More Painted Mexican Furniture

At Muebles La Mision we are fortunate to have an excellent artist on hand. Francisco Merino can paint wonderful pictures, and furniture. we recently designed an elegant china cabinet and had him paint the doors with Cala Lillies. These cabinets can be done in any color and you can choose any design for the doors. This is just an idea. The configuration can be changed and the finish can be bright or matte. This type of furniture adds art and purpose to any room.

More on Equipales

I have had so many questions of equipales that I have done some research on them and the different styles. Basically there are about 6 main styles and many different colors but Tobacco and Saddle Brown are the most common. The chairs and sofas can be padded or just have a pigskin seat. The backs of the seats vary from open in the Cancun style to combination of willow and woven pigskin. They can be used in the house or outside. I do not recommend that they be left in direct sunlight 24 hours per day but they are durable and can withstand changes in weather.

I have attached a photos of the most ocmmon style which is the traditional equipale in the two most common colors. If you have any questions, leave me a comment in the blog.

Equipales

Many people ask about Equipales. Most want to know what they are. The word comes from Nahuatl meaning "place to sit". There are many different qualities of equipales. They are made of pigskin and the woven wood can be willow, rosa morada or other woods. Be sure that you buy them from a reputable store where they are fumigated and insect-free.

The pigskin comes in different colors and can also be upholstered in a fabric that you select. The best and most comfortable equipales are padded. Prices can vary depending on the style that you choose. A glass top can be added to the tables making them a bit larger.

Decorating with Mexican Colonial Furniture

Many people ask about what type of upholstered pieces of furniture would work best with Mexican Colonial furniture. We just received a love seat, chair, ottoman set in Ivory that would work well because they are big, overstuffed pieces. The ivory looks especially good combined with Persian or Oriental carpets. Contact me if you are interested in these items, the price is right!!!

Painted Mexican Furniture

If you love birds, flowers, animals, pastoral scenes or bright colours ,wait until you see the beautiful painted furniture made in Mexico. Each piece of painted furniture is unique and is painted by hand. You can request different scenes and these can be made for you in the size that you want. This is really custom designed furniture. It is amazing what the artists in Mexico can do with furniture - they turn boring items into works of art! This is an armoire that is painted with parrots in brillant colours that will add great impact into the decor of any room in the house.

A Work in Process!

In these two photos you can see some of the stages in hand crafting a bed. The shape is formed out of the wood and then comes the carving of a design. The comparison is very dramatic. If you appreciate real quality in furniture, you will appreciate that this furniture is made of wood, not "hard wood solids" Particle board. Very few companies exist in the US that make hand made furniture. I am aware of only one in Indiana called Karges. Check out their website! Exquisite!

Mesquite, Leather and Wrought Iron Bed

Here is an example of the skill of Mexican artisans. This bed combines the best of Mexican Colonial furniture. Notice the carved wrought iron swirls on the posts of the headboard and the pattern of hand hammered nails. This bed combined with a Persian or Oriental carpet would make a statement in any Master Bedroom, just don't hit yourself on the posts!!!