The dining room pops with a custom live edge table in parota wood, rattan Fleur chairs by Sika-Design and a stunning custom gold tropical leaf chandelier by Casamidy.
“The idea of merging the privacy and exclusivity of a luxury home with the services of a resort really offered a special experience.” —SUMMER THONRTON
THE PROJECT
Having discovered Sayulita, a beach town in Mexico about an hour from Puerto Vallarta, Chicago-based interior designer Summer Thornton and her husband, Josh, were smitten. “The town was full of life and had great organic food, a few cute shops and fun surf culture,” says Thornton. “We often remarked that the only thing missing was a truly remarkable home with some nice resort amenities.” So, after visiting for years, developing a network of locals (from a great masseuse and a surf instructor to talented chefs), and discovering the perfect beachfront property in Sayulita in 2020, they set out to build one themselves: Casa Rosada. Says Thornton, “The idea of merging the privacy and exclusivity of a luxury home with the services of a resort really offered a special vacation experience.”
A rope sculpture by Mexican designer Daniela Bustos Maya adds visual interest to the lower hallway.
Highlighted by a custom fountain in white volcanic rock and a panoply of handmade Moroccan zellige tiles from Zia Tile, the courtyard is a feast for the eyes.
THE PRIORITY
“We designed Casa Rosada as our personal vacation home,” explains Thornton, “so the top priority was creating a home that we would personally love to enjoy ourselves [with friends and family]. We’re directly on the beach, so most evenings include a sunset swim playing in the waves; we watch turtles nest and hatchlings go out to sea right in front of the house; and many mornings are filled with walks down the beach. As far as the design concept, I wanted Casa Rosada to pay homage to Mexican architectural history, so we found inspiration from historical homes in Mexico. I’ve always loved homes with a central courtyard, so that quickly became a core idea, and I’m a romantic, so the sound of the fountain and the idea of filling the courtyard with candles at night sounded dreamy.”
Just beyond the well-appointed kitchen beckons a breezy outdoor dining area fitted with a custom table made from natural chukum plus Mestiza chairs from Mexa.
THE CHALLENGE
“From a design perspective, the biggest challenge was selecting materials that could withstand the salt spray [from] the Pacific Ocean,” Thornton says. “So we chose materials that would age beautifully, such as copper outdoor showers, which patina in the most magical way. Similarly, instead of using traditional paint, which would chip and peel, we used an ancient Mayan plaster that’s a mixture of tree sap and limestone powder called chukum for the walls. It’s water-resistant and ages beautifully; we tinted it to create a beautiful soft peachy pink color that is seen throughout the house.”
The pool terrace boasts custom single and double chaises in tornillo wood by Guadalajara-based A&D Interiores with Cabana-patterned cushions in Sunbrella coral fabric by CW Stockwell.
THE DETAILS
“Many guests have been brought to tears of joy when our staff opens the front door at Casa Rosada,” Thornton says with pride. “The foyer is an open-air courtyard, with a traditional fountain, huge palm trees and a Moorish tile patterned floor. There’s this moment of transportation from the journey to a sense of arriving somewhere magical. We have staff there with cock- tails in hand and the courtyard looks straight out to the ocean. It’s a wow moment.” She adds, “I love the handpainted murals we commissioned [from local artists] for the house. And since there’s over 300 days of sunshine in Sayulita and very consistent warm temperatures, we weren’t restricted to the practicalities of other climates. Fantastical ideas like outdoor showers and soaking tubs overlooking the ocean became realities. The living room is open-air, offering the most remarkable ocean breeze that flows through it to the courtyard.”
The chicly designed living room features multiple lounging areas, all of which enjoy stunning ocean views.
“WE CHOSE MATERIALS THAT WOULD AGE BEAUTIFULLY, SUCH
AS COPPER OUTDOOR SHOWERS, WHICH PATINA IN THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WAY.”
The Pom-Pom Room charms with custom carved canopy beds along with a pair of handsome antique painted chests from Marquesa de Mancera
THE OUTCOME
Notes Thornton, “When we aren’t personally using the home we rent it, and we’ve had a great response so far. Many guests have already booked return visits. We had a young bride stay at Casa Rosada for her wedding in 2024, and her sister has booked us for her wedding in 2025 because the family loved it so much. Casa Rosada is our first, but certainly not our last. We’re starting to plan our next property, and our hope is to take investors and expand the concept to additional locations in the coming years.”
A custom tub designed by Summer Thornton and carved from a single block of red travertine highlight’s Thornton’s bathroom.
Design Details
Type
Single-family home
Location
Sayulita, Mexico
Architecture
Interior Design
RESOURCES
Casamidy
Various furnishings
Living room cane back chairs
Various textiles
Various fabrics
Various fabrics and furnishings
Various furnishings
Various furnishings
Living room side tables
Various fabrics
Living room daybed, Palm Room coffee table
