Today we’d like to introduce you to Concetta Bondi & Mariana Narvaez. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Concetta Bondi & Mariana Narvaez met while working together in Phoenix, Arizona over a decade ago. Concetta, a university professor and design enthusiast, and Mariana, a former corporate finance director and entrepreneur, were brought together by their love of art, culture, and travel.
After years of traveling together through Mexico, exploring, learning, and collecting, the two friends and creatives were inspired by the country’s rich artisanal and cultural heritage. Searching out home decor pieces that represented the country’s stunning raw natural materials, century-old artisan traditions, and the incredible people they had met along the way, they were especially drawn to pieces that fused ancestral techniques with contemporary design.
Wanting to bring a piece of this back with them into their own homes and showcase this part of Mexican culture back in the US, they began to curate special objects that told the stories of its people and places. Together, they founded P A L O S A N T O – a brand dedicated to showcasing the best of innovative Mexican design paired with Master craftsmanship that is dedicated to making an impact.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
While we believe nothing worth it in life is easy – we have enjoyed the ride immensely and continue to learn and evolve with each day.
One of the biggest challenges we faced in creating our brand was ensuring that each part of it reflected our mission and the values we wanted to transmit – we live by our ethos: sacred. soulful. slow. sustainable. Living in an age of mass consumption and mass-manufactured, fast but low-quality goods, we make an effort to educate our clients on the value of slow design and true craftsmanship.
As entrepreneurs, sometimes one finds themselves having to wear many hats. Dealing with some of the logistics regarding exporting and importing, legal barriers, and shipping have been daunting at times, but we are lucky to have each other as support. As friends first and foremost, we are always cheering each other on.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
P A L O S A N T O Decor is a luxury interior brand specializing in one-of-a-kind, handcrafted objects that blend ancestral techniques with contemporary forms. At the core of our ethos is a dedication to showcasing Mexico’s rich cultural heritage and centuries-old traditions through heirloom-quality pieces designed to elevate our everyday experiences. From intricately woven textiles to clay pieces shaped by hand, each piece is a celebration of the past and the future, the timeless and the modern.
As a women-owned and led brand, our team is committed to supporting female entrepreneurs and creatives; we promote ethical and sustainable employment opportunities for female artisans and women-led studios/cooperatives. By investing in these communities, we wish to help contribute to the preservation and longevity of their traditions.
What matters most to you?
We set out to challenge stereotypical perceptions of what constitutes modern-day Mexican design and are passionate about showcasing the work of our incredible Master artisans and their creative communities. When sharing some of our pieces with close friends, we were met with reactions along the lines of “Oh! I didn’t know Mexican design looked like this!”, and that’s when we knew we were on the right track.
We also strongly believe in the value of slow design and meaningful consumption. Our brand serves as a platform to showcase innovative Mexican design and to collaborate with artisan communities to preserve their ancestral traditions. We aim to create a lasting impact on both our clients and the communities we work with. By choosing to support artisanal goods, our clients are not only investing in quality and beauty but also in sustainability and ethical production practices.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://palosanto-decor.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/palosanto.decor/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100083358310000
