C U LT U R E & A R T
“True luxury is creating places that people yearn to revisit.”
Casa Paulina truly began in 1991, although I have lived in Los Cabos since 1989. It all started in my home’s garage, where I displayed my first furniture pieces and sold them all within just one month. At the time, there were no specialized interior design stores, and accessing furniture and decorative accessories was extremely difficult.
Gradually, I rented a small commercial space, then within months opened the adjacent one, followed by another, until I eventually had four retail spaces. That was when I had the opportunity to purchase the property where Paulina Concept House is currently located—a plaza whose main business is Casa Paulina, our interior design firm.
Approach and Design Philosophy At Casa Paulina, we focus primarily on residential projects, ranging from small condominiums to homes with more than ten bedrooms—several of which we have completed. Every project is carried out with dedication and care, considering each client as an essential part of our story. For us, a happy client who returns is the greatest hallmark of our work.
We have clients who have recommended us for 20 or even 30 years. I remember my very first project was completed before cell phones existed; we used fax machines, and messages would fade over time. A client in Palmilla placed complete trust in me and, through a single phone call, commissioned the full decoration of his home. He was so satisfied that I have completed many more projects for him since, and we remain in close contact.
Today, I have been a member of the board of directors of his global company for over a decade—something deeply meaningful to me, as he was the first person to trust my work and has allowed this professional relationship to endure.
Relationships, Referrals, and Style Along the way, we have worked with truly special people. Our priority is always to ensure the client is fully satisfied, and if extra effort is required, we gladly make it because it is worth it. Personally, I gravitate toward organic contemporary style: clean spaces with wood details, organic forms, ethnic accessories, and art—always maintaining a neutral, simple aesthetic.
We feel fortunate that most of our clients come through referrals from previous clients, real estate professionals, or developers with whom we have worked and who trust us to deliver on expectations.
Our projects extend beyond Los Cabos, including work in San Antonio, a large residence in San Diego, California, and several projects in Mexico City. Capturing the client’s vision is essential, as it opens the door to long-term collaborations.
One person who has been fundamental in my journey is Julieta Talamante, who at the time led Villa Valentina. She has been a tremendous inspiration as a creative and generous woman, offering unconditional advice with warmth and without viewing others as competition. I am deeply grateful to her.
Community Involvement and the Historic Center Around 2006, Blanca Pedrín invited me to join the Historic Center association. The main goal was to beautify the area, evaluate opportunities for improvement, and actively promote it. We met weekly, with a strong commitment to organizing events, raising funds, and developing a guide to promote local businesses and services.
Our meetings were always enjoyable; we shared weekly breakfasts together. Enrique Silva served as president, and I as vice president. Other key members included Blanca Pedrín, tirelessly dedicated to the Historic Center; Irene Bustos, who donated to the remodeling project; Gabriel Corral, treasurer; Vicky Pérez, a strong supporter of the community; and Rosa Luz Treviño.
At one point, we brought together up to 100 business owners for monthly assemblies. Initial objectives included promoting the area and undertaking renovations—improving streets, installing underground wiring, and laying porphyry stone to give the district a more traditional character.
Among our most memorable events was a casino night held in the main plaza to raise funds. Many individuals and families donated benches, which were purchased and installed throughout the area. Trash bins were also added, and a promotional guide featuring Historic Center merchants was produced.
Today, San José del Cabo is widely recognized and offers a rich selection of restaurants and art galleries. We remain in constant communication to report issues, make suggestions, and continue improving the area. We also meet regularly with municipal authorities, the Red Cross, and public safety officials to ensure the proper operation and continued development of the Historic Center.
Preservation and Ongoing Growth We work continuously to protect the Historic Center from excessive noise, regulate the types of businesses that open, and ensure the area remains organized and appealing. Preserving the district’s history and culture is a priority, including caring for façades and establishing construction guidelines.
Promotion and events remain vital. We aim to position Tuesdays as “Sabores San José,” which has been highly successful, and Thursdays with the iconic Art Walk. A new website is currently in development to further strengthen promotion and communication for the Historic Center of San José del Cabo.
Maintaining unity is not always easy, as all property owners are leaders with strong ideas. However, there is still much to accomplish, and we hope new businesses will continue to join and collaborate for the benefit of the entire community.
