Houses of Merida - Episode One
Behind the Wooden Door
Aren't you just dying to know what's behind those facades? As you drive down the calles and avenidas of Merida, haven't you always wondered what the houses look like once you get past the front door? And if you are in the process of renovating or building a house here, don't you find yourself wondering (about five times a day...) "I wonder how everyone else solves this problem?" or "I wish I knew a more creative or interesting way to do this!" or even "Should I expect this to look differently? or is this just how they do it here?"
We thought as much! We know you are having those thoughts, because we have them all the time. And everyone else we know has them too.
Thanks to the wonders of the 21st Century, Yucatan Living is launching a new series... a video series called, not surprisingly, The Houses of Merida. This new topic on the Yucatan Living website will feature a new three to five minute episode every week or two (hey, this is the land of flojera... we don't want to be slaves to a schedule). Each episode will be hosted by Eric Partney (a local real estate agent), filmed by our exceptionally competent cameraman Erich Briehl, and produced by the Working Gringos. We will bring you behind the wooden and wrought-iron doors to see how people are living in the White City. So be prepared for surprises! The first episodes feature houses renovated and inhabited by fellow expatriates... but that may not always be the case. Our first few houses are in the centro, but that too may change. If we have learned anything living here, we know that the houses of Merida are as surprising, magical and unique as the people who live in them. And so we intend to bring you a series of episodes with a wide range of houses of all sizes, types, colors and locations.
Episode One of The Houses of Merida
When we first moved here, we used to walk by the house featured in Episode One and think how beautiful it might be if only someone would renovate it. Seven years later, we are rewarded with our visions come true! This house has been renovated in a way that shows its original beauty, while still looking fresh and modern. In this case, the facade is as exquisite as the interior of the house. The facade windows are as elegant as the ceilings inside are high, the columns are ornate, and the arches are myriad. The polished cement floors and bright colors lend a cheerfulness to the outdoor lifestyle that was probably absent in the original version of this home. The stone walls and fluted columns are fitting remembrances of the past, complimented by a rich art collection on the walls and functional but European-styled furniture. The photos on this page give you an idea of what the house looked like before it was renovated. You can see that the beautiful columns and arches were in the original home, but pretty much everything past that is new construction.
Comments
Working Gringos 15 years ago
Hello, all our loyal and wonderful readers. Thank you for your kudos on the first of this series.
We will of course include more modest homes in the series... we have some "in the can" already and more video shoots scheduled. We will be sure to concentrate more on the kitchens. And will try to find photos of the houses before renovation when possible. We will also try to include more information about lot size, architects, etc. in the videos to come.
Stay tuned!!
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mexicachica 15 years ago
What a gorgeous home! and what a great idea for a video series. As an aspiring expat myself and obsessed with all things related to colonials in Merida, I will be looking forward to your future episodes.
The only request I would have is to please mention the architect and interior decorators for the houses. I think this would be invaluable information for someone who is looking to renovate themselves. I for one, am dying to hear who designed this home.
Thanks again for the great video!
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Jacque Mott 15 years ago
Wonderful, what a treat, looking forward to seeing more homes!
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Suzannne 15 years ago
Amazing..what a treat to see the interior renovations that this very creative home owner has done. Classy ,elegant yet comfortable, warm and welcoming.
Can't wait to sell our Canadian home and begin renovating ours in Merida.
Very inspirational and exciteing...SHOW ME MORE..I can't get enough!!
Would love to see the kitchens. Would love to find out where some of the furnishing were purchased from.
Thanks keep up the fantastic work
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Marygwen 15 years ago
That was great! I also enjoyed the commentary pointing out how people spend a lot of time in their outdoor spaces in Merida.
I'd love to see some well-done, modest houses too.
Thanks,
Marygwen
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Jennifer 15 years ago
I really like this a lot. It makes me miss Mexico. But I agree with La Framericaine---let's have some houses similar to the ones that those of us who are not wealthy might have. Creative and aesthetic solutions to small and modest spaces!
Thanks!
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Rummy 15 years ago
Fantastico! Your wonderful ezine is the lynchpin of my Merida fascination and this is the best next thing you've done in a long list of best things. It's like I can take the Library's Merida House Tour from southern Ontario. Rack up some overtime and post these tours asap!! Por favor y mil gracias.
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Patti 15 years ago
What a fantastic idea to produce videos of the beautiful homes in Merida. I often refer friends to the Yucatan Living site for more info on the beautiful White City. I am pleased that my freinds will be able to view what is hidden behind those facades. I have visited Merida 4 times in the past 9 months and love it more and more each time.
Will the videos be maintained on the Yucatan Living site for constant viewing, as when you were renovating your home?
Is it reasonable to indicate the name of the Architect responsible for the renovation, if applicable. I personally would be interested in more kitchen shots, as I love to cook. Would it be possible to include a sketch of the floorplan for reference to follow along with Eric's tour? Perhaps lot size would also be helpful for many epats that have no idea how many meters they may really need...just a thought.
Thank you very much for your wonderful publication. You are the best.
Fantastic video.
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John Venator 15 years ago
Shame on me - I also meant to congratulate Eric on a wonderful job as host / moderator!
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Carol Judd 15 years ago
This is a wonderful idea and a beautiful home. I would have liked to see more of the kitchen and some other features and how they were updated but it's as you say, I am always just curious about the inside of the houses in Merida. On my last visit I nothiced a house called Casa de Lions and the doors were a beautiful black wood witht lion heads carved on the facade. I think it was on 66 on the way to MELL. I meant to return to photograph the doors but, so is Merida...
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Charles Wickham 15 years ago
A couple months ago I had the opportunity to visit some of the homes that Andrea Traconsis is rehabilitating for her customers. She operates a property management service in Merida (www.andreayucatan.com ) and is exceptionaly skilled at design and furnishing colonial homes in the city. For those interested in having cutting edge elegence, I highly recommend contacting Andrea
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