December 22, 2006, ‘Twas the noon before Christmas, and all through the house

House & Garden Christmas Tour
Sunday, December 24, noon (doors open at 11)
Biblioteca Pública, Insurgentes 25
150 pesos, Info 152-4987

The Biblioteca Pública’s House & Garden tour volunteers wish everyone a very happy holiday season and invite residents, their guests and tourists to join us for a special December 24 Christmas tour.

We first visit a newly constructed home in the Malanquín golf club, a prime example of modern elegance. Containing beautiful, hand-carved cantera columns, fireplaces, arches and skylights, the home is filled with treasures.

The intimate living room is filled with plush seating areas, an Oriental rug and an open cantera fireplace that also heats the dining room behind it. The personalized kitchen is modern and light, with granite countertops and island. A cozy breakfast nook is framed by window boxes filled with herbs.

An outstanding waterwall with a stunning sculpture can be seen on the lower level. A delightful ramada (indoor/outdoor entertainment area), with full cooking and bar accoutrements, has beautiful tilework behind the barbecue and also contains a more sheltered dining area. The back garden boasts a remarkable fountain with stunning sculptural pieces.

Unobstructed views of the golf course can be seen from the rooftop.

Back to town to see a remarkably decorated home with every nook and cranny filled with Christmas decorations and lights. Christmas trees, with classic and folk art decorations, abound in this home.

Special features include bóveda (vaulted) ceilings in the main and upper floor rooms and beautiful stained glass windows in the stairwell.

The vibrant artwork throughout is all from Cuba (the largest Cuban art collection in San Miguel?) and contrasts with an enviable collection of old folk art and religious pieces.

A large roof garden with a 360-degree view is filled with plants and is the perfect place to sit and relax with a drink and watch San Miguel’s sensational sunsets.

Our last house is a 300-year-old Spanish colonial home that has been lovingly restored by its artist owner. This house features outstanding examples of carved cantera stone—the fireplace in the living room is ornately carved with a shell motif and childlike angels dressed in Spanish attire.

The focal point of the courtyard is the stone fountain and two lovely old granada (pomegranate) trees, for which the house is named. A chapel facing the courtyard has a hand-painted bóveda ceiling designed and painted by artist and restorer Eduardo Silva and was converted into an al fresco dining area. Another curious detail of this art-filled home is a small sink in the guest bathroom that was copied from the holy water font in the sanctuary at nearby Atotonilco. Contemporary paintings and ceramics with modern lighting complement the charm of this old house. Don’t miss the niche on the outside corner of the house that holds an old cantera stone carving of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

The roof deck offers beautiful views to the west.