About Natalia Criado
Natalia Criado is a Colombian-born designer who produces tableware and decorative objects that combine traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design. She studied industrial design at the Istituto Europeo di Design (IED) in Milan, Italy, where she currently lives and operates her studio.
Natalia Criado’s Coffee Ritual
Natalia Criado loves beginning her day with coffee brewed in a special cup and stirred with a beautiful spoon. This daily ritual inspired her “Joias En Casa” collection, which translates to “Jewels at Home.”
This tableware series, launched in 2017, celebrates the art of hosting and elevates the dining experience. Plates, trays, and cups are made from natural stones, referencing Etruscan goldsmith traditions, and adorned with small sculptural elements. Each piece strikes a balance between aesthetics and functionality.
Craftsmanship and Eco-Friendly Materials
Across all her projects, Natalia emphasizes the value of artisan craftsmanship and sustainable materials, highlighting the time and care needed for each creation. She aims to revive traditional techniques and reintroduce less commonly used materials—like metals—to keep endangered crafts alive.
In Natalia Criado’s work, brass, lapis lazuli, quartz, onyx, and serpentine sourced primarily from Colombia and Brazil are found alongside Murano glass and expert Italian production methods. The result is a blend of cultures, materials, and applied arts that lends her objects a timeless elegance.
Timeless Design: “Oggetti della Dualità”
For Natalia, creating long-lasting objects with an aesthetic transcending fleeting trends is essential. This mindset led to the “Oggetti della Dualità” collection, centered on the concepts of sharing and ritual.
Pre-Columbian shamanic traditions are reinvented and transformed into utensils for the tea ceremony. They encourage users to pause and savor the moment. The forms also draw inspiration from the Bauhaus movement—especially Marianne Brandt, the first and only woman in the famed design school’s metal workshop—resulting in a minimalist yet contemporary style.
Collaborations with Artisans and Cultural Fusion
Natalia takes an active role in the production process, learning and honoring the craft. By doing this she wants to honor her partnership with the artisans who bring her ideas to life
A notable example occurred in Raquira, a small town in the Andes known for its clay. While Natalia was working on her vase, architect Pietro Minelli invited a group of designers, artists, and architects to bring sketches of an “imaginary vase” to life. The outcome was Alone Together, a no-profit project resulting in 80 terracotta vases presented in a Milan exhibition. Discover more about this initiative here:
Alone Together – Riviera
Natalia Criado exemplifies how artisan heritage, eco-friendly materials, and a mindful approach to daily rituals can serve as an endless source of inspiration for contemporary design. Her collections—like “Joias En Casa” and “Oggetti della Dualità”—celebrate the beauty of everyday objects, transforming them into experiences to be savored.
Learn More About Natalia Criado > Visit her official website: www.nataliacriado.com or discover her creations at the Matter&Shape design fair in Paris, hosted during Paris Fashion Week at the Jardin des Tuileries.