June 19, 2009, House & Garden Tour

2nd Sunday in June for 2009
No Tour – Día de los Locos

Year To Date 2008
4,768 visitors on tour

Year To Date 2009
4,317 visitors on tour

HOUSE & GARDEN TOUR
SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE
June 21, 2009

1. This charming home, although unpretentious in size, contains a plethora of outstanding Mexican folk art which was in the house when purchased.

Many of the pieces were purchased from San Miguel grande dame Dotty Vidargas when it was first built and furnished. The long entrance hall contains a stunning painting of a Virgin and child, and a small, captivating patio with high walls bursting with climbing bougainvillea plus an intimate seating area and fountain. The cozy dining room contains a spectacular Madonna painting. A sala with cantera arches is filled with nichos containing various saints and leads out to the larger outdoor patio with a large fireplace, more spectacular folk art and high walls. The kitchen contains colorful talavera plates (probably from Santa Rosa) and beautiful tile work. On the upstairs landing is what can be described only as a pregnant devil, one of the most colorful and delightful pieces of folk art in the house. A rare collection of mariachis adorns the fireplace in the bedroom, in all probability purchased in Michoacán. Since all the upstairs rooms contain bóveda ceilings, the owners flattened the roof over them in order to build a large roof garden, added a refrigerator for al fresco dining, and a hot tub. The views of the domes of La Iglesia de la Concepción (“Las Monjas”) are exceptional.

2. Surely described as one of San Miguel’s mysterious “hidden behind the walls” treasures, construction of this brilliant home was completed in the late nineties and was designed to be both a tranquil and yet colorful place in which to live.

The small entranceway with its Chiapas cross on the wall leads into a deceptively large living/dining room with deep red walls and an exceptional collection of folk art placed throughout, adding both color and whimsy. An abundance of natural light fills the rooms both from the south and north sided glass walls as well as from above. The extraordinary green pottery “tower”, of course, comes from Michoacán. The patio and garden are both filled with lush greenery and are easily accessible from all rooms on the ground floor. The master bedroom sports a large and impressive collection of masks which were collected from travels spanning many years. Upstairs a studio doubles as a guest bedroom, and many outstanding collages are proudly displayed on the walls. Perhaps one of the most awe-inspiring Japanese styled paper lamps hangs all the way from the third floor, giving the house a soft, gentle glow in the evenings.

3. Built from the existing ruins of San Miguel’s original orphanage, one of the first enchanting surprises one sees upon entering the atrium are the 3 fountains named “The Brothers” created by Mathieu Kuhn.

The original castle-like walls are still standing, giving the house that very special Colonial touch. The owners turned a dirt-floored ancient property with no water or electricity into what we see today. A claw-footed bath stands freely in one of the bathrooms, and a canopy bed sits in the bedroom. The kitchen is a gourmet’s dream with views to the west, and the dining area is almost al fresco with the glass doors opening completely to the walls and lushly green patios beyond. Another bedroom, reached via an outside bridge, contains a whimsical swinging bed, another with trundle beds and a secret door leading to the entertainment area with its multi leveled seating areas and photographs of many renowned actors on one wall. The master bedroom contains the original stone in the bathroom, with an added polished cement tub. Note the ingenious placement of broken cornices and frames over the master bed. It too has whitewashed wood beams and its own terrace from where one feels they can almost touch the spires of La Parroquia. Endless delights can be seen from beginning to end—the living room with its mirrors, antiques, religious objects and artwork; the view from two roof terraces encompassing the town; the bathroom with its pebbled floor; the retractable glass roof leading to one of the decks plus endless stone passageways and arched staircases. Be sure to glance up when exiting to see the 17th century statue of San Miguel in a nicho above the arch.