Customer Reviews

Casa San Miguel: Inspired Design and Decorations

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I realize that many Americans live in San Miguel and have been restoring houses, and that it is increasingly home to an international design community. However, it soon became apparent that this book is largely an expensive and lavish ad for the work of Anne-Marie Midy and Casamidy furniture, which nearly every home features. Publishers should be more responsible and not allow books to become blatant self-promotions. I wish more of it were like the final "Elementos," section, which features walls, courtyards and architectural details that seem to more genuinely reflect the rich design heritage of the area -- rather than being re-interpreted by North American and European designers (as talented and culturally sensitive as those designers may be).

Mexico is famous for color. Especially the colorful town of San Miguel, with its walls of reds, yellows and pinks. But step inside and you will find their interiors are mostly white. Even the vividly painted houses of famous architects Luis Barragan and Ricardo Legoretta have few interior wall colors-a hot pink passage, around an indoor swimming pool, or perhaps as an accent wall. Instead, Mexicans bring color inside with fabrics, painted furniture, textiles,ceramics, flowers, bright tablecloths and napkins-even Mexican food!
This book has hundreds of interior design ideas, including color-but even though there are plenty of colorful exteriors, the inventive and inspirational Mexican interiors are the focus here.

It was interesting to find a little controversy among the submitted reviews, and that alone was reason for me to immediately purchase CASA SAN MIGUEL. With my own copy in hand, I soon discovered houses, interiors and gardens not previously photographed---yet another reason to buy this book. It is a quieter palette found here, drawing from historic churches, weathered haciendas, and authentic materials. For me, CASA SAN MIGUEL is more of a lovely whisper rather than a Viva Mexico shout, and a welcome addition to my design library. Submitted by Debra Hall.

I think there maybe an important point to make in regard to color. In an effort to preserve the original architecture of San Miguel owners are obligated to paint the exterior of the homes in mineral based paints. These are usually restrained to reds and yellows which have a matte, powdery texture. There is also much stonework so color is used in conjunction with these elements. As full-time residents of San Miguel I would venture to explain that because the town is indeed colorful, in one's own personal space, less bold colors
are common as these offer a respite not only the vibrant town but its contrasting blue skies and bright sunlight. Ironically if one were to view images of San Miguel taken before the 50's the town was painted entirely in white "cal" paint.

As far as the book being too Casamidy as some reviewers have noted I venture to note that
the projects of ours which are included in Casa San Miguel de Allende were all previously
published in The World of Interiors, Elle Decor, Garden Design and House and Garden. These being projects that were the first to be published internationally and relevant in as
far as the were noted for some new ideas that Anne-Marie was developing in an effort to
break away from the established, sometimes stereotypical "mexican" esthetic often
taken to unfortunate extremes by the expatriate community of San Miguel de Allende.

We met Tim Street-Porter and Annie Kelly when they were assigned to photograph
Casa Sollano for Garden Design magazine. It has been an honor to receive their
support as Tim's first book on Mexico, Casa Mexicana, was an eye opening work
especially here in Mexico back in 1986. As far as this book being a vulgar self-promotional effort done on our behalf I can only venture to explain that the projects which
are indeed included of ours are diverse in concept and do not promote a set esthetic.
As Annie Kelly is a noted interior designer herself, I believe she found Anne-Marie's efforts of special interest and their subsequent inclusion in Casa San Miguel simply demonstrates this enthusiasm luckily shared by many top editors.

Just arrived from San Miguel de Allende couldn't help but buying this book expecting to see some of the fine interiors I had the chance to visit there.
Having known Tim Street-Porter's previous and impeccable photographic works in Mexico (Casa Mexicana, Casa Mexicana Estilo) I couldn't wait to have this book in my hands.

But... wow, I was somehow dissaponted.
To be honest, the part of it regarding the city was interesting but the houses selected for the job wasn't as colorful and "mexican" as I expected.
Once again, it's not the photograph work (which is excellent) but the houses selected.

For some reason american writers tend to contact american owners instead of mexican and sometimes the result isn't as genuine as you would like to see. Sometimes what you see is a second-hand version of a mexican interior.
On the other hand there are many americans living there.

Such a beautiful city, I would like to see a second version of this book, with a more "mexican" accent.

I was so happy to see a book about SMA. But was distracted by constant references to Casa Midy. Otherwise a delight.

I was personally relieved that this was NOT a book filled with terracotta walls and Day-of-the-Dead memorabilia or brightly colored Talavera pottery and tiles. There are other design books available to fulfill this niche - although frankly, the vivid primary-colored interiors some reviewers seem to be clamoring for are as "americanized" as the fortune cookie. This book is a soothing alternative, full of inspiration for some transitional and even contemporary interpretations for the, yes, white-washed walls, dark wood-beamed ceilings and sandblasted white oak plank floors in my Spanish Colonial/Hacienda home. As an interior designer, I love the work of artists in San Miguel de Allende - Rachel Horn, Leslie Tung, Ann-Marie Midy and her husband Jorge Almada - and I only WISH I could have easy access to their furnishings. I have a bevy of design books but this is one of my favorite books and the only book currently on my cocktail table.

I really enjoyed this book because it doesn't focus on the glory of the house so much as it does on the style of mexican design done tastefully. If you are familiar with Mexican architecture and design, the quality this book brings to the table is hard to come by.

This book is an excellent addition to my collection of decoration books yet a unique one as it's focus is not so much on the fantasy of these gorgeous houses as it is on their amazing contemporary, colonial design.

I think this book is gorgeous! Many of the marvelous homes in the book feature ruin walls, beautiful stone work and grand archways. The book The Doors of San Miguel is popular but this book gives you a look at what's BEHIND the doors. It offers many inspirational design ideas. I love it!

This is the first review I have done for a book so it should give you some idea of how disappointed I was in this one. I have to admit that I am bias when it comes to color especially the bight colors of the southwest and Mexico, I love them. So I was very disappointed when the first half of the book was basically photos of homes that could have taken in southern California with all their white walls. When I think of San Miguel, I think of bight color. If you like white walls and modern design then this book is probably for you, if you like color like I do and think of San Miguel as a land of color then pass this book by.