VIVA LA FIESTA

Long live the party in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, where the mountains meet the desert, the desert meets the sea, and the fun never ends

- KRISSA ROSSBUND

You never know what geographical cues Barclay Butera is going to bring to the table. The design giant could come armed with the coastal vibes of his home base in Newport Beach, California; the midcentury leanings of Palm Springs, California; or the cold-weather coziness nudged by his ski abode in Park City, Utah.

But for a summer soiree, he chose to host guests well across the Mexican border at his home, Villa Blanca, in Cabo San Lucas, where tropical warmth wafts through the air along with the aromas of one of the world's most beloved cuisines.

"In Cabo, nothing has to be perfect," says Barclay of the relaxed and carefree approach toward entertaining. "And I am so inspired by the offbeat palettes of Mexican pottery. In the States, we so often apply a formula to design. But here, anything goes."

Barclay’s relaxed gatherings commence with what’s perhaps tequila’s most popular achievement, the margarita. Here, it’s served in iconic Mexican glassware with cobalt blue rims.

Tiles throughout the interiors of Villa Blanca influenced the marriage of colors in the table setting for the occasion. Sunny yellow scalloped trim adorns linen napkins in a natural oatmeal hue.

Gazpacho verde achieves its fresh green color from a delicious blend of spinach, avocados, cucumber, celery, cilantro, green onion, lime juice, salsa verde, and papaya.