HEAD FOR THE HILLS
For her winter home, one Canadian woman bought in the tropics — without a beach in sight.
Q Why did you choose San Miguel de Allende — in the mountains — over, say, a beachfront home?
A I have always loved being in Mexico from the first time I came in 1971 but I didn’t visit SMA (as we regulars call it) until 1982. I came back 20 years later, after I retired, because I knew I wanted to spend the winter months in a warmer climate, though not necessarily a beach resort. As soon as I returned I felt a draw to all the history and culture San Miguel has to offer.
Q Was it an easy decision to purchase here?
A Truth told I had no interest in maintaining a home in a place I lived only four months a year. But then the rental market became tighter and I began to tire of the annual search for the perfect house, so in 2012 when the house I had been renting for a couple of seasons came up for sale, I bought it.
Q How many bedrooms and bathrooms?
A There are four bedrooms, each with its own ensuite, and a powder room.
Q Was language a barrier or do you speak Spanish?
A When I first started coming to SMA I spoke very little Spanish and I liked that I could live quite comfortably in English. Then when I started taking Spanish classes, gaining some fluency in the language allowed me to feel even more connected to my part-time home, whether shopping in the market or my ability to make Mexican friends and converse in their native tongue. Q Whenever I rent a vacation home, I daydream about what I would do with the interior if it were mine. Because you rented your property before purchasing, did you have a laundry list of things to change or did you leave everything as was?
A Funny you should say that, because as a renter I was an armchair decorator. When I became an owner, I decided to do some small changes, to reflect my lifestyle. I updated my master ensuite and closet, stripped the terracotta tiles throughout the house and painted them black and did a partial kitchen reno. When that was done it became obvious that the entire house was calling for an update. I ended up redoing two additional bathrooms and adding a completely new one, I recovered whatever furniture I hadn’t already done first go-round and I did all new stonework in the garden and terrace. I finally consider it complete and I love it!
Q Did you oversee the project yourself ?
A Brian, a retired Canadian school teacher turned interior designer and living in San Miguel, helped me a great deal. When we started the project, he asked that I come up with three words to describe the final look and feel I wanted for my casa. I replied I only need two words, “F**king Fabulous!” From that moment on, those words became our design mantra when making a decision or choosing anything for the house. Even the workmen knew that was the level
to which they should aspire. Q Was it a difficult process?
A You hear horror stories of renovating in foreign countries, but that was not my story. I had such reliable, talented and enthusiastic people working as a team that during the year and a half it took, I came only three times to visit and check on the progress. Questions and decisions were mostly handled by e-mail between Toronto and SMA.
Q The view from your rooftop is breathtaking. What are you looking out onto?
A Most houses in SMA have a rooftop terrace and I count myself fortunate to have this wonderful view overlooking the city. The dome in the immediate foreground is a church originally founded by nuns, Las Monjas, and then in the background I can see the iconic cathedral, La Parroquia, in the main square.
Q Tell me about your beautiful loggia. If I owned this property I’d basically live out there.
A When I renovated the house I also did a major overhaul on the garden, so it was very important to create an outdoor area that allowed me to enjoy it at all times of day whether by myself, with friends or hosting a charity event. The loggia (pictured, left) is like having another 400 square feet of living space. I absolutely adore it.
Q If you had it to do over again would you do anything differently?
A Honestly, I doubt that I would do anything differently. From start to finish it was a fun, interesting and
ultimately very rewarding project. And I feel it was good that I waited nine years before buying. My rental years allowed me to explore different parts of Centro San Miguel and gave me the knowledge of what streets I would like to live on and the type of house that would best suit me.
Q Share your Top Three mustdos for people visiting SMA.
A Immediately upon arrival pick up a copy of Atencion, the local bilingual newspaper published each Friday. Here you will discover the multitude of things to do in this charming and magical place. Then, within the first couple of days, take a guided walking tour with Patronato Pro Niños, a not-for-profit organization that uses the funds from these tours (guided by volunteers) to provide free dental work for children in the countryside. And I would suggest sitting in the Jardin (main square) at various times of day and watch all that goes on, morning, noon and night. The Jardin really is the heartbeat of SMA.
Q What is your favourite thing about owning a home in San Miguel?
A One of my favourite things is my ability to arrive and immediately settle in surrounded by my own stuff. The house is arranged to suit my needs and everything is as I like it. Another favourite is when my friends come to stay and are captured by San Miguel’s magical spell. It’s amazing to watch.