A different texture on every side! My husband's parents' house is a great example of Mexican texture. Click the photo above for a complete tour.
Real estate in San Miguel de Allende is known for its Spanish colonial architecture, cobblestone streets, and walled in gardens. But look just beyond that, and you’ll notice that the homes themselves are filled with an incredible assortment of patterns, textures, and colors. Each home is unique.
On my last trip to San Miguel, I had the pleasure of staying at the home where my husband grew up in Los Frailes, a “suburban” community just outside of SMA. The greenery was beautiful, the architecture so unique, but what I was really blown away by were the textures! Ceramic tile-lined fireplace, stone walls, clay tile floors, wood beam cathedral ceilings–like nothing I had ever seen in the States!
To expand your vocabulary as you tour real estate in San Miguel, I’ve compiled a few common (and yet so unique!) Mexican building materials:
The exterior wall of my in-laws' house is made from beautiful Sillar stone.
Cantera – A strong, malleable natural stone formed by volcanic dust and ash washed into silt beds, and combined with lava and local stone where it is compressed for millions of years. Cantera is often carved into columns, fireplaces, fountains and sculptures. (Seen in the window frame in the photo to the right).
Tabique – Red brick
Sillar – White-ish volcanic stone from which many colonial buildings are built (See the white blocks in the photo to the right).
Adobe – is a natural building material made from sand, clay, water, and some kind of fibrous or organic material
Azulejo – Painted, tin-glazed, ceramic tile work (seen around the fireplace in the photo above)
Teja - Handmade clay roof tile, also known as S-Tile
Not only were the natural building materials on the houses so unique, but they are accented by vibrant, warm colors. Mexicans are not afraid of color! After seeing it for myself in San Miguel, I now understand why Daniel was so excited the first time he ever saw my house, which is painted in bright purples, oranges, and yellows.
So what do you love most about Mexican architecture? Please share in the comments!
Casa de los Frailes is a beautiful suburban home for sale on the outskirts of San Miguel de Allende in Guanajuato, Mexico. The property includes an adjacent gated lot, lending it to be the ideal location for building your dream home in San Miguel–all while living on site. Take the virtual tour.
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