On a recent Sunday in Mexico, on a whim, we decided to go to the park. And wow, it proved to be a great decision because we really had no idea all the wonderful surprises that were in store for us. One of the most amazing ones was seeing the park come alive with people young and old .... together .... celebrating life. A Japanese garden, children painting the littlest sweetest furniture pieces, dancers performing, ice cream and popcorn vendors, toddlers running around, young lovers holding hands,  ... you get the picture. Whether at a park...

Owning a condo or rental property in Mexico can be a great opportunity to recreate what you love in your home in Canada or the US, or perhaps, better yet, to do things differently!  Some of us like a home that can be cozy and warm and then, for example a lake or coastal property that is minimalist, all white for example, to invite simplicity and to help us feel that we are "off the grid" or on vacation as soon as we arrive. However you decide to approach it, these tips and tricks can help you create a wonderful living room in Mexico. ...

The land of Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula is dotted with amazing pools and swimming holes called cenotes. Most cenotes have originated from underwater cave systems that have filled with water over time. The first time I saw a photo of one I thought I was dreaming, or reading about some Mexican author’s magical realism flight of fancy. But it is true. Cenotes are real and they are spectacular! It is said that there are over 5,000 cenotes in the Yucatan and many are open to the public. You can find them all around Mexico’s Riviera Maya: around Puert...

  I don’t know about you but I truly love outdoor markets. Such a beautiful array of foods, spices, flowers, people, herbs, vegetables and fruits … and the hubbub and pulse of a place and its people. They go by many names: Mercado de artesanias (handicrafts), flea market, farmers markets … I love them all.  In Canada and the US, most of these markets are seasonal, open from early to late summer. In Mexico, most of them are open year-round. Here are a few of our favorite Mexican market experiences. In San Miguel de Allende, on a Satu...

  This Mexican election had people mobilized and hopeful like no other. Change was in the air, and it seemed palpable. Social media was abuzz with posts and communications. People just seemed to be more engaged than ever before. For certain it is an interesting time in the history of Mexico and for those of us who travel often to Mexico or have homes or vacationing properties there, Mexican elections are extremely relevant. Earlier in the week, Mexican expats living in the United States were quoted on interviews saying they thought v...

If you love Mexico like we do, no doubt you have your favorite stories, memories and experiences of Mexican beaches. Mexico has so very much to offer: great food, wonderful people, beautiful furniture, amazing history and so many ancestral traditions from which we can learn and be nourished by. Still, many of us think of beaches when we think of Mexico. One of my favorite memories is of a pink small hotel in Mazanillo, right on the ocean, where they used to give you old skeleton keys with which to access your hotel rooms. I remember an early mo...

Sometimes you hear the name of a place and it stays with you, almost in a haunting, persistent way. For me, one of those places is Akumal, Mexico. I have a sense of Akumal as a haven for American and Canadian expats, particularly those of a kindred persuasion to nature, conservation and ecology. It doesn’t surprise me because the name “Akumal” means “place of turtles” in ancient Mayan. These namesake turtle are actually green sea turtles and their populations thrive in the gorgeous waters of this area. Our Gringo Furniture artisans have made b...

  This morning, thanks to our friends at Yucatan Living, I was delighted to find out about a lovely Harper's Bazaar article featuring Merida. How exciting! I knew right away I had to share it with our Gringo Furniture contacts. I will always remember the first time we visited Merida and what a sweet impression it made on us. In a sense it is one of those places that is out of time ... yes, there is a certain and very charming timelessness to Merida. We have told you about this gorgeous city on previous posts. It is a friendly city with ...

In the spirit of a new year, we are offering, for a very limited time, 2 Hacienda Tuscan collection pieces for delivery in the US. Let’s call it a New Year experiment. If your response is – as we hope – big and beautiful, we’ll make it a point to occasionally bring some of these gorgeous pieces into the US and offer them to you. The New Year is a great opportunity to spruce up, de-clutter, and make space for new people, experiences … and of course … furniture J to come into your life. As you de-clutter and create space,  consider upda...

When I found this on my email Inbox, I thought it too perfect to be true. Come on! A song about Mexican furniture? Live from a Canadian Farmer's Market? But it is true, and it is beautiful to see this duo, loving their music, belting their original tune and sharing it live, along with the wonderful rapport they have with each other. So, here it is, no lie, a funny and sweet song about Mexican furniture. Enjoy!