House and Garden Tour
By Jennifer Hamilton April 18, 2008 San Miguel de Allende

Moroccan walls, bronze hands, overlooking Plaza de Toros

House & Garden Tour
Sun, Apr 20, Noon
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25
US$15 or 150 pesos

Breakfast at Café Santa Ana starting at 9am

1. Our first home today is a unique country house. One is at once struck by the countless arches adding a soft, gentle look. The archway in the entrance is hand-stenciled. The living/dining rooms contain embossed tin lamps interspersed with painted silver leaf, plush seating areas and an unusual Asian coffee table filled with candles. The hallway to the right of the entranceway has glass windows on the left looking out to the beautiful garden and fountain. A game room contains stunning tin cabinets, luscious dark green walls and colorful paintings. A beautiful guest bedroom contains a plethora of differently shaped colored pillows scattered on the bed. The master suite is filled with family photos, a bóveda ceiling and overlooks the plush green garden. Outside, a Moroccan-style open wall was added to the back of the pool with water flowing down the steps at the far end. The entire garden is a lush green with soft grass, many trees and flowers, and an outside shower. Seen throughout are spectacular bronzes and 
the owner remains an avid collector of art and sculpture, continuing world travels in search of yet more extraordinary pieces to add to an already outstanding collection.


2. The front of this house still contains its original three adobe walls. The owner managed to take advantage of the narrow, deep shape of the house, with wood beams fronting the main sala with its comfortable seating areas and a beautiful collection of top quality art, artifacts and folk art. A stunning bullfight painting dominates the dining room with its rich red walls, comfortable dining area and distinguished chandelier. The kitchen is large, with open shelves and countertops placed at charmingly unusual angles. The two guest rooms have their own private patios. Upstairs is a personal suite and office, with a small powder room with its baptismal font sink. The master bath off the office area has an oversized, rounded shower, two showerheads and blue and white tiles. This back area was originally the taller (workshop) of the previous owners who were master metal workers. An exceptional view down to the Plaza de Toros can be seen from the south side of the rooftop terrace. Two carved cantera crosses are pl
aced in the stairwell and in front of one of the downstairs windows. The enchanting fountain with its rock walls has water softly flowing downward through two bronze hands.