This month House Beautiful travels to the homes of Americans living abroad, one of whom is our very own John Houshmand!  In this “Ideas from Around the World” issue, House Beautiful finds inspiration in France, India, Italy, Morocco, Belgium, England, the Bahamas, Kenya, and even Mexico – at Tierra Adentro, John’s breathtaking getaway near San Miguel de Allende.  Mexico is a dream destination for many with its temperate climate and breathtaking sights.  John knows this especially well and so he decided to build a gorgeous villa getaway.  The house, known as Tierra Adentro or Inner Land, is the perfect retreat for weary city dwellers.

Tierra Adentro turned out to be the perfect resting place for JOHNHOUSHMAND furniture – the house was born of nature, as was the furniture.  John says building a retreat near San Miguel de Allende was serendipity, “I remember very distinctly the first time I went to San Miguel and walked into the plaza.  Doves are flying around and the sun is going down in great golden swaths and kids are laughing and church bells are ringing and a mariachi band is playing and people are dancing and I’m thinking, ‘There’s more to life besides working your tail off,’  I burst into tears, it was so beautiful”.

From the 1,000 square foot master bathroom to the bright yellow tiles covering the kitchen, this minimalist hacienda definitely has a friendly touch.

“The whimsy, the play, the lighter moves that I make come from Mexico.  A lot of my furniture pieces have an ironic twist to them, almost an inside joke.”

Want to hear more about the beauty of Mexico that inspired John?  House Beautiful also provides audio clips of all of the designers speaking about their journeys and inspirations HERE.