Discover Mercantil: Where Contemporary Design Meets Latin American Craftsmanship
What began as a personal search for the true meaning of luxury developed into MERCANTIL, a firm in which exclusivity is defined by the history and origin of each piece. Through her curatorial focus, Hillary Kent has made craftsmanship the centerpiece of her approach, offering furniture and objects that honor the past while projecting a sophisticated vision of the future of design.
Founded by renowned interior designer Hillary Kent, MERCANTIL specializes in the creation of furniture, lighting, and accessories designed in line with strict curatorial guidelines. From the outset, Kent conceived the firm as a bridge between global design and ancestral techniques, establishing direct connections with carpenters, blacksmiths, leather workers, basket makers, and potters in Mexico, Latin America and the Caribbean. This relationship with more than 500 master artisans guarantees the quality and exclusivity of each piece, while contributing to the preservation and evolution of traditional arts and crafts, ensuring that the artisanal legacy is kept alive and in constant transformation.
The concept of MERCANTIL responds to the needs of designers, architects and developers who seek exceptional pieces for high-end residential, hotel and hospital projects. With an established presence in Miami, Mexico City and Baja California Sur, the firm has contributed to emblematic locations such as Four Seasons Los Cabos and the exclusive Ritz-Carlton Reserve Zadún, where its work integrated luxury with local craft identity. Exactitude in the choice of materials, fine manufacture, and attention to detail give each piece an unmistakable seal of origin, permitting the design to dialogue with the essence of the place where it is located.
Each creation is a synthesis between contemporary innovation and the material wealth of the regions where MERCANTIL operates. Examples include the modular sofas Calle and Punta Lobos, made from tropical teak wood with artisan weavings, and the Flagstone table, combining metal and volcanic stone in a perfect balance of modernity and tradition. The firm is distinguished by its capacity for discovering materials, techniques, and narratives that harmonize with the sensibility of the great designers. Each piece is the result of a process of experimentation and collaboration that builds bridges between global design and the cultural roots of craft.
In a context where industrial processes have homogenized furniture production and where globalization has diluted uniqueness, MERCANTIL is committed to the revaluation of handmade work, ensuring that each piece is not only singular in its form and workmanship, but also contributes to the preservation of the crafts that have defined the cultural landscape of different communities. This vision is a response both to a current trend and to a conviction rooted in a specific understanding of design: sustainability is not only ecological, but also cultural, ensuring that future generations inherit the knowledge and skills that have defined craft over time.
From her training at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York to her career in prestigious interior design firms in the United States, Kent has perfected a work methodology that prioritizes the human value behind each object. Over time, her desire to create a concept of her own, where craftsmanship and design are able to establish an authentic dialogue, led her to found MERCANTIL. From her perspective, a piece of furniture is not only a decorative element but the reflection of a history and a lineage of craftsmanship that makes it an unrepeatable work. As part of her philosophy, MERCANTIL is committed to responsible production and local sourcing, ensuring that every material used—from leather and stone to hand-embroidered textiles—comes from sustainable sources and communities that keep the essence of their craft alive.
To a large extent the history of the firm is also that of its founder. Following a extensive career in design and the furniture industry, Kent decided to build a model that would challenge the traditional way of doing things. Inspired by her experiences in Mexico and Latin America, she discovered in handicrafts a fertile path for redefining exclusivity in interior design. What began as a personal quest for authenticity became a project that is now a reference point in combining luxury, know-how and design. For her, design is not only about aesthetics, but a way of forging a sense of belonging, connecting those who use the furniture with its origins. ‘Designers seek authenticity, but it is becoming harder and harder to get hold of truly unique pieces. My task is to find extraordinary things and put them in reach of those who know how to appreciate them,’ Kent explains.
MERCANTIL’s prestige has been earned through partnerships with major players in design and hospitality. Its presence in hotels, private residences and commercial spaces is a reflection of its meticulous selection criteria. From villas in Costa Rica to resorts in Baja California, each project incorporates exclusive pieces that respect the identity of their surroundings and the distinctive character of their clients. At a time when spaces tend to become more homogenous under the
influence of passing trends, MERCANTIL advocates the creation of environments with character, where every detail is the result of a determined search for excellence.
The growth of this project is not only a reflection of the continued demand for luxury items that have roots, but also an evolution towards a design that balances exclusivity with sustainability. With an ever-expanding network of partners, MERCANTIL continues to position itself as a strategic ally for designers in search of singular pieces. From the choice of exotic woods to the reinvention of textile techniques, each creation by the firm bears witness to the potential that emerges from the encounter between innovation and tradition. Its commitment to excellence and ability of merge past and future have transformed it into an undisputed icon in the international interior design scene.
MERCANTIL’s hallmark defines it as a firm that not only supplies decorative items, but also gives new value to the meaning of design in its purest form. Each piece bears the imprint of a carefully guarded tradition, the expert eye of a designer who understands the difference between the good and the extraordinary, and the certainty that luxury is not a matter of ostentation, but of authenticity.
About Mercantil
Mercantil is a homage, above all, to artisans. Specializing in the design, conceptualization, curation and production of bespoke furniture and decorative objects of the highest quality, the studio creates unique pieces with an unmistakable essence. Founded by interior designer Hillary Kent, Mercantil works with a network of over 450 artisans worldwide to develop unique collections and offer custom solutions for high-profile interior and hospitality projects. More than a brand, Mercantil is a celebration of the authenticity of artisanal crafts.
About Hillary Kent
An interior designer and expert in handcrafted objects, Hillary Kent is renowned for her luxury residential and hotel projects, in which she imprints her refined style. Her work pays tribute to ancient manual techniques, reflected in unique pieces with singular stories. With a presence in New York, Miami, Baja California Sur and Mexico City, her portfolio includes collaborations with Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons and other leading luxury hospitality firms.
