Thursday, August 20, 2009

Casa Tranquilo

HOME is definitely where my heart is. I can have gypsy feet and travel and travel, but I'm ALWAYS happy to come home to my little casa. The first photo above is obviously my bedroom. But, it is so much more. I love to sit in that chair to read and look out at the downstair's terrace. Usually the door is open and the singing of the birds and the whirring of the hummingbirds enchant me. There's a TV opposite the bed, so I can always watch a good movie or whatever.
When my five friends were here last week, Cathy commented on the first time she came to my home in Houston. The kitchen had red walls and was decorated with lots of Day of the Dead memorabilia. She said, "I had seen lots of homes in my life, but NOTHING, like that". Yes, well people either love my home, or scratch their heads in disbelief. I love the cheeriness of the stuff and don't care how others feel, really. In my past life, because of my business, everything had to be stylized and designed - not THIS place. It is as wacky as me.
Although the casa is only 1000 sq. ft, it doesn't feel that way because of all of the windows everywhere. I've also used mirrors to expand the long narrowness of it and you don't have a sense of that either. I don't have a photo looking the other way in the living room but it is a wall of windows looking down the hillside with a built in upholstered bench for guests. I love the stone work everywhere, both inside and out.
Even though my house in Houston was more then double this size, it didn't feel as roomy as this place because of the light and windows. I've been here almost nine years and hope that I can continue to live here for a long, long time............

In another blog I'll show you the gardens and the roof terrace. It's all delightful - at least to me.

IT IS muy tranquilo.
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24 comments:

Ruco said...

GAWD, you gatta lotta stuff. Definatly not a guy house, not a wooden duck in sight. No wonder you fall down a lot, too much stuff to trip over. Where the hell's the floor anyway? Major Girly.

Babs said...

Geez RUCO, I AM Girly! And rugs on the floor make it softer when you walk across or lay on pillows to watch TV! A wooden duck could always be added....

Michael Dickson said...

Ruco, it´s a great place. She gave me and my lovely wife a tour a while back.

Steve Cotton said...

I looks great. One day. One day.

canadiangrl said...

Ms. Babs - I love your style! Somewhat eclectic...right up my alley! Just remember, eclectic = self-confident!

I think we eclectic decorators know what works together - textures, color and we are certainly not boring!

Us girly girls need to stick together!

Ruco said...

So ya have to lay on the floor to watch T.V.? I'm going to Felipe's house, I think he has chairs and I bet their not pooffy. And no, the rugs and stuff on the floor make it softer to land on, when your falling off ladders and walking into walls and other assorted dangerous ventures you get yourself into.Super scorpion hidy houses also, all that stuff. Wooden ducks would make great scorpion squishers I might add.

Ruco said...

Senor Felipe, when you were taking the grand tour of the fluffy house,you coulda borrowed some of the stuff, she woulda never missed it I'm sure.

Beautiful Miss Canadian girl, eclectic = whole lotta stuff and not one of them is a duck, wooden or otherwise.

I think I'm more of a kitchen man.

summergirl said...

Your home is lovely!
"La Puerto de Cielo"
Bet the Doc dosen't collect ducks!
Debbie

Anonymous said...

I love the decor, and you are right, it is all about lighting and how much light is absorbed by the surroundings.

Tancho said...

nice cross of north and south, Thank God you don't have tons of chatzkies around!

Mic said...

Really nice, Babs. I especially love the big windows with a view in the bedroom. :-)

Mike Nickell and Cynthia Johnson said...

Pretty. Just plain pretty! And I'm with Mic - that wall of windows in your bedroom is something I'd love to have.

Unknown said...

I like the deep purple flowering in the garden right outside lime green bedroom walls.

May have to borrow that idea for my Eastside bungalow.

Babs said...

Well Ruco, I'm going to look for a duck to add to all my "stuff" at the tianguis on Tuesday. Now I do have roosters, jaguars, dogs and other assorted decor items. Do any of those qualify?
Glad all of you enjoyed seeing the place. I DO love my lime green walls in the bedroom. They "pull the outside in". and with the fuscia bourganvilla, it's a treat. Steve, I hope I live long enough for you to get here!

Ruco said...

My dearest Miss Babs, Roosters,Jaguars,dogs and other assorted "DECOR" items, do not quack like a duck, don't walk like a duck and don't look like a duck, so therefore, you must assume, they are not ducks. Wow, you musta really conked your poor noggan.

Furthar more Black is a color, white is a color so is red, blue and green would qualify also, purple is a bit iffy but may qualify in some cases, such as being painted on a car. Mauve is not a color, fuscia(only a woman could think of this as a color)I have no idea what it is. It's a word, not a color.

Calypso said...

Great Place - thanks for sharing ;-)

Anonymous said...

Beautiful!!!!

Islagringo said...

Wow! What an eclectic but warm abode. Although I don't do it, I think everything you own or have collected should be on display. And the zebra skin rug. Why am I not surprised! Thanks for sharing your space with us.

Paul said...

Thanks for sharing the pictures, Babs. I love the bedroom and the garden through its window. Also the artwork (large religious picture, ceramic Katrina, etc.)

Forget the duck.

1st Mate said...

Thanks soooo much for giving us a tour of your home! I'm charmed by your wacky kitchen, the colors and soft textures, very welcoming. And though you have a lotta stuff, it's all very well organized. Nobody throws his tools and underwear around your place.

Babs said...

RUCO, how in the world do I answer that comment? Let's see, fuscia is a purply pink. Does that help? AND you would not be wearing that color ever, I don't think. I'm going to be mailing ducks to you for your "man cave". Ha.
Thanks to all the others who enjoyed seeing where I live. You're right 1st mate no tools or underwear on my floor, or ducks, darn, ha.

Anonymous said...

Fabulous taste! Lots of fairly neutral colors, with some bright things to punch it up. And I love your artwork.

And I would completely ignore design "advice" from anyone who does not know what fuchsia or mauve are.

And "duck" is dinner, not a decorating idea.

Saludos,

Kim G
Boston, MA
Where I am verde with envy of your Mexican pad.

Anonymous said...

You are absolutely right, color is your thing. It is quite the place, very nice, peaceful and I can truly say you have put a lot of love and devotion into your home. Very warm indeed. Any plane tickets available?

Lou

Babs said...

Hi Kim - Glad you liked it and are verde with envy.

Lou - It is colorful, to put it mildly but I find it soothing too.
Sure, come on down, anytime!