The art of the everyday
Located in Madrid Straw Square, ** Cocol ** draws attention from afar (its blue facade gives it away) and from up close (its shop window is like a powerful magnet that makes everyone who passes in front stop).
Entering Cocol is like cross the threshold of a time machine. Its atmosphere gives off an aroma in which notes of leather, wicker, soap, wax, clay and wool.
On the walls are still the nails of the old upholstery who occupied the premises, whose land has also wanted to preserve its owner, Peppa Trains.
“Tapicerías Wenceslao was called, the owner had been here all his life and lived in the back. I had been thinking for a long time about the idea of opening a space to accommodate handicrafts and when I saw that it was rented I said to myself: now is the time”, Pepa tells Traveler.es
The most charming door of the Plaza de La Paja
OBJECTS TO TURN A PLACE INTO A HOME
If Cocol is characterized by something, it is by the care that Pepa puts in the selection of each one of the articles who live in her store, whose shelves and counters she found in an old fabric store on Atocha Street.
"Is about handmade pieces of a lifetime and other elaborate reinterpreting traditional techniques and finishes”, Peppa explains.
Hats, the perfect accessory to walk around La Latina
Each and every one of them has a story, they have been made by artisans and they give each room in the house a magical touch that cannot be achieved with just any object: a feeling of home.
That warmth that inspires a winter Sunday under the duvet, a rainy afternoon with a cup of chocolate in your hands, or the smell that remains in the bathroom after showering.
An ode to craftsmanship
GAME OF TEXTURES
Grazalema blankets, cotton towels, handmade candles, blown glass, ceramic figures... In Cocol they make you want to touch everything.
Clay and ceramics are two of the star materials: from Canarian pottery pieces to jugs brought from Alicante, Murcia or Galica.
In section esparto grass and wicker we find baskets, rugs, animal heads, headgear and, of course, footwear, such as the typical Menorcan sandals.
"The esparto pieces of Balikypopoy they are one of my favorites. They are made by María and Silvia following the artisanal process followed by María's grandfather to the letter”, says Pepa.
Pepa Entrena, the owner, knows first-hand the history of each of the objects
“Look at this wooden figure, we only have one left! They are made by a fisherman in the town where I spend the summer! Peppa exclaims.
And she continues to teach us: “Or our summer bestseller: the fly swatter! It is made of wood and leather from Jatafarta, we sold them like churros!”
We also find the emblematic Esmaltaciones San Ignacio pots, old pharmacy bottles, blown glass, mortars, kitchen boards and all kinds of kitchenware that transports us to a time when everything happened at a different pace.
You will want to take EVERYTHING
WALK ME HOT
In the textile section, a paradise for the touch: virgin wool blankets and scarves, shawls and scarves woven on traditional looms, Elósegui berets, Grande Monterrosa Limited Edition Cushion Covers…
Merino wool, alpaca and Yak wool sweaters They will not only become your favorite winter garment, but they will last you a lifetime.
The Elósegui berets, a classic
“One of our latest additions has been the Aprons, jumpsuits and accessories inspired by the clothing of trades, from Apron, handmade, 100% cotton and dyed by hand”, Pepa tells Traveler.es
In summer, cotton towels and recycled bags from The FigBees They are the perfect accessories for a day at the beach.
winter is coming
GIFTS TO STAY WITH EVERYONE
In a coquettish piece of furniture next to the counter rests a careful selection of handmade jewelry.
Our favourites? The asymmetrical earrings gertie palm tree and the ceramic camera-shaped pendants from Eugenia Bosch. The best self-gift? a hat of Sign Hats.
And if you are already thinking about the invisible friend or Christmas, we have some proposals:
A beret to be the most traditional of La Latina, a corduroy tie for Sunday lunch, notebooks and posters for stationery lovers, soaps Herbs from Ibiza for fans of natural products or a merino wool scarf so that the most fashionistas go warm.
What do we take home?
A TRIBUTE TO TRADITION AND EVERYDAY LIFE
One of the most surprising things about Pepa is her ability to turn everyday objects like a mug, a knife or a scarf into unique treasures.
For example, the original notebooks with phrases on the cover, the knives that seem to be taken from the trunk of memories, the Pallares Solsona knives...
The coolest fly swatter
“We bet on responsible consumption, quality and craftsmanship, so as not to lose that knowledge that has been passed down from generation to generation with so much love and effort”, says Pepa with eyes full of hope.
They open every day of the week, since Sundays are the star day of La Latina. The public? "Tourists, curious, and, of course, people from the neighborhood", Pepa tells us.
"One day Wenceslao himself appeared to see what he had done with his upholstery! And he loved it! he exclaims.
The old Wenceslao tapestry is now Cocol
Address: Costanilla de San Andrés, 18, 28005, Madrid See map
Telephone: 919 19 67 70
Schedule: Mon - Fri: 11-30am - 2:30pm / 5pm - 8pm; Sat: 11:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. / Sun: 11:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.