I think when people from the States think of furniture from Mexico we tend to think of the more traditional aesthetic that we see in the southwestern United States. This aesthetic, is prolific in southern Arizona, New Mexico, Southern California, and Texas. Commonly known as Mexican Colonial style it varies from super rustic to a little less so, but always carries through with more traditional appeal.

The style is usually denoted by its use of natural materials, leather, wood, metal, and some fabrics, bright colors sometimes as well. You will also find various levels of carving depending on the piece itself. Much of this is also driven by where the piece was made in Mexico. The Mexican Colonial style started shortly after the Mexican Revolution and has remained popular both in and out of Mexico. There is a lot of literature and articles that would go deeper into detail of the this style of furniture if you wanted to know more.

Now if you are looking for these piece, you really do not have to look far, sometimes being sold out of trucks along the roadside, in furniture stores, and online in Mexico. You can find many of these pieces in second hand stores in the states, and even some new production pieces and knock offs of various levels of visual interest in new furniture stores as well.

I really want to focus on the modernist movement in Mexico. This technically started toward the end of the 70’s, early 80’s however in the early 2000’s really took hold putting Mexico on map for handmade, modern furniture pieces. What I love about modern furniture coming out of Mexico is that it still embodies some of the important characteristics of the early Mexican furniture. The use of natural materials, wood, metal, leather, fabrics and modern takes on Mexicos heritage and design sensibilities.

How does this tie into Puerto Peñasco and design style here. Well while you will find this modern style throughout Guadalajara, Mexico City, Hermosillo and other large cities in Mexico it’s a little less prevalent here in our town. That is mostly driven by distance from where this furniture is produced, the cost of transportation, likely due to wage levels and purchasing power as well. The influx of US expats who are still so familiar with Mexican Colonial Styling, probably also drives some of its popularity. I would imagine that most expats unless they have spent time other parts of Mexico are still very much influenced by the prolific styling of the colonial period and even some of the other periods prior to the current Modernist movement.

Modernist furniture in Mexico, to me it is some of the most beautiful furniture I have seen and some of the most comfortable. The leathers in Mexico, I think are just as nice if not nicer than some of the finest leather coming out of Italy. Mexico also has some incredible new green “leathers” coming to market. Check out this company it is pretty amazing https://desserto.com.mx . Checkout some very interesting information about Mexico manufacturing here. https://napsintl.com/manufacturing-in-mexico/industries-in-mexico/furniture-manufacturing-in-mexico/

Here is a little bit about importation of home goods and furniture if you choose to bring items from the states. https://www.mexperience.com/menaje-de-casa-importing-personal-goods-to-mexico/

So, to the story of our furniture, the links, contacts, and experience..

When we started our building process we knew that we wanted to support the country we were going to be living in, just like we did when living in the US. We had expressed our desire to purchase local goods when possible to our builder. Our builder was already doing this so it was a good fit for us, cabinets, and interior doors, made by a local company. Windows and Exterior doors also by local company. The flooring we went with was brought up from Durango, purchased from a quarry I was familiar with from my work in the states. Our proximity to the US though influences things because we are so close many things are imported, because its more cost effective, this can be good and bad.

We did look into purchasing furniture in the US and having it shipped down, not our first choice but still explored that option. We then looked into buying furniture here in Penasco, we predominately found only a few options, imported furniture from the US (Mostly made in China), and the more traditional colonial style furniture of Mexico, and I believe furniture made in China but imported for Mexico. None of these are bad options, some of the pieces are nice aesthetically, we just wanted something different for our home.

Our builder knowing we wanted to buy in Mexico, suggested checking out Guadalajara as they were very familiar with options offered there. I planned a trip down to Guadalajara for a few days to hopefully find our furniture. I had an advantage in that our builder was in Guadalajara and so we went together shopping and hit up all the hot spots and some really incredible stores!

Important to remember! Bed sizes in Mexico and US are different so you have to make sure when purchasing bed frames and mattresses make sure they match! Sam’s in Peñasco used to carry both sizes, not sure right now. Muebles Coloniales, they carry Mexico sizes, and Ashley’s – Hacienda Del Sol also carries both I believe.

Guadalajara Information & Contacts

The first store I would recommend if you like the more modern furniture like we do is Moragrega. They have two locations, one in Mexico City and the one I went to in Guadalajara. I truly loved this store, everything was customizable and as a designer those are the sweetest words to hear. (HAHA!). The sofa I had them change return sides, and lengths of side as well as picking the leather and firmness of cushions. The leather is just incredible 2 years in and we use the sofa everyday and the leather is still immaculate. The marble side tables and coffee table, you can customize the size finish of marble and base color. The chairs we picked what wood species, stain color, fabric choices etc.. I even designed 2 very specific custom pieces for our home and they were made mm perfect and came out so amazing!

Moragrega Casa. – https://www.facebook.com/MoragregaCASA/ I recommend working with Mónica Chavez, she is amazing to work with, very responsive, fun, and just a great person. The best way to reach her is via WhatsApp – +52 33 1048 8616, tell her George sent you.

Next on the list of places to check out is Tlaquepaque, not a store but an area. There are some really fantastic stores here, though the style tends to be a little more colonial style, you will find some really unique items that work well in a modern design. You will also find great accessories and house ware items here. I truly enjoyed this area, you park, and then it’s a lot of walking, tons of stores, restaurants, and tequila!!

The first place I recommend checking out is Galería Imperial, they have a nice selection of house goods, accessories and furniture. I wouldn’t say modern pieces but it’s nice to bring in some more classic pieces into a modern space just to keep things interesting to the eye. I didnt get much here but I found an incredible lamp, and a few accessories. https://galeriaimperial.com

The next place I sorta went a little crazy in was Colección Arte de Mexico.. I truly could have spent a lot more than I did, but I stuck to what I knew I needed. I still might go back and get a few more pieces this year. They have wonderful accessories, incredible glass work, lights, art, just some amazing pieces. https://www.facebook.com/coleccionartedemexico/

I did visit a few other stores in Guadalajara,

Sofas & Sillones Co., Promobel Muebles, Doble Altura Milano, Doble Altura Espacios Minerva, Camerich.

Transportation from Guadalajara

Let’s say you have purchased your furniture in Guadalajara and are now wondering how do I get my stuff to Puerto Peñasco!? Good news I have someone for that as well. Very reasonable, he has brought things for me twice form Guadalajara, and he is a really great guy.

Miguel +52 33 1614 2969

Peñasco Information & Contacts

Peñasco, has plenty of options, offering varying qualities of furniture at various pricing points.

Ashleys-Hacienda Del Sol, they carry as you might expect Ashleys furniture, now these pieces are imported from the states, so pricing will higher than the states pricing. This is due to the fact that they had pay for importation and everything that goes with getting that furniture here. That said you can get some items here and if you do go in ask for Erika Aranda – +52 638 388 0545 – haciendadelsol.sales@gmail.com – https://style.ashleyfurniture.com.mx/

Muebles Coloniales, they carry items from all over including imports from china. I believe more of their furniture comes within Mexico or China so you wont be paying the additional 19% importation that you find at Ashleys, that said I don’t think it’s drastically cheaper as I recall. https://mueblescoloniales.mx

There are also various other stores as well as some roadside vendors that sell more of the Mexican Colonial style.

Esthilo – +52 638 383 8327, this is a great contact for window treatments, high end quality as good or better than comparable products in the US. I have used them a lot and referred them always great to work with. They truly stand behind their products!

This pretty much wraps up my thoughts and how we did things and contacts I know and use and recommend. I hope this helps everyone that might be looking and have questions about furniture and moving to Peñasco.