It’s funny how you end up in certain places. My friend Judy Ross, the well-known textile designer, recommended a dentist in Merida, Mexico to me, as I needed some extensive oral surgery and cosmetic dentistry. (Don’t ask.) So, when my old pal, chef Cary Richardson, and I decided to come down this March, Judy kept mentioning her friend John Powell. I once knew a John Powell in Texas –it couldn’t be the same one. It was. We knew each in a past life in Houston some 35+ years ago. John arranged my first ever art exhibit that was titled RePOP. Bringing it full circle, this weekend, The RePOP Shop opened in upstate New York selling prints, cards and merchandise featuring my artwork.
John Powell (& friends) at my “RePop” opening in 1981
A LOT has happened to both of us since those early days. John left Texas and ended up in Paris, first modeling and then designing for Hermes and Christian Lacroix. In 2001 he came to Merida with his then partner, Josh Ramos, a textile designer who specialized in home furnishings.
Over the years, they both designed and renovated 15+ homes in Merida Centro for themselves and clients. Some of these homes are available to rent for your holiday through their agency, Urbano Rentals. They are, large and small, all spectacular. They rent for $150 a night for the charming one bedroom, Casa Ermita in the low season, to $1500 a night for the palatial Hacienda San Antonio during the holidays.
Have a look and if you rent one, tell John I sent you. (Follow John’s blog Best of the Yucatanand on Instagram for a taste of Merida, here.)
