazine,

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-yearold 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