Jewelbox in the Historic Centro

Property description

Casita Laurita, built in 2008, is an architectural gem on one of San Miguel’s oldest and best loved streets, Calle Loreto. The three-story townhouse, designed by prominent Mexican/Norwegian architect Anja Fauske, has been called a 'jewelbox' by architects and designers who have stayed here. Open the modest door and be amazed at the cool, spacious, airy, sophisticated house. The name is 'Casita' but it is an entire house.

Casita Laurita was featured in the Great Homes and Destinations column of the global New York Times on April 21, 2010.

'Absolutely, the PERFECT place to stay in San Miguel for those who appreciate modern design and convenience!  Truly a beautiful home.  Feels like an oasis in the center of town..' --Emily Chan, recent guest at Casita Laurita

The 2-bedroom, 2.5-bath house is an easy and flat walk to the jardin, and steps away from the town’s famous artisan market. The house is Mexican modern style, built around a central courtyard, with clean design and exquisite details. The top terrace has a lovely 360-degree view of San Miguel and its famous Parroquia church. A second patio is private and cozy, perfect for dreaming, surrounded with lavender, jasmine, and other scented potted plants. There is an outdoor seating area downstairs, too.

A sunny studio with a 13-foot wooden desk makes Casita Laurita a wonderful retreat for a writer. The gourmet kitchen is a splendid spot for a cook who wants to explore Mexico’s cuisine.

The house is modern but respecting historic style and materials. The entryway shimmers with patinaed glass and Moroccan-style lamps. The kitchen was designed by an award-winning food writer, with an island, toaster oven, French press and drip coffeemakers, good knives and cutting boards, and artisan plates. The kitchen table pulls out to accommodate eight; the island has stools for people who like to watch the cook. There's also a wine cabinet and lots of storage.

Screens throughout the house keep out flies and mosquitoes.

The stairs lead up to an airy office with a huge desk and napping couch, along with ergonomic keyboard and 2 comfortable and adjustable task chairs. (The napping couch has linens and is big enough for a child or an overnight guest, who can use the powder room downstairs without disturbing the other bedrooms). Wireless Internet and local phone service. Free US calls with Vonage phone. The study is also where you can find a great book to read on the terrace.

A passage over the courtyard (open to the sky) leads to the master bedroom, with its full bath, Queen bed, and two reading lights. Plenty of closet space. Artisan-made bed and furnishings. High thread-count sheets, sophisticated palette, spare design. Modern bath has shower and artisan tiles with concrete shelves, modern fixtures, and baskets for personal items. Organic soap.

The second bedroom on the top floor doubles as a media center, with a cozy Moroccan pillowed nook for viewing films on the flat-screen TV. There is an extensive DVD library of films. The second bedroom has a double bed, also with good linens and a comfy, firm mattress.

Across from the second bedroom is a laundry area as well as a private terrace with scented potted plants. The top terrace has a teak sitting area with a sun umbrella and a wet bar.

Although the house has many comfortable places to sit indoors and outdoors, there is no traditional living room with easy chairs and a large TV.

This house is for a maximum of four adults and one child.

Keywords: House