An oilcloth covered in flowers, fruit and cola bottles. That is where it all began, more than thirty years ago. Ever since, Mexico has been part of everything Kitsch Kitchen does: some of our products come straight from Mexico, and many of our collections are inspired by Mexican culture. In this blog you’ll read how that bond began, and how to bring a little piece of Mexico into your own home.
Where it all began
The Kitsch Kitchen story starts with falling in love. Founder Ingelies was living in Central America when her neighbour introduced her to Mexican oilcloth, full of flowers, fruit and cola bottles. “It made me so happy that I wanted to bring it home and share it!”
In 1994 she set up a stall with her colourful finds from Mexico at the Noordermarkt in Amsterdam. Her own shop followed later. “From day one, my goal was to make homes here more cheerful, and also to connect cultures.”
That grew into an international brand with colourful, functional products and a distinctive style. Today the collections are sold worldwide through wholesale and (online) stores.
Since early 2024, Kitsch Kitchen has been part of BacktoBasiX. We build on that heritage with respect: the Kitsch Kitchen Classics remain, and alongside them we develop new collections. We consciously cherish the bond with Mexico in everything we do.
Folclorico: straight from Mexico
Since that very first market stall, we have been sourcing in Mexico, often from small workshops we have come to know over many trips. Ingelies counts those journeys and the collaboration with these workshops among the best parts of the job.
You’ll find these products in the Folclorico collection. Everything in this collection comes from Mexico, and much of it is handmade, such as tin hearts, maracas and mesh bags.
Because they are handmade, no two items are exactly alike. A colour that falls slightly differently or a line that is a little wider: that is not a flaw, but proof of craftsmanship. It means you bring home a unique piece, with a maker and a story behind it.
Inspired by Mexico
Alongside the products from Mexico, we design collections inspired by Mexican culture. They are unmistakably Kitsch Kitchen: colourful, functional and with a wink.
- El Restaurante is our very own little Mexican restaurant. The items feel like souvenirs that take you to the atmosphere of Mexican food trucks.
- Lotería is named after the traditional Mexican card game. The symbols from the game return on the products.
- Classics: our Marisol is, of course, inspired by and instantly recognisable as a Frida Kahlo vase.
And of course there is the Mexican oilcloth, the product where it all started.
4 tips for bringing Mexico into your home
Mexican colour works in almost any interior, from minimal to eclectic. A few ideas to get started:
- Start with the table. A Mexican oilcloth is the quickest way to bring colour into your kitchen or living room.
- Mix original and inspired. Combine a handmade Folclorico piece with items from El Restaurante or Lotería, and create a mix with character.
- Dare to combine colours. Kitsch Kitchen collections are made to be mixed. Pick one base colour and build around it.
- Give a gift with a story. A handmade item from Mexico is a present nobody else has.
A lasting bond
For Kitsch Kitchen, Mexico is more than a style. It is a collaboration that has lasted more than thirty years and that we continue with care. Every product you bring home carries a piece of that history.
Discover all Kitsch Kitchen collections in our web shop.