Benedicte Bodard – Mesa Bonita

Originally from France and after spending 18 years in Los Angeles where she worked as a wardrobe stylist in films, television and commercials Benedicte arrived in Spain in 2001. At the time, the Spanish real estate market was undergoing a huge “boom” and people were doing major remodelling in their newly acquired apartments. Part of the remodelling (sadly) consisted of (and still does) removing any design characteristics that could remind them of the past. Walking through the streets of Barcelona, Benedicte was mesmorised by containers of debris filled with beautiful Modernista hydraulic tiles.  She was amazed that anyone could throw these beauties away, which is probably what prompted her to act. Benedicte began dumpster diving for the tiles and bringing them home. She learned that these tiles were produced by applying coloured powdered marble to a base of concrete through a hydraulic process. The tiles can be up to a hundred and twenty five years old and were a fundamental part of the Catalan Modernista movement.  Benedicte decided to start collecting these tiles which soon piled up quickly in her apartment. She decided not to hoard them but was going to give them a second life by making tables, consoles, frames, trivets and related products. It was then that Mesa Bonita was born. She personally rounds up the tiles and chisels up to 3 inches of age hardened cement from the back of them by hand, restores the front and treats them to return to their original beauty. Then she oxidizes or paints the frames (which are made for by local artisans) and set and grout the tiles. All is handmade, that is for sure!

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