We are already full into the swing of a new year. With busy lives and ever more competing temptations vying for our time, it is more important than ever to have homes where we are recharged, where we are at ease, and where we can be nourished. Furniture plays a huge role in making a home an inviting, serene and comfortable oasis, but other factors also play a part. 1. Be aware of the various rooms in your home and their purpose This would seem quite obvious, but sometimes it is not. For example, if your bedroom is where you rest, recharge a...

So you are moving to Mexico -- very exciting. What for many is still a dream, a bucket list item, you are already doing. Congratulations! The reality, once the move dawns on you is that Mexico is, well, different. That’s partly why we like traveling there, eating the food, buying the furniture. It IS different! So what must you do to get ready? A little reading, a little learning, a lot of flexibility and good planning are key. When it comes to your home or condo in Mexico, give yourself ample time to consider the furniture, the ambiance a...

Today, all of Mexico celebrates its Independence. Most businesses are closed today and tomorrow, and a number of exhibits and commemorative events are taking place from Akumal to Ajijic, to Cabo San Lucas. We just know that small town plazas throughout all of Mexico are hosting music, dance and processions today. Mexican school children are all decked out taking part in parades, and it is fiesta time in Mexico. The best Mexican restaurants have probably prepared unique delicious commemorative menus. Today is the commemoration of the "Grito" -- ...

Ah, colorful Mexico! I am on board my flight and we take off from Mexico City’s Benito Juarez Airport. It is the dry season, so sadly the smoke from agricultural fires and the haze of pollution limit visibility quite a bit. Once the plane begins to lift, I notice (in spite of the poor visibility) the plethora of bright colors below, not just in the flowering jacaranda trees, radiantly purple and bright, but also in the shops, homes, public buildings. In this land of beautiful contrasts, lovely art and amazing natural gifts, even the most ba...

Last year a record number of friends and family came to see us and stayed with us. It was wonderful to have a chance to catch up, share meals, show them around and reconnect in a relaxed and cozy environment rather than in a hotel, for example. We gave lots of thought to the needs, wants and wishes of each house guest in order to make sure they were comfortable and at ease. We know how amazing it can be to have a restful and nourishing place to land especially when one is traveling and away from home. Certain Mexican furniture pieces are id...

Hard to believe it is already December 2012. As we celebrate the closing of a year and the end of this cycle, we have so much to be grateful for: the opportunity to be alive, to be well, to be working with passion and joy, and to have many friends, colleagues and customers who make it all worthwhile every single day. It's time for celebrating and for honoring all that we have shared and received. In Mexico, during feast times, people hang ornaments (see above) at the entrance of their homes. Some are made of dried flowers, or ribbons or s...

As we shared with you on a previous blog post, Pinterest is here to stay. To me, the success of the site is a testament to the power of visuals. We love Pinterest as a way to stay in touch with our clients, collaborate with customers on product design; get a better idea of client wishes, likes and dislikes … and as a way to share new Mexican furniture we have available. For example, recently, I discovered some great outdoor furniture boards and have been following them as a benefit to our Mexican artisans and our customers. If you are already ...

In case you’ve not yet heard, Pinterest -- pronounced like “interest” but with a p -- is an online visioning / dreaming / planning board for your life, home design and decor. Of course, it's more or less than that, but that’s how I see it. To be fair, the official site positions Pinterest as a “Virtual Pinboard” that allows you to organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web, from planning a wedding to decorating homes to organizing recipes. Brilliant, no? We think so! Here are 3 ways to use Pinterest and Gringo Furniture t...

Phew! I’ve wanted to offer you this Style Quiz for the longest time. The idea occurred to me years ago but then, as it often happens when running a business, too many other things became important priorities. Still, the style quiz was always in back of my mind. I thought it could be a really fun way to help you get to know our furniture collections and choose favorite styles. So I kept gathering ideas, making notes, collecting images, always hoping to have a chance to one day … offer the style quiz on our site. I began to draft the questio...

A few days ago, I noticed, a bit sadly, that the morning light outside my window seemed subdued. It was a beautiful sunny morning, yet the light had a softer, more muted quality. Like autumn light. “Oh, no,” I thought – “Already?” But then I thought of all the great things that come with a new season, including the opportunity to update home and furniture, re-decorate … perhaps even splurge on a new pair of stylish boots! A new season of home furniture and décor, yes, also in Mexico This fall and winter, decorators, magazines and blo...