The Art of Tropical Maximalism
The melon-pink walls glow against the Pacific sky as Chicago-based designer Summer Thornton steps back to admire her Mexican dream made manifest. What began as a late 20th-century house in Sayulita has become Casa Rosada—a pink-hued paradise where “Luis Barragán meets the beach” isn’t just a design concept, but a lived reality. Only a pair of salvaged wooden arched doors remains from the original structure, now serving as the grand entrance to something entirely reimagined.
“As a designer, my dream has always been to build a vacation house in Mexico,” Thornton reflects, watching how the chukum-plastered walls shift from playful warmth in daylight to moody sophistication as evening approaches. Collaborating with local architect Enrique García, she created spaces that flow seamlessly from the colorful Moroccan-tiled courtyard to the sunken living room with its ocean views, each element carefully curated to blend modern luxury with traditional Mexican soul.
The final design decision came down to the wire—choosing umbrellas for the outdoor spaces. “I decided to go with Santa Barbara Designs, which are, in my opinion, the best umbrellas on the market,” Thornton explains. The dusty green custom outdoor umbrellas she selected create perfect harmony with the surrounding palm trees, proving that green and pink form one of nature’s most sophisticated color combinations. Against the tropical backdrop, the umbrellas provide intimate sanctuaries for guests seeking respite from the Sayulita sun.
What makes Casa Rosada extraordinary isn’t just its bold aesthetic choices, but how thoughtfully each element serves the ultimate goal: creating what Thornton calls “the perfect way to vacation”—a tropical oasis that combines the comfort and privacy of a thoughtfully designed home with the luxury and service guests crave. Under the dusty green canopies, morning coffee becomes ceremony, afternoon siestas become art, and sunset cocktails become the stuff of vacation memories.
Sometimes the boldest design choices create the most welcoming spaces, where vibrant vision meets authentic hospitality.
