The Story of Casa Oleada
I have been fortunate to travel widely, but no place has shaped me quite like Mexico. There is something rare in its culture, an unspoken invitation to slow down, connect deeply, and live with intention.
Since living here, I have become more patient. I smile more, stress less, and eat better. In Sayulita, I have built family-like bonds with people from all over the world, and I carry immense gratitude for the sense of belonging this place has given me.
For many years, I lived in Venice Beach, Los Angeles, working in private equity and quietly feeling that something essential was missing. While my career looked good on paper, my imagination was always somewhere else, daydreaming about a life more connected to the ocean, creativity, and community.
I longed to create a home in a Spanish-speaking surf town, a place where people could slow down, gather, and make meaningful memories. I came close once in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, but the deal fell through. In 2018, I searched in Sayulita for the first time, but nothing aligned. Still, something about this town stayed with me.
In 2020, during the height of the pandemic, Los Angeles became difficult to remain in. I returned to Sayulita, and once again I was reminded how special and lovable this small beach town truly is. That visit reignited the dream, and this time I committed to finding something that felt right.
After nearly purchasing a home in another part of town, one of my closest friends connected me with a rare for-sale-by-owner opportunity. The original owner had purchased the land and built the home himself. I bought the house directly from him and closed in April of 2021.
What followed was a six-month renovation journey that tested me in every way. We added a pool to the second level, completely gutted and rebuilt the first level, and made countless structural and aesthetic upgrades. With very imperfect Spanish, I managed a daily crew of about ten local craftsmen, including carpenters, builders, and artisans, whose skill, care, and dedication I continue to deeply respect and appreciate.
Using local materials and working with local talent was incredibly important to me. I wanted the home to feel rooted in Mexico, clean, bright, artistic, and intentional, while also quietly reflecting themes of feminine strength and empowerment. The process was not easy. We weathered hurricanes, supply delays, and inevitable challenges, but together we finished something we were all proud of.
One of the greatest honors of Casa Oleada is the art it holds.
The large mural is by María Antonieta Canfield, a renowned muralist who has since become a dear friend. The wave depicted is Teahupoʻo in Tahiti, a place deeply meaningful to me. My late brother was a big-wave surfer who lived there, and the mural quietly weaves a piece of my family story into the home.
The downstairs mural, visible through the windows, was created by an incredibly talented local Sayulita artist, Mary Rouza. The piece is called Las Sirenas Psicodélicas. After I shared my spirit, my love of the ocean, and my playful, creative nature, this is what she envisioned, and I fell in love instantly.
The name Casa Oleada was also very intentional. The ocean has always been central to my happiness and sense of meaning, but familiar names felt too obvious. While exploring the Spanish language, I came across the word oleada, a surge or powerful incoming wave. It resonated deeply.
Oleada represents the way I move through life, navigating moments of intensity, beauty, change, and possibility. It speaks to momentum, gathering energy, and shared experience. Casa Oleada is meant to be a place where those surges soften, where families, friends, and loved ones come together to celebrate life.
Over the years, guests have marked profound moments here, including birthdays, weddings, new babies, reunions, and quiet resets. It is an honor to host those memories, and it remains my intention to continue offering Casa Oleada as a space for connection, warmth, and meaningful time together.
