Inside Magali Pascal's dreamy Bali home
Words Emma Vidgen // @emma_vee
Photographer Tash Serena / Courtesy of Magali Pascal
Magali is a Taurus sun, Scorpio moon and Scorpio rising
There’s a magic about Bali, an energy that takes your best–laid plans and gently, beautifully derails them. When fashion designer Magali Pascal visited the Indonesian island in 2002 she fell head over heels. “I wasn’t planning on moving to the island long-term back then but I returned in 2004 and basically never left!” she says. “Coming from Paris where everything is fast paced, I had to adjust my mindset here in Bali and learn to slow down and enjoy the smaller parts of life just as much as the bigger parts. It’s true when they say that island living is slow living.”
Magali in her favourite room in the house with twins Marcelle and Van.
Magali began sewing all her own pieces from her studio, before opening her first shop in Seminyak in 2006. She now has four boutiques on the island, two in Sydney and sells her collection online to devotees around the world. “For people dreaming of starting their business in Bali I say keep going, and keep working hard,” she says. “The hard work pays off, but nothing worth having comes easy!” Here, she takes us on a tour of the breathtaking home she shares with her husband Matt and twins Marcelle and Van.
“My husband Matt and I designed and built our home over the course of 18 months and moved in just over two years ago,” Magali says. “When it comes to interiors I always like to start with a blank canvas and then add neutral tones as I think it creates a really calming and soothing space that you can add to depending on the mood you want to create.”
“We’ve hung some of Matt’s photography around the house that have added to the calming atmosphere of our home. Along with Matt’s photography, some of my favourite pieces are the ceramics that I have collected from my travels. Whenever I travel I like to visit flea markets and antique shops to find unique ceramics to decorate my home.”
“I have found ways to integrate the French and Balinese parts of my life together here on the island. I have to start my day with a café like a true Parisian and at the weekends I organise a little apero at home with my French girlfriends. My Bali apero is drinks before dinner, cheeseboard, and a coconut based cocktail.”
“I had to adjust my mindset here in Bali … It’s true when they say that island living is slow living.”
“My favourite space is the open plan living area. We’ve designed the space so the living and dining area and the kitchen are all open, and since we’ve used shutters instead of walls, the space feels like it pours out into the garden.”
“In the morning when the sun is rising over the rice fields the golden light floods into our living area and you can hear the birds singing. It really is so special.”
