by Brenda Sexton

For the past 12 years, Greg and I have been lucky enough to call two incredible places home: Marrakesh Country Club in Palm Desert and San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. San Miguel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its beautiful Baroque and neoclassical architecture, vibrant arts scene, and charming cobblestone streets. It's no wonder it has been voted the “Best Small City in the World” five times by Condé Nast Traveler readers.

This July, we invited 16 friends—current and former Marrakesh members—to visit us in San Miguel for a truly special trip. It was the third time we've hosted Marrakesh friends here, and it's always such a pleasure to share this magical city with our community. This trip was particularly exciting because it gave us exclusive access to some of San Miguel's most magnificent homes, estates, and design studios thanks to the help of Nory Oxenberg, a local powerhouse and philanthropist.

Our wonderful group included Patrick Dragonette and his husband Charles Tucker, designer Shepard Vineburg, designer Pamela Nast and her significant other Ted Bacon, former Marrakesh residents Maximo Marcuso, a renowned opera singer, and his wife Ellen, a film editor, animation producer Lenora Hume, former resident Cynthia Hauck and her significant other Gordon, former Marrakesh President Byron Francis and his realtor wife, Nancy, new member Mary Raschko, Donna Craig, our former Social Chairwoman, and the dynamic duo, Yvonne Bell, Director of Development for the McCallum Theatre, and her husband Derek Bell, who is an on-air helicopter pilot and reporter for two LA television stations. What a creative, interesting and adventurous group.

Andrew Fisher and Jeffry Weisman

The trip was filled with design and inspiration. One of the highlights was a visit to the stunning home and gallery of Andrew Fisher and Jeffry Weisman. Known for their sophisticated approach to design that blends modern elements with traditional Mexican influences, their residence stood out as an inspiring blend of art, culture, and luxury. The group was captivated by Fisher and Weisman's exquisite collection of artwork, artifacts, and bespoke furniture pieces that adorn their home. Their gallery is a showcase of their creative vision and mastery in creating spaces that feel both timeless and vibrant. Everyone in the group so appreciated Jeffry's passion, kindness and his incredible design sensibility.

Claudia Grajales

Another unique highlight was a visit to the historic estate of Claudia Grajales, the owner of Core Home. Known for her innovative approach to interior design and art, Grajales' gallery and home served as a testament to the merging of classic and contemporary aesthetics. The designers marveled at the way that she incorporated local artistry with modern touches, creating a space that reflects both the soul of San Miguel and the sensibilities of a modern-day collector.

Don Flood and Ruben Valerio

The group also visited the country home of wallpaper designer and photographer Don Flood and his partner, Ruben Valerio. Formerly of Palm Springs, Flood and Valerio are also founding partners and realtors of the luxury home real estate company The Agency San Miguel. Their expansive home captures the creative energy of San Miguel de Allende with its bold use of color, texture, and artful compositions. The visit provided the designers a glimpse into Flood's creative process and how his environment plays a crucial role in his artistic output. Patrick and Pamela often use his striking wall coverings in their interior designs in the States.

The Owner of Namuh

The group also explored the Namuh warehouse filled with rare furnishings and decor, a treasure trove of global influences where we were treated to a deluxe and delightful mezcal tasting. From there we got the incredible opportunity to tour the owner's magnificent, awe-inspiring new home, recently completed and designed by the world-class architect Manuel Cervantes. His work is all about simplicity, natural integration, and thoughtful use of space. Everyone was just blown away.

Deborah Chu

Another Namuh experience was at the tranquil hilltop home of Deborah Chu where we were treated to lavish cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and an impromptu operatic concert by Máximo Marcuso. Deborah's beautiful home is completely furnished with beautiful Namuh furniture and artifacts. Deborah splits her time between San Miguel and the Desert where she is the Director of Programming for the Rancho Mirage Writers Festival.

Wine, Dine, and Soak Up the Culture

Of course, it wasn't all about homes and design! We also made sure to enjoy San Miguel's vibrant culture and fantastic cuisine. We spent a wonderful afternoon at Viñedo de San Lucas, a beautiful vineyard surrounded by lavender fields. We sipped delicious wines and savored local gourmet delicacies, all while taking in the breathtaking views.

Dining out in San Miguel is always a treat, and we had some incredible meals at the city's best restaurants. Top favorites were The Restaurant, owned by friend to Marrakesh, Donnie Masterton, (he has stayed several times at Marrakesh and also in the guest suite at Lenora Hume's home when he's been a celebrity chef at Coachella), and the truly spectacular rooftop restaurant, Atrio. Each meal was an adventure in itself, showcasing the rich flavors and traditions that make this town so special.

Connecting Two Beautiful Communities

One of the best parts of the trip was the connection between our two communities. Marrakesh Country Club and San Miguel de Allende each have their own unique style and charm, but both are celebrated for their design and architecture. It's wonderful to see friends from Marrakesh immerse themselves in the beauty and spirit of San Miguel and bring back a little bit of that magic to the desert. Suitcases definitely returned home stuffed to capacity with some unique, beautiful mementos.

Giving Back

The generosity of our members was very evident as well, as each guest made a point to give back to the San Miguel community. Everyone contributed to Nory's favorite charity, Mano Amiga, a nonprofit that helps young female entrepreneurs by providing microloans (which boasts a 100% payback success rate). Our group's contribution created 20 new business enterprises for hardworking and deserving young women. It was such a meaningful way to leave a positive impact on this special city.

A Journey to Remember

For Greg and me, sharing our love for San Miguel de Allende with our Marrakesh friends is always a joy. It's more than just showing off beautiful homes and galleries; it's about fostering connections, experiencing new cultures, and finding inspiration in unexpected places. Thank you to all those who came and entrusted us with creating a great experience for them. We can't wait for the next adventure!

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Brenda Sexton wrote for a movie-review website called reelmoviecritic.com and interviewed many celebrities (including Halle Berry, True Blood's creator, Alan Ball, Harold Ramis and Clint Eastwood) for several Chicago publications. In 2003 Governor Blagojevich appointed her head of the Illinois Film Office. She increased production revenues in the state from $25 million to half a billion dollars during her four years.

In 1997 Brenda was selected as a Crain's Chicago 40 Under 40, was many times honored as one of Chicago's top businesswomen by Crain's Chicago Business, was elected to the Chicago Film Critics' Executive Board. In 2005 the Chicago Tribune named her Person of the Year, and in 2007 Mayor Daley issued a City Resolution honoring her contribution to Chicago. Brenda and her husband, Greg Nye, are now permanent residents of San Miguel de Allende with occasional escapes to their home in Palm Desert, Calif.

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