Plantation style Bali getaway beckons

STUART Membery, style icon for more than 30 years, does not regret putting his Bali oasis up for sale, that is not in his thoughts.

For him the sale is a natural, almost predestined event of perpetual self-reinvention. A process he enjoys.

“I look forward to continuing to evolve,” Mr Membery said. His time has been spent skimming across the globe – he has recently been spending just six months a year in his Bali haven –  a much deserved respite between increasing international demands on his expertise.

“I was in the Middle East for months on a big deal project last year, this year I’ll be spending a lot of time in Singapore. I’m a worker,”  Mr Membery, who despite his enormous success in design, never planned to take this path.

He was a talented and enthusiastic painter first and foremost, a talent that has flourished in the rich and fertile soil of Bali.

Monkey Palms is an early example of his island life vision – and it was a vision that he needed to see the enormous potential of the property.

“It was a wreck. Deplorable. It had no roof at all – but I loved it,” Mr Membery who set about creating what became his signature property.

Vogue Living, House & Garden and Décor Style are just some of the elite magazines that have chosen to feature the property.

He’s listed the plantation style compound that covers 447sqm of building space on a generous 1818sqm of land, found off a peaceful laneway in Seminyak-Bali with  Deborah Brady of Ray White Cottesloe Mosman Parkin Perth.

Ms Brady said the experience of representing Stuart Membery and his property was quite exceptional.

“I’ve been a great fan of his for years, from back when he first started in fashion,” Ms Brady said.

“It’s just a three and a half hour flight from Perth to Bali – a quicker commute than that experienced by people travelling between Sydney and Canberra,” she said.

“And you can get fabulous airfare deals to Bali. We’ve had considerable interest in Monkey Palms already, which is not surprising. The Membery name is synonymous with style, and the property is simply as beautiful as you would expect.”

Ms Brady said was lucky enough to be able to use her contacts to secure the listing, which suits the clientele of her agency in blue ribbon Peppermint Grove location.

In Bali, the white wicker, broad shutters, rattan accents and navy stripes – it is all very, wonderfully, Membery.

After the glamorous and much admired recreation of the first Monkey Palms, Stuart took the opportunity of leasing the property next door, and proceeded to expand not just his interior design and architecture aesthetic, but also expand the superb gardens.

For those familiar with the grace of Stuart Membery design, the restrained and peaceful landscaping, paired back to a myriad of greens, punctuated only by the whites of such aromatic additions as gardenia and star jasmine will be a vision to behold.

“It is so peaceful,” said the designer from Bali who currently has oversized containers spilling over with heaven scented tuberose.

The swimming pool, and surrounds are an ideal place to rest and take in the gardens that have taken years of careful curating, assisted according to Stuart, by two gardeners who “just keep everything in line. The gardeners are expert at keeping the hedging and lawns absolutely perfect.”

Much to the delight of visitors who have taken advantage of the space offered by the two villas on site.

“You never know how many friends you have until you have a house in Bali,” adds Stuart with a laugh.

For the discerning buyer Bali does not offer Australia standard leasehold, but rather extended leases. Monkey Palms is offered with a 22-year lease in place, with a 10-year extension available for activation.

Stuart believes he knows the type of person who will take over his home.

“I know who my market is – I’ve always known my demographic,” says Stuart. “Babyboomers, because I’m one of them!”

Although, much to his delight Instagram (which features a myriad of Monkey Villa images) has widened the designer’s demographic – he now rates well with the 35-45yr age group. It seems good taste is expanding its boundaries.

It makes sense to Stuart. “It’s ‘kind to kind’ appeal,” he says.

For Stuart Membery, Bali remains very much part of his life; he retains a further property on the island where the lifestyle remains unmatched and his many business interests continue to thrive.