Mestiz celebrates artisan collaborations in colourful Mexico studio

Mexican design studio Mestiz has opened a showroom and workshop within a historic building in San Miguel de Allende, where its brightly hued collaborations with local craftspeople take pride of place.

The studio space is located on Pasaje Allende in the heart of the central Mexican city, renowned for its colonial-era architecture and arts scene.

Showroom filled with colourful furniture and homeware — Mestiz opened its new studio as a space to present its colourful furniture and homeware

Additionally, Mestiz founder Daniel Valero collaborates with a variety of skilled local artisans to create furniture and homeware using ancestral crafts.

“In our studio, partnerships aren’t short-lived; they’re built to last,” he said. “We’ve nurtured long-term relationships with artisans, where learning and creating are an ongoing process.”

Plaster walls with red, orange and brown designs in front — Rough plaster walls of the remodelled space provide a neutral backdrop for the brightly hued designs

Moreover, Pieces from Mestiz’s collection fill the interior of the studio, which occupies a remodelled stone building designed as a “wild habitat” brimming with personality.

“It was once a kitchen,” Valero explained, “and now it’s a space that respects the idea of Mexican cuisine, infusing it into our creative sanctuary.”

Items displayed on tiled ledges — Ledges covered in glossy tiles provide places to display smaller items the in the showroom

The studio comprises three principal spaces. In the showroom, the original wooden beams and the brick ceiling are exposed, and rough buttery plaster covers the walls.

Ledges and podiums clad in glossy tiles provide places for small items. Like spiky vessels and framed pictures to be displayed.

Workshop with red bench and shelf — In the workshop, red benches are used for assembling the designs

Larger furniture pieces like a triangular table and chairs with tufty backrests are arranged across the floor.

Meanwhile, textile artworks decorate the walls and huge, fibrous pink light fixtures hang overhead.

“Our creations aren’t just pieces; they’re stories,” said Valero.

“We believe in crafting designs that engage in profound dialogues with the context and history of each community we work with.”

Pink room filled with wicker lighting and furniture — A pink-toned storage room is also filled with products, which are all from natural materials

The workshop is situated in a lean-to at the side of the building, where the rough stone walls are visible on two sides.

Furthermore, Red-painted benches for assembling items and storing natural materials – palm, wood, wool, wicker and ceramic –have partially completed designs.

Wicker lights suspended above chairs with tufted sides — Mestiz partners with artisans across Mexico to preserve and celebrate craft traditions

Moreover, A pink-hued storage room has products, from wicker lights suspended from the ceiling to tall totems. Also, they come in blue, pink and purple stood in the corners.

“Our practice is a living testament to the merging of traditions,” Valero said. “Our pieces are the embodiment of cultural syncretism, where diverse influences converge to create something entirely new.”

Stone building exterior with view into showroom — The studio is located in a historic stone building in San Miguel de Allende

The rich creative spirit of San Miguel de Allende is also at the city’s Casa Hoyos hotel. Where colourful tiles and local craft fill a former Spanish colonial manor.

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