hues Archives

Ten Mexican holiday homes characterised by earthy hues

From a brutalist dwelling nestled in a pine forest to a beachy weekend retreat with a rooftop swimming pool, our latest lookbook features 10 holiday homes across Mexico.

While known for their often vibrant colours, Mexican interiors also include many examples of more muted designs. These earthy hues are often created through the use of natural and local materials, such as wood and stone.

Holiday homes are located all over the country, which has a varied landscape and is famous for its escapist destinations. Here are 10 Mexican holiday homes that combine pared-back colour palettes with getaway-style luxury.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring metal furniture, breakfast nooks and living spaces with swings.

Built-in couch in concrete home — Top and above: photos by Rory Gardiner

Casa Alférez, Alférez, by Ludwig Godefroy

This holiday home is a brutalist dwelling clad in board-formed concrete and located in a pine forest in the country’s Alférez region.

French architect Ludwig Godefroy, who is Mexico City-based, added a conversation pit to the cathedral-like living area, which features a spindly double-height fireplace.

Find out more about Casa Alférez ›

Holiday home, San Simón El Alto, by Estudio Atemporal

Local architecture office Estudio Atemporal designed a weekend retreat in San Simón El Alto village with an oversized gabled roof.

Inside, the studio created a statement brick wall in the angular, open-plan living space defined by timber and concrete accents. Generous glass doors lead to a covered outdoor patio.

Find out more about this holiday home ›

Villa Cava, Tulum, by Espacio 18 Arquitectura

Neutral tones and textures define this house in Tulum that was informed by cenotes – ancient sunken water-filled limestone pits and caves found across Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula.

Espacio 18 Arquitectura carved a circular window into one of the home’s ceilings, which reveals a rooftop swimming pool. Blue-coloured light filters through the opening, emphasising the cavernous atmosphere.

Find out more about Villa Cava ›

Interior design by Gala Sánchez-Renero — Photo by Diego Padilla Magallanes

La Extraviada, Mazunte, by Em-Estudio

Architecture firm Em-Estudio stepped a pair of concrete residential volumes down a rocky hillside overlooking the coastal town of Mazunte, Oaxaca.

Called La Extraviada, the holiday home includes an eclectic kitchen and dining space flanked by floor-to-ceiling timber shutters that open onto a terrace with a swimming pool.

Regional materials, including guapinol wood and local stone obtained from nearby quarries, feature throughout the earthy-hued project.

Find out more about La Extraviada ›

Lounge with red sofa, Casa Tres Árboles in Valle de Bravo by Direccion — Photo by Fabian Martinez

Casa Tres Árboles, Valle de Bravo, by Direccion

Architecture studio Direccion took cues from “monastic” sanctuaries when renovating this weekend retreat in Valle de Bravo.

The open-plan living space includes exposed warm-toned wooden ceiling beams, which contrast against dark-painted walls. A soft-red sofa adds a rare pop of colour to the otherwise muted interiors.

Find out more about Casa Tres Árboles ›

Los Terrenos by Tatiana Bilbao — Photo by Rory Gardiner

Los Terrenos, Monterrey, by Tatiana Bilbao

Mexican architect Tatiana Bilbao added a multifunctional ceramic screen to the interior of Los Terrenos – a holiday home in Monterrey with mirrored glass facades that reflect the surrounding wooded site.

“[The screen] works as solid and permeable floor, a screen partition, a structural wall, and as a semi-open wall that allows ventilation and sunlight to bathe the interior spaces,” explained Bilbao’s eponymous studio.

Find out more about Los Terrenos ›

Tonalli House staircase — Photo by Ansatz

Tonalli House, Jalisco, by Moises Sánchez

This stucco-clad holiday home was punctuated with strategic openings and takes cues from architecture commonly found in Mexican villages, according to its designer Moises Sánchez.

Sánchez created an understated interior palette referencing the nearby architecture surrounding Lake Chapa, where the home is located. For example, the blocky terrazzo staircase doubles as a stepped plinth for sandy-coloured ornaments.

Find out more about Tonalli House ›

CO-LAB Design Office made the house out of concrete — Photo by César Béjar

Casa Areca, Tulum, by CO-LAB Design Office

Local studio CO-LAB Design Office created Casa Areca to merge with its lush Tulum setting.

The open-plan ground floor includes pivot doors and retractable glass walls, which enable the social area to flow into the jungle-like garden. Creamy walls and polished concrete floors were paired with local tzalam wood, jute accents and ceramic vases filled with hand-selected wild grasses.

Find out more about Casa Areca ›

Living space of El Aguacate — Photo by Dove Dope

El Aguacate, El Barrial, by Práctica Arquitectura

El Aguacate – or “The Avocado” – is a holiday home in El Barrial village made almost entirely out of concrete.

Práctica Arquitectura topped the main living area with a tall pyramidal roof featuring a boxy skylight. The studio added a built-in fireplace and alter-like dining table to the space – also made from smooth concrete.

Find out more about El Aguacate ›

A large table in the shady dining area — Photo by Rafael Gamo

Casa Cova, Puerto Escondidio, by Anonimous

When designing Casa Cova in Puerto Escondido, Mexican studio Anonimous took cues from pre-colonial architecture.

Inside, the central living space is kept cool by a traditional thatched roof made of dried palm leaves, called a “palapa.” Tiny square openings were also cut into some of the walls, creating “a dynamic light pattern from dusk till dawn”.

Find out more about Casa Cova ›

Reference

Interior Design

Post Company imbues Mollie Aspen hotel interiors with earthy hues

By Zarkon Group,24/02/2024

New York studio Post Company has designed warm, wood-filled interiors for a boutique hotel in Aspen, Colorado, which offers a pared-back take on the Arts and Crafts style.

Mollie Aspen occupies a new timber-clad building designed by CCY Architects and developed and operated by HayMax in the mountain city’s downtown area.

Lobby lounge at Mollie Aspen with earth-toned furniture and a gridded wood ceiling — With an open fireplace as a backdrop, the lobby lounge at Mollie Aspen features earth-toned furniture and a gridded wood ceiling

Post Company was tasked with creating the interiors for the 68-room hotel, combining contemporary Scandinavian and Japanese design elements for a serene take on Rocky Mountain luxury.

“Mollie is designed for those with a natural curiosity and appreciation for connection and offers visitors a unique, welcoming respite in the bustling mountain town,” said the hotel’s team.

All-day cafe in the Mollie Aspen lobby — An all-day cafe in the lobby serves pastries and beverages from a walnut-wrapped counter

An abundance of wood can be found throughout the different spaces, with numerous varieties creating a layered effect of different colours and grain patterns.

The timber is crafted into elements like gridded wall and ceiling panels with built-in lighting, which evoke an Arts and Crafts aesthetic, as well as fluted counterfronts and a range of furniture pieces.

Burl wood counters and displays in a retail space — Burl wood counters and displays present goods in the hotel’s retail space

The majority of the materials used in Mollie’s construction were sourced from the Western United States to reduce waste, according to the team.

Meanwhile, other accents like earthen ceramics, hand-dyed textiles and sand-casted brass add to the cosy atmosphere.

Guest room with neutral decor — Guest rooms offer an even more pared-back take on the neutral decor palette

“These materials are incorporated throughout the hotel to mimic the area’s rough-hewn mountains while large windows frame views of the surrounding landscape and bring an abundance of light into the hotel,” said the team.

The lobby lounge is designed as a cosy gathering space for guests and the public, with a large open fireplace providing a backdrop.

Beige plaster walls and textured carpet in a guest room — Beige plaster walls and textured carpets complement the wood ceilings in the guest rooms

Chunky leather, velvet and boucle sofas and armchairs in a range of earthy hues form comfy conversation nooks.

At one end of the room, the black-topped bar spans the full width and is illuminated by a row of globe-shaped pendant lights suspended from thin brass bars.

Guest suite with black leather furniture and snowy mountain views — Black leather furniture in the larger suites offers a contrast to the other furniture pieces and snowy mountain views

A repeated geometric pattern across the pale counter front is also found on door panels leading to other hotel areas.

An all-day cafe at the opposite end of the lobby serves pastries and an assortment of beverages from a walnut-wrapped counter, and the restaurant

Bathroom with dark green tiles and freestanding white bathtub — Dark green tiles in the bathrooms match the spruce trees outside

In the adjacent retail space, burl wood counters and displays with curved edges, some of which are topped with glass vitrines.

On the third floor is a roof terrace with a bar and a spa pool set to open in Spring 2024, while a fitness facility and flexible meeting space are located at ground level.

The guest rooms continue the soft, neutral palette in a more pared-back style.

Beige plaster walls, textured carpets and green-grey curtains complement the wood ceilings and built-in furniture, while black leather chairs add contrast.

Mollie Aspen is located within a newly constructed building by CCY Architects

Dark green stacked tiles that line the bathrooms match the spruce trees outside and freestanding tubs beside the windows allow guests to enjoy the view while soaking.

“Guests are left with a sense of Aspen’s cultural and recreational history, providing a lens to appreciate its contemporary personality and influence,” the team said.

Mollie Aspen's wood-clad exterior — The building was constructed largely from materials sourced from the Western US

Aspen is a renowned destination for winter sports and affluent vacationers, and CCY Architects has designed several private residences in and around the town – among them an extension to a Victorian house, a residence nestled in a grassy valley and a retreat that overlooks the dramatic mountainous scenery.

Formerly known as Studio Tack, Post Company’s previous hotel projects include the Anvil Hotel in Wyoming, The Sandman in California, and Scribner’s Catskill Lodge in New York.

The photography is by Nicole Franzen.

Reference

Architecture

el departamento infuses mountainous hues into texturized optical boutique in madrid

By Zarkon Group,26/12/2023

El Departamento unveils new PJ Lobster boutique in Madrid

Valencia-based architecture practice El Departamento has crafted a contemporary optical boutique for the PJ Lobster brand in Madrid, Spain. Drawing from the character of the project location, which combines both sophistication and vibrancy, the retail interior incorporates texturized minimalism, rough materiality, organic forms, and stainless steel elements throughout its design. The color palette is inspired by the hues of the Madrid mountains, infusing a natural essence into the design which is otherwise described as ‘high-tech’.

the exterior of the new PJ Lobster boutique in Madrid | all images courtesy of Miguel Fernández-Galiano

PJ Lobster’s Madrid store Unveils a Design Continuum

The new PJ Lobster boutique in Madrid continues the design exploration initiated in the previous project located in Barcelona (see designboom’s previous coverage here), focusing on color, organic forms, and different textures as common design elements.

Spanning 42 m2, with an additional operational basement, the structure redefines traditional storefront concepts with an expansive, unobtrusive street-facing facade. The interior boasts ornamental structures, including wooden beams and cast-iron columns, maintaining an impressive free height of over 4 meters. El Departamento (find more here) preserved the original cast-iron pillars on the facade, encasing them in a sleek stainless-steel skin that transforms their appearance into two seamless cylinders. A striking glass facade, precisely centered between the two pillars, establishes a clear boundary, inviting patrons to experience the seamless transition between the external environment and the meticulously crafted interior space.

the entrance of the store features reflective stainless steel elements

El Departamento’s Fusion of Textured Minimalism & Raw Precision

In their latest spatial exploration for this new optical boutique, El Departamento blends textured minimalism and raw precision. Meticulous attention to detail is evident as the color-blocked sales area dynamically contrasts with a neutral floor, yet harmonizes with stainless-steel furniture, accentuating the high-tech ambiance of the space.

The design of the shop is characterized by rough materiality, as a prominent irregular plaster finish emerges. The color palette, dominated by dark garnet and aubergine hues, pays homage to the traditional color of Madrid’s exposed brick. This color, derived from the various clays of the central plateau, harks back to the architectural materials of Madrid’s late 19th-century aesthetics. ‘This tribute to reddish tones, transformed into garnet, evokes the hues that tint the fields of Madrid’s mountain range in autumnal twilights,’ the design team shares.

the retail interior incorporates rough materiality, organic forms, and stainless steel elements

the color palette of the project is inspired by the hues of the Madrid mountains

an irregular plaster finish emerges within the interior

the interior boasts ornamental structures, including wooden beams and cast-iron columns

the store is dominated by dark garnet and aubergine hues

the boutique s characterized by a high-tech ambiance

project info:

name: PJ Lobster Restyling
architects: El Departamento | @eldepartamento.estudio
design team: Alberto Eltini & Marina Martín

location: 2 Fernando VI Street, Madrid, Spain
area: 42 sqm
photography: Miguel Fernández-Galiano

myrto katsikopoulou I designboom

dec 25, 2023

Reference

Interior Design

Ten colourful living rooms that make a statement with bold hues

By Zarkon Group,25/09/2022

Flamingo pink walls in a Greek seaside apartment and a living space in Italy defined by primary colours feature in our latest lookbook, which collects colourful living rooms that are designed to stand out.

From the pastel colour palette used in a Tokyo dwelling to the clash of reds and greens seen in an Athens apartment, these 10 living rooms from across the world are defined by their colourful interiors.

While using strong colours in a living room can seem like an intimidating prospect, these examples show how even just a few splashes of colour can create a warmer atmosphere and work as a contrast against traditional white walls.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing brutalist interiors, terrazzo eateries and residential atriums.

Interiors of Polychrome House, designed by Amber Road — Photo is by Prue Ruscoe

Polychrome House, Australia, by Amber Road and Lymesmith

Pops of colour feature in every room of Polychrome House, a 1960s property in Sydney that was renovated by architecture studio Amber Road and colour consultants Lymesmith.

“Bright primary colours, which were layered throughout the interior, became the heartbeat of the joyful experience we were all committed to creating,” Amber Road co-director Yasmine Ghoniem told Dezeen.

Find out more about Polychrome House ›

Waterfront Nikis Apartment by Stamatios Giannikis — Photo is by Kim Powell

Waterfront Nikis Apartment, Greece, by Stamatios Giannikis

Flamingo pink walls and accents take centre stage in the living room of Waterfront Nikis Apartment, a Greek seaside dwelling set within a 1937 listed art deco building.

Architect Stamatios Giannikis paired a neon-pink hammock with a soft fluffy rug and rosy plant pots in the living room that overlooks the sea.

Find out more about Waterfront Nikis Apartment ›

Nagatachō Apartment by Adam Nathaniel Furman — Photo is by Jan Vranovsky

Nagatachō Apartment, Japan, by Adam Nathaniel Furman

Designer Adam Nathaniel Furman used a sugar-sweet colour palette to liven up a Tokyo apartment he renovated for a retired expat couple.

Located opposite the open-plan kitchen, the combined living space and dining area features a plush lilac carpet that was chosen to contrast a bold green and blue chair and footrest, which Furman said “has the feel of sponge cake and looks like icing”.

Find out more about Nagatachō Apartment ›

Levine by Hendricks Churchill — Photo is by Tim Lenz

Connecticut house, USA, by Hendricks Churchill

American firm Hendricks Churchill sought to combine the aesthetic of a traditional farmhouse with more contemporary details at this Connecticut house.

Dusty blue cabinetry meets reddy orange furniture in the home’s living room while a textured blue rug was placed on neutral wooden floorboards.

Find out more about this Connecticut house ›

Trevi House apartment in Rome designed by Studio Venturoni — Photo is by Michele Bonechi

Trevi House, Italy, by Studio Venturoni

Thick bands of terracotta and sand-coloured paint wrap around the walls of Trevi House, a one-bedroom apartment in Rome that is defined by warm, earthy hues.

The living room includes a contrasting rectilinear blue and cream rug, which is positioned underneath a statement oversized sculpture, reminiscent of traditional marble statues.

Find out more about Trevi House ›

The Karine Vilas Boas Apartment, Brazil, by Studio Julliana Camargo

A large rug with a bright geometric pattern by Portuguese brand Punto e Filo features in the living space of this large apartment in downtown São Paulo.

Studio Julliana Camargo placed a crescent-shaped pink sofa and vivid green armchairs around the rug, emphasising its bold, technicolour appearance.

Find out more about the Karine Vilas Boas Apartment ›

Trikoupi apartment by Point Supreme — Photo is by Yannis Drakoulidis

Trikoui apartment, Greece, by Point Supreme Architects

Local firm Point Supreme Architects designed this vibrant Athens apartment to include a single open-plan space combining the living, dining and kitchen areas.

To make up for the absence of partition walls, the apartment includes colourful built-in custom furniture to help delineate spaces, including a stained-green plywood storage wall and a table with a bright red top.

Find out more about this Trikoui apartment ›

House for Booklovers and Cats by BFDO Architects — Photo is by Francis Dzikowski

House for Booklovers and Cats, USA, by BFDO Architects

American studio BFDO Architects added splashes of pink, orange and blue to the living room of House for Booklovers and Cats, a Brooklyn home designed to include various nooks for a pair of shy cats to retreat to.

A higgledypiggledy bookshelf featuring brightly painted alcoves was built into one of the room’s walls, which was designed to house the owners’ extensive reading collection.

Find out more about House for Booklovers and Cats ›

Retroscena apartment renovation by La Macchina Studio — Photo is by Paolo Fusco

Retroscena, Italy, by La Macchina Studio

Retroscena is a distinctive 1950s apartment renovation in Rome, completed by Italian architecture office La Macchina Studio to reveal the home’s original terrazzo floors.

Primary colours were celebrated in the interior design, where the living room can be screened off by a yellow curtain and is decorated with a circular red wall hanging and a squidgy blue sofa.

Find out more about Retroscena ›

Husos Arquitectos Madrid apartment — Photo is by José Hevia

Madrid apartment, Spain, by Husos Arquitectos

Playful lime green deck chairs and bold yellow and orange accents feature in the large living room of this Madrid apartment by Spanish studio Husos Arquitectos.

While its plywood-board cabinetry and pinewood floors mean that natural hues dominate in the room, the studio painted some of the shelves in vibrant colours to brighten up the wood.

Find out more about this Madrid apartment ›

This is the latest in our series of lookbooks providing curated visual inspiration from Dezeen’s image archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks showcasing green bedrooms, gardens with swimming pools and homes with glass extensions.

Reference

hues

Ten Mexican holiday homes characterised by earthy hues

Post Company imbues Mollie Aspen hotel interiors with earthy hues

el departamento infuses mountainous hues into texturized optical boutique in madrid

El Departamento unveils new PJ Lobster boutique in Madrid

PJ Lobster’s Madrid store Unveils a Design Continuum

El Departamento’s Fusion of Textured Minimalism & Raw Precision

Ten colourful living rooms that make a statement with bold hues

Get in touch

about us

Company info

Useful Links

Newsletter