Molecot: The Art of Expressing Care Through Table Design

Quick Summary

María José González-Moro prepares Christmas meals for around 15 guests, viewing table design as a way to show affection. She creates her own ceramic designs, favoring green and earth tones, and mixes patterns for different courses. She co-founded Molecot a decade ago with childhood friends Juqui Suárez de Lezo and Marta Cotoner. The brand evolved from a shared hobby in a porcelain painting workshop into a professional business due to high demand. Suárez de Lezo returned to her legal role at Telefónica to support the venture. The company name combines their surnames. Molecot now ships internationally to places like Miami and Qatar, highlighting a growing appreciation for detailed table settings.

The Philosophy of Table Setting

For María José González-Moro, the arrangement of a dining table is a direct message to the guests. She believes that "Poner una mesa bonita es una forma de expresar cariño a la gente que va a venir a tu casa" (Putting a beautiful table is a way to express affection to the people coming to your house). This philosophy guides her holiday preparations, where she organizes a meal for approximately 15 people.

Her approach to design is meticulous and seasonal. She prefers dishes in green and earth tones, noting that the dinnerware for daytime differs from that used at night. To create a cohesive yet dynamic look, she enjoys mixing patterns. She ensures that the plain plates for the main course differ from those used for dessert or bread.

Because she designs her own pieces, González-Moro has the flexibility to execute these specific aesthetic choices perfectly. Her method demonstrates how personal touch and attention to detail transform a meal into a meaningful experience.

From Hobby to Business 🚀

The creation of Molecot was a natural progression of a long-standing friendship. Juqui Suárez de Lezo, Marta Cotoner, and González-Moro are all 45-year-old natives of Madrid who met in school. About ten years ago, they decided to attend a porcelain painting workshop together.

Marta Cotoner recalls that the idea arose organically. She had started taking classes earlier with Carmen Muñoz, and the three eventually coincided in a workshop led by Teresa San Miguel and Lucía Corsini. They discovered they had a talent for the craft. "Vimos que se nos daba bien y empezamos a tener encargos para amigos, familia y compañeros de trabajo" (We saw that we were good at it and started getting orders from friends, family, and coworkers), says Suárez de Lezo.

At the time, Suárez de Lezo was preparing to return to her job at Telefónica, where she worked as a commercial lawyer. Recognizing the success and demand, they decided to professionalize the operation. They needed a name that sounded good in various languages, so they invented one by playing with their surnames.

International Reach and Trends

What began as a project for "amigos, familia y compañeros de trabajo" has expanded significantly. The brand now receives orders from international locations, specifically mentioning Miami and Qatar.

This growth reflects a broader observation regarding consumer habits. The founders note that there is an auge del cuidado de este tipo de detalles (rise in the care of these types of details). This trend applies not only to special occasions like Christmas but also to everyday life. People are increasingly investing in the aesthetics of their daily environments.

The success of Molecot illustrates how a shared passion among friends can evolve into a recognized international brand, driven by a desire for personalized and expressive home decor.