Made in Bali – the following two companies excel in their quest to promote Bali with product they grow or manufacture. Be aware, be proud & be supportive for Made in Bali produce & product.
Kopi Bali is the ‘coffee institution’ located on the By Pass, Sanur. There is also the original coffee house slap bang in the middle of Denpasar called Bhineka Jaya, Jl Gajah Mada No 80 (t: 224016) The business commenced in 1935 and now into the third generation with Pak Djuwito at the helm. Coffee growers they are, the bulk of coffee from the Kintamani area with the blending of coffee ‘their secret’ but I hear that Arabica coffee is an important ingredient. I was told by ViVi (Marketing Manager) that every coffee bean has it’s own character, and that Kopi Bali will even blend coffee to your own taste!
Barista staff undergo an intensive training schedule as this would be (apart from using top quality coffee beans) the most crucial factor for making a good cup of coffee! For coffee aficionados there is the Kopi Bali factory tour, approx half an hour, call 720 589 for more information.
Kopi Bali is renowned for making a very special coffee (where the Civet cat has an important role!) however, have heard Kopi Luwak is delicious & most fashionable to drink, so check this one out…… On arrival to Kopi Bali there are two sides to the coffee house, the right hand side coffee house/retail showroom is for non smokers & the left hand side house is for smokers – what a good idea is this! So apart from the best cappuccino (house blend) it’s always fresh, hot, not bitter, not too watery, not too milky. This coffee house offers food as well but that’s another story.
But it’s extensive retail range of coffee pots, grinders, & coffee sets, along with coffee bean candles, coffee paintings & all sorts of other interesting gifts, perfect for the many visitors & regulars that frequent this establishment.
Not only home grown coffee products, but some ultra stylish Danish homewares for the kitchen like the Bodum classic coffee press, teapots, a range of smart canisters & the most glam salt & pepper grinders - one set is fat & punchy & the other set is taller & refined. Even a choc/coffee fondue set, a terrific Zen style tea pot & if a water pitcher could be called ‘divine’ this one is by Rhine, tall & elegant, tres chic!
Bialetti, well known for those Italian espresso pots in the classic stainless steel, some with colored tops, but fell in love with the two toned matt black/steel pots by Mukka Express ‘Cuor di Moka’ identified by the white ‘splotches’ on the matt black. Take a look at the Ancap range of demi coffee cups & saucers, love the ‘Darling’ Black/White stripe set with matching coffee pot & the ‘Safari’ collection is rather special.
If you are looking for a new (or another style) coffee or tea pot or perhaps a lovely gift for a friend then you can do no better than take a visit to Kopi Bali in Sanur. By Pass, Sanur, No 4. T: 270 990 - www.kopibali.com
Modula – this showroom has been residing on Jl Legian, No 470, (T: 758 293) for years, since 1997. Ibu Ratna, owner & Interior Designer has made a valuable contribution to the homewares industry in providing residents, visitors & business folk with well crafted furniture & objets. Not only for private villas but for commercial enterprise (Modula supplied the furniture for Kopi Bali & the professional interiors/furniture for Miracle Aesthetic Clinics)
Further down from Seminyak into Legian, Modula is definitely a destination, and well worth inclusion for your shopping jaunt. Most of the product is unique, furniture made from the wood of the Lychee tree – there’s a polished cut wood bench with a straight back which holds a series of wooden spines in place, sitting on smart legs there are chairs to match as well. The Tamarind tree wood is another different product, but only recommended for Asian countries. Ulin & Suar woods are used for a variety of chairs, but take a good look at the Suar wood table (one piece of wood, no joins) size is 2.85mts x 900cms – totally brilliant.
Ibu Ratna speaks about her love for traveling, to Hanoi for inspiration and Japan. When you look around her showroom there are styles in line with both cultures. The more contemporary bedroom furniture in place is made from Coconut & Mahogany, classic and stylish.
Individual items such as the low coffee table made from solid stone with carvings & brass centerpiece. Wash basins made from super large Javanese river stone, metal & copper wall decorations (some with candle fittings) some clever lamp shades that have been made using wide pieces of wood veneer shavings that have been coiled around, most effective, some standing lamps & others for hanging.
And this is one of my fav places for checking out the tablelinen, some cotton organiza tablecloths with a little embroidery, cotton circular cloths with some ornamentation. Cushion covers, bedlinen and more.
Unique candle arrangements are scattered, plus, a host of individual items that feature some unexpected element. On show are a family of exotic puppets dressed in lavish organza, for the man that has everything, a chess set & for the antique lover, there’s a quaint Chinese painted box with mirror.
And lastly, there’s a painted Javanese Wedding Bed sitting against the back wall looking for a home, with a 50% discount sign on it, it could be yours?!
There’s another Modula on Jl Pantai Kuta No 37C, T: 761 670
E: modulain@yahoo.com
For comments and enquiries, email: retailtherapym@yahoo.com.au
