Spanish Colonial style

08 May Spanish Colonial style

  Since it was just Cinco de Mayo, I thought it would be fun and fitting to share pictures of my friend’s gorgeous home in the central highlands of Mexico where I visited her last month.  It’s one of my favorite cities, San Miguel de Allende.  If you follow me regularly on Instagram, you already know this!!!

 

Kim and Bill’s home reflects the color and architecture of the area that is so rich in history and culture. In fact, an old section of the popular city is part of a proclaimed World Heritage Site that attracts thousands of visitors and new residents from abroad each year. And Conde Nast magazine’s readers have voted it the best small city in the world twice!!!  More pictures from the town later in this article.  Back to Kim’s casa.

The bold living room walls make the room glow during the daylight hours and give it drama at night.  Her choice of accessories, from pillows to art, candles and other textiles add the layers every home needs.

This beautiful piece was in Kim’s parent’s house in Kentucky.  She had it shipped to San Miguel when she realized it would fit and be a great way to store and display her dishes and glassware.  I love the sentimentality of it as well. But the majority of the art and furnishings come from this area. 

What also sets these homes apart are the amazing courtyards and rooftop living spaces you see throughout the colorful town.

   You can see this courtyard from the first floor.  The high brick walls give privacy but are also handsome. And the flowers and climbing vines that grow abundantly in this climate are spectacular!!! Then you have the rooftop area that adds another level of  entertaining or lounging space.

 

You can access this area from the second floor where the bedrooms and tv room are located.  This is the view of the foyer from the second floor.  It has wonderful large oversized wooden doors like you see throughout the city along with local art.

My absolute favorite piece of furniture in their home is the bed they had custom made in San Miguel.

I covet this bed.  I would do almost anything to find one like it. This is a dreamy retreat, complete with a fireplace and access to a small courtyard with steps to the roof.

The guest suite is a bold color with great light and an interesting light fixture between the twin beds that have beautifully carved headboards.

The home has so many details, like this niche between the two bedrooms.  Just across from this wall is the den/office.

 

As you walk around the cobblestoned streets of Kim’s neighborhood and throughout the central part of San Miguel, you see so many buildings with carefully pruned climbing flowers, dramatic doors, and murals.

 

 

 

  Even the shops are a feast for the eyes, with dramatic backdrops, like this wall in a clothing store where I bought a dress from a Mexican designer.  And the rope chandeleir!!!!!!

   Here’s another shop with fabulous flair.  It’s everywhere.

And as I alluded to before, the courtyards often feature art, like this one at a boutique hotel.

        According to Wikipedia, the town was in danger of becoming a ghost town after a flu pandemic back at the beginning of the 20th century, but eventually its Baroque/Neoclassical colonial structures were “discovered” by foreign artists who moved in.  The famous art institute, the Instituto Allende was established, attracting artists and art students.  Now, San Miguel attracts thousands of writers, tourists, artists and foreign retirees for many reasons, among them the cultural scene and the ideal weather.

The climate is conducive to growing grapes for wine. We were able to get a tour of Vinedo San Lucas, a luxury gated residential community in a vineyard just a few minutes outside of the city center . We felt like we were in Tuscany.

 

    And isn’t this a stylish tasting room?!? Just use extreme caution navigating those stairs, especially after a bit of wine.

I don’t proclaim to be a travel writer, but when you love a place as much as I love San Miguel de Allende, it’s easy to praise its noteworthy assets, like the architecture, art, food, etc., etc. 

  

    Many thanks to local interior designer Anna Ramirez, whose brother is an architect working on a home in this exclusive development. She took us to lunch at the vineyard and showed us around.  And of course, big thanks to my dear friend, Kim, who always shows me a great time in this stunning city she and her husband embrace so much.  If you haven’t been, put it on your list of places to see.

 

  Thank you for following Stylish Retreats.