‘Chula’ they call their mother and ‘Chula’ is how she likes to be addressed: ““When someone calls me ‘Karla’, I feel like they’re angry with me.”laughs the Mexican chef. Today is the day that opens the doors of his house in the center of Madrida space where she moved recently married with just a few beds and the kitchen in operation and which, two years later, she has turned into a home with her husband, businessman Ramón Hermosilla, and his daughter Constantine, Coco, only four and a half months old.
© CHESCO LÓPEZ
© CHESCO LÓPEZ-Tell us about this house, what do you think makes it special?
-It is a space of peace, in totally neutral tones. Living in the hustle and bustle of center of Madridwe were looking for a feeling of serenity in the decoration. Although I consider myself maximalist, colorful and very folkloric, I really like living here. I always include color in tableware, flowers, tablecloths and glassware.
© CHESCO LÓPEZ“Living in the hustle and bustle of the center of Madrid, we were looking for a feeling of serenity in the decoration. Although I am maximalist, colorful and folkloric, I like being here”
-What was your house like in Mexico?
-Very spacious and with lots of light. Each room had a color, there was a lot of art and plants, it was full of Mexican tableware and crafts… I still haven’t brought some of them… The kitchen was made of tiles in different shades of green and on the wall there were mirrors so that my students could see me. They came from all over the country to spend the morning with me and learn how to cook. You don’t know how much I miss him; It was a fascinating chapter in my life.
-There will be nods to Mexico in the decoration to combat that nostalgia…
-Of course! My favorites are the Virgin of Health made of clay and a skull of the ‘great’ Posada (José Guadalupe Posada, the Mexican illustrator of Catrina). There are also some Orly Anan huaraches that I find very impressive.
© CHESCO LÓPEZ
© CHESCO LÓPEZ-What would you say is the most Mexican corner of the house?
-It’s not as Mexican as I would have liked, but I love it. my kitchen. It is always full of fruits and vegetables, with the ‘little virgin’ present and very good vibes. Rocío La Roche, from Moretti, whom many friends had recommended me, drew the kitchen of my dreams, since it is not only practical and beautiful, but totally functional and screams my name!
© CHESCO LÓPEZ
© CHESCO LÓPEZ
© CHESCO LÓPEZ-As a good chef, tell us what ‘deco’ details never fail you at the table…
-The tableware from the Portuguese brand Bordallo Pinheiro: the autumnal one makes my tables become markets. I also really like to put fruits as if they were centerpieces. The linen placemats from Los Encajeros are a dream for any table, as well as things from IQ Home or Zara Home, which I also use a lot. But what excites me the most are the antiques or the inherited objects.
© CHESCO LÓPEZ“What really excites me if we talk about decoration are antiques or inherited objects”
-What is the space that has your name ‘written’?
-Constantina’s room. I couldn’t conceive it with the classic neutral colors baby I covered it entirely with Indian motifs and added two palm tree-shaped lamps that I found at the Rastro. The crib is inherited from the children of my great friend Vega (Royo-Villanova).
© CHESCO LÓPEZ
© CHESCO LÓPEZ
© CHESCO LÓPEZ-And the most precious piece?
-The mattress in my room. I always want to sleep in it again! (laughs). Now seriously, my ‘treasures’ are my kittens, Sakura and Campari. I adopted them in Mexico seven years ago and they came with me to Madrid a little before I got married. I adore them.
“I love my kitchen. It is always full of fruits and vegetables, with the Virgin of Health present and very good vibes”
© CHESCO LÓPEZ-You have made good friends in Spain… Do you like to receive at home?
-It fascinates me! I love preparing my friends’ birthdays, but really any excuse is good. I love setting the table and flowers and thinking about the menu, going to the market and cooking. Even drawing the place cards makes me excited. In my house there is always food for everyone and, if not, they put more water in the beans, as we say in Mexico.
“I couldn’t conceive Constantina’s room with the classic neutral baby colors, so I covered it all and put two palm tree lamps from the Rastro”
© CHESCO LÓPEZ
© CHESCO LÓPEZ
© CHESCO LÓPEZ-Is there anything special that you like to surprise them with?
-I am a big fan of naturalness and making people feel very comfortable. That’s why I always have the best tequila and the food is usually spicy.
-You will also have your favorite meeting place.
-The terrace. We love enjoying the ‘snack’ (the appetizer) next to the pool. I always make flautas with guacamole and margaritas. We are very happy there.
© CHESCO LÓPEZ
© CHESCO LÓPEZ
© CHESCO LÓPEZ-You just published a book. What will we find in it?
-His name is Chula, you are a bastard and I feel very lucky that Espasa is my publishing house. Virginia, my editor, and I felt that the name couldn’t be more compelling and pertinent. It is a personal vision of gastronomy through emotions, with more than 100 recipes from around the world and a chapter dedicated entirely to my land. The photos are from many stages of my life, from when I was single woman in my colorful apartment in Mexico to already married and pregnant in my house in Madrid.
“We love enjoying the ‘snack’ next to the pool. I always make flautas with guacamole and margaritas. “We are very happy here”
© CHESCO LÓPEZ
© CHESCO LÓPEZ-By the way, how are you experiencing being a new mother?
-I gave birth and finished the book the same month. It has been exhausting, but rewarding. I can’t wait until I can be in people’s homes. And I’m dying for Coco, she’s a ‘cute’.
-How do you like to celebrate the Day of the Dead?
-When I arrived in Madrid I went to the altar of Casa de México that my friend Ximena Caraza puts up and it is wonderful. For this year I have a surprise in store. I can’t reveal much, but it will be great.
© CHESCO LÓPEZ“I gave birth and finished my book in the same month. It has been exhausting, but very rewarding. And I am dying with Coco; she is a ‘cutie'”
