sanmigueldeallende

Unusual Shopping: Fabrica La Aurora in San Miguel de Allende

Filed under: Decor, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Art, Books

When you're visiting San Miguel de Allende in Mexico, it's hard to tear yourself away from its colorful, cobblestoned city center even briefly -- but if you're looking to do a little shopping, particularly for antiques, unusual housewares and art, take a short walk to Fabrica La Aurora.

La Aurora was a textile factory which opened its doors in 1902, and was once one of the largest employers in the area. It specialized in cotton, for everything from textiles to tennis shoes. Anyone who thinks that Mexico reaped all the benefit of free trade agreements should take the history of this factory under advisement: the company closed its doors in 1991, due to increasing global competition.

The factory is now home to antique shops, local artist studios and galleries, all amid the old machine works and photos of the factory the way that it once was. The factory was sprawling, and its maze-like space is fun to explore, even if you've got firm intentions to keep your suitcase light. (Although note bene, La Aurora has three jewelry shops and an excellent art and design bookstore if you'll make exceptions for the light in weight or light in wallet.)

Check out a directory of shops and studios here, and browse the gallery to take a tour of this most unusual shopping venue.

Gallery: La Fabrica Aurora in San Miguel de Allende

Fine Art Intermingles with Factory Machinery

Tags: antiques, art, factories, galleries, Mexico, SanMiguelDeAllende, Studios

Escape to Casa de Sierra Nevada in San Miguel de Allende

by Alison Wellner (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

There is a certain type of traveler who will scoff when you tell them that you love San Miguel de Allende, a city smack in the middle of Mexico. "Oh, that's where the gringos go," they'll say, and it's true. There are many US and Canadian retirees that have made this Silver City their home, and in fact it's been a magnet for north Americans since just after World War II. The attraction was the ability to study at two different art schools in town where GI Bill dollars went very far, Or perhaps it's better to call that the justification, the attraction was the beauty of this town, which is well-preserved – an attraction that exists to this day, drawing gringas like me, international tourists besides, and not a few Mexico City weekenders.

Let that certain type of traveler scoff, for San Miguel is a confection of a city, with brightly painted buildings, and old iron lamps and absurdly narrow and steep cobblestoned streets, the cobblestones themselves streaked with color. There are plenty of things to do here, but I think the best itinerary is just to wander around those streets from early morning to late night, interrupted with a coffee from El Petit Four bakery and a hand churned ice cream from a street vendor in the afternoon.

Your luxurious base of operations should be Casa de Sierra Nevada, a boutique hotel with 37 rooms and suites, spread across six historic mansions which date from the 16th to the 18th century. These six buildings are all within a few steps of one another – three are connected by courtyard – with the exception of Casa Parque, which is a few blocks away in a former 17th century fort. (This building is said to be haunted, but when I visited I saw nothing supernatural.)

Gallery: San Miguel de Allende and Casa de Sierra Nevada

San Miguel de Allende's Narrow Steep Streets

Tags: hotel, mexico, sanmigueldeallende, spa

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Casa San Miguel, Estate of the Day

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Estates

Today's home is a bit of re-imagined Morocco tucked into the Mexican countryside in San Miguel de Allende. The home was designed by local architect, Juan Manual Barbosa and features high vaulted ceilings, columns and arches. Hand forged light fixtures and iron railings, antique Morrocan wood doors and Cantera stone columns add to the oasis-like feel. The home is being sold with the furnishings which include many twinkling chandeliers, plush sofas and a marquetry dining room table set.

The home includes a fully outfitted theater and a master suite with his and hers bathrooms. There is an office overlooking the gardens and a guest wing with three bedrooms. Outdoor seating areas are located near fountains, ponds and a tile pool and the rooftop offers wide-ranging views. This home is listed at $3.85 million.

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Gallery: Casa San Miguel