December 29, 2006, Tour of hill homes ends year on a high note, By Atención staff

House & Garden End of Year Tour

Sunday, December 31, noon (doors open at 11)

Biblioteca Publica, Insurgentes 25

150 pesos

Info 152-4987

The Biblioteca Pública’s House & Garden tour ends the year visiting two spectacular homes. Both residences are filled with unique art collections, have enviable views of the city, and were built by their owners. A tour that undoubtedly ends the year on high note.

Casa Hennings

This multi-level, light-filled home is filled with antiques and paintings, soft sensual colors, and tasteful embellishments.

The owners, Barbara and Mike Hennings, collaborated with local architect Gabor Goded to create a home with outstanding features that offer unparalleled views of the city and surrounding areas.

Soft curves and arches are featured throughout the home. One of its most alluring details is the cantera stone used for columns, counter tops, fireplaces, shelves and fountains. The cemento pulido (polished concrete) on the lower levels give the home a dramatic, warm look.

Living quarters, reached by an arresting curved stairs topped by a beautiful bóveda (arched) ceiling, boast superb views toward Dolores Hidalgo and San Miguel.

French doors access the luscious back and front gardens where bougainvillea, geraniums, herb gardens, fruit trees, palms and other colorful plants abound.

The master suite contains a sitting/library/office area, bedroom and separate his and hers baths and dressing rooms divided by a shared shower.

The home also has two captivating guest bedrooms and a sizeable wine cellar (watch your head when entering!), guest bath and shower and large games room with billiard table, dartboard, old radio against one wall, and a built-to-order bookcase.

The coach in the entranceway was made by hand by one of the owners’ father over 75 years ago!

Our second and last house is also on a hillside. Although built in 1998 this house looks and feels like an old Colonial style hacienda with all the rooms facing a large central courtyard.

Casa de la Cuesta, a five-suite bed & breakfast and gallery, was designed by architect Francisco Molino and takes full advantage of San Miguel’s mild climate. Intimate outdoor living spaces abound, all of which take advantage of the most spectacular views of the town below.

The owners, Heidi and Bill LeVasseur, possess one of San Miguel’s largest collections of Mexican folk art, particularly ceremonial dance masks. For Bill no other object reflects the true nature of Mexican indigenous culture, ceremony and spiritual complexity like the dance mask. To provide an appropriate showcase for these unique works of art he recently added a showroom/museum, The Other Face of Mexico, for the more than 400 piece collection.

Heidi, an artist in her own right, represents a group of Mexican artisans and artists. The embroidered masterpieces by Natividad Armador from the matriarchal town of Juchitan in Oaxaca, are nothing short of breathtaking.

Her works combine traditional stitching techniques with evocative modern design, while the works by master paper maker Humberto Trejo Gonzalez continue the prehispanic tradition.

As a result this home and gallery offer a unique look at Mexican craft and culture. The tunneled entrance to Casa de la Cuesta is, alone, worth the visit!

(Occasionally, due to unforeseen circumstances, houses may be changed at the last minute.)

The House & Garden Tour would like to thank the following participants for showing their homes in 2006:

Bibs Albertson
Mary & Tom Ambrose
Kiran & Sudhir Amembal
Costa Androulakis
Francis Antill
Martha Araiza
Familia de Arias-Canal
Pat & Tom Baum
Gloria Beléndez de Kurdi
Eden & Hal Box
Lucille & Marcie Chayt
Nicole & Ron Clayton
Betty & Nick Coates
Leslie Cohen
Michelle Connor
Jean & Gene Crane
Toller Cranston
Caren & Dave Cross
Carly Cross
Terry & Chuck Daugherty
Joan & Steve Dipiero
Janice & Fred Edison
Alice & Floyd Edwards
Ethan Emery
Bob Fangue
Francesca Fisher & Peter Woods
Joan & Mel Freeman

Murray Friedman
Tom Frye
Joyce Funk
Rhea & Leon Gary
Gerry Gill
Cory Gray
Rita & Hal Green
Faye & Kirby Guidry
Jennifer & Bob Haas
Judy & Jack Hadlock
Deb & Rick Hall
Jennifer Hamilton
Joseph Harmes & Jackie Levy
Bill Harris & Howard
Haynes
Barbara & Mike
Hennings
María Herrera-Williams
Nancy Hooper
Jean & Rick Jacobson
Jennifer & Dan Jessee
Marlene Johansing
Greg Johnson
Judy & Win Jones
Aaron Jones
Betty Kempe
Pam & Don Knoles
Stan Krome & Joanna
Morgan
Kathy & Randy Kubes
Dianne Kushner
Juan Lans & Lupita
Langenscheidt
Diane & Billy Largman
Carol & Bob Latta
Heidi & Bill LeVasseur
Karen & Steve Livingston
Clay Macpherson
Nonnie & Markeset
Anja Maser
Anado Mclauchlin
& Richard Schultz
Sandi Merdinger
Mike Mervin
Ray Miles
Becky & Robin Millward
Alice & Joe Minton
John & Maryann Mueller
Mai Onno
Sylvia & Joe Persico
Molly & Jerald Peterson
Ben Pitre
Barbara & Bill (RIP)Porter
Bobbi Pyfrom
Jan & Michael Quinn
Carmen & Antonio
Rangel

Mary & Gil Rapp
Bill Reid
Helen Reinecke
Terry & Jack Reinhart
Sally Richman & Max Neder
Sandy Riveroll
Judy Roberts
Judy Rodman
Beverly Rosengren
Dan & Gabriella Scher
Elsa & Stephen
Spaulding
Michael Sudheer
Maureen & Harry
VanDine
Familia de Pedro Vargas
Robert Waters
Jim Watterson & George
Martin
Barbara & Chris Webber
Charlie Weber
Jackie & Herb White
Dana & Neill Whitlock
Juanita & Jim Wittmer
Bea Wood
Patrice Wynne
Sondra Zell