Quinceañera From a Car Window

Quinceañera photo on the Malecon

There is something amazing about entering the world of a group of young people celebrating a special event, especially here on the island of Cozumel. I took this photo from the window of our car a few nights ago, after our stroll on the Malecon with our Godchild. I have no idea this beautiful young woman's name, but look at her smile and the way her friend hugs her. Look at the proud look of the guy next to them. 

Who is this?

I would love to know their names and their story. It was a special moment I saw from the car and couldn't resist snapping a few photos with my phone. The young woman is beautiful, her dress stunning and I can just feel the hopes, anticipations and dreams. 

Cozumel beauty

I am so thrilled to live in a place where I can take a photo like this. Look at the beautiful sky, the view of the water, the smell of the salt air and the hopes and dreams of this Cozumel beauty. Congrats, young beauty, with the whole world ahead of you. (Don't you just love the dress?)

More information on this event can be found here on Wikipedia.

Playa del Carmen Street Art Part 2

Street art photos courtesy of India Lee

India Lee is a woman I know from Cozumel. She was living here when I arrived in 1999-2000. I think she had already lived in Cozumel a while. She and a friend moved to the Riviera Maya area to sell at one of the hotel resorts being built and we lost track of each other. I was happy to find her again on Facebook. Thanks again, India Lee, for the great photos of the new street art at Playa!

These were my favorites. Enjoy!

Playa del Carmen Street Art Part 1

Street Art Playa del Carmen courtesy of India Lee

Very rarely do I like to double post on both my Gargoyles & Graffiti blog and here on Design in Cozumel, but I think this is such an important phonomenon I wanted to report on both. In the process of cleaning up Playa del Carmen, in anticipation of all the new shops, plazas, hotels, and condos ... the city decided to embrace street art. Instead of trying to cover it up, they are having young people all over the city making fabulous graffiti or street art. I love it. Graffiti is a popular form of expression since Roman times, even before. Look at cave paintings.

more street art at Playa del Carmen, Mexico

Notice that the pieces are signed and adorn many of the blah or ugly concrete block walls around town. Bravo to Playa del Carmen to come up with such a colorful and fun solution.

Courtesy of India Lee

India Lee, thanks for posting on Facebook!

The Cozumel Art of Sarah Williams Pritchett

Sarah Willams Pritchett is a wonderful artist that lives in Cozumel. She also happens to be my neighbor. We always say hi when we meet on the street or at a birthday party. We don't really know each other very well. But I am astounded and delighted at the art she has produced over the last few years. Hers is a rare and wonderful talent.

These are prints we have in our store for sale. They are quite wonderful. Hope you can stop by and see them. If you would like to know about purchasing one of her originals, let us know. We can put you in touch with her, or you can contact Sarah directly at cozumelwatercolors@gmail.com

Musings of the Day: 15 Years in Mexico

Our Godchild's Christening

My family

12 Things I have learned after living almost 15 years in Mexico

When at the grocery store meat counter, I know to order 200 or 300 grams of ham, not 200 or 300 kilos like I used to 15 years ago. (What a look of shock I saw on the women’s faces!)

I have learned how to pronounce “estacionamiento” (parking lot) and “impermeabilizante” (waterproofing … materials for our roof).

I know to order camarón (shrimp) con “un poco de ajo” (a little garlic), instead of “un poco de ojo” (a little eye).

Spanglish is okay; at least it is better than only speaking English.

I have learned to accept things the way they are, at least most of the time.

I no longer refer to the United States as my home.

I don’t mention anymore the way things are done in the states. Standard answer from my husband always was: “Where do you live? Not the USA.”

People from the states look too tall and pale.

If somebody doesn’t arrive for an appointment, just come back later.

Kissing and greeting people you barely know is acceptable behavior.

Forgiveness is a way of life.

Happiness abounds.

The Magic of Design: What's New

Square dining table with upholstered chairs from Ashley

Moises has pulled out his new camera with tripod to take a few photos of our store. We have items at both 30% off and 50% off throughout the store. We have accessories at 30% off. 

We are excited to be working on two new projects for clients as well, so it is a busy time. Very grateful to be so busy at this time of the year!

Wonderful Indonesian rocker from Pelican Reef

Don't forget as well the hundreds of options we have for blinds. We work with Gabin from Puebla, Mexico - great prices, fast delivery and if there is any problem, replacing parts is not a problem. Come on by to see all the options.

Gabin blinds books galore

The Magic of Design: Demystifying Furniture Grades

This chair and ottoman is in our store now with 30% off if you mention you saw us on Cozumel 4 You

As the principal owner of a furniture store and interior design business, I get to wear a lot of hats. On the bad days, I feel like a fireman with a big red hat and a long hose to put out all the fires that occur. On better days, I get to design beautiful spaces, get creative and enjoy what I do, and still get paid for it. I take seriously what we put in to the store. I don't want junk that will fall apart on you in a year or two. We stand behind our product and are proud of what we sell. On the other hand, we want to stay within our clients' price range. But that is where it gets a little tricky. What is expensive to one person may be peanuts to somebody else. I like to separate the furniture quality in to four parts. The lower 25% we just don't sell. This is the quality of things often found on the island at stores which I won't mention their names, but I hear the stories. Dining tables that fall apart in the first year, sofas that never sit comfortably or look nice, out of scale and awkward things that just are not pleasing to the eye. Being serious about warranties, we don't want the headache of junk. But what many people on the island don't realize is we do satisfy the budgets of the other 75%. The mid grade, semi-luxury and luxury furniture we have in our store all the time. 

Hand made in Indonesia

We sell handmade rattan both for outdoor and indoor that caters to those that have private residences and rental properties on the beach. Expensive but extremely well-made and long-lasting. I was in a condo a few days ago that the outdoor furniture was installed in 2007, and it still looks brand new. 

Mid-range product

The next tier is good, well-made furniture in the next range - often wood and some metal and glass product that will stand the test of time, and also our better sofas and loveseats. Some benches, chairs and more designer-oriented items that are mid-priced but great product. That is our bread and butter furniture that sells the most.

All 3 tables can be had for 30% off if you mention you saw this on Cozumel 4 You

Then we have a lower grade of still great things that meets the person more on a budget, including retirees and those that live here on a fixed income. We have coffee and 2 end table sets that sometimes retail for around $500 dollars for the three pieces. We have sofas, loveseats and chairs in this range, great quality but not quite as detailed or as expensive of fabrics as some of our better furniture.

Please don't think that everything we do is expensive and out of your price range. We are here to satisfy most everybody's needs, as really who wants the lower 25% stuff that will fall apart right after you buy it? 

Remember too if you mention you read about us on Cozumel 4 You, you get 30% off for the month of June.