Home Tour // An Airy Mexican Casa in Centro Histórico de Mérida with 18' ceilings
MÉRIDA, MEXICO
When gloomy weather hit the northwest last Fall, I was quick to suggest a warm weather Spring Break trip. Sometimes just the promise of warm weather is enough to get me through the long Washington winter. Thankfully Garrett was game and a mini road trip around the Yukatán took root. The area is rich with beautiful architecture, magical cenotes, Mayan ruins, delicious food, and, of course, plenty of sunshine. But the highest of the trip was THE MOST INCREDIBLE home we stayed at in Centro Histórico de Mérida! Let me show you around…
Casa Pantera was lovingly restored by Stephenie and Chase Watts, interior designers “known for curating intentional spaces by fusing elements of allure with traditionalism and nuances of times past”. They have impeccable taste and a small boutique stay collection of special properties. And how fun is this, their Cape Cod house was on the same season of Diary of An Old Home as our Farmhouse!
psst: thanks to Stephanie and Chase for letting us share their photos.
Casa Pantera was built in the 1890s or early 1900s (historic records can be hard to come by down here) and has 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathrooms, 4000sf, and a private pool. The Watts rent it out as a boutique stay when they’re not in Mérida themselves.
The front door opens onto a grand sala (hall) complete with multiple sitting areas, 18’ ceilings, a fireplace, and dining table. The light fixtures are showstoppers, designed by Stephenie and Chase and built by a local craftswoman, and the floors are handprinted tile.
I followed the construction of Casa Pantera on Instagram and loved seeing all the artistry of and craft that went into this Mexican renovation. In Mérida you don’t just order a couch online, you either buy antique or have one built by a local craftsperson. It makes for a unique and special home.
The sala leads to the kitchen, which oozes charm… wood beams, solid marble backsplash, perfectly-patina’d antiques, a woven pendant, oversize drawer knobs, bronze candlestick sconces, and a limestone sink carved out of one piece of stone. The attention to detail is just so good! Oh and the marble shelf brackets were designed by Stephenie to match the arched opening to the courtyard. Details, details, details!
The powder bath opens off of the kitchen with another stunning sink. And a small hallway brings you to a casual dining room with black plaster walls and a neon sign reading bésame (kiss me).
On the other side of the courtyard, the main bedroom is another impeccable spacel. The floors are hand painted, the wood ceilings are 18’ tall, and the folding steal doors open to a sitting room. Again, the light fixture steals the show.
For the main bathroom, Stephenie and Chase brought in large-scale art, a free-standing sink, an elegant chandelier, and a custom shower designed after a church.
Almost all of the main floor rooms open onto the courtyard with extensive steel doors. The indoor-outdoor flow of this house is incredible! We spent many an evening playing cards on the patio furniture and swimming in the pool, the evening temps hovering in the low 80’s and high 70’s in mid-March. What a dream!
The upstairs guest suite and bathroom are both accessed off of a small patio. This bedroom features a clawfoot tub in the bedroom, how cool is that?!
Thanks to Stephenie and Chase for sharing their beautiful Mérida home with us! Find more on Casa Pantera and Stephenie and Chase here:
The Yukatán is near and dear to our hearts! It’s been 20 years since Garrett and I arrived in Cancun with nothing but backpacks, a dog-eared Lonely Planet Guide, and return flights home out of Costa Rica 4 months later. Experiencing this magical place for 2 weeks with our kids this time was incredibly special. Highlights (besides Casa Pantera) included…
Valladolid and Cenote Zaci - a Pueblo Mágico and natural underground pool, featured in the NYTimes shortly after we were there
Chichen Itza - ancient Mayan ruins and one oof the ‘modern’ 7 wonders of the world
Hacienda Mucuyché - we spent an afternoon at this 17th century hacienda complete with incredible Cenotes, a pool, and excellent food (reservations recommended)
Uxmal Ruins - less-busy and equally as impressive Mayan ruins
Tacos at Lupita in Merida - featured on Netflix, these tacos did not disappoint. We liked the pork salbutes and the cochinita and black bean turkey panuchos
Izamal - another charming Pueblo Mágico, known as the Yellow City, with Spanish and Mayan roots. The large open atrium of the Monastery is a sight to behold.
Cancun adventure park - our kids loved a day at the Xavage adventure park!
Isla Mujeres - a quick ferry ride (and a whole world) away from Cancun, this island is a ton of fun and we’d come back here in a heartbeat. Rent a golf cart and see the entire island in an afternoon. Playa Norte is ranked one of the top 10 beaches in the world!
