House & Garden Tour
By Jennifer Hamilton July 11, 2008 San Miguel de Allende

Architectural winner, soft curves and arches, a former stable

House & Garden Tour
Sun, July 13, noon
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25
US$15 or 150 pesos
Breakfast at Café Santa Ana starting at 9am 


1. Soft colors of sage, ochre and plum move throughout this architectural winner and carefully planned lighting highlights the home’s artwork. The gardens are lush with bougainvillea, flowers, ferns and trees. The living room with its high bóveda ceiling is enclosed by glass doors which make it a part of the gardens. The kitchen contains soft green Italian tile and rich red walls and cabinetry. Doors at either end of the dining room open so that visitors can dine to the sound of two fountains. The enticing powder room contains a half-circle sculptured wall and spotlighted niche for artwork. The 700-square-foot, third floor master suite makes your jaw drop with extensive city views and an imaginative shower designed with spiral-pattern tiles inspired by Mayan hieroglyphics. Climbing the outside stairs to the large upper deck is worth it for the 360° views of the city and countryside.



2. This wide-open, light-filled hilltop home is full of paintings, sensual colors and tasteful embellishments. Curved stairs topped by an arched ceiling lead to living quarters with fantastic views toward Dolores Hidalgo, San Miguel, mountains and the lake. French doors on all sides provide light and access to the front and back gardens. One of the home’s most alluring features is the amount of cantera used for columns, countertops, fireplaces, shelves and fountains, which were quarried and carved in Escolasticas. The home is formed with soft curves and arches and all the rooms are open and spacious. The cozy living room opens to the dazzling kitchen, which leads into the elegant dining room. The master suite contains a sitting/library/office area, bedroom and separate his-and-hers baths and dressing rooms divided by a shared shower. Painted, polished cement flooring gives the house warmth and drama. Two guest bedrooms are on the lower level, as is a sizeable wine cellar and large game room with billiard table, dartboard and built-to-order bookcase.



3. Although these homeowners had no plans to move, they found this run-down former stable on a Thursday, bought it on Saturday and sold their other home the following Friday. In an unprecedented seven months they renovated the existing structure, constructed an addition, furnished it and moved in. Their goal in building this home was to have a place with plenty of light, comfort and areas where they could enjoy the art brought from their previous homes and the many pieces bought from local San Miguel artists. They are particularly proud of the beautiful stonework created by local artisans on the façade of the house which leads to an intimate entertainment area at the far end of the garden. Its focal point is a lovely old stone piece which serves as the fountain and fish pond. The owners expected some views on the roof, but were delighted to find magnificent vistas of La Parroquia and San Miguel’s hillside neighborhoods.