Susana Ordovás is a journalist and creator specializing in interior design who has turned aesthetics and spaces into her medium of expression. She has published the book Inside Yucatán: Hidden Mérida and Beyond, in which she explores residences and aesthetics in southeastern Mexico. She is a unique voice in the world of deco-influencers.
You grew up between Ireland, Africa and Spain, and now you live in Mexico. In what way have those experiences influenced your aesthetic and your approach to interior design?
“I grew up surrounded by contrasts — landscapes, cultures, colours and ways of life very different — and that taught me to look with curiosity and without prejudice. From Africa I inherited a taste for what is essential and authentic; from Ireland, a certain melancholy and connection to nature; and from Spain and Mexico, the passion for the handmade, the imperfect and the full-of‐life. That mixture has defined how I view spaces: I always look for soul, history and authenticity.”
What was the most unexpected or emotional discovery you made during the research for your book Inside Yucatán?
“More than a single finding, it was the realisation of people’s generosity. Many homeowners opened their houses for the first time, trusted me and shared intimate stories. Discovering that network of connections between architecture, land and memory moved me deeply.”
Is there a workspace that has been especially transformative for you?
“My desk changes depending on the country, but I always try to make sure there’s natural light and silence. More than a physical place, for me it’s a mental state. Perhaps the most transformative has been the one in my home in Mexico City, where I finished my book Inside Yucatán at my old computer, on an antique desk I bought at a flea market nearly thirty years ago.”
What is your greatest daily source of inspiration?
“Curiosity. I have an unending curiosity and a great capacity for wonder. I’m inspired by observing the everyday with fresh eyes: a texture, an object, an abandoned house. And by travel, even if it’s only with the imagination.”
Your favourite hotel?
“It’s hard to choose just one, but I have a soft spot for places with soul and a sense of place. Hotel Terrestre, on the Pacific coast of Oaxaca, seems a unique refuge to me: austere, silent, deeply connected with nature and the sea. Its architecture, its respect for the setting and the feeling of total disconnection make it truly special.”
What role does craftsmanship play in your daily life?
“Fundamental. Craftsmanship connects me to the hands that make, to time and to the imperfection that makes something truly beautiful. I always make sure to surround myself with objects made with soul.”
What part of the world would you like to explore wearing your friulane?
“It could be Istanbul, for its mixture of cultures and its golden light at sunset. Or maybe Yucatán, where everything — the chaos, the beauty, the decay — lives together in perfect harmony.”
