Colonial Color
A home in Mexico’s historic San Miguel reflects the city’s eclectic past—with a contemporary twist.
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Sharephotos by: Raul Alvarez
April 1, 2008
While working on the El Banco resort in Puerto Vallarta (Ground Floor, page 64), architect Juan Munguia encouraged the development’s owners—former Yahoo CEO Tim Koogle and wife Pam Scott-Koogle—to travel to Central Mexico to scout out ideas for the project and to get a better understanding of traditional Mexican architecture and culture. When the couple arrived in San Miguel de Allende in early 2005, they were not looking to add another vacation home to their real estate portfolio. But the Koogles fell in love with the city’s 16th-century Colonial architecture and its diverse cultural influences, and returned that same year to purchase Casa Cinco—a meandering, four-bedroom, Colonial-style home in the cobblestoned Centro district. "We were smitten by the romantic courtyards, the great hacienda doors, the archways and loggias, and the fountains and reflecting pools," says Scott-Koogle.Though built in 1997, the house has the look and feel of a 16th-century hacienda, with rough-hewn wood ceilings, Mexican tile flooring, and extensive gardens with some of the city’s tallest and most mature trees. "No one has been able to tell us for sure, but there’s some sort of local lore about the property once being the site of a hotel or a grand estate," says Scott-Koogle of the home’s one-acre lot.
Like other homes in the neighborhood, Casa Cinco’s modest
façade and heavy wood doors give little hint of what lies behind them. Once
open, the doors reveal a sunny courtyard with lush foliage and a shallow
reflecting pool. The entry courtyard leads to the 11,000-square-foot home’s main
entrance, which opens into the formal living room. Past the living room is the
sala, or den, and beyond that the main courtyard and swimming pool. "The den
is probably my favorite room," says Scott-Koogle. "During the day it receives
dappled sun that reflects light off the pool. It contains a small table for
intimate dining, but the room can also accommodate formal entertaining and seat
up to 16 people." With the region’s year-round balmy weather, the couple also
spends a lot of time in the main courtyard and surrounding gardens, either
entertaining large groups of friends and family or enjoying an afternoon siesta
in one of the property’s hammocks.
The home—which strays from the square layout found in
traditional hacienda homes, employing a more rectangular design—did not always
have such a light and relaxing ambiance. When the couple first purchased the
home, the decor consisted of heavy fabrics and dark red, almost black, colors in
the living room. "We wanted spaces that felt cozy, but we also wanted it to feel
somewhat contemporary," says Scott-Koogle. "It needed to be spiced up."
The Koogles sought out local interior designer Rachel Horn,
who, along with her brother, Thomas, runs Finca Home out of Mexico and the U.S.
"They wanted the house to be representative of San Miguel, but they also wanted
it to be a place where they could showcase their collection of contemporary
Mexican art," says the designer. Horn describes San Miguel style as the dark
cousin of European design because, while its influences derive from Spain,
Morocco, Portugal, France, and even Asia, its texture is more rustic, tribal,
and rough. "I interpreted the Koogles’ request as casually elegant and very
comfortable, but it also had to be good for entertaining." Horn painted the
walls a light cappuccino color to brighten the space, and she interspersed, per
Scott-Koogle’s request, warm hues of orange, as well as persimmon, oxblood, and
terra-cotta throughout. Horn also incorporated antique Moroccan textiles and
rugs alongside the couple’s art
collection and custom furniture.
"When we are at the house, our shoulders tend to fall from our
ears," says Scott-Koogle. "It’s so quiet and serene—it’s hard to be stressed out
in such a lovely sanctuary."
Finca Home,
212.810.2166, www.fincahome.com
