We first visited Shanti & Ronald in 2023 as they were building their Bali home. 2 years later, we return to chat about their Bali build experience. Although things had started badly (with their builder building their home in the wrong place!), they turned adversity into opportunity and have created a family home which ticks all their boxes.
Settling Into Their New Home
BI: How are you both feeling now that you’re settled into your new villa in Bali?
Ronald: We’re pretty happy!
BI: What were your emotions like after you first moved into the villa? And how do you feel now, more than a year later?
Shanti: When we first moved in, it felt like a hotel. I was so excited. Now it feels like home—and we’re still amazed by the nature around us.
Ronald: Even with Bali developing, this area still feels like a little sanctuary.
BI: Let’s start with the big picture—can you describe your villa and how it has evolved from your original design vision?
Shanti: Originally, we said it was going to be “Boho Bundi Mediterranean.” That was the idea. But I think it became more of a mix. Light colours, with some beautiful pops of colour.
Style Direction and Material Choices
BI: When you started to build this villa in Bali, you said you planned to use a Boho Bundi Mediterranean style. Is that what you did?
Shanti: Hmm, I don’t really see the Mediterranean part anymore.
Ronald: Yeah, we used a lot of natural stone. It wasn’t that clean, white look you’d expect with Mediterranean style.
BI: Was the decision to incorporate natural materials like stone and colour made while building the villa, or was that planned from the beginning?
Shanti: It was planned. That’s why we added things like darker tones. We wanted warmth and texture.
On-the-Fly Changes and Lessons Learned
BI: Did you make any changes during the villa build process—either to the layout or design details?
Ronald: The layout stayed the same. The only major change was the flooring—we replaced it after moving in.
BI: What was the flooring originally, and why did you decide to change it after the villa build was finished?
Shanti: It was terrazzo. I’ll never use it again! It looked great in photos, but with kids and dogs, it was a nightmare.
Ronald: We changed to tiles. Much easier to clean and live with.
Building Timeline & Moving In
BI: When did you start to build your Bali villa, and how long did the construction take?
Ronald: We started in October 2022 and moved in August 2023. Final finishing was done in September 2023
BI: What was it like living in the villa while the finishing touches were still being completed?
Shanti: Stressful. Dust everywhere—not ideal with young kids!
Ronald: Our previous rental ended, so we had no choice but to move in early.
Layout and Smart Storage
BI: Can you walk us through the current layout of your villa in Bali?
Ronald: Three bedrooms upstairs—one master and two kids’ rooms. Downstairs we have the living area, kitchen, garden, swimming pool, garage, laundry room, and lots of storage.
BI: Was including lots of storage a key part of your original Bali villa build plan?
Shanti: Yes. After renting for years, we knew how important storage would be—especially with kids.
Build Challenges and Contractor Coordination
BI: Did you face any challenges during the Bali villa build, particularly with contractors or delays?
Ronald: The rough construction was smooth. But the finishing stage was complicated—lots of delays due to subcontractors and scheduling.
BI: Were there any structural issues or problems with the villa build itself?
Ronald: No major issues. Just one leak from the skylight. They forgot to seal it, but it was fixed quickly.
Shanti: After one year, we also repainted and did maintenance after rainy season. That’s part of the cycle here.
Future Plans: Expanding the Villa
BI: Are you planning to expand or change anything in your Bali villa in the near future?
Ronald: Yes—we plan to extend the roof at the front and build a small studio. It’ll have a connecting door but can also be separate for guests.
BI: Why did you decide not to include a home office in your villa build?
Ronald: We both prefer to work outside. If we had an office at home, we’d never switch off.
Shanti: We work better going out—to cafés or coworking spaces.
Favourite Villa Features
BI: What’s your favourite part of the villa?
Shanti: The nature—the garden, the trees, the river. It’s so calming and inspiring.
Ronald: The living room. I love opening up the back and sitting on the sofa with nature all around.
Budget Review and Unexpected Costs
BI: Did the villa build in Bali stay within your budget?
Ronald: Slightly over. We anticipated a little extra—but replacing the terrazzo floor was unexpected.
BI: What happened with the terrazzo?
Ronald: It changed colour quickly, absorbed dirt, and was impossible to clean. You could see where everyone walked. We had to grind it down and redo the top layer.
Shanti: We made the change about three months ago—after we realized it just wasn’t working.
Advice for Anyone Building a Villa in Bali
BI: What advice would you give to others planning to build a villa in Bali?
Ronald: Be meticulous with the Bill of Quantity. Know exactly what’s included and double-check materials.
Shanti: Always ask for samples—tiles, paint, flooring—test them before making decisions.
Ronald: And be “that person”—the one who checks every detail. It’s your house.
Bonus Advice: Working with Landowners
BI: Any final thoughts or advice for people leasing land to build a villa in Bali?
Ronald: Yes—get to know your landowner. We’re lucky to have a great relationship with ours. That alone saves so much stress.
Shanti: We even relocated the family temple together and helped upgrade it. They come for ceremonies and we’re happy to share the space.
Ronald: It’s a big part of life here, and the relationship really matters.
BI: Thank you both so much for sharing your journey and wisdom!
Photos by Bali Interiors & Shanti and Ronald
Follow Shanti and Ronald’s Bali adventures on IG HERE!
If you are building in Bali (or have just finished) and would like to be featured in our Build Diary, please contact us at admin@bali-interiors.com
