Guided by a philosophy of “beauty meets function,” Christine Vroom designs spaces that are as livable as they are luxurious from her LA-based design firm. On a recent trip to Mexico, that philosophy took on a whole new meaning, as Christine shares here how the excursion helped her appreciate how simple design choices can make a big impact.
Destination: Guanajuato & San Miguel de Allende
Month traveled: March
Duration of trip: 5 days
Temperature range: 65-80 degrees F
Solo trip or vacation with family/friends? Vacation with family
First visit or repeat destination? First visit here
What drew you to this locale?
I have been learning Spanish for over two years, and my Spanish teacher actually lives in Guanajuato, so I decided to make a trip out of it. He told me how much he thought I would appreciate the architecture, design and overall feel of both.
The lodgings…
Nueve 25 hotel Boutique in Guanajuato and the Rosewood in San Miguel.
Must-sees for design and architecture lovers…
In Guanajuato, the whole city feels like a piece of art. Bright houses spill down the hills, and the streets twist into alleys that feel like secret passageways. The Basílica of Our Lady of Guanajuato and Teatro Juárez are worth a stop — one dramatic and baroque, the other layered with detail from its neoclassical facade to its Moorish-inspired interior. Even the underground roads, carved through old riverbeds, are an experience on their own.
I’d also carve out time for the Diego Rivera House and the University of Guanajuato, with its colonial shell, sweeping staircases and courtyards. But honestly, what stuck with me most wasn’t a landmark at all — it was the homes and buildings on a random corner, overflowing with color and life. That’s the magic of Guanajuato.
San Miguel de Allende has a different vibe — polished, romantic and endlessly photogenic. The Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel, with its pink spires, is the city’s icon marker, but the real magic is in the smaller details: the courtyards, wrought iron balconies and hand-painted tiles tucked into homes and hotels. Fábrica la Aurora, a former textile factory turned into art galleries and studios, shows how the city blends history with creativity. I actually bought a bench from an old pew for a project while I was there. Most of my memories lie in walking the cobbled streets looking for the best Aguachile in the city.
Postcard moment…
In Guanajuato, it wasn’t the grand cathedral or the main plaza. I was getting lost in the maze of the streets when an adorable little house caught my eye — pink and blue, lined with plants. A simple little nod to how color really is the main star of the show in this city. It was right next to an alley that looked like it had moss growing all over the walls — turned out to be thick stucco just painted green. It reminded me that design doesn’t always have to be complicated. Sometimes it’s as simple as color and texture bringing a whole space, or a whole city, to life.
In San Miguel, the moment that stuck with me was having dinner overlooking the Parroquia de San Miguel Arcángel. As the sun went down and the church lit up, it completely changed the energy of the night. Sitting there, with the mix of food, music, culture and that view, I realized how much architecture shapes the atmosphere of a place. It wasn’t just dinner, it felt like being part of the city’s heartbeat.
Souvenirs…
From Guanajuato, I brought home some hand-painted pottery. The detail in each piece really spoke to me. Every line felt personal, and I could tell each line was carefully painted.
From San Miguel, I couldn’t resist a bench that used to be a church pew for a project. It has this worn-in character that instantly grounds a space, and I loved the idea of giving it a new life in a different setting.
Lasting influence…
This trip reminded me how powerful the basics can be. In Guanajuato, it was all about color. Entire streets transformed just by the way paint and texture came together. In San Miguel, it was the mix of old and new, how a historic church could set the tone for an entire evening. As a designer, it made me want to lean into those simple but impactful details. The way a bold hue, a piece with history, or the right atmosphere can completely change how a space feels.
Greatest takeaway…
My greatest takeaway was that design doesn’t have to be complicated to be powerful. In both cities, I saw how color, history and texture can completely shape an experience. Sometimes the smallest details — a painted wall, a worn bench, a courtyard full of light — carry the most impact. It was a good reminder to slow down and notice the beauty in simplicity and to go home and design in a similar way. Not based on perfection, but based on intention.
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