President and Principal of award-winning design firm BraytonHughes Design Studios, Joel Villalon took his expertise to the artistic town of Guanajuato to create his perfect summer home. Honoring the romance of the city, Villalon’s goal was to fuse Guanajuato’s history and art scene with personal materials and items collected from his many worldwide travels throughout his life.
The charming home was purchased by Villalon 10 years ago and keeping its original vibe and colonial exterior intact was an important factor to him. With the help of Francisco Moran, the home’s original architect, he was able to design the ideal vacation home. To do this, Villalon drew on BraytonHughes Design Studios’ skill of creating projects that have a unique sense of place, along with using his common approach of exacting detail and carefully selected materials.
Villalon was able to renovate and construct new additions to the home, allowing him to add more space for entertaining and displaying his personal trove of art, accessories, tile and textile collections. Light fixtures and furniture were commissioned by regional craftsmen while detailed bovedas, muraled tiled and stone walls were all created by local artisans. Even the majority of wall art is from local artisans. The result is a warm abode that stays true to the historic, artistic city of Guanajuato.
Joel Villalon’s Tips for Decorating a Mexican Summer Home
Take Advantage of Local Artisans From custom pieces of furniture and accessories to light fixtures and more, affordable and unique hand-crafted items are at your fingertips in Mexico.
Bring the Culture into the Home The number of artists and art itself is abundant in Guanajuato and Mexico. Collect inexpensive and interesting pieces over time.
Display Personal Items Displaying additional personal items from life’s journeys add an intimate touch. Tap talented Mexican craftsmen to help create a unique way to showcase the memories.
Make the Most of Summer Weather Create outdoor rooms to take full advantage of the mild weather. Decorate with eclectic pots to house a wide variety of plants, creating a breezy indoor-outdoor atmosphere.