Taking Design Abroad: What It Takes to Create a Home in Another Country

February 18, 2025

Category: Whole House Design, Projects

Style: Contemporary, Elegant

When clients asked Duet Design Group to design their vacation home in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, we knew it would be an exciting challenge that required a fresh perspective, logistical expertise, and our signature attention to detail.

While our firm is deeply rooted in Colorado, great design isn’t limited by location. Every home should feel intentional, inspired by its surroundings, and designed for how people genuinely live—whether it’s a mountain retreat, a city residence, or a beachfront escape. With this project, we leaned into the process, refined our approach, and learned valuable lessons.

DESIGNING WITH PLACE IN MIND.

A home should always reflect its environment and be built for longevity. We might emphasize warmth and texture in a mountain setting, ensuring the design is cozy and layered. A coastal retreat, however, calls for a different approach—one that balances durability with a sense of ease.

Case in point: We selected stone flooring rather than wood for this home in Cabo, knowing it would hold up better against humidity and salt air. Since our clients spend most of their time in swimsuits, we upholstered indoor furniture in outdoor-grade fabrics for durability without sacrificing comfort. The carefully curated color palette complements the natural surroundings, with soft neutrals that allow the ocean views to take center stage. Every decision, from finishes to furnishings, was made to enhance the experience of being in this home while ensuring it felt effortlessly sophisticated.

THE REALITY OF LOGISTICS: GETTING IT ALL THERE

Executing a project abroad isn’t just about design: It’s also about logistics. Every furnishing, finish, and fixture has to be sourced, tracked, and transported across borders with precision. Without the trade and vendor network in Colorado, we had to establish new partnerships and ensure every detail was accounted for.

Through research and industry connections, we identified receiving warehouses in Southern California with operations in Tijuana, allowing us to ship everything seamlessly and maintain accountability. Navigating import taxes was another key challenge: Many homeowners don’t realize that how products are reported can significantly impact costs. Because of our meticulous tracking and procurement systems, we ensured our clients paid only what was necessary, keeping their investment focused on the quality of the home rather than unexpected fees.

SECOND HOMES: DESIGNED FOR LIVING.

A second home isn’t just another residence. It’s a retreat. These spaces are designed for hosting, relaxing, and making memories, which means they need to function differently from a primary home. Storage, layout, and material choices all contribute to making the home feel effortless.

Beyond furnishings, we considered every detail to ensure this home was fully livable from when our clients arrived. From curating the perfect dinnerware to providing storage solutions that made sense for a vacation lifestyle, the design went beyond aesthetics to create a seamless living experience for our clients. A well-designed second home shouldn’t just look beautiful but should enhance how people enjoy their time there.

BRINGING EXPERTISE ANYWHERE.

This project reaffirmed what we’ve always believed: Great design is universal, but execution is everything. Designing a home abroad requires a firm with a creative vision and the operational systems to bring it to life.

At Duet Design Group, we design with three essential elements in mind: the people, the place, and the environment. Whether in Colorado, Cabo, or beyond, our approach ensures that every home is as functional as it is beautiful—because thoughtful design has no borders.