Diana Stratton: A little Bit of Paradise Right Here in Sonoma County

By Tyler Keeley

Occasionally we receive customers who absolutely love our products, but rarely do we get a designer who connects so well with our Indonesian artistry. Diana Stratton, of Diana Stratton Design, has been a long time customer, furnishing both her clients and herself with our imported goods and antiques.

Residing in the hills of Healdsburg, near the Russian River, her home plays host to a number of Gado Gado products, ranging from umbrellas to stone Buddhas. Sitting comfortably on a slope, our designer’s house is awash in green ferns and bay trees, creating a lush jungle atmosphere reminiscent of the Indonesian islands themselves. She and her husband have invested years of work into a garden that rewards its owners with peace and harmony.

Stone Buddha head at home in the foliage

Here a Thai spirit house sits on a wood post while Balinese angels fly overhead. The spirit houses are designed as a residence for spirits passing by, in order to keep them from entering a person’s home and disrupting the interior energy. The Balinese angels are traditionally constructed as agents of protection, but serve as beautiful decorations as well.

Balinese angels flying above Thai spirit house

Diana’s front gate is flanked by two andesite elephants, sculpted in Bali and shipped here by freight. Andesite is an igneous, volcanic rock and benefits from the crystallization of silica poor minerals. Weighing over a hundred pounds, these great beasts stand triumphant, welcoming guests into the front garden area and beyond.

Stone elephants welcome guests at the front gate

Balinese flags bring a taste of the tropics home

A bronze frog makes an offering before a Balinese umbrella

Balinese hanging toucan resting among the flora

To contact Diana Stratton or to learn more about the kind of work she does, please visit her studio’s website at www.dianastrattondesign.com.