New Mexico, a place once famous over a century ago for artists like Georgia O'Keeffe, has once again become a haven for creative minds. During the pandemic, many sought new homes away from the hustle and bustle and closer to nature, and Santa Fe and Taos, with their unique charm, attracted numerous artists and designers. Among them, the story of Los Angeles fashion designer Raquel Allegra is particularly notable.
A year and a half ago, Raquel and a group of friends traveled to New Mexico in search of properties, planning to establish a wellness commune. However, she ended up buying an 8,000-square-foot vacation home in Taos and became neighbors with artists Petecia Le Fawnhawk and Mark Maggiori. For Raquel, this house is not just a place to call home but a source of inspiration and creativity.
In her Los Angeles home in Topanga Canyon, Raquel lived in a relatively modest 700-square-foot cottage. However, when she first visited the Taos property, she was captivated by it. She felt as if the house was calling to her, urging her to transform it into a new home. During the seven-month renovation, she poured a lot of effort into the project and cleverly used the house for Airbnb rentals, balancing the expenses.
Raquel’s renovation process was filled with creativity and thoughtfulness. She used the Nextdoor app to find furniture in Santa Monica and Malibu at very low prices and skillfully arranged it in the house’s 24 rooms. These furnishings not only added warmth and personality to the house but also saved on costs. The interior decor of the house reflects Raquel's namesake clothing brand, featuring relaxed, lightweight, and neutral tones, with bright pops of color.
Raquel refers to the house as a "retreat" and believes that the 5-acre lush desert valley landscape has helped her rejuvenate her creativity. She recently shared with us the unique charm of Taos, the renovation process of the house, and why sharing the house with guests is important to her.
Discussing how she acquired the house and why she chose Taos, Raquel revealed that the initial idea was to create an alternative living community space. However, as plans changed, she felt that the house was calling to her. She started crying when she walked into the house, feeling as if it was in desperate need of help. Although she hadn’t planned to buy such a large house, she couldn’t resist the emotional impact it had on her.
The house required significant physical restoration when purchased. The previous owner left behind some unfinished projects, such as plywood floors and holes in the ceiling. Additionally, there were water stains and damaged switch plates from plants inside the house. However, Raquel wasn’t deterred by these issues and decided to handle the repairs and renovations herself.
The exterior of the house featured a masculine look with a water feature and rock waterfall built by the previous owner. To add a more feminine touch, Raquel collaborated with a sustainable landscape designer to redesign the landscaping. The massive rocks and wooden columns now emerge from the ground, harmoniously blending with the surrounding natural environment.
Today, the house has become Raquel's source of inspiration and a sanctuary for her soul. She hopes to share the beauty of this land and the house with more people, allowing them to experience the unique charm of Taos and the beauty of nature.