1.  Located a mere ten minutes out of town, Loma Bonita is still a work in progress.  Built in 2006, this is an elegantly appointed house with wide open spaces and sophisticated accoutrements.   Entering through the wide front door is a beautiful wood sculpture of San Miguel atop the floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace which is open on all four sides to heat the entire open spaces consisting of a living room, dining area and the modern kitchen.   Mantelpieces are topped with antique clocks, stunning artwork, vases and other exquisite objets d’art.   Deep leather sofas and chairs in the living room are backed by a heavily framed, antique mirror and tables filled with glorious rare art pieces.   A large bedroom leads from the sala, with an impressively carved four-poster bed, flat-screen television and more statuary and artwork plus an amply-sized walk-in closet and copious bathroom with its rounded European shower containing water jets from top to bottom and oversized Jacuzzi bathtub.  The library contains a remarkable portrait on one wall, bookcases placed at an angle containing books, dvd’s and cd’s under the intricately carved iron staircase, and comfortable seating areas.  Upstairs one enters the office area, also containing an antique-glassed mirror and sofa bed, more antiques, art objects and large carved lamps.  The bedroom has another softly rounded wood bed with an exquisitely carved ancient chest at its foot, and a seating area with yet more sofas and chairs and a striking screen in the corner.   Recessed lighting throughout this home offer a soft, warm glow at night.   The sizeable garden with its large pool and trickling stone fountain is still a work in progress since the owner is planning to build a gazebo and seating areas around the pool in the future for friends and family to enjoy during the summer months.   All rooms contain high French doors swathed with draperies which lead to the outside garden and a patio upstairs.   Collectors and lovers of fine art and statuary are sure to be bowled over by the beauty of this exquisite home.

2.  Featured in a past edition of “CASA & GENTE” this enchanting home lies high atop a steep rocky hillside overlooking Centro and beyond.   Through a charming front patio with its water wall, pepper tree and other greenery the sala contains walls soaring upwards 2 and 3 stories. A piano nestles in one corner, and a sculptural V-shaped open fireplace built out of volcanic rock heats the four spaces surrounding it, including an exotic dining area.   Impressive steel columns and cross-beams divide the large open living space while an intimate seating nook overlooks the canyon and town below.   A large entertainment room complete with home theater contains a plethora of books and a substantial video collection. Behind it a massage table with magnificent views down the hill to the town, and huge windows overlook the multi-leveled garden which retains the original rocks in this hillside neighborhood with a large infinity pool and two palapas for entertaining.