A well-edited room
In Cisco Pinedo’s house, knickknacks are few and far between, which results in each item gaining a sense of importance and meaning.
This makes the house feel peaceful and―by calling attention to the few well-edited pieces on display―also intensely personal. In this setting, even garden gnomes become art.
“I wanted open space without a lot of stuff,” he says. “I didn’t want the house to look busy.”
Except for a mix of items found while traveling and trolling flea markets, the living room is uncluttered. Favorite pieces include a wooden Burmese Buddha, European garden gnomes, and a Mexican santo.
“I love merging cultures in design,” Cisco says.
Fill your home with family―not stuff
Almost alfresco room
Nature on display
A petrified tree stump from Indonesia is a functional and beautiful conversation piece.
“It’s 1,000 years old,” Cisco says. “It’s become something else―I’d rather have this as an end table than any I could make.”
Artful, om-ful bath
“My wife, Alba, always wanted a bathroom that didn’t feel like a bathroom,” Cisco says.
Petrified-wood tiles that look like stone, white walls, warm-hued wood, and uncovered windows echo the same simple, nature-inspired aesthetic seen in the rest of the home.
“Unfinished” kitchen
The kitchen counters are recycled granite, and the cupboards are made from unfinished wood.
“If it’s a great material, let it be,” Cisco says.
Sculpture garden
Make meals a big deal
An avid cook, Cisco Pinedo loves nothing more than hosting meals for his family and the many friends and neighbors who drop in regularly.
“Family meals are a big deal,” he says. And there’s always plenty of food to go around.
Create a home with a heart
Define your special space Maybe it’s a reading nook, a cozy bedroom, or a spa-like bathroom. For Cisco, it’s a spacious kitchen/family room where large groups can gather. “We like everything open,” he says.
Take your time Don’t rush to deck out your home just for the sake of doing so. Creating a look that shows your personality and style takes time: It took the Pinedos 10 years to assemble the few accessories they display, and they’re glad it did because everything they’ve set out has meaning.
Embrace emptiness Cisco has a prominent wall in the master bedroom that’s blank. “I’d love to have a beautiful piece of art there when I find it,” he says. In the meantime, he’s happy to leave the spot vacant.