CRATE Ideas

Curated Coastal Living

Debra Stevenson Debra Stevenson

DIY OR DONE FOR YOU | What’s Best for Your Real Estate Investment

DIY OR DONE-FOR-YOU

Experienced investors know how to renovate and furnish a property. But here’s the hidden risk when you design at a distance.

You’re a successful real estate investor and multi-unit operator.  With a primary residence, a vacation home, perhaps a luxury villa or cashflowing rental property.  So the better question is:

Should you be spending your time doing it yourself? We break it down in clear steps so you can decide what path to take.

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Debra Stevenson Debra Stevenson

THE KEY TO REAL ESTATE INVESTING: “Go Where You’re Treated the Best.”

Go where you’re treated the best. What 15 years taught our design team about real estate investing.

Thinking About Buying or Renovating in Puerto Vallarta?

Before you eliminate a property because of dated finishes, an awkward layout or the work required to make it yours, talk to our team.

CRATE Interiors helps vacation homeowners and real estate investors evaluate the renovation and furnishing opportunity before and after purchase, then manages the complete transformation from concept through the Big Reveal.

Destination Design. Simplified.

Ready to see what your property could become? Book a complimentary CRATE Interiors Discovery Call.

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Debra Stevenson Debra Stevenson

MARVELLOUS MÉRIDA: Transforming a Yucatán-Inspired Colonial into a Multiplex Investment

MARVELLOUS MÉRIDA: How Serial Investors Transformed a Yucatán-Inspired Colonial into a Multiplex Investment 

When Daniel and Laura first spotted this Yucatán-inspired colonial in 5 de Diciembre, one of Puerto Vallarta’s most established traditional neighborhoods, they immediately saw what experienced real estate investors are trained to spot: massive potential.

Behind the carved doors, ironwork and timeworn finishes was an expansive multiunit property with three identical two-bedroom residences, generous outdoor spaces and a spectacular rooftop terrace overlooking both the Bay of Banderas and the Sierra Madre mountains.

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Debra Stevenson Debra Stevenson

CASE STUDY: Transforming an Iconic Mexican Hacienda

CASE STUDY: Transforming an Iconic Mexican Hacienda

When the Forever Home You Imagine Does Not Exist, You Create It

What happens when your vision of a forever home in paradise simply is not available on the market? You create it.

That is exactly what these Washington-based investors set out to do when they wanted a residence in Mexico with room for gardening, cooking, entertaining, cherished guests and furry friends—all within walking distance of the energy, culture and conveniences of Puerto Vallarta.

Working with luxury real estate advisor Alecia Masters of Haus of Masters and Hogar Realty, these experienced entrepreneurs launched a highly specific search. The opportunity they ultimately discovered was a traditional Mexican hacienda in the heart of Puerto Vallarta’s historic Zona Romántica.

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Debra Stevenson Debra Stevenson

FULL STACK VACATION HOME RENOVATION: One Team. One Contact. One Exceptional Outcome.

FULL STACK VACATION HOME RENOVATION: One Team. One Contact. One Exceptional Result.

Buying a vacation home in Mexico should be exciting—not a long-distance construction nightmare.

For North American buyers, managing a renovation from another country often means coordinating multiple contractors, navigating language barriers, dealing with inconsistent timelines - and hoping every trade delivers on schedule.

CRATE Interiors changes that.

We offer Mexico's premier Full Stack Vacation Home Renovation service—a fully managed renovation solution built specifically for international homebuyers. From the first property walkthrough to the final Big Reveal, every detail is professionally managed through a single point of contact, eliminating supplier complexity while protecting your all-in investment.

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Debra Stevenson Debra Stevenson

CASE STUDY: A Double Unit in Mexico Serves as Luxury Home and Hospitality Hub for NYC Investors

CASE STUDY: A Double Unit in Puerto Vallarta Becomes a Luxury Home and Hospitality Hub for NYC Investors

How two young New York investors combined vision, timing, and full-scope execution to create a standout residence at SOHO Residences Puerto Vallarta.

When these New York City investors approached CRATE Interiors to collaborate on the design of their double-unit at SOHO Residences in Puerto Vallarta, we knew this would be a special project from the start.


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Debra Stevenson Debra Stevenson

How We Help Owners Protect Property Value—Even When the Headlines Get Loud

How We Help Owners Protect Property Value—Even When the Headlines Get Loud

On Sunday, February 22, 2026, Puerto Vallarta experienced a rare, high-tension day that rippled fast across international news—and even faster across social media. Flights were diverted/canceled for portions of the day, and “shelter in place” guidance circulated widely as uncertainty peaked. 

But the second wave—misinformation—created the biggest emotional whiplash for owners and investors who weren’t on the ground. Multiple AI-generated and out-of-context images spread online, making it difficult for families, guests and property owners to separate what was real from what was fabricated.

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Debra Stevenson Debra Stevenson

KITCHEN TRENDWATCH 2026: What Vacation Homebuyers Want Now

Kitchen Renovation Trendwatch 2026: What Vacation Homebuyers Want Now (and What Actually Pays Off)

If you’re planning a kitchen renovation for a vacation home in Mexico—whether it’s a forever retreat, a legacy property refresh, or an Airbnb rental upgrade—2026 is shaping up to be the year of warmth, function, and smarter layouts.

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