i am so very excited to share this latest with you. you may recognize the last name of our guest vincent joliet — his daughter photographer is a good friend of mine and has contributed to countless design magazines and here on the blog quite often, as well. so when i was headed to on the Baja California coast of Mexico last month she invited us to have a peek around her father vincent’s beautiful vacation home there. to say it was one of the highlights of our trip would be an understatement. we were immediately wowed by both the peaceful surroundings of the home he’s created and the stunning architecture of it. we could have stayed all day (or longer!) taking it all in, so excuse the many, many photographs. but vincent’s home is uniquely beautiful — modern and minimalist yes, but it seamlessly blends in with the rustic jungle vibe of his property. the contrast of the two just makes the home all the more interesting. there are loads of built-ins like the sectional sofa and each bedroom is unique from the other — one very monochromatic, another with sunny yellow ceiling and one hot pink! vincent has graciously agreed to tell us more about his home, which is on occasion available to rent for holidays and photo shoot locations — should you be interested comment below and I’ll put you in touch. let’s have a look around this incredible slice of paradise in todos santos.
– when did you first take an interest in architecture and design?
I grew up in Paris surrounded by famous designers, artists and architects.
– how did you discover Todos Santos and what made you want to build a home there?
A friend has a house there and I came for the first time in the late ’80s. Some years later, I was having dinner with two friends at and asked my friend Richard if he had a piece of land for sale as he’s in real estate, and after a few glasses of good wine, he showed me the land you saw! I bought it immediately — that’s the great thing about the effects of good wine! Lol. Two years later I started building!
– who is the architect you worked with?
An architect helped me design a structure. It took me years of work to make it what it is now. So it’s all my doing — with the help of Jocelyn a French friend that worked a full year with a small local crew — he was fantastic! Jocelyn used to be a successful fashion photographer in Paris and decided to give up that life and come to Todos with his wife Deedee and young daughter.
– do you have a favorite room in the house?
I love being in the big room! The light changes all the time, it’s almost like being outside. In my life, I’ve spent a lot of time on sailboats, and I feel almost the same when I’m in the house –kind of on a deck above the landscape. I could spend hours sitting on the suspended sofa reading books.
– it’s a perfect home for entertaining! when you spend time there do you enjoy the peaceful solitude, or do you like to entertain?
Last year I spend over five months straight over there, and I like when friends come and spend a few days there. I designed it so that bedrooms are far from each other, with total privacy.
– what have been some of the biggest challenges so far in having a home in a remote, small town?
A long time ago we were concerned about security, so quickly I build a casita and had a family living there. I don’t have any problems! Otherwise, I find the town very pleasant, especially now with so many great places for dinner and food in general. Also, the road to the airport used to be dangerous, and now it is perfect!
– any favorite shops or cafes in the TODOS SANTOS area you’d like to share with us?
Two shops: , very good homemade ice-cream and sorbet, all made with local fruits. and , a market with organic food, meat, sausages, yogurt, butter etc.
– what is a typical day in the life when you are at home? i noticed quite a few paintings – are those your works of art?
You are right — I put colors on wood boards as I listen to music or French cultural radio — lol. Breakfast with a friend franco, an Italian/Mexican at , (he has been living here for 40 years). Then I stay home until fish time or if I have a friend over we go to the beach — or if it’s time for a few margaritas!
– what are your favorite parts about Todos Santos and the area in which you live?
As I was saying the size is great, also the sense of freedom to build whatever you want with very little red tape! The beauty of the area, you take your car and drive on a dirt road, go to the beach where fishermen come around 5pm, look at what they have and buy great fresh fish out of their boats, and such a beautiful environment! Amazing. I now have many good friends living there all year around! In fact, more and more young families from the states are moving there, but mostly from Mexico City and Guadalajara. they start great new companies like cement tiles — so beautiful!
– anything else you’d like to share with us?
has changed a lot in the last three years, in a good way. in fact, it has more sophistication but no large hotels, it stays discrete with no nightlife — Lol! It’s very tempting to live there all year around!
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