Old Casa Style by John Powell

Antique lantern mexico

 

The lantern was teasing me, "You cannot fit me in your suitcase, forget about it!" Little did it know that I am stubborn when something or one dares me.

 

Casa antiques

 

I forgot to add– a small detail…it belongs to the owner of the house where we are staying… I wonder if he would miss it? Something tells me he would.

 

Tiles French in Mexico

John Powell's offered his home to us to stay in while we were in Merida.

He has taken an old casa back to its roots: Exposed wooden beams, a kitchen in the back of the garden, a dipping pool, and most of all a home full of antiques. It is a history book were stories are read out loud.

 

Santon mexican antique

 

If I could I would uproot John's home and take it with me. Or switch my home for his.

John seems to have a thing about religious objects.

His home wasn't just a case it was a convent.

No wonder I felt called here. 

 

Old Casa Mexico

 

John was an antique dealer, and a designer from N.Y. It is obvious that he has a natural ability to create magic wherever he lands. John found and used old materials when restoring and recreating his home.

The stone trimmed doorway with original tall wooden doors is just one of the beauties that I have admired while being here.

 

Antique candlesticks and mural, mexico, church

 

Besides having good taste in design, John has given us the best addresses of places to go see… On of such places was Uayalceh, an abandon hacienda with a small chapel that is used by the people who live in the surrounded village.

The candlesticks tempted me like his lantern. Aren't the wonderful?

 

Maya Antique

 

An antique Maya vase.

Provencal style move over…

I think another bug is biting me, and I am not talking about mosquitoes.

 

Johnpowell shelves

 

The shelves above John's desk are filled with artifacts, small Maya antiques and whatnots from another period in time. It is here that I have been writing my blog… happily admiring those crosses and the wooded column head.

Antique mexico

 

An antique green glazed pottery pot formed as a sisal plant.

Sisal was massively produced in the Yucatan,

Hacienda's were built, dynasties created, livelihoods formed….

 

Mexican Antiques

 

John Powell's antiques.

 

Cross Mexican

Old door and chair antiques mexico

 Thank you John for the opening your door to us, for sharing your world, and tempting me to pack your entire home into my suitcase and carry it home.  Thankfully, we have more time here in Merida, hopefully I will find an antique or two to take back with us… whether or not I do it doesn't matter… hospitality and friendship are enough.



Comments

16 responses to “Old Casa Style by John Powell”

  1. Massilianana

    Hummmmm….could you also pack the green ceramic pineapple for me please ? 😉

  2. Ha. Every time I visit my aunt Judy, I think devious thoughts about how I’m going to get her antique Jadeite lamp into my purse without her knowing.
    I think she’d know.
    good luck!

  3. More linens for the lantern??
    (o;

  4. Do I need to change the locks while you & Yann are in Tulum???
    The green pineapple pottery is from Patamban in Michoacan I’m dying to go back there with a pick up truck! The black christ I bought just after buying the house and he’s still my favorite santo. The lanterns are from San Miguel de Allende. The croaking frogs are from the Hacienda Sac Chich…we’ll go out there when you get back.

  5. It looks like you will have to leave your clothes and just pack special treasures in your bag. What a beautiful place to be staying.

  6. Diogenes

    That beamed ceiling is beautiful. And how could anyone not be inspired by the wall of wonderful art above the desk?
    As you are in Tulum, I hope you get time to go to Xel-Ha, the amazing inlet where you can swim with ocean fish. When I visited, there was a stingray in the waters.

  7. This is a great posting I have read. I like your article. Thank you

  8. How much longer will you be in Merida? Will you travel out to the countryside and to the beach before you leave?

  9. everything is just beautiful…does John want to be my friend too?

  10. again you found another “home” in meridia. you captured the essence of where you are staying. am so glad you added the photos today.
    an entirely private and distinctly decorated view of john’s own “other” home/chapel.
    his religious object’dart are so unusual and delicate. to be able to sit and write at his desk amidst this collection must have been so unreal.
    thanks for sharing another part of the world i may not see and appreciate your gift of meeting people who share their “gems” with you.

  11. Hi Corey, just quickly visiting (missed all your other posts…) What a gloriously beautiful, wonderful collection your new friend John has amassed! No wonder you feel like having retired to heaven wayyyy tooo early 🙂
    Your photo series is breathtaking! Such treasures and such lovely work with soft lines and backgrounds – this will help me sleep sweetly.

  12. Virginia

    Again you have captured all that is wonderful about Mexico. All the lovely, worn objects hold a mystery, a story waiting to be told. You have done it with photographs. Virginia

  13. Wonderful posts and beautiful travel pictures Corey! And, I new nothing about the Sissal plant! Fascinating!

  14. You take the best trips

  15. John’s house is so charming and I love all the antiquities. The Santos are so special and to think this was a convent…all the prayers that were prayed there….can’t you feel the love. A real blessing to be able to stay there. That green pineapple is too precious…

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