Home tour | A minimalist townhouse in Mexico

Today we’re heading to the historic city of San Miguel de Allende in Mexico’s central highlands to explore a house that’s highly modern and minimalist yet imbued with a clear sense of place. Intriguingly called Sin Nombre (‘Nameless’), it’s owned by Italian-American duo Giulia Zink and Matt Trumbull, whose creative practice OHLA Studio works with local artisans to combine age-old craft traditions and contemporary design. It acts not only as a home but also as a gallery, a community event space and a showcase for their furniture and lighting collections, all of which blend bold simplicity with references to ancient forms. They even open it up to guests for short visits, overnight stays, collaborative working sessions and longer artist residencies.

A monolithic stone structure with clean lines, the house is accessed by a discreet door off a narrow alleyway. Once inside, the hustle of the dense barrio instantly falls away, to be replaced by an air of calmness and privacy. The tranquil, intimate mood is enhanced by the pared-back decor and by the lack of outward-facing windows, natural light instead streaming in from above via a series of internal patios flanked by banks of glass. What’s more, the same neutral palette and tactile materials run throughout, with textured beige plaster, stone surfaces and cold metal accents forming harmonious threads that seamlessly connect the internal and external areas.

The hub of the house is a long open-plan living space with a kitchen at one end. Its tall beige units almost blend into the wall behind, placing the emphasis firmly on the stunning travertine island unit in front. It’s illuminated by a linear pendant from OHLA Studio’s ‘Antica’ collection, which continues Mexico’s pre-Hispanic smithing tradition by recycling copper scraps into elegant flower-like shades finished in brushed silver.

The beautiful contrast between stone and metal again features in the dining area, the centrepiece of which is Giulia and Matt’s travertine ‘Landin’ table. Handmade in Mexico, it draws on the earliest-known works of representational art – symbols etched into cave walls – with layers of repeating patterns carved into its chunky legs. It’s paired with aluminium ‘Lupita’ chairs, which take their cue from the traditional 19th-century scallop-edged benches that furnish the courtyards of many central Mexican churches, and topped by an ‘Antica’ chandelier.

Beyond the dining area is a sunken lounge, its lower floor level defining it within the wider space and lending a cosy feel that invites relaxation and conversation. The cushioned bench-like sofa curves around a sleek open fireplace and OHLA Studio’s hand-cast aluminium ‘Paulin’ coffee table, whose raised texture was inspired by candle wax dripping onto a wooden floor on a warm summer’s evening. They’re joined by the ‘Lina’ chair, which puts a modern spin on classical sling chairs with its pale leather seat and angular polished chrome.

Through the pivoting aluminium-framed glass panels, which due to the floor-level change act as doors at one end of the living space and windows at the other, is the house’s main patio. Its layout largely mirrors that of the lounge, and the ‘Lina’ chair is echoed in the metal-framed outdoor sofas, setting up another connection between indoors and out.

The serene neutrals continue in the main bedroom, where the stone furniture and metal lamps are softened by a tassled rug, linen bedding and a thick throw. The space also features occasional touches of grounding darker brown, subtly differentiating it from the communal areas of the house, as well as the building’s only external-facing aperture – a small square that frames a tableau of San Miguel de Allende’s cathedrals and the mountains behind.

The ensuite bathroom, meanwhile, is compact but cleverly designed, with a screenless walk-in shower making the best use of the space. The vanity unit and integrated sink are hewn from the same travertine as the kitchen island, and the brushed metal taps and fittings also echo materials found elsewhere in the house.

A spiral staircase in smooth white metal connects the various levels of the building, which is topped by a roof terrace. Here, the house reconnects with its surroundings and the spectacular setting finally makes itself clear thanks to sweeping views in every direction. A stunning jewel in the crown of a truly beautiful and inspiring home.

Find out more about OHLA Studio, its collections and Sin Nombre here. And if you want to see further examples of minimalist homes with a strong sense of place, check out this rustic restoration in Ibiza, this sustainable Catskills cabin and this revamped Rome apartment.

Photography by Maria Pacheco, courtesy of OHLA Studio