imogenevonbarron

I built a house!!!

Nearly 4 years ago I bought a little block of land nestled over the rice fields in the village of Munggu, next door to my Mama’s house on a tropical island in Indonesia called Bali.

I spent so much of my childhood and teenage years here, and it’s always been a place that’s felt incredibly special to me. The kindest people with the best smiles, the food, the smells, the nature, the culture and the way of life are hard to put into words.

I designed the house, with inspiration taken from places I’ve been lucky enough to visit after all these years of traveling the globe. Rather than using one large construction company, it was brought to life by an incredible group of local artisans, makers and builders. It’s a house that is completely handmade.

Thank you to every single person who helped bring this place to life. I couldn’t have done it without you all!!!!

It’s two bedrooms over 3 floors and a lush rooftop terrace, a kitchen that’s designed to be cooked in, a projector for movie nights, plenty of places to soak, sweat, sleep in and disappear for a few days, and of course, lots of magic light!

People always told me building a house would be one of the hardest things I’d ever do, and they weren’t wrong. But more than anything, it’s given me so many reasons to keep coming back to the island, learning more about the culture and exploring parts I never would have otherwise.

Over the coming year I’m looking forward to exploring more ways to support the local community and work with local farmers. I’ll also be hosting a series of culinary experiences and launching a few exciting collaborations.

While on the deep hunt for a name, I stumbled across Sumarah. A Javanese philosophy centred around willing surrender, where letting go is an expression of strength and clarity comes through stillness. It felt like exactly what I wanted this place to be.

So Casa Sumarah was born.

We’re officially open for bookings and I hope people leave feeling a little slower, a little calmer and with a deeper appreciation for this island that has given me and so many others so much ❤️