Sanchez House

Texture stands out in the Sanchez house, much of it achieved through the judicious use of fine materials. Cedar doors frame panels of onyx, imparting a buttery glow to rooms. Marble floors are cool on summer days. Tiles of Ticul stone breathe life into walls and columns. Walk-in closets glow with the luster of polished cedar.

The house had to satisfy the differing needs and aesthetics of the clients. The dining room is formal, made at once open and closed through the use of elegant glass doors. By contrast, the kitchen, family room and garden flow one into the other effortlessly.

As in all of Miguel's houses, the bathrooms, each unique, stand out for their unrestrained inventiveness. The elements are common: pebbles, colorful ceramic tiles from Puebla, skylights that harness the music of tropical rain and infuse the space with light. A pool's bathroom, needing no roof, forgoes one thus letting the sky in.