In Their Own Words: Villa Jacaranda

One of the reasons I created this series is that no one can describe a home quite like the people who have lived in it.

Buyers see square footage and finishes. Owners remember the mornings, the meals, the quiet routines, and the small unexpected moments that turned a house into a home.

Villa Jacaranda is one of those homes.

Located in the peaceful Residencial Águila Real, just twenty minutes from the heart of San Miguel de Allende, this property offers a rare combination of contemporary architecture, sustainable design, and an authentic connection to Mexico’s countryside.

But numbers only tell part of the story.

Recently, I had the chance to sit down with the owner, Jaakko, who generously shared what daily life has felt like at Villa Jacaranda. His answers reveal something special about this home, and about the way of life it has come to represent.

This is Villa Jacaranda, in their own words.

What first drew you to this property?

Actually, we hadn’t been looking for a house or land at that time. We were just having Sunday brunch in the neighborhood clubhouse when my wife noticed the “for sale” ad on the community bulletin board.

The property is located in a sort of hidden hilltop pocket at the far end of Aguila Real. We walked over to look at the lot, and it wasn’t at all what we expected.

Yes, the location was beautiful, but what really surprised us was the view. Almost 180 degrees of open landscape, with only a couple of houses in the distance and a whole flock of horses grazing on the opposite side. It felt untouched.

That was the moment we started to imagine what could happen here.

Can you describe the moment you knew this was “the one”?

Honestly, we hadn’t planned to build here. We had been searching for a small country place elsewhere, in Central Mexico, but nothing had worked out.

The land at Villa Jacaranda felt different immediately. When we saw the “for sale” ad on the bulletin board of the community clubhouse, we drove down at once and knew right away this could be more than just a getaway. It could be something we wanted to shape from the beginning.

We had actually already reserved another lot in a different community and had been meeting with a well-known San Miguel architect. But when we finally paid a deposit on this land, we simply knew we had made the right decision.

What was your vision when creating the home?

Our architect, Franco Serrano, listened to what we imagined and expanded it in ways we couldn’t have on our own.

We knew we wanted something modern. Something with clean lines and generous windows that would frame the landscape. We wanted the desert light and the surrounding views to be part of the everyday experience.

We also wanted to preserve the land’s authenticity. That meant working with, rather than against, the natural terrain and using materials that felt honest and grounded.

The result is a home that feels equally at ease with contemporary design and traditional Mexican craftsmanship. It sits gently on the land, and yet it feels rooted and permanent.

Which space do you naturally gravitate toward each day?

The outdoor terrace.

Mornings begin here, wrapped in the quiet of the surrounding countryside. There is nothing quite like sitting outside with a coffee at five a.m., listening to the birds wake up and watching the sunrise paint the sky in soft, changing colors.

If I had to choose one place that captures the spirit of the home, this would be it. It’s where the entire property feels most alive.

What time of day do you love the home most?

Sunset.

The house faces the west, and every evening the sky puts on an incredible show. Golden light spreads across the terrace, the mountains glow briefly with a warm hue, and the desert quiets down.

It’s one of those places that reminds you how much beauty exists in a single, simple moment.

What are some of your favorite rituals here?

Coffee at sunrise is the daily ritual.

But there are others.

Our three hens, Turku, Rovaniemi, and Kajaani, live in a spacious coop beside the greenhouse. Every morning we release them and they wander freely through the property, foraging in the shade of the trees, scratching in the flower beds, and occasionally following me around like curious dogs.

By late afternoon, they return on their own.

We also love long, slow dinners with friends, whether they’re visiting from abroad or joining us from town. Everyone always ends up gathered around the kitchen island long before dinner is served. It’s the natural heart of the home.

How has living here changed the way you live or feel?

Life here is slower, quieter, and more intentional.

You become more aware of the seasons, of the sky, of the small changes happening around you. A patch of wildflowers appearing after the rains. The temperature dropping just enough at night to open all the windows. The shifting patterns of light across the walls throughout the day.

It’s a very different rhythm from the one we had before, and I think it has changed us in the best possible way.

Is there a room or feature that visitors always comment on?

The rooftop terrace and the views.

It’s a big open space, perfect for entertaining or for private moments of reflection. Guests immediately gravitate to it, and often stay long after they intended to.

We frequently host sunset gatherings up there.

What will you miss most when you leave?

The peace.

Not just quiet, although the property is remarkably quiet. But a deeper kind of peace that comes from being surrounded by nature, sharing space with animals, and knowing that everything around you is designed to help you exhale.

We will also miss the sense of community here in Aguila Real. Neighbors know each other. There’s a lot of warmth in daily life here.

I’ll especially miss my neighbor Carmelita, who occasionally leaves a bag of freshly made tortillas on our doorstep. Even after all these years I still can’t figure out whether they’re better with beans or with fresh butter and salt. I’ve decided the only way to be certain is to test them again and again.

If this home could speak, how would it describe itself?

Grounded.

Villa Jacaranda would probably say it’s a home built to hold whatever life brings. Big moments and small ones. Solitude and gatherings. Sun and rain. Everyday routines and unforgettable evenings.

It’s a home that has quietly held all of these for us.

Finish this sentence: “I hope the next owners will...”

Feel the same wonder we did the first time we stood on this land.

I hope they take the time to sit outside during sunrise. Enjoy afternoon coffee with friends on the shaded patio. Watch sunsets from the rooftop and cocktails from the outdoor kitchen. Notice the birds, the wildflowers, and the changing colors of the sky throughout the day.

I hope they build something beautiful here, whatever that might mean for them. And I hope they treasure the community. It’s one of the most meaningful gifts this home offers.

Villa Jacaranda has held so much of our life, and I hope it holds even more of theirs.

A Final Thought

Some homes leave you thinking about layouts or finishes. Others leave you thinking about a life.

Reading Jaakko’s answers, I found myself picturing the mornings, imagining the sunsets, and admiring the quiet ritual of everyday life at Villa Jacaranda.

That is the real magic of this home.

It is not simply a house on a hill.

It is a place that shapes how you live.

Villa Jacaranda hasn’t just been a home. It’s been the setting for our life.