The houses in the Punta del Este area reflect the different styles that predominated in beach and resort housing across the 20th Century and the first decade of the 21st. There's everything from two-story whitewashed stone with red tile roofs (the style of the 1920s and 1930s, when many of the remaining houses on the peninsula were built) to the stone, metal and glass (lots of glass) style that is ubiquitous among the multi-million dollar mansions going up all over Jose Ignacio. And everything in-between is represented in at least a few houses here and there.
Among all these houses and all these styles, I am constantly drawn back to the house pictured above. I don't know what an architect would call the style -- Mediterranean? Bermudian? modified Spanish cortijo? Whatever the style, for me the lines of the house, the blazing whiteness of the walls and the light wood of the shutters, the open spaces of the lawn with low pines accenting but not dominating the structure, and the setting right on the water all combine to make the perfect coastal home.
This house sits with three others right on the beach between Punta Ballena and the beginning of the Pinares neighborhood of Punta del Este; it's easily viewed from the main coastal road. The view from the house itself must be one of the best in the entire area, as it stretches from the high rises at the entrance to the peninsula of Punta del Este in the distance off to the left, takes in Isla Gorritti offshore and the sweeping expanse of La Mansa beach, and then continues on to Punta Ballena off to the right.
One thing the picture doesn't capture is the beauty of the roof. It is made of small, flat tiles that appear to be composed of some mixture of seashells, although I'm not really sure. Whatever the composition, the roof reflects light ever so gently and has a soft, silvery blue hue that accentuates the blues of water and sky.
I have no idea who owns this house. If we live here long enough, maybe we will meet them and merit (or just beg!) an invitation to see the inside.
1 comment:
Hi Phil,
Your blog looks great!! Look forward to reading through it this week and checking in regularly.
Ollie is back from his travels next Saturday (he's currently in Havana) and we'll be in touch to confirm dates etc.
We are definitely keen to visit you second week of Feb if still okay with you and Graciela (and the baby doesn't arrive between now and then!!).
Hasta pronto.
Emma
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