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Curating a Coastal Home: The Story Behind Our Latest Artwork
- Josue Reynoso Franco
- Jun 23
- 3 min read
In the aftermath of Hurricane Erick, which brushed Puerto Escondido last week, I picked up the phone early to check in with Beto, our wonderful housekeeper at Casa Descalza.“How’s everything at the house?” I asked.“All is fine,” he replied. “We have electricity, and the Starlink antenna is working perfectly.”
And, of course, my next—and perhaps most heartfelt—question was about the wall piece we had recently installed.“That too is well,” he assured me.
We were lucky this time. My thoughts immediately went out to the northern communities that had endured the full force of the storm. Even so, I felt deeply thankful that Casa Descalza had weathered it unscathed.
Owning a beachfront house is a privilege, but one that comes with its own unique challenges. The ocean’s beauty is irresistible, but salt air, strong winds, and tropical rains mean constant upkeep. Every choice of furniture, décor, and artwork must balance aesthetics with practicality.
And yet, there are certain pieces you just know belong there. That was exactly the case with Ana Gomez' Panal (honeycomb), which we recently acquired for the house.
I’ve long admired Ana’s work. Ever since we first met, I knew one of her pieces would find its home at Casa Descalza. Her ceramics are incredibly beautiful but also fragile—a daunting choice for a beach house. Still, after seeing her latest show at ACHE Galería, I felt sure this particular piece was meant for a special spot in the house.
As with the previous owners of Casa Descalza, our appreciation for art, architecture, and design guides everything we do. On our travels around the world, we continually discover new ways to bring these passions back home.
When we chose to buy Descalza, we embraced its unpretentious, rustic-Mexican character: whitewashed walls, stone-inlaid floors mimicking rugs, traditional lanterns, and pigskin equipales chairs—all complemented by modern textiles and carefully curated art.
A friend of mine often reminds me that “God is in the details,” and that’s exactly the feeling we hope to pass on to our guests—whether they’ve come from across Mexico or across the ocean. Our goal is to offer a space that feels warm, stylish, practical, and, most of all, personal.
Puerto Escondido has evolved into a design destination in its own right, with celebrated architects like Tadao Ando, Alberto Kalach, and Michel Rojkind leaving their mark on this stunning stretch of coast. Our house, rooted in an earlier time, strives to offer something different: a laid-back retreat that feels like home, where you can appreciate each small detail without worrying about a thing.
Mexico’s vibrant art scene—highlighted by international events like ZsONAMACO in Mexico City—deserves a place at Casa Descalza too. That’s why we believe art is an essential part of our story. Ana’s Panal, part of a series exploring landscape and fragment ("Cumulos y Paisajes"), invites every guest to discover their own narrative. It suggests but never dictates, allowing each viewer to draw their own connections and meanings.
Ana hails from northern Mexico, like us, and now resides in San Miguel de Allende—another Mexican hub for art and design. After bringing this piece to Casa Descalza, I was so captivated by her work that I purchased more for our city home as well.
We hope that, when you visit Casa Descalza, you’ll sense the thought and care behind every choice—from the architecture to the artwork. This is a house built on quality, comfort, and a deep love for Mexico.
And above all, we hope you leave with a little piece of this place in your heart.
To learn more about Ana Gomez' work, visit the following links:
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