EMERALDS: I’m in love with this one of a kind, truly unique pillow set. Photo: ALEXIA LUNDGREEN

Hello again!

In an earlier post I told you about my friend Elang from Indonesia and how her beautiful batik creations revived memories of my trip to Bali 18 years ago.

I also promised to show you how those memories and meeting Elang inspired me to make a set of new pillows from a unique piece of textile I brought home from Bali back then in 2001.

Right after I graduated and received my diploma in interior design from the Vogue Academy in Amsterdam, I went on a month long trip to Bali with a friend. I remember I was so excited before going! It was as if I couldn’t pack my backpack fast enough, if you know what I mean?

Then I was off to the tropical, rainforest paradise on the other side of the world!

I was amazed by Bali’s landscapes with its volcanic hillsides, mountains, lush green rice terraces, rugged coastline, white beaches and sapphire blue and turquoise waters. The characteristic Indonesian architecture, temples and beautiful houses fascinated and inspired me. There was an infinite rainbow of vibrant colours and beautiful intricate patterns everywhere – in traditional costumes, ordinary clothes, religious decorations and everyday textiles for the home.

SUMMER 2000: Admiring colorful sarong textiles on the Island of Bali. Photo: ALEXIA LUNDGREEN

During my trip I became friends with a Balinese woman whose family worked in the textile business. She taught me about the different kind of fabrics, which are made on the island of Bali and showed me the textile collections her family produces for making sarongs.

I fell in love with all her different styles, patterns and colours. I just had to have one of those beautiful sarongs! So, I found an emerald green one with gold details. I thought it looked extravagant!

I brought the sarong textile home to Holland, inspired to make something out of it or maybe even just wear it as a fancy summer sarong myself.

Well, the sad thing is, I didn’t.

Home again, my busy ordinary life took over fast – and the sarong ended up in my closed. And there it has been waiting in the dark for the last 18 years, only to be re-discovered and packed up again every time I moved from one country to the next. So, my Balinese textile has been around the world – Holland, the USA, France and now finally, Norway. Many times I thought about giving it away since I did not seem to get around to do anything with it.

Today I’m glad I didn’t. Didn’t give it away, I mean.

After talking with Elang, I finally knew what I wanted to do with it.

But first I had to search high and low throughout the city of Oslo to find a high quality complimentary textile to go with the emerald green sarong.

GET READY-KIT: Got the zipper, textile, and everything else I need and am looking forward to getting to work. Photo: ALEXIA LUNDGREEN

I found it! A beautiful, deep green, 100 percent wool fabric with a rich, luxurious feel to the touch.

INSIDE OUT: Work in progress. Sewing up the top of the pillow first… Photo: ALEXIA LUNDGREEN

PINNED IT! Before pinning the zipper to the fabric. I find sewing in the zipper still the trickiest part of it all. Photo: ALEXIA LUNDGREEN

So, I have transformed my Balinese sarong into a set of truly exclusive, unique throw pillows. They are indeed one of a kind and has my personal story intimately attached to them. They are the kind of pillows you would expect to find in a high-end design boutique.

To be perfectly honest, I’m not sure I have the heart to sell them. My boyfriend made that even more difficult. He is in awe of them. I love that kind of feedback!!

Under you can see the final result.

Xoxo, Alexia

BALINESE BIRDS: Tadaaa, the pillow is done and looks stunning. Photo: ALEXIA LUNDGREEN

A MODERN TWIST: Combining this traditional textile with the wool fabric gives the pillow an edgy and modern feel. Photo: ALEXIA LUNDGREEN

SPLENDID BACKSIDES: I love how well the high quality 100% wool fabric works together with the Balinese sarong . Photo: ALEXIA LUNDGREEN