We Finally Moved In! (2 years of building in Bali)

Building a home in Bali is equal parts patience, dust, and design obsession. This update shows the payoff: old‑growth trees in full bloom, a seven‑step waterfall running through the yard, a cold‑plunge + sauna combo, and (drumroll) our first fully livable bedroom.

GREEN + BLUE EVERYWHERE

• We kept every century‑old tree on the land and planted truckloads more to fill the gaps.
• Design principle: wherever you stand, you should see green leaves and a slice of blue sky or water.
• Flowers come later; hardy jungle plants go in first so construction crews don’t trample them.

FROM DIRT PIT TO SEVEN‑STEP WATERFALL

• Plastic membrane laid first so the stream doesn’t vanish into the soil.
• Boulders placed by hand—Anton’s crew used bamboo poles and pure leg power.
• Two pumps hide under the deck, pushing water to the top pond; gravity does the rest.
• End result: constant gentle white‑noise, cool mist, and a koi‑ready pond.

Approximate cost: mid–five figures (worth every rupiah for the sound alone).

THE JUNGLE SPA OASIS

• Cold Plunge: individual‑size unit, full chiller system (about $8 k).
• Finnish‑grade Sauna: shipped from Estonia, phone‑controlled heater, hidden pipework (about $7 k).
• Outdoor Shower: brushed gun‑metal fixture from Indonesian brand Adeson, blends into stone siding.
• Pathway is intentionally imperfect—curves with the land, bamboo and lava stone underfoot.

LIGHTING AFTER DARK

• 70 custom honeycomb path lights in staggered heights to spotlight treetops, waterfall, and walls.
• Under‑deck LEDs turn on automatically at sunset—Lost Villa glows without a single overhead floodlight.

THE FLOATING KITCHEN ISLAND

• Layers of Dekton stone, brushed Italian metal trim, hidden Austrian Blum hardware.
• Vent hood retracts into the island; two integrated refrigerators; spice kitchen tucked behind.
• Henge “Starlight” pendant and an LED‑backlit onyx backsplash finish the look.
• More components than a sports car, assembled by three different countries—finally 90 % done.

FIRST FINISHED ROOM: JUNGLE SUITE ONE

Highlights:

• Super‑king 200 × 200 bed on a hand‑carved wooden frame with Italian metal inlays.
• Platinum travertine bathroom, free‑standing stone basin, Axor standing faucet.
• Automatic blackout + sheer curtains, Jun LS‑Zero switches, concealed AC vents.
• Private outdoor plunge tub carved from solid stone—bathe with the birds.

KEY LESSONS THIS ROUND

• Even “simple” privacy screens cost $30 k when you insist on custom carvings.
• Water features need industrial pumps and easy‑clean gutters—plan for both.
• Glass sliders are expensive, but cross‑breezes beat daytime AC every time.
• If you want your builder’s attention, hire one project manager whose only job is your site.

WHAT’S NEXT

Phase‑two gardening: add pops of color once heavy work ends. Finish the Tulum‑inspired central courtyard. Move the remaining six truckloads of furniture in—and persuade Mom & Dad the Christmas deadline is real this time.

Interested in the six new Lost Homes next door? Join the early‑access list (link in bio).

Click here to see the full video!