Behind the Label: Azulina Home

Oversized straw baskets, monochrome striped cushions, textured throws and rugs—what do all these products from Colombian home décor label Azulina Home have in common? They’re all 100% handmade. Launched by Melissa Moriarty in 2013, the label is a celebration of artisanal craftsmanship and age-old traditions. The Cuatros Tetas baskets, for example, can take up to three weeks to make and are handwoven by indigenous Canaan women in the Pacific rainforests of Colombia, a country Moriarty has lived in for over five years. Shop Latitude chats with her about the label, and why she’s obsessed with all things handmade.

Q: Where did the idea for Azulina Home come from?

A: It all started with a chance encounter with the gorgeous blue and white hand-painted pottery of El Carmen de Viboral, Colombia. I met these amazingly talented artisans and felt so inspired that I decided to quit my job in Investor Relations and start a business partnering with Colombian artisans. The business first started in ceramics and has shifted over the years to home decor as I honed my design aesthetic from the table to the rest of the home.

Q: How would you sum up the Azulina aesthetic? 

A: Our aesthetic is cool and calm. I am naturally calmed by and drawn to clean, modern lines and a neutral color palette— black, white, brown and grey. I’m also a huge fan of mixing textures while staying within the same color. It makes decision making so much easier because you don’t have to fuss over matching things. Less fuss means more time to do the things in life that really matter. 

Q: How does travel influence your work? 

A: Travel influences everything, it inspires design all day long. When I travel I am taking photos nonstop of clothing, architecture and product design. On the flip side, and this may sound counter-intuitive, travel makes me yearn for home and influences me to create a space that is better than anywhere else in the world. I love to travel, but I love to be home even more. Travel keeps me inspired and excited, while home keeps me centered—it’s all about balance.

Q: The Azulina line is 100% handmade. Tell us why that’s important to you. 

A: We are obsessed with handmade because we’re obsessed with tradition. Our history and culture is passed from generation to generation through art and artifacts, and one of the most beautiful ways it is represented is through handcrafted items. If I am given the choice to run a business, I want to run it in a way that makes an impact. I want to be a part of the influencers that convince the next generation of artisans to continue their craft not because we want them to, but because it’s economically viable and also a well-respected trade.

Q: What is your biggest source of inspiration when it comes to work? 

A: My greatest inspiration is the feeling I get when I’m doing something that makes an impact on someone else’s life. I get so much joy from working with artisans, designing alongside them, and then seeing the finished product... something that was created by hand and that I have the honor of bringing to the homes of others so they too can love the space they live in. There’s no place like home, and the fact that I get to play a part in that brings a big smile to my face.

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