During a summer journey through Mexico, Mariana and Concetta found themselves in a small village outside Oaxaca, visiting the taller (home and studio) of a family of artisans renowned for their barro negro pottery, a tradition with roots stretching back over 2,000 years. On a quiet weekday afternoon, they were fortunate to spend time with Cecilia and Maria, two sisters who managed the taller. As the women worked meticulously molding the clay by hand, they shared stories of their deep commitment to preserving their art and heritage, and the challenges they faced wearing multiple hats as entrepreneurs, partners, mothers, and sisters.

What was intended to be a brief stop turned into an unforgettable experience. Long after the gates had closed and the sun had set, the friend found themselves seated around an outdoor table with the sisters, sharing memories and sipping on the family's homemade mezcal, served in a handcrafted black clay mezcalero. It was an evening of connection and inspiration that Mariana and Concetta would never forget.

Moved by their experiences in Mexico, the friends were inspired to bring a piece of that world back into their own homes. They began a search for unique pieces that told the stories of the people and places they had encountered. In 2021, they founded P A L O S A N T O to showcase Mexico's rich cultural and artisanal heritage, celebrating the beauty of its raw materials. Both creatives at heart, Mariana and Concetta drew on their travels and their passion for all things design to curate a collection of timeless pieces that blur the line between utilitarian and decorative. Handcrafted by master artisans using only the finest materials, these pieces merge ancestral techniques with contemporary design, creating a collection that honors tradition while embracing the present.