Today’s tour highlights the life of two San Miguel artists who over the span of 30 years built a house and casita on the outskirts of San Miguel.

Today the colonia in which it resides is just beyond the Fabrica Aurora, within walking distance of the Parroquia for those with youthful legs.

This is not your standard House & Garden tour, but we think it well worth a visit for those who appreciate fine art and wacky, just plain fun, art.

The iron gate at the street portends what is to come – wheel, cogs and found objects are woven into its design.

The verdant stone courtyard entrance leads to a fantasy house.

One is immediately struck by what must have been the vibrant personalities and intense creativity of the owners, now deceased.

The husband was a consummate craftsman and was a “quick study” at many different art forms.

The kitchen has a wild, sprawling iron light fixture over its colored concrete island. Counters are assembled from gaily-colored Dolores Hidalgo tiles.

An elaborate stained-glass door leads to a separate apartment. A rondelle made of mirror shards and stained glass may confuse you into thinking that you are in a “fun house.”

There are many stained-glass windows assembled from glass rejects from the old SMA glass factory (which has subsequently morphed into a design center).

There is a larger-than-life homage to Roy Lichtenstein that, upon closer inspection, reveals itself to be a “portrait” of the owner.

We have a chance to see his studio; one may hope that in due course other artists will “set up shop” here. The homage to Don Quixote is by the studio door.

Imaginative metal chess pieces are everywhere. The owner would take a canvas chess “board” to a park and invite people to play with these 2-6′ tall pieces!

Walk with safety under the giant dragonfly in the hallway, but don’t get too close to the skeleton predator on the stairs!

As we exit, we’ll pass through the wife’s jewelry making studio.

Our second home is a small casita on the property. The ceilings are all made of an intricate mosaic of painted wood. The kitchen is of typical Mexican tiles and has colorful pottery. Here we will find more colorful paintings and sculptures. The bathroom has a stained-glass window with a green agate as its centerpiece!

Come on this tour if you have a sense of humor, awe, and an appreciation for the creative spirit. This is not the biblioteca’s usual tour; think of it more of an “experience” tour!

“ It is behind the walls you see how we live”

Your first impression, perhaps, may be to take in a garden patio with a bubbling fountain – a stone bird sitting on top.

Flowering plants delight the eye.  This outdoor patio is a room unto itself – comforting and inviting. 

Entering the main room, we see a hand hammered Mr. and Mrs. Peacock on the arched doors.  They are next to a French bread rack that is hinged to conceal, perhaps hidden treasures? No! It’s the laundry room!

Mexican chairs surround a locally-made table in front of the fireplace. At first glance, the typical Mexican kitchen looks like a jumble, but upon closer inspection, everything is in its place! Don’t overlook the tin pendant over the kitchen table.

See the nude relaxing in a bathtub on a sandy beach in the guest bath! (this is not the owner!).

The charming casita is equally colorful with artwork selected to be enhanced by the color of the walls.

A blue tiled fireplace is surrounded by niches filled with ceramics.

An old wooden cupboard seems to have suffered a partial fire—how many years ago?!

Walk up to the orchard on the top terrace. Fig, mango, avocado, lime and lemon trees keep the owners well supplied with fruit!  Don’t miss the hand-painted tile risers on the way up!

Intrepid souls will want to walk into the basement “man cave.”  It is filled with the wife’s cast offs, artfully re-arranged into an office, lounge area and TV viewing space.  The wooden 1950’s toy car on display was purchased in Havana.

This house has everything – beautifully landscaped gardens, eclectic furnishings, wonderful views and a man cave!  We hope this couple will enjoy it for years to come.

“ It is behind the walls you see how we live”