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“An American in Mexico”

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JOHNHOUSHMAND's Mexico House

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.

JOHNHOUSHMAND's Mexico House

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”.

JOHNHOUSHMAND's Mexico House

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.

JOHNHOUSHMAND's Mexico House

Tierra Adentro House Published by TASCHEN

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JOHNHOUSHMAND‘s hilltop Mexico retreat, Tierra Adentro, is featured in TASCHEN‘s new book release Interiors Now! Vol.2, to be published in June 2011. This minimalist hacienda style courtyard home, designed in collaboration with New Zealand architect David Howell, is a tranquil and expansive respite from the abrasion of modern life.

TASCHEN’s new book release Interiors Now! Vol.2 shows the world John Houshmand’s peaceful Mexican retreat. Situated on 9 acres of land, the Tierra Adentro house forges a living space from the luminous interiors, elemental architecture, and breathtakingly expansive landscape. Features of the house include cast concrete fixtures, volcanic stone, brick “boveda” ceilings, terracotta floors, local artwork, and JOHNHOUSHMAND original furniture pieces.

“The Interiors Now! series features the world’s most amazing, exquisite, and interesting contemporary apartments and houses. With an inspirational richness and diversity of styles, here are homes, residences, hideaways, and studios to astound and astonish, no matter what your taste.”  -TASCHEN

The property is located seven miles from San Miguel de Allende, near the Sanctuary of Jesús Nazareno de Atotonilco, renowned for its Baroque art and architecture. San Miguel de Allende is an artists’ mecca and vacation destination, and has been attracting foreign artists and students since the 1950s, when Diego Rivera and David Alfaro Siqueiros worked there.

This house has also been featured in Interior Design Magazine and Russian Architectural Digest. It is available for short-term and long-term time-share vacation rentals. For rental inquiries, visit Retreat Mexico.

Architect: David Howell Design | Construction Liaison: Patsy Dubois | Interior Designer: Steffani Aarons | Landscape Designer: Luis Franke | Photographer: William Abranowicz

Interiors Now! Vol. 2 is available for preorder at TASCHEN.