by Elly MacDonald | May 13, 2022 | Sourcing research
The islands of Timor, Sumba and Flores are towards the east end of the long chain of beaches, paddies, volcanoes and coral reefs that make up the Indonesian archipelago. I’ve written about them all before (see here for Timor / Sumba / Flores) in the context of their...
by Elly MacDonald | Apr 23, 2022 | Bali travel
/So if Sarah’s the undisputed surfing master / beach bum in this duo, Elly is claiming the yoga title. / Whether you know your vinyasa from your ashtanga and your proud pigeon from your king pigeon, or you’re a complete yoga newbie, here are her top three...
by Elly MacDonald | Aug 21, 2021 | Sourcing research
Try saying that really really quickly. The island of New Guinea, the world’s second-largest, lies just north of Australia at the far eastern end of the Indonesian archipelago, where the Coral Sea becomes the South Pacific. The land mass is split right down the...
by Elly MacDonald | Aug 13, 2021 | Sourcing research
The island of Sumba is part of the province of Nusa Tenggara, surrounded by the Flores Sea: It’s always been a little-travelled spot, which has allowed it to keep its traditional culture and animist ‘Merapu’ religion intact for longer than a lot of...
by Elly MacDonald | Jul 27, 2021 | Get the look
So with the temps creeping up in both San Fran and Singapore, the Anserai team hankering after some serious beach time! With the sun shining there’s nothing better than whites, woods, natural textures and {of course} a couple of our show-stopping Papuan tribal shell...
by Elly MacDonald | May 5, 2021 | Sourcing research
The origins of the songket weaving technique seem to be a little murky and mysterious, with a few different theories about when and where exactly it evolved. I’ve picked the one I like best to write about here – not exactly a scientific process but...
by Elly MacDonald | Apr 15, 2021 | Designer tips
We have some exciting new additions to our artwork collection in the works here at Anserai, so we thought we’d take the opportunity to do a little round up of gallery wall tips and tricks. Our in-house interior designer, Elly MacDonald, is pretty partial to...
by Elly MacDonald | Apr 10, 2021 | Sourcing research
The island of Flores is one of the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia, just a short hop across the ocean from Sumba {which I wrote about recently – see here}. It is a hugely diverse place in terms of tribes, topography, textiles and tongues. Because of its...
by Elly MacDonald | Apr 1, 2021 | In the press
We were delighted to have our Money Cowrie / Natural Twine Mounted Papuan Tribal Shell Necklace {clicky clicky here} featured in the latest edition of Real Life Magazine – thanks for the shout out! / {Real Life Magazine} SaveSave
by Elly MacDonald | Mar 24, 2021 | Bali collection
Roll up, roll up, come check out the complimentary samples we’re now offering of our incredible, literally one of a kind vintage Indonesian ikat and songket textiles:/ Just shoot us an email to info@anserai.com to request your sample pack!...
by Elly MacDonald | Dec 30, 2020 | Sourcing research
Sabu {or commonly ‘Savu’} is an eeny weeny little island in the Lesser Sunda group, roughly halfway between Sumba and Timor {also comprising two other even smaller islands, but they’re not massively interesting textile-wise}. It has a very similar...
by Elly MacDonald | Dec 23, 2020 | Behind the scenes
Our fantastic local framer in California has just sent over some ‘work in progress’ photos from his recent work on Anserai’s Collection #1. Not only is he framing some pieces, but also displaying some using reused/distressed wood bases and iron...
by Elly MacDonald | Nov 22, 2020 | Get the look
Justina Blakeney’s insanely gorgeous blush/textural/tropical design has had us all kinds of giddy over here at Anserai HQ when it was unveiled a couple of months back. Get the look below {with the addition of our very own vintage blush/peach Indo ikat pillow,...
by Elly MacDonald | Oct 20, 2020 | Behind the scenes
Chopping up beautiful decades old ikat sarongs and selandang songket trims takes nerves of steel, I can tell you that for free. They are certainly better off being scavenged for parts as opposed to where I originally found them… …but it is still...
by Elly MacDonald | Oct 18, 2020 | Sourcing research
I wrote about the gorgeous buna textiles coming out of Timor a while back now, but today I wanted to talk about their ruddy lovely ikats. The island of Timor is one of the major landmasses of East Nusa Tenggara, poking out of the Savu Sea between the Solor Archipelago...
by Elly MacDonald | Sep 25, 2020 | Sourcing research
One of my favourite elements of Anserai’s first collection is our range of unique and all natural tribal shell necklaces sourced from Papua, in the very east of the Indonesian archipelago. While sourcing some of these necklaces from a trader in Bali, I...
by Elly MacDonald | Sep 14, 2020 | Behind the scenes
{ elly macdonald design website / anserai tribal statue / anserai framed ikats / anserai framed shell necklaces } SaveSave
by Elly MacDonald | Sep 10, 2020 | Bali travel
“We have no art. We do everything as well as we can” – Balinese Proverb When the explorer from the “civilized world” asked the Balinese to show him their art, they were puzzled. The explorer tried to explain what art is to the very...
by Elly MacDonald | Aug 29, 2020 | Get the look
We’ve been loving this ethnic-y, boho tribal living space for a loooong time, here at Anserai. The simple and all natural colour scheme is livened up by a serious textural onslaught – reclaimed wood, sheepskin, linens, sisal, antiqued brass and fur all...
by Elly MacDonald | Aug 28, 2020 | Bali travel
Inseparable from the religious rituals of Bali are the many temples of the island. To the Balinese, temples and their various structures are not worshipped but are meant to be a pleasant resting place for the gods on their stay on the island. Every house has its own...
by Elly MacDonald | Aug 26, 2020 | Bali travel
Ubud is known as the cultural center of Bali and as a land of artists. At Anserai, we absolutely love its traditional charm, and stunning array of beautiful artisanal crafts. There is no difficulty finding authenticity amisdt the squatting Balinese sellers haggling...
by Elly MacDonald | Aug 25, 2020 | Bali travel
Our debut collection for Anserai is sourced from the beautiful island of Bali, Indonesia. Sandwiched between Borneo and Australia, this archipelago of volcanoes, reefs and jungle is a paradise on earth whether you’re a beach bum, diver or simply addicted to...
by Elly MacDonald | Aug 22, 2020 | Sourcing research
/ { berry/forest green flowers, stars + dots, black/dove euro florals, indigo/ice blue colonial crests, fig/berry patola-inspired, indigo/forget-me-not basket handles, black/peach {aristocratic} horses }
by Elly MacDonald | Jan 31, 2020 | Sourcing research
The island of Timor is one of the major landmasses of East Nusa Tenggara, poking out of the Savu Sea between the Solor Archipelago and Australia. Similar to Papua {which I wrote about recently, see here}, it is split slap bang right down the middle, into the very...
