Lita Bondlow is the creative force behind balé homewares, a furniture and décor brand inspired by her Indonesian heritage and a lifelong love of artisan craftsmanship. She co-founded the company in New York City in 2019 with her husband, Matt Bondlow, with the vision of bringing sustainable, handcrafted furniture made using traditional techniques passed down through generations to homes in the U.S. Born and raised in East Java, Indonesia, Lita draws on her roots to infuse balé’s collections with authenticity, warmth and cultural storytelling. Each season, she travels back to Indonesia to collaborate directly with artisans, ensuring every piece reflects both craftsmanship and sustainability. Learn more about Lita and her furniture in today’s Maker Monday.
Andrew Joseph: Can you describe your design philosophy in three words?
Lita Bondlow: Timeless, uncluttered, natural. balè focuses on sustainably sourced, handmade pieces. All of which are customizable for small to large residential & commercial settings. We try to keep our look and style as timeless as possible. This means working with natural materials such as teak wood, leather, rattan and cotton. We focus on keeping an open, stress-free space for your living experience. We follow the Indonesian mindset that emphasizes Zen living and creating a peaceful environment in your home. A design that emphasizes harmony, craftsmanship and a deep connection to nature.
AJ: What design trends do you think will be popular in the coming years?
LB: Most of what we focus on at balè, other than our design philosophy mentioned above, is heirloom pieces with timeless design. This means sustainable materials, non-bulky pieces like oversized couches and chairs. Moving away from plastics, veneers and other environmentally unfriendly materials that, believe it or not, are bad for your home, the air you breath, and ultimately your physical and mental health. A cluttered, heavy space can affect your mood, your state of mind and your day-to-day stress level. The Balinese way of thinking focuses on a minimalistic approach to your space and its connection to healthy living.
AJ: What is the most important element in a successful interior design?
LB: Functional style. Our philosophy stems from functionality that meets organic modern design. We like to mix and match our pieces and make them easy to include with other styles and pieces that our clients may already have in place. Keeping the look and feel leaning on the neutral side helps us to incorporate one piece or multiple pieces into an existing space.
AJ: How do you incorporate sustainability into your designs?
LB: Just about everything we make is done so with sustainability in mind. Our teak is from SVLK sustainable forests in Java, Indonesia. Our materials are locally sourced in Java & Bali and our business practices are all done so with the environment in mind, from using sustainable packing materials to reusing shipping materials.
AJ: What is your favorite type of space to design?
LB: Ultimately, we love a blank canvas with a view. We really enjoy large-scale projects like decorating a new or remodeled home. This gives us flexibility to use broad strokes that incorporate other design elements like lighting, wall décor, rugs and plants. We also enjoy projects in the hospitality space. Our pieces are all commercial grade and built for indoor and outdoor use, and we really enjoy working with people in this space, as they are open to fresh, edgy styling that really delivers an experience for their clients.
AJ: What would your dream project or dream client be right now?
LB: I would love to work on a project with the Aman hotel – I love their ethos that centers on creating exclusive sanctuaries that sensitively integrate with local environments, respect and celebrate local culture and offer a sense of serene, private luxury and world-class hospitality with a minimalist aesthetic.
AJ: Best advice you’d give your teenage self?
LB: Trust the process. It will all make sense!
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