“This home and property is not meant to be kept private. It has so many important natural gifts to offer and deserves to be shared”
Raquel Allegra had set off to Taos to buy a property but with very distinguished imagery in her mind of what the property would be like – a cozy cabin similar to what she had in Topanga, California. Many Feathers Ranch was different from it. But in the “Land of Enchantment” that the city of New Mexico, she was, indeed enchanted by this 8,000 square foot abode ensconced in a canyon at the foothills of the Taos Ski Valley. With the river coursing along the property’s northern boundary, a full view of open fields, forests, and sunsets; by the pond surrounded with majestic willow trees – she knew she had to buy this property. So she went ahead and transformed it into more than just a home, a retreat imbued with enchantment.
The Ranch’s picturesque setting at the base of Taos Ski Valley immediately enchanted Raquel Allegra. She was so captivated by the natural, untouched beauty of the fields, trees, and water bodies that inhabited this land that the decision to restore the Ranch became easy.
Renovation & Redesign Journey
Allegra encountered a myriad of challenges while breathing new life back into the Many Feathers Ranch. The ranch required extensive renovations. The previous owners had left the project unfinished, therefore, the house needed attention at every nook and corner. From adding flooring, fixing a leaky roof, updating the heating system and lighting, and addressing water damage, and mismatched broken switch plates – the renovation involved a design process with a meticulous overhaul blending restoration and innovation. Allegra took eight months of extensive work to rejuvenate this property, blending her style with the inherent character of the space.
The Redesign philosophy was rooted in Allegra’s design philosophy, honed through her extensive experience as a fashion designer. The idea was to preserve the ranch’s unique essence. A comprehensive revamp to make structural repairs, aesthetic enhancements, and add some modern updates all took place, without really losing the integrity of the ranch and its connection with the picturesque nature that encompassed it. The house’s exteriors exhibited a New Mexico style while the interiors are a haven for relaxation and comfort creating a seamless integration of interiors with exteriors.
While the interiors exhibit comfort effortlessly through their design, the kind of furnishings chosen for the ranch manifests a so comfort that isn’t only experienced through the design but also felt by the inhabitants. Furnishings were chosen in a way for their ability to create an environment where the inhabitants could comfortably enjoy themselves without the fear of damaging the precious items. To accomplish this, Allegra picked these furniture pieces off Craiglist and Nextdoor listings – which included a pair of Ozian-emerald chairs and a beautiful gilded vintage mirror.
The Experience
One walks into the Many Feathers Ranch guided by giant rock walls with waterfalls coursed through rocks, steps leading to the river, and a pond in its vicinity the entrance to the ranch is a captivating experience even before you set foot into it. At the base of Taos Ski Valley, the enchanting view of the 5-acre ranch is visible from the porch – landscapes spanning as wide and far as one sees. It is as if standing amidst nature, you feel its healing embrace enveloping you.
“There are so many big windows, the natural light shape-shifts each room throughout the day.”
A blend of rustic charm and contemporary comfort welcomes you as you enter this abode. With earthy tones and organic materials, the interiors are crafted to intertwine with their natural context. Different earthy textures are used to extend the continuity of the landscape from outside to inside. Earthy-toned walls are decorated with plants and creepers and punctuated with large windows that allow ample natural light to flood the rooms, creating an openness and airy atmosphere central to its design. This synergy between the fluidity and continuity of the space from indoor to outdoor creates a holistic healing experience that resonates deeply with the surroundings.
The abode carries such a healing and mindful synergy that it made the best sense for Allegra to transform it into a wellness retreat. While she spends about a week every two months at the Ranch, it’s also listed on Airbnb for rentals. The idea is to share its natural gifts and healing experience with anyone willing to experience it and provide the ranch with financial aid so it can sustain itself. An escape for city dwellers to unwind and relax in, for nature lovers to be amidst it. Allegra also plans to explore the possibility of having a flower farm on the ranch to raise trouts and host retreats.
In fast-paced cities, where life moves us from space to space. We often forget to place ourselves amidst nature, stay in abodes that embody tranquility, and reestablish our connection with our surroundings. Raquel Allegra’s Many Feathers Ranch is an astounding example of a serene retreat where the membrane between inside and outside is translucent, where the interiors embody the quality that the space wishes to exhibit, and where visitors feel at home, even when away—an enchanting abode in the land of enchantment.
References:
RA AT HOME: MANY FEATHERS RANCH (no date) Raquel Allegra. Available at: https://raquelallegra.com/pages/many-feathers-ranch-vogue (Accessed: 26 January 2024).
Taylor, E. (2021) Designer Raquel Allegra Created Her Dream New Mexico Ranch-And It’s on Airbnb, Vogue. Vogue. Available at: https://www.vogue.com/article/raquel-allegra-created-her-dream-new-mexico-ranch-and-its-on-airbnb (Accessed: 26 January 2024).
Khemsurov, M. (2021) Heading to New Mexico? Rent the Vintage-Furnished Ranch of a Beloved LA Fashion Designer, Sight Unseen. Available at: https://www.sightunseen.com/2021/04/many-feathers-ranch-raquel-allegra-airbnb/ (Accessed: 26 January 2024).
Home in Valdez · ★4.95 · 6 bedrooms · 9 beds · 5.5 bathrooms (no date) Airbnb. Available at: https://www.airbnb.co.in/rooms/41438013?locale=en&_set_bev_on_new_domain=1706171031_MmJkOGRiMzU2MWQ4&source_impression_id=p3_1706171031_MMJVcbiTEoBdE3%2BO (Accessed: 26 January 2024).
Photos of Raquel Allegra’s Many Feathers Ranch in Taos, New Mexico (2021) Sight Unseen. Available at: https://www.sightunseen.com/2021/04/many-feathers-ranch-raquel-allegra-airbnb/photos-of-raquel-allegras-many-feathers-ranch-in-taos-new-mexico-8/ (Accessed: 28 January 2024).
