This 1937 Spanish-style bungalow has the soul of an artist. The previous owner, who was a painter, did a sensitive addition, going up and back. The current owners, one of whom works in wood and collects the New Mexican art, moved in about 4 years ago and made their own changes, driven by an inspired and personal creative vision.
You enter into what would have been the original living room. This room is one of the few places where the original bungalow still has a strong voice. A path of delicate halogen lights take your eye straight back, through the modern galley kitchen, and into an elegant living room and out into a stunning courtyard. The effect is to make the living room feel like an indoor-outdoor space and the courtyard feel like an extension of the house.
The stresses of daily life vanish in the courtyard. Wood relics are worked into the brick of the outdoor fireplace, the sound of water percolates through several fountains, and, in this modest amount of space, there are half a dozen different outdoor rooms from which to enjoy the elements.
The master bedroom is also a refuge. Nestled under a pitched roof, with a corner fireplace, the room is intimate. A high, pitched ceiling makes it feel open and calm. Just off the bedroom, on the way to the bath, is a serene meditation room with a mountain view and a fountain bubbling softly. Weathered doors and windows have been installed artfully, allowing the owners to let in light on their own terms: whether allowing it to stream in boldly or peek in through natural openings in the wood.
The art is fabulous and authentic. In this home, present-day New Mexican artists carry on a dialogue with their 17th century forbears, making the home feel vibrant with creativity and beauty.
This house is a sanctuary. The combination of clean lines, honest materials, a sensitive understanding of space, light and sound, along with a deep love of New Mexican art, brings the visitor to a peaceful, creative world. Quite simply, this home just feels good to be in.
