"Bring Home a Bit of Indonesia"
By: Bettina Haymann Chavanne
Vicinity Magazine, 2004
"Batavia is the old name of Jakarta, the capital city of Indonesia," says Widya Pertusi, owner of Batavia Home in Summit. "It was the name used during Dutch Colonial times, up until 1942 in fact." The name Batavia, according to the owner, best describes what you'll find in this unique home furnishings store. "Indonesian furniture is influenced quite a lot by European design," she states, "But maintains its ethnicity."
With three sisters, Pertusi came to the United States to attend school. She studied hotel and restaurant management, pursued an MBA, and worked for several large corporations. But she always wanted to start her own business. "My sisters and I came up with the idea to create an importing business," she says. "Indonesians are extremely talented and artistic and we thought it would be a great idea to bring some of their work here."
Pertusi now remains in the U.S., and her sisters handle quality control of the furniture and accessories from her homeland. All of this furniture is made of Indonesia's native teak, a richly grained, durable wood. "Mostly, people purchase one piece to accent a room," Pertusi notes. "These often become striking centerpieces."
In addition to larger armoires, side tables, end tables, and chairs, the owner offers accessories and handicrafts. "When I traveled to shop for the store, I knew what I wanted to offer - I sat down with the suppliers and started designing." In effect then, most pieces in the shop are custom-made for Batavia Home.
Making her home in Millburn, Pertusi frequently travels home to visit her sisters - all of whom are constantly on the lookout for new items to send to her shop in Summit. "Summit is becoming a center of decorating and design," she says of her location choice. And this shop owner keeps her clientele's needs in mind at all times.
"When I'm working with my suppliers, I base buying decisions in what I think people will like locally," Pertusi states. "I then combine that with supplier's artistic talents." The results of that combination (which should be seen to be appreciated) are always beautiful, often unusual - and sometimes unexpected.
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