House & Garden Tour
By Jennifer Hamilton

House & Garden Tour
Sun, Feb 3, Noon
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25
US$15 or 150 pesos
Breakfast at Café Santa Ana starting at 9am


First house. At a time in life when most people wish to retire and enjoy the simple pleasures of life, the owners having bought this land many years ago, decided to design and build several homes on this hillside property. This house is the largest of the four built side-by-side on this hillside street, which was just a dirt road when it was purchased. All rooms face the garden with its lush lawn and many varieties of plants and flowers, with a rock garden built on boulders to the right of the entranceway. Two guestrooms were designed on the ground floor for visiting friends and family. The master bedroom is filled with light and leads to a double blue and white bathroom with a spectacular Jacuzzi. The owner not only designed this home which includes a separate rental unit, but also the neighboring houses on this block, and she remains active in her artistic endeavors. A separate structure is to the left of the entranceway and also faces the garden.

Second house. This early Atascadero home was built over 50 years ago. After many months of remodeling, they accomplished what seemed like an impossibility—a huge double garden (the second section of which they opened up by breaking through the solid wall for access) where their several dogs now have plenty of room to romp and play, an outstanding studio for jewelry design and lots of light from every room through beveled-glass French doors opening out to the entrance or back garden.

Plants and flowers border the entry path with its enchanting cantera fountain and high walls covered with vines. The museum-quality Native American pots and artifacts in the foyer symbolize the number of years they were involved with the Wheelwright Museum in Santa Fe, New Mexico. All bedrooms open onto either the flower-filled front patio or garden. The studio was also designed and created with sculpted concrete walls, exquisitely shaped lamps, soft golden-hued colors and special shelves made to exhibit the outstanding jewelry. The oversized aviary in the garden was especially designed for their many birds, and the fountain in the center of the garden was made locally, also by hand.

Third house. This wonderful hillside property has four separate, very comfortable casas. All of the residences are decorated with Mexican artifacts, carvings and pottery. Since each is on a different level, they are totally private and complete with outdoor living space. Macetas (clay pots) filled with bougainvillea add vibrant color to the property.

After passing through the entry foyer one comes to Casa Grillo (cricket), a two-bedroom unit with 30-inch thick walls, glass-roofed atrium and a living/dining room with fireplace. Continuing up to the next level one passes a fountain with water-spouting frogs (Guanajuato—mountain place with frogs). Casa Mariposa (butterfly) is a one-bedroom unit with a large terrace filled with bougainvillea, oleanders and herbs. A fountain just outside the bedroom lulls guests to sleep. Casa Colibri (hummingbird), a studio with its own terrace and fountain, occupies the next level up. At the top is Casa Aguila (eagle), the owners’ residence. One more additional level is a rooftop sala for entertaining with one of the best views of San Miguel.