Azurite Blue / Colour of the month #12

Azurite has been used as blue pigment for centuries; extensively used in Egypt, East Europe and China. It is a soft, deep blue copper mineral produced by breaking down copper ore deposits.

BURNT SIENNA: Colour of the month #10

The earth colour pigments known as Raw and Burnt Sienna are traditional colours, which consist mostly of iron oxides, hematite and goethite. One pigment is yellowish-brown and the other is reddish-brown, which differentiate in the thermal processing of the raw material.

ULTRAMARINE BLUE : Colour of the month #9

Throughout history, blue colour was unobtainable or rare. Humans took many years to discover, understand and work with this colour.  It wasn’t easily found in nature making it quite difficult to extract. One of the most expensive blue colours in history, even more than gold is Ultramarine Blue due to its extensive production process and its origin.

M U M M Y BROWN: Colour of the month #7

Photo: Studio Laura Daza

While studying Egyptian history and historical pigments I found an incredible and scary story behind one of these pigments.  Mummy brown, Egyptian mummy or caput mortuum, which means dead head in latin, was a pigment favoured by Pre-Raphaelite painters.

N A T U R A M O R T A / A still life at Abadir

'Colour is important in our daily lives, yet it is often taken for granted or little understood. 

Few are taught about colour, but many seem to possess an innate sense of it and are aware 

when colours are used in a harmonious way'  - The Anatomy of Colour Book by Patrick Baty

C o l o u r A l c h i m i a workshop at ABADIR

What a beautiful experience of sharing colour with colour lovers!
This is what happened during the Colour Alchimia workshop at ABADIR - Accademia di Design e Arti Visive in Catania, Sicily, which took place from the 20 - 21 July, 2017. I am thrilled to share my story and the experience of teaching this workshop in the beautiful island, which makes it a unique place to be. It has this summer vibe near the Edna volcano.

V E R D I G R I S / Colour of the Month #5

We are celebrating Colour of the Month #5!

While living in London and traveling abroad, I have always been curious about the pale green colour seen on rooftops and domes of various churches and traditional buildings. It creates a beautiful contrast with the architecture and city landscape. 

C O L O U R P R O V E N A N C E / Colour of the Month #3

We are CELEBRATING colour and each month I will introduce a different colour palette and story. I will be presenting my project Colour Provenance, which is palette made up of eight ancient colours from the animal, plant and mineral world including Saffron: a golden colour; cave and primitive colours such as natural Ochres; first ever used green Malachite and blue Azurite and so many other fascinating stories and origins behind natural materials and colours. 

O C H R E / Colour of the Month #2

As we start the new year here is an update on new colour vibes! This month we are celebrating the deep-warm and vibrant Ochre colour. Also known as natural earth, soil and terra, which still is a big trend today. You may find inspiration and insight on how to apply this colour today, creating smart colour swatches and inspirational mood-boards! 

S A F F R O N / Colour of the Month #1

The waters of the Mediterranean Sea have witnessed the most fascinating trade routes of spices and colour. Saffron is a spice that is extracted from the dried stigmas of thecrocus sativus, and has always been one of the world’s most costly substances.

Read more about the fascinating story behind this magnificent colour and a bonus recipe for you to try at home.

S U M M E R Pop-Up Shop

Good news! 

We've curated a small summer pop-up shop in the South of Italy with great collection pieces. 

L A G U A J I R A / Dessert landscapes

Inside Colombia's most adventurous and arid experience. La Guajira, Colombia is far away - blissfully away. The environmentally protected peninsula is located in the Northern part of Colombia - 4/6 hours from Santa Marta.

V I L L A de L E Y V A / An enchanting spot in Colombia

P O M P E I I / The city of eternal colours

The Traveling Colour Book got new colour inspirations from the ancient city near Rome called Pompeii. ‘Materia prima’ such as natural earths, marbles and stones were seen in architecture and interiors; mosaics and frescoes embellish the walls, floors and ceilings of the ruins. 

P I G M E N T O / Handcrafted prints

Pigmento is a collection of handcrafted prints designed by Studio Laura Daza, using our natural pigments from the 'Colour Provenance' palette including red and yellow ochre, lampblack, azurite and malachite pigments. 

C O S M E T I C A / A tool for the future

COSMETICA is a project designed by Studio LAURA DAZA. It comes from the Greek word kosmetike 'technique for ornamentation', are care substances to enhance the appearance, this project starts with the idea of building a scenario for the women of tomorrow. Thinking about her basic needs specially in the area of cosmetics, using local materials left by human exploitation.

C O L O U R / TOTEMS

The Traveling Colour Book' is a traveling journal of COLOUR inspirations and a recompilation of found objects throughout my journeys.

A m s t e r d a m in Colours

The Traveling Colour Book this time is Amsterdam. The city was pouring colours everywhere. I saw COLOUR spreading in the city; on the surprising canals, in the contrasting architecture, inside inspiring cafes and concept stores, in the rubbish and in the way they dress. Dutch people love colour and are keen in creating new colour combinations.

B r i c k l a n e Market / London

'MOK A coffee art' by designer LAURA DAZA

Designer and photographer: Laura Daza

'MOK A coffee art' is a collection of limited edition illustrations created by designer and artist Laura Daza www.lauradaza.com, inspired in one of her greatest passions, the enjoyment of drinking a cup of the best hand roasted coffee. Is the romanticism, the aroma and the secret behind this art making, what makes it appealing to many coffee lovers, especially to this designer/artist.

Designer and photographer: Laura Daza

The drinking of coffee is about indulging in the simple pleasures of life and the sharing of moments together; the foam technique and the interesting designs made by pouring the foamed milk into the espresso such as lovely hearts, leaves and abstract shapes; is what makes this a unique experience.

Designer and photographer: Laura Daza

Designer and photographer: Laura Daza

MOK A, name that comes from Moka pot or espresso machinetta or machine; is a coffee maker invented by Italians. It is a nostalgic design that brings affection and is essential in almost every cucina italiana 'Italian kitchen'. The designer got inspiration for this project while traveling to Italy and understanding the art of drinking a cappuccino, espresso or any other coffee derivative. 

With this project the aim is to reinterpret and propose a new imagery of the traditional Moka aluminum pot. The use of vibrant colours, geometric shapes, polka dots and contrasting elements makes it a hip and pop design, exploring the boundaries of design and different ways of expressing and experimenting with life emotions. All the illustrations were hand-drawn using funky coloured markers and inks to give the sketchy appereance. 

'My studio place is located in Bethnal Green, in the East part of London. It can be said that is my home and tabernacle where I enjoy working, letting my ideas flow and especially make the best coffee in the Moka pot' - Laura Daza

Designer and photographer: Laura Daza

Coffee places that have inspired this designer:

Look Mum No Hands - Old Street -  London http://www.lookmumnohands.com/
Pitfields  - Hoxton- London http://www.pitfieldlondon.com/
Fix 126 - Shoreditch - London http://www.fix-coffee.co.uk/
Mud - East Village - NYC  http://www.onmud.com/
The Bean - East Village - NYC http://thebeannyc.com/
Il Caffe di Sant' Eustachio - Piazza Sant´Eustachio - Rome  http://www.santeustachioilcaffe.it
Gran Caffé Renzelli - Historic centre - Cosenza http://www.renzelli.com 
Poco Coffee Bar - Stokes Croft - Bristol http://www.tomsfeast.com/restaurants/poco-bristol/

Designer and photographer: Laura Daza

Designer and photographer: Laura Daza

Designer and photographer: Laura Daza

Designer and photographer: Laura Daza

Designer and photographer: Laura Daza

For more information visit www.lauradaza.com