I first started visiting Ubud on a regular basis back in 1997 when there really wasn’t much to shop for other than handicrafts and art. Today, Ubud isn’t quite the shopping mecca that is Seminyak, but it definitely has some beautiful boutiques to browse while strolling through town.
I tend to collect something from every place I travel, but Balinese acquisitions really seem to play first fiddle in our motley New York home. Everything from furniture, fabrics, paintings, handicrafts and pottery can be found here.
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- Balinese traditional wedding statues.
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- Antique door handle that I use as a towel ring.
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- Antique Balinese trunks, plus Hindi offering boxes next to them.
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- Ceramic butterfly on top of my favorite Bali coffee-table book.
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- Antique Balinese commode with traditional shadow puppets
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- The puppets were purchased at Muni’s gallery in Ubud.
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- Our gamelan instrument — one of the more difficult items to get home thanks to U.S. Customs.
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- Potpourri of traditional paintings purchased directly from artists over various trips.
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- A bronze gecko hangs on a stairwell to bring good luck.
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- A silver chicken which often holds jewelry & hair bands on my vanity.
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- One of my first purchases in the 90’s — wooden fruit.
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- More carved wooden fruit, and painted metallic.
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- These ducks keep me company by the computer.
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- Brass mermaid I recently purchased.
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- Wooden singing frog.
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- Wooden toy version of a Balinese fishing boat.
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- Traditional ikat purchased at Nogo in Sanur.
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- Hand-painted Batik fabric found in Ubud. $12 for the painting.
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- Blinds made from batik fabric I purchased at Ikat Bali in Ubud.
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- Another window treatment made from a $4 sarong purchased in Ubud.
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- Traditional pottery bought at the Ubud Market.
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- Oil incense burner bought in Ubud.
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- My younger son’s collection of Balinese instruments and weapons he has collected in Bali.
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- Dragon kite hanging from the ceiling above my son’s loft bed.
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- Another dragon kite hanging in my other son’s room.
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- Paintings from Penestanen of our favorite bottles in Bali.
Here are some of my most recent boutique finds, as well as an oldie but goodie.
IkatBatik on Monkey Forest Road
It’s easy to walk past this as the entrance is down a corridor off Monkey Forest Rd right before it turns left near the forest entrance. Look for the large sign and hanging fabrics in the alleyway. The shop is large and gorgeous; filled with beautiful ikat and batik (thus the name!) fabrics and home goods. It’s not cheap, but excellent quality. I wished I had room to bring home one of the cheery batik bean bags. I did find room to bring home some blue batik fabric which was made into a window treatment for a bathroom, plus a stunning black and oatmeal woven ikat fabric that I use as a tablecloth.
IkatBatik
Bali Zen on Monkey Forest Road
They don’t list the address other than Monkey Forest Road, but don’t miss this two-story boutique chalk full of pretty hand-made table linens, table-ware, gifts, and home goods. Prices as marked and you won’t find them this reasonable any place else that I’ve found. Plus the Ubud location has an outlet (the entire second floor here!) so even more bargains can be had. I loaded up on placemats, napkins, pillow covers, quilted wine bags, cheery fabric jewelry pouches for gifts, and several of the colorful shell wind chimes seen below.
One of the several bargain shelves in the upstairs outlet. Wish I had grabbed more cushion covers!
Mani on Monkey Forest Road
Beautiful simple modern and reasonably-priced jewelry. Fixed price! Perfectly sized for even the smallest suitcase
Mimi Manis on Monkey Forest Road
Leather sandals in every color imaginable. A bargain compared to this quality found in New York. I even found a fun pair in the discount basket — chartreuse and tan flats for $18!
Tn. Parrot on Jalan Dewi Sita
Tn. Parrot is a cute pint-sized t-shirt shop offering pre-shrunk cotton shirts with vintage designs. My husband and son were happy with my gifts to them from here, and I’m happy that they can be tossed worry-free into the dryer. Next time I’ll pick up more for gifts.
Mentari Pagi Silver on Monkey Forest Road
Narrow jewelry store just a couple doors down from Ikat Batik at the end of Monkey Forest Road on the left. I’ve shopped here a few times for the men in my life. My husband loves the silver bracelets here. I don’t really like the offerings for women. The kind owner fixed a broken clasp on a bracelet purchased here several years ago for free! And he also fixed (at a reasonable price) an intricate silver cuff I bought in the 90’s which had gotten crushed in a suitcase– he did an amazing job, as it looks good as new. They even delivered my purchases and repairs to my hotel so that I didn’t have to trek back to the shop. I don’t like that I have to bargain here, but I usually feel that I’ve gotten a very fair trade in the end for the quality.
Hi I am currently in Ubud Bali and was drawn to your site. I just shopped at Ikatbatik, and yes it is absolutely gorgeous, but so hot in there! I also saw a photo with cloth window blinds. I was wondering where you might have gone to have those made? Another draw for me are the brass and steel work for door and window handles and decorations. Have you found a great place for that here? Thank you! I too would love to get one of those Batik huge lounging pillows. Maybe after I return I can order one?
Hello Andrea K! Sorry that I did not see your comment prior to today. Hope you had a wonderful trip! Did you purchase any fabric? I bought fabric and had blinds made back at home, fyi.