Nestled in the verdant foothills of Mount Namahana, on the secluded north shore of Kaua'i, stands a home that lifts the celebration of tropical living to the next level of art. High cathedral ceilings with exposed hardwood rafters and rattan meet small hand-carved wooden lotus flowers that neatly cover construction bolts. The bathtub and sinks are custom-carved. Expansive glass sliding doors open onto an extensive deck. An infinity-edged, salt-water pool cascades over two hand-carved black lava stone carvings-replicas from a temple in Java. A gazebo sits at the pool's edge. A Buddha statue smiles.

But what exactly sets this home apart? "Each detail fits with its environment," says Lani McLychok, who owns the home with husband Michael. "Everything is made in Bali or inspired by its cultural environment."

This strong Asian influence evokes awe in anyone who visits. Take the pool and an outdoor waterfall shower, both laid in Bali Green stone. The shower lies hidden behind a mystical antique gate. The gazebo, called bale' in this Asian context, is designed with two oversized lounging areas, perfect for massages. Topped by a high-arching ironwood roof, a rice barn overlooks a private lake. In Bali, this would be where the rice workers find shade during harvest. On Kaua'i, it serves as an extra bedroom, art or yoga studio...or a play hut for the McLychoks' twin sons.

The front entrance doors to the property feature thick acacia wood. Each half is one solid piece, hand-carved to suggest a woven composition. Chunky hand-crafted, aged-brass handles give a solid feel, which exemplifies the home's general mood and theme- meditative, casually elegant, and warm. But even the smallest details reflect the beauty of Balinese artisanship. Lani brought in several artists to create this harmonious look.

Vanessa Grant, Artist and environmental home consultant and owner of Grant by Design specializing in clean interiors, helped with initial furniture designs, which were then custom made in Bali. A special shopping trip to Bali and Southeast Asia allowed Grant to find the McLychoks their antique doors, vanities, statues, outdoor furniture, garden pots, stone lanterns, and unique accessories. A prime example of her close collaboration with the McLychoks is a majestic, zen-like gong, which sits on the middle of the länai and resounds across the entire three and a half acres of grounds.

Lani remembers, "I got a long distance call from Vanessa, who was in a small village marketplace trying to decide which gong to purchase. She hit about 12 to see which one I liked best. I picked the second one because of its deep resonating sound. Then she hit them all again in a different order, and I still picked the same one. Of course, that's the one she bought."

Dedicated to timeless living environments and green practices, interior designer Andrea Lecusay, owner of Lakshmi Interiors, joined Lani's and Vanessa's efforts. Her touch in the McLychoks' home provided additional architectural nuance and furniture design, custom-lighting designs, plus a refined color scheme. "The home combines a variety of woods with natural textures," she says. "So we chose a color scheme inspired by Grant's tropical abstract artwork, which radiates with colors of ruby red, marigold, tangerine, and avocado. This palette brought the whole concept to life, and made it all come together in an inviting, calming ambiance."

Miranda Dornfield ensured harmony in the home with a Feng Shui consultation, and, naturally, the landscaping became an integral part of the balanced design as well. The McLychoks' home melts into a meandering landscape of trickling streams and lily-filled water gardens, mature palms and tropical foliage, complemented by strategically placed natural rock walls. Willie Shook, owner of Namahana Nursery and Landscaping on Kaua'i, worked with Lani to create a blend of Balinese meets Hawaiiana.

The main visionary behind the McLychok masterpiece? Michael McLychok, who designed the home. "It was meant for my family," he says. Then something happened: "People stopped by when we were building, and somehow we sold seven similar homes before ours was halfway completed, which was in December 2006."

As a result, the house provides more than a great place to live, and now doubles as a model for the McLychoks' business, Bali Built Homes, LLC. "We formed a partnership with a top Balinese architect, and started working with his talented production and design team to offer others here open-style, tropical luxury living," Michael explains. "We now create drawings that deliver building systems combining client-adaptable architectural designs with Balinese materials and craftsmanship." Grant, Lecusay, and others who helped the McLychoks originally, are part of the Bali Built design team on Kaua'i.

The McLychok home is made of all Balinese hardwoods, including the ironwood roof shingles. "But you don't see what's inside your walls or under the floors," Michael says. "So we recommend that our clients build up to the top plate with sustainable construction materials such as concrete forms or recycled steel, then use the hardwoods where they can be appreciated. It is more eco-friendly and provides the same look."

The exotic hardwoods in question are, primarily, bangkarai and merbau, which are farmed and come from legal government sources. Because of the woods' density, they are termite-resistant, and don't require chemical treatment. Unlike Douglas Fir or softer woods, these hardwoods may last for centuries, without needing to be replaced.

The McLychok home design doesn't actually consist of just one building but comprises a flowing system of pods interconnected by covered breezeways. Yes, if, in the middle of the night, Lani wants to fetch a glass of water from the kitchen, she has to venture outside. "It's a great opportunity to feel the warm breeze, take in the fresh air, and look up at the stars," Michael and Lani say. "When it's raining, we can enjoy the fresh scent of a tropical rain, because the breezeways keep us dry. It makes us realize how special it is to be living in Hawai'i. Where else can you live like this?"

The McLychok home infuses luxury resort-style living with romance, beauty, and passion. It's a dream of the good life and the Balinese style, and it appears well-suited to our Islands.