Oh the treasures you find

Sourcebook

Object lessons

We’ve been keeping an eye out for sources that have elevated the art of interior design in Yucatán. Here are some standouts recently profiled by Verónica Garibay at yucatanmagazine.com.

SER ETERNO This restored-furniture retailer in Mérida was created by two young designers as an affordable second-hand shop that promotes neglected antiques. Their philosophy seeks to maintain the original essence of each piece while leaving the marks of their past lives. Most of their projects come through the restoration of woven fabrics, the application of fresh paint and varnish, and slight modifications in color or materials. Contact Daniel Góngora at 999-485-9455; @sereeterno

ENSAMBLE ARTESANO This non-profit organization is looking to disseminate the different artisan paths that take place in Mexico. Ensamble’s online shop has become a catalog of cultures, techniques, and styles. For their first collection, they worked with over 2,700 artisans in 18 states, creating over 15,000 pieces in lacquer, woodwork, loom, metalwork, ceramics, weaving, and embroidery. Their Mérida showroom is a must when looking for a unique, socially responsible centerpiece. Taller Maya Santa Ana, Calle 60 417A, across from Parque Santa Ana, Mérida; @ensambleartesano

DÉCIMA TALLER Décima’s team creates intricate portraits made from thread. To create their artwork, they use computer software that translates digitized portraits into a series of lines which then serve as a basic template. They are then weaved into a circular frame made out of Yucatecan wood. Once done, both the threads and their shadows draw out the shape of the person. The entire process takes about 12 hours and around 3,000 to 4,000 separate weaves to complete. Contact Daniel Avila at 938-383-7247 or decimataller@gmail.com; @decima.taller

ÚUMBAH This downtown boutique specializes in hammocks, arts, and crafts made and designed in the Yucatán Peninsula, by local artisans. For their hammocks, their star product, Úumbah works with artisans from different municipalities. Depending on their craft and expertise, the creators work with different materials, from macramé and nylon to henequen, a premium hammock that has been neglected by modern artisans as it requires each fiber to be handmade. Plaza Carmesí, Calle 62 at 51 and 53, @uumbah

SOSKIL Juan Cortés, the creator of Soskil, designs experimental textile pieces with natural materials, specifically raw colored yarns, and sisal fibers. The name of the project is the same as the Mayan name for the henequén or sisal fiber. His pieces are decorative, but also tell part of his story. For example, Luz Marina is a lamp named after Juan’s mother. Patterns created through the knots resemble the reflection of a lighthouse in the sea. Exhibition at Galería Caracol Púrpura Mérida, Calle 60 between 53 and 55, Centro. Instagram: @soskil. decotextil, @caracolpurpura

“1. My pool bar obviously. 2. My hot tub!”

“My cozy rear patio with cactus, a view of palm trees, pink walls, and a small swimming pool always reminds me that I live in paradise even if I spend most of my days at my desk.”

“Our outdoor kitchen.”

Favorite things:

What’s the one thing in your house that gives you the most sparks of joy?

New questions are posed monthly on Yucatán Magazine’s Facebook page

“My patio-pool combo. Any time of the day I can sit out there or float in the pool and feel totally relaxed. Outdoor living here feeds my soul.”

“My KitchenAid mixer, because I love baking and it’s so great to have a tool that helps me be creative in the kitchen.”

“My pup sleeping on his bed near my feet in the living room.”

“Our crazy original pasta tile floors that no one else has or could ever imitate.”