Henry Link Bali Hai is quite possibly the prettiest vintage faux bamboo available to a furniture buyer, in my opinion, of course. I have a blog post about vintage faux bamboo.
There were many other noteworthy furniture manufacturers that also made faux bamboo furniture in the 1950s and 1960s, like Dixie, Drexel, and Thomasville, but Bali Hai seems to be the most popular among all of them.
I will show you why!
A Little History of Henry Link Bali Hai
Henry Link began as a furniture manufacturer in the 1930s, specializing in bedroom and dining room furniture. In the mid-20th century, the Bali Hai collection was launched.
It was inspired by tropical elements such as bamboo, palm fronds, and rattan. What sets the Bali Hai collection apart from other faux bamboo furniture is the delicate aesthetic, exceptional quality, and unique design elements,
This level of workmanship has earned the Henry Link Bali Hai collection a prominent place in the hearts and homes of design enthusiasts, making it a timeless and enduring choice for those looking to bring a touch of the tropics to their interiors.
Pieces In The Henry Link Bali Hai Collection
The Bali Hai collection consisted of the following pieces. Keep in mind this list is not exhaustive.
- Dressers in various lengths
- Tallboys in a couple of different styles & armoire
- Lingerie and bachelor’s chests
- Nightstands of two different styles
- Desks – regular and corner desk
- Hutches – Small and medium size
- Makeup Vanity
- Miscellaneous items such as mirrors, beds, etc.
Bali Hai Dressers
Bali Hai dressers came in 3 sizes – full, queen, and king although they are much smaller in scale by today’s standards.
The 6 and 9-drawer dressers are absolute classics. They are just the perfect addition to a small or medium-sized bedroom.
Bali Hai dressers are about 32″ tall, which makes them taller than some other vintage lines, but the scale was designed with a beach house (think cozy) in mind.
Bali Hai Tallboys & Armoire
The Tallboys came in two slightly different styles. One is stacked, and one is not. I love the stacked aesthetic so much! The stacked piece is literally two separate pieces stacked on top of each other.
The armoire has louvered doors like the triple dresser, but we have removed the louvers.
Bali Hai Lingerie Chests & Bachelor’s Chest
I love the delicate scale of Bali Hai lingerie chests. They are perfect for storing not just lingerie but costume jewelry, makeup, craft supplies, and so much more.
I suppose the male counterpart of the lingerie chest is the bachelor’s chest. A pair of bachelor’s chests make the perfect oversized nightstands for modern-day bedrooms.
Bali Hai Nightstands
I have seen Henry Link Bali Hai nightstands in two different sizes. One is the standard vintage two-drawer version. The other is the single drawer with a shelf version.
Both are about 24″ tall, which make them perfectly suitable for modern platform beds without box spring.
Bali Hai Desk
The desks were made in two different styles. One is a standard pedestal desk with four drawers, and the other is more of a corner desk.
The desks came with a tiny size chair that does not seem comfortable, but it’s definitely cute.
Bali Hai Hutches
As you can see, almost all the Henry Link Bali Hai collection items were meant for the bedroom. The hutches, too, were made to go into bedrooms. That is why you will always see them in a bedroom in estate sale pictures.
The large hutch was an add-on item that was sized perfectly to go over a 6-drawer dresser. The small hutch could go over a two-door cabinet or a bachelor’s chest mentioned above.
Bali Hai Makeup Vanity
The vanity is quite possibly the cutest piece in the entire line, with small proportions and a delicate aesthetic. It’s a flip top to keep your make-up mess under the lid. No guarantee it will work. I use counters like storage pieces. Haha!
The vanity also came with a unique stool that was just as pretty and perfect.
Excellent Quality Of Henry Link Bali Hai
The Bali Hai line looks delicate, and it is the most lightweight of all vintage faux bamboo. It is by no means poorly constructed.
I have yet to come across a Henry Link piece that is in unsalvageable bad shape due to owner abuse. Yes, I have seen them in dirty brown with layers of gunk.
I have seen a few loose joints or an occasional weakened dovetail, but that’s understandable for its 83-year age.
The metal tracks will almost always eat into the wood glide for every other kind of vintage furniture, but you will rarely see that in Bali Hai. Again, that’s a testament to its quality.
What Makes Bali Hai So Desirable
Henry Link Bali Hai is exceptionally popular. It was popular back in the day, and it is still popular today. Why?
- Delicate Aesthetic – Its delicate, feminine aesthetic makes it the perfect choice for nurseries, little girls’ rooms, or anywhere you need elegant storage.
- Small scale – These pieces are not oversized and are New York City apartment-friendly. They are also lightweight.
- Versatility – The various pieces in this line can be used in so many spaces. Bedrooms, changing tables in a nursery, and home office storage are just to name a few.
- Solid Construction – As discussed above, these pieces are solid. They are well-made, and they have stood the test of time.
- Smooth Operation – Although you can’t get the luxury of soft close in vintage furniture, you can get fairly smooth operation of drawers and doors with these pieces.
- Upcyclability – These pieces look fantastic once redone in literally any color. Any color is other than its original splattered yellow or green.
- Paintability – They are super easy to paint for beginner-level or DIYers because they require minimal prep. I didn’t say “no-prep”; I said minimal. The paint sticks just fine to the laminate top with proper sanding and priming.
Final Thoughts
Henry Link Bali Hai is some of the best vintage furniture still available to purchase. It’s VERY affordable considering its excellent quality. With some paint (DIY or pro), these pieces can be brought into 21st-century homes.
They have stood the test of time and served their previous owners for decades, and they will serve you well for decades to come!