Luh's Line: Our New Mayan Accessories & Furniture

B'ALAM WAY spirit jaguar accessory

Our trip to the Yucatan Peninsula and the beaches proved to be super successful. We also had fun with our family. It had been a long time since I spent any time in Merida. The beach was a bust! The house we rented had no water, no hot water, ants and lots of mosquitoes. We only stayed two nights and moved on to the Hyatt.

Prototype of a new root table style

But we got to do what we set out to do, which was find new suppliers of furniture and accesorries. I wanted to start a line of more eco-friendly, green furniture that can stand the heat and humidity we have here. Where better to find it than in the jungles of the Mayan world?

Another prototype of an outdoor chair

Along with finding some wonderful things, we also got to meet some wonderful people. The small pueblos around the Yucatan Peninsula have the warmest and kindest people I have ever met. It is quite amusing for us to converse, as Spanish is a second language for me and also for them. Their first language is Maya.

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.

Painted Rustic Furniture Part II

Browsing through the catalog for the upcoming Expo, I also found another source of rustic furniture with a twist. This Puebla manufacturer makes rustic furniture with painted finishes that are outstanding.

All the pieces come in any of their painted finishes. If anybody is interested, I can send them the finish sample colors. Quite amazing pieces.

Isn't this bed just great? Tomorrow I will find out if it is available in US sizes or in Mexican sizes only. We always have issues with the sheets and coverlets when the beds only come in Mexican sizes. Let me know what you think!

New Rustic Furniture Part I

 I came across a source for rustic furniture that is very different than what I usually see here in Cozumel. It is made in Guadalajara and is very rugged and carved, has hides and leathers and is made from different types of woods, not just pine.

This company has really rough hewn pieces and they are lovely. Does anybody else like them as much as me?

This last one, the corner TV piece and the Migeulito double chair are my favorites. Let me know what you think! Would you like to see us carry this type of furniture?