A Second Home Becomes a Glorious Haven Infused with Distinctive Decor
Written by Jeanine Matlow
Photography by Hector Velaszco
LEFT: Banana-leaf chairs situated inside the pool create an exotic spot to cool
down. The zero-edge pool blends with the ocean beyond. RIGHT: A fire pit adds
architectural interest to the outdoor space. A palm frond roof (or palapa)
covers the bar area of the terrace.
CLOCKWISE FROM FAR LEFT: The grand dining room overlooks the ocean. In the
living room, the fireplace is made from cantera stone; the aqua-colored
upholstery offers a nod to the beach locale. A painting from Cuba is displayed
in the powder bath, where the floor-to-ceiling mirror was cut to install the
faucet. The home’s cozy wine cellar includes a tasting table.
A U-shaped central courtyard provides a natural gathering spot for the family,
as does the zero-edge pool that blends seamlessly with the ocean. The color
palette takes its cue from the breathtaking setting. “It’s a softer version of the existing nature,” Espinet explains. “There are softer sands, aquas, and lighter blues than what exists in their view.
Neutral creams are combined with teal, seafoam, and touches of coral.”
Many items had to be custom-made to suit the scale of the home, such as the
large table and the chandelier in the dining room, which were both made in
Puebla, Mexico. Because Cabo has limited resources, “everything had to be brought in from Los Angeles or Mexico City,” Espinet explains. A number of pieces are from the designer’s furniture collection.
The living room features a cantera stone fireplace mantel and a custom iron
fireplace screen. A Persian-style rug contains soft teals and corals,
hard-to-find hues for traditional area rugs. A custom sofa adorned with
nailheads joins an iron coffee table made in Mexico, which lends a handmade
feel to the room, the designer says.
A chef’s prep kitchen sits behind the main kitchen. The homeowners entertain indoors
and out, so both settings have ample seating and eating areas. Two full-service
guest rooms include private patios, spacious bathrooms, outdoor showers, and
small kitchen and eating areas. “This way, guests have their own spaces and can come and go without feeling like
they are intruding upon the family,” Espinet says.
The enticing outdoor spaces get plenty of use. While benches and mirrors add
formality to the interior courtyard terraces, the ones that overlook the ocean
were kept casual with colorful outdoor fabrics. The main circular terrace off
the living room features an antique Indonesian bench and a Moroccan coffee
table.
Anyone can go to a furniture store, says Espinet. “But the art of mixing and matching unique pieces and custom-making large-scale
furnishings for oversized rooms is quite different,” she explains. “My designers and I try to make large spaces warm and usable so that the
homeowners can truly relax and feel cocooned in their new homes. We work out
our floor plans, make selections, and shop with the intention of making a space
user-friendly and comfortable. Every detail down to the matching wood hangers
and the perfect bed accessories is in the home when they arrive.”
An iron table in the living room is one of the many pieces that were made in
Mexico. Espinet mixed a variety of styles together to create a one-of-a-kind
look.
