Inside Yucatán - by Susana Ordovás (Hardcover)

About the Book

At the turn of the century, more millionaires lived in the isolated region of Mâerida than in any other city in the world, building breathtaking, brilliantly colored homes nestled into the surrounding tropical forest like hidden jewels. Over time, nature conquered, leaving crumbling walls in place of what were once vibrant, elaborately decorated mansions. Contains new photographs from 30 previously unseen residences across the peninsula in such locations as Izamal, Mâerida, and Valladolid.--From publisher.

Book Synopsis

Exploring forgotten regions of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, Susana Ordovás and photographer Guido Taroni uncover the faded splendor of both neglected and restored homes.

Susana Ordovás's Inside Yucatán is an ode to the merging of the ancient with the contemporary. At the turn of the 20th century, more millionaires lived in the isolated region of Mérida than in any other city in the world, building breathtaking, brightly colored homes nestled into the surrounding tropical greenery like hidden jewels. Over time, nature conquered, leaving crumbling structures in place of what were once vibrant, lavishly decorated mansions. But today, Ordovás reveals, Yucatán's "forsaken, decaying ruins, remnants of an illustrious past . . . are awakening from a centuries-old siesta."

Here, in Guido Taroni's evocative new photographs of more than 30 previously unseen residences across the peninsula, in such places as Izamal, Mérida, and Valladolid, decadence and beauty shine through what remains of the homes' diverse, contrasting styles, from Renaissance to Baroque, Medieval to Moorish, and occasionally a combination of all.

Setting the houses in context, three specially commissioned maps of the region have been beautifully illustrated by renowned artist Jesús Cisneros. In her detailed commentary, Ordovás celebrates their eccentric, distressed charm and hails the revival of this magical land.

Review Quotes

"Capturing both history and design, debut author/journalist Ordovás explores Mexico's Yucatán state through sample haciendas. Each is introduced in a page of descriptive text and then illustrated through Taroni's photographs. . . . From pools to peacock chairs to peacocks roaming inside austere bedrooms, the images offer inspiration for design choices in garden landscapes and interior design."--Neal Wyatt, Library Journal

"Yucatán is today home to many artists, designers and creatives. Inside Yucatán: Hidden Mérida and Beyond by Susana Ordovás tells a beautiful visual narrative of these captivating homes, their interiors and their verdant gardens, touching on the fascinating lives of the owners."--Homes & Gardens

About the Author

Susana Ordovás is an accomplished Irish-born interiors writer based between Mexico City and Madrid. She is a Contributing Editor for Cabana magazine and a contributing writer for The World of Interiors. Having spent her formative years in Africa, Ordovás has traveled extensively on behalf of renowned publications. Her nomadic spirit and passion for design have led her to explore and document extraordinary interiors.

Guido Taroni is a leading photographer specializing in fashion and interiors. Inspired by his uncle, renowned fashion photographer Giovanni Gastel, Taroni forged a characteristic style that has seen his work regularly exhibited as well as featured in iconic design publications such as Cabana, World of Interiors, and Architectural Digest. His books include Inside Tangier, Inside Milan, and Safari Style. He lives in Milan.