House & Garden Tour
By Jennifer Hamilton May 2, 2008 San Miguel de Allende

House & Garden Tour
Sun, May 4, noon
Biblioteca Pública
Insurgentes 25
US$15 or 150 pesos
Breakfast at Café Santa Ana starting at 9am


Waves of life, high terraces and sculpted angels


1. Upon entering this captivating house one of the first things visitors notice are the railings designed by the owner—the circles representing warrior shields for protection, and the zigzagged ones representing the waves of life. Many of the windows throughout this light-filled home contain crosses and more structural designs. The master suite is entered through a studio which has its own sunbathing patio to one side of it past the bathroom with its cemento pulido and tiny stones embedded into the cement. Up a few more stairs is a romantic bedroom with the four-poster bed placed at an angle and filled with pillows against the star- and moon-designed headboard offering a delicious view over the countryside. The dining, sitting, office and kitchen areas are all wide open with a plethora of light, bright colors, plants and books everywhere, and emanating a feeling of calm and tranquility. Paintings are the owner’s creations and her artwork is represented in several locales within Mexico and San Miguel and treas
ured by collectors. A tranquil rooftop entertainment area is perfect for watching San Miguel’s sensational sunsets and general relaxation enjoying the 360° vista.



2. This beautiful home is located high above the town and from the terraces offers a beautiful view of San Miguel and its surroundings. It has an ultramodern kitchen, an awesome formal dining room and several salas and bedrooms. Fine antiques, sculptures and paintings give the home a warm, cozy feeling. Impressive photographs were created by the owner. Nearly every room has a bóveda (vaulted) brick ceiling which neatly mirrors the brick floors. The gardens are absolutely magnificent, with a vast variety of plants, flowers, vines and statuary, the one on the west side offering splendid views over San Miguel, the lake and hills to the west.



3. This renovated colonial was the first constructed in San Miguel by local architect Patsy Bubela, although only the main arch in front remains from the original, ancient building. Note the sculpted angels and seashell window, effects that are typical of Bubela´s work. The owners have added the roof garden, a studio and darkroom. All of the black and white photos are one of the owners’ work. Notice the beautiful Tamayo lithograph in the front room. A new guest casita was added at the rear of the property a few years ago, and more recently the owners opened a folk art museum a short ride from town. The roof garden offers one of the best views in San Miguel.