Design Portfolio
recent projects
recent projects
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico — 2001-20013
San Miguel’s B&K (Bed & Kitchen), Perhaps the first affordable San Miguel accommodations to be found online. The Casita’s web presence allowed the business first to exist in a crowded, but under-promoted market, and then to thrive. Our niche was affordability, as most San Miguel lodgings were higher end. It would have taken years to break even, much less make a profit, had we relied on local advertising options.
Many other affordable lodgings followed our online lead. (In fact, a Google search turned up a B&B in Chile, which stole our name, website design and branding outright! Imitation = flattery?)
Client
Me
The Client was a bit of perfectionist, and had to be involved in absolutely everything! But the Casita, as it came to be known by our dear guests and friends, came out of it.
My biggest art project (to that date), I designed everything, from remodeling the property to decor to branding. Yippee! Setting up as a part-time business, I pursued various other creative endeavors while running it, including photography, writing, and remodeling and selling four other San Miguel houses.
The Casita served for a decade and a half as a temporary home and hub for hundreds of adventurous budget travelers with an artistic bent. Much vino and laughter graced the shared kitchen and courtyard, and many friendships were founded there.
I sold Casita de las Flores in 2013, and it lived on another four years before selling for the second time and entering its new incarnation as a boutique hotel, at www.CasitaSanMiguel.com. Prices have gone up, but the spirit—and much of the design—of Casita de las Flores lives on. The old Casita blog can still be found here.
Mission
Top to bottom makeover
How to turn an extremely funky fixer upper into a charming, cozy, profitable little hotel in the artist capital of Mexico? Leave no brick unturned. (Read more about How to make a B&K.) A complete remodel was followed by furnishing (some pieces, like beds and closets, were made to my specs, others I hunted down at antique stores and garage sales) decoration, and of course, promotional materials. I created the branding, took the photographs, and wrote the content. I then handled promo, inquiries, bookings, and guest relations — basically, I did everything but clean (and when necessary, I cleaned.)
After a year, I also created and maintained my own website, so I would have instant updates as well as way more creative freedom. Apart from being a primer in the hospitality industry and an advanced degree in customer service, the Casita helped me learn WordPress and web development. The website became not only our main promotional tool, but an irreverent blog on issues relating to San Miguel and travel in Mexico, as well as a San Miguel guide — both of which provided a service, as well as drawing potential customers. I follow the same service philosophy in my current business website, Casa Oasis Troncones. If you inform them, they will (appreciate it and) come.
Design Inspirations
Colonial architecture and ornamentation
San Miguel de Allende’s rich color palette
Mexican antiques