Cocol

Plaza de la Paja is one of the most intimate and welcoming squares in Madrid’s La Latina neighbourhood. Old houses, small bars, local shops and the quiet green garden of Principe Anglona make it a favourite spot for another heroine of our guide, Maite G. Tejedor of Ginger & Velvet.

Centuries ago, this square was home to the city’s main market. Today, it is a natural setting for Cocol, a store dedicated to Spanish crafts. Its glass façade with blue wooden details is listed as cultural heritage, and behind it you’ll find some of the finest examples of Spanish folk craftsmanship, presented in a fresh, contemporary way.
Cocol was founded by Pepa Entrena, who works with workshops from different regions of Spain and carefully curates the selection: ceramics and home objects, textiles, bags and woven pieces, leather goods, jewellery, hats and small accessories.

The word cocol comes from the Nahuatl language and means a bundle or a small load that a person carries with them. The meaning fits the store perfectly: not a “big purchase” and not decor for decor’s sake, but things chosen consciously and taken along — into everyday life, into the home, onto the road.

“Everything that comes into Cocol has its own story,” Pepa says. And that’s exactly how it feels: you don’t just take an object with you, but a small story — who made it, from what, and how. That story then travels on with you, becoming part of your daily life.