Cruising Past Seventy: The Inner Journeys: Into Lovely Homes and Jazzy Art Galleries

Thursday, March 28, 2019

Into Lovely Homes and Jazzy Art Galleries


Two weeks ago, I wrote about how much I think about Mazatlan as our third home country. And then I saw a poster at the El Cid Country Club advertising an Annual Tour of Mazatlan Homes sponsored by the Damas Trabajandos for the “A Drop in the Ocean” cause. What if we upped our investment and bought a home in this city? I reasoned that, even if we do not, the tour would give us excellent ideas about how to decorate our new Viewpoint home base with a Mexican theme. There were seven homes on the tour but these are the five I liked. Two of them I really, really liked.

Casa Maria Cortez

the second floor garden at Casa Maria Cortez

I was immediately enamored by this home. The color yellow is everywhere, unifying the home and brightening the look. The main house has the living room, dining room, kitchen, and a portico. There are also three bedrooms on the upper floor. A two-story casita with an upper and lower bedroom has a beautiful garden area on the second floor that joins the two houses. Also connecting the two houses on the ground level is a swimming pool. With lots of space filled with plants, flowers, and greens, the entire compound feels very open and refreshing. Big décor pieces are flushed into huge windows. The beautiful owner, Maria, operates a popular restaurant across the street.

courtyard, Casa Constitution
Casa Constitucion

Angelina, the owner of the second house, also owns a restaurant named after her. She didn't have a name for her house but, when I pressed her, she said, "Call it Casa Constitucion." The one-story main house has the portico, the kitchen, dining, bar, and master’s bedroom. Built in the 1850s, it feels old Spanish. A small courtyard is in front with lots of greens and a central fountain. The lot is fairly small and the newer yellow casita has one bedroom on the ground and two on the second.

the Catedral Spires
from the Casa Las Campanas
Casa de Las Campanas

We were not allowed to take pictures of the inside of the third home so I only have photos of the garden and porticos. Also built in the 1850s, it feels a lot like a house museum. With many antique fixtures, furniture and décor, American owners Greg and Renee enthusiastically talked about the distinctive features of their home, especially those that the previous owner was able to obtain from Bel Mar, the original Malecon Hotel when they did an update.  The living room, the playroom, the dining room, the kitchen, and the bedrooms are on one floor laid out as an L-shape. There is a two-level courtyard: the upper level with a garden and a central fountain and the lower level with a patio/bar and a small swimming pool. The property is called Casa de Las Campanas. The Mazatlan Catedral’s spires can be seen from the garden and you can hear the bells that begin to chime at 5 am.
dining room, Casa Delaney

Casa Delaney

This property is owned by Kim and Tom Delaney who decided to retire in beautiful Mazatlan just a few years ago. It sits on the area called El Rebajo which means a recess. The original hill was cut-off to create a beautiful raised residential space for the now multi-colored homes (see headline photo). This house is the one with the yellow façade. The entrance opens to a sitting room and a spacious living room that leads to a dining room, split level, that then leads to the kitchen. Between the dining room and the living room are stairs to the family room and two bedrooms upstairs. The dining room looks out to a small garden while the kitchen leads to the bar/patio and a good-sized blue swimming pool at the back.

Casa Guzman

what you see when you walk into Casa Guzman

As they say, “Save the best for last.” The Casa Guzman is on the highest point of Mazatlan, beside the  Observatorio Historico de Mazatlan which is being converted into a museum, atop Cerro del Vigia. So we had to change to smaller buses since the big bus would not be able to climb the winding uphill road. And this house wowed us all. It has a 360-degree view of the city of Mazatlan/ and all the waters around it, It overlooks the El Faro Lighthouse which is the highest operating lighthouse in the world sitting atop the opposite hill, Cerro del Creston, and the twin Mexican “icebergs” so called because they are white with bird poop. More than 17,000 square feet in three levels, new sections are still being built (the renovations started a couple of years ago). The main level has the receiving area, a formal living area, a den, a dining /family area, and a large kitchen that all open to the majestic views. The lower level has a family room, a cellar, and another social area that opens to a garden. There you will find a modern infinity pool and a cedar fire pit area for relaxing. The garden continues on to a play area for the young couple Karla and Amado’s children. The upper floor with the bedrooms was not open for us to see, however. This gorgeous home is elegantly laid out, decorated with stunning art pieces, and built with classy high ceilings.

fire pit, infinity pool, and jacuzzi at Casa Guzman

Dorey and her "Mazatlan Doors"
We took the opportunity to visit the Old Observatory beside it for more photos of the views. This house (and the first) gave rise to the following question: “Should we settle into a beautiful home and forego our wandering life?” After some talk, we decided not just yet or maybe not ever. We could never afford this last one and, even if we are able to buy something like the first, both of us do not really like maintaining a house. All-inclusive vacation and resort community are perfect for us.

Jazzy Art Galleries

But we got lots of ideas for decorating our little Viewpoint home base. At the Casa de Las Campanas was a wall full of Spanish masks. They may be perfect for the space above our bed headboard. If we find at least six pieces we love, we will string them together. Actually, we also got a lot of ideas from the Art Walk in Centro Hispanico that happens every first Friday of the month. We were able to visit around ten of the fifty galleries and stopped only because we had found an art piece that we fell for at the Beau Pres Gallery. It is a collection of sixteen photographs of beautiful Mazatlan doors set in two door panels each with eight frames. Since we have a car, we can easily bring it home! Next year, we will go to more galleries. And we may again tour a new set of homes. It’s not only fun but also enriching.

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66 comments:

  1. Quality content is the key to invite the people to go to
    see the website, that's what this website is providing.

    ReplyDelete
  2. It was quite a nice tour, but the last home was STUPENDOUS!
    The pictures cannot do it justice. Sorry Carol, it's way out of our budget!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, I know. But we got lots of ideas for decorating our little base!

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    feature contents, thanks

    ReplyDelete
  4. It's actually a nice and useful piece of information. I am happy that you just shared this useful information with us.
    Please keep us informed like this. Thank you for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Great blog you have here.. It's difficult to find high-quality writing like yours these days.
    I truly appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Mazatlan looks so cool, I would love to visit all those gorgeous and colourful houses! Thanks for sharing!

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  7. I've always remembered visiting Mazatlán as a very artistic center and so wonderful in terms of design and craft. Fantastic that this gorgeous home is being converted into a museum.

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    Replies
    1. No, it was the Old Observatory beside it hat was being converted into a museum. And one of the other houses seemed like a museum. But, yes, all the five homes were superb.

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  8. Man that infinity pool at Casa Guzman is pretty awesome. I love all the colors of Mexico but I think they get more vibrant the farther south you go. Everything is just so pretty.

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    Replies
    1. You do not like it very vibrant? We are now thinking of painting some of our walls!

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  9. Mexico is definitely known for its color and colorful is one of my absolutely favorite things to find when traveling. I love these houses! I love the courtyard to Casa Constitucion and the pool at Casa Guzman best!

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  10. These homes look amazing but I can see myself in that pool relaxing in there. Some of the decor looks amazing and would love some of this in my own home. I can feel the vibrance in some of the rooms. Not sure if I have a yellow painted wall in my garden, that does hurt my eyes. :D

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    Replies
    1. Oh you may like subtler colors but I love the vibrant yellows!

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  11. "Save the best for last", indeed! Casa Guzman looks incredible. And that is too funny about the "icebergs"! What a beautiful, colorful town.

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  12. I really love the colors of the homes in Mexico. The flowers are also really beautiful. I love the flowers at Casa Maria Cortez. The stairway at Casa Delaney are really pretty too. Lots to take in and maybe incorporate.

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    Replies
    1. Loved all these five homes! The colors are so bright and merry.

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  13. How interesting to be able to tour local houses. I can understand why some people may not want to have their houses photographed. But it was great to see pictures from the others. Such a variety of styles in the houses and decor. Great that you got some ideas for your won decorating.

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    Replies
    1. Yes and that I was able to pick an art piece from an art gallery!

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  14. It's going to be end of mine day, but before finish I am reading this enormous piece of writing to improve my know-how.

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  15. So colorful, what a gorgeous properties! Love the pool and firepit at Casa Guzman.

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  16. I love Casa Delaney the most. It's nice to get inspired by such beautiful spaces. Come to think of it, I wouldn't mind that pool either :-)

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  17. It's a big decision to settle down and stop travelling. We bought a house in France to stop in when we needed a break, but it was so cheap it wasn't prohibitive. I love the idea of the panels with the pics of the Mazatlan doors inside!

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    Replies
    1. We have a house. But I meant a really beautiful house like these that use up the money so there's nothing left for travels!

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  18. Carol, we keep being impressed at the vibrant colors you find in your travels. This overview of the lovely hoes sure makes your visit seem like a trip to paradise.

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  19. Home tours are a great way to gather ideas for decorating your own home. I stopped going on them, though, because they can also make you dissatisfied with your own house. Just sayin'.

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    Replies
    1. It almost did that to us. But no, we finally realized we do not want to spend that much for a home or we won't be able to travel!

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  20. Carol!! Your energy is infectious!! Love this old houses and wish to visit them soon!

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  21. An infinity pool, hot tub and fire pit all in one spot - heaven!! Looks like a a great tour with different styles of houses to see and unique owners.

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    Replies
    1. Yes, it was a lovely tour. We will do it again next year!

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  22. I’ve been writing for a home design blog for a while now and a tour into this splendid and lovely homes sounds interesting to me. :) The homes you visited all looks vibrant! How amazing that you are experiencing these types of tour to get ideas for decorating your home base. :)

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    Replies
    1. It's an annual tour in Mazatlan's and will do it again next year!

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  23. Wow, how lovely to be able to see these houses, the colours are incredible. There must be so much inspiration for you guys here, I wouldn't be able to make my mind up what to do with!!

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    Replies
    1. You're so right! My list of things to see and fo is long for next year!

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  24. The colorful place is quite eye-catching and beautiful. Nice article which makes me want to go there. :) Keep it up.

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  25. Love the colorful houses! Looking forward to visit more areas in Mexico.

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  26. Of course your favourite colour is yellow, Carol. All creative people with artistic inclinations like yellow colour. And you are a creative soul, Carol.

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    Replies
    1. I thought cheerful souls. But I like to be both!!! Thanks for the compliment!

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  27. Wow such beautiful homes! Love the yellow....but that pool has me like whoa. stunning and the views too.

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    Replies
    1. That last house is pretty stunning! And love the yellow, too!

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    ReplyDelete
  29. Well the Casa Guzman was indeed spectacular -- at least in terms of the pool and view. Sounds like a fun tour to take.

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    Replies
    1. It was fun and a great way to learn about the way locals live.

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  30. Wonderful homes in Mazatlan! Thanks for sharing. I love the colors and the swimming pool :)

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  31. I love the colors and vibrancy of Mexican décor. One of the best things from the time we owned homes there was the decorating trips we took to Tlaquepaque and Tonola!

    ReplyDelete
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