An Apartment By One Of Mexico’s Buzziest Designers Is Open To Book In San Miguel

An apartment created by Daniel Valero, founder of Mexican design firm Mestiz (that’s worked with Hermes and Auberge Resorts), is now available for nightly rentals in San Miguel de Allende. Valero, who lives and works in San Miguel, is known for his colorful furniture and decorative accessory creations using natural materials and hand crafted with and by Mexican artisans. While he’s done many installations, he’s never designed an interior from start to finish. “We wanted to create an experience where people could be immersed in the Mestiz habitat,” he explained of the Mesonia one bedroom suite, located in the San Antonio neighborhood, which he describes as the “Roma of San Miguel.”

“Sometimes you stay in a hotel or a rental and there is no authorship,” he observed. “We want to focus on authorship in everything — Mestiz is choosing the whole experience for you – the coffee, the essence, the soap, everything you find in the space.”

It took a year for the designer, who hails from Saltillo, Mexico, to complete the project. In many ways it was a dream scenario: this was a raw space to begin with, the landlord had no issue with him completely transforming it (and changing the layout in the process), and he had already designed many of the pieces he used inside, or had experience with the materials. One exception: iron. “At Mestiz we are focused on natural materials – ceramics, fibers and woods – we don’t normally do ironwork or architectural finishes. It was out of our comfort zone. I had to learn to be patient.”

Craft and color are at the core of Valero’s designs. He originally envisioned the space awash in the light blue that now covers the floors and some walls, but found it a bit cold. So he introduced a burgundy stain on some red pine elements (the large wall that surrounds the bed, and doors), as well as luminous brown tiles made in Dolores. “I thought they would add coziness and bring a balance between something playful, and something sophisticated,” he explained of the choice.

He also developed some new items, like a mirror, not normally in the Mestiz line but deemed necessary for the guest experience.

The guest suite does have a kitchen, but — surprise! — it’s outside and cleverly disguised as a vibrant green credenza. “I never experienced an outdoor kitchen in the city,” mused Valero. “It is really nice to be cooking outside while watching people walk by.” All components are electric, so Valero designed covers to protect said components from the elements.

There are plenty of restaurants in the area for those with no interest in cooking, and breakfast is included in a stay here. It is provided by Panina, one of the best bakeries in town, conveniently located just downstairs.

If all goes as planned, Mesonia is the first in what will be a series of guest apartments designed by Mestiz. “I want people to have a new type of hospitality experience through craftsmanship and design in San Miguel de Allende. Even if they have stayed in San Miguel before, Mesonia will be completely different. I want people to feel inspired.”

Mesonia is available for bookings from July onwards at Mesonia.MX. The rate of $300 USD per night includes breakfast.