The Dwell 24: Chuch Estudio

Looking to bring a bit of cheer to her hometown of Mérida, Mexico, at the height of the pandemic, architect Aranza García and her friends Lorena Madahuar and Natalia Ramirez launched Chuch, a design studio that features home goods, furniture, lighting, and textiles made by local craftspeople.

The vibe of Chuch—Mayan for "cute"—may be playful, but the team is serious about honoring Mexican culture and everyday life. Block Table, made of hand-carved local stone topped with glass, is a riff on the ubiquitous DIY street-side cinder block and wood-slab tables where workers stop to eat lunch.