Artists and designers
Katrin Schikora,, of German origin, is co-founder of TAKTO, together with George Samuelson. In 1990, Katrin visits Mexico for the first time, falling in love with the country and its people. After finishing her studies in ceramics, photography and Art Therapy in London, England, Katrin decides to start a new life as a visual artist and ceramic designer in Mexico in 1992, training local people so that they can be part of her work team. Katrin has exhibited her artwork widely, both nationally and internationally, for which she has won numerous prizes and awards. She has realized a great variety of commissioned work for private, commercial and public spaces.
In her quest to grow and gain a deeper understanding of human nature, Katrin has spent the last several years studying semiotics, Lacanian psychoanalysis, and the Bön Buddhist teachings. Katrin is currently in the process of developing a new ceramic product called aquapeanut®, produced with EM technology (based on Dr. Higa's research) to deprogram and revitalize water. Katrin is co-founder of edúcaTE Yucatán AC, a non-profit organization helping the children of Cholul to realize their potential, supporting their education.
Visit Katrin´s personal art website at www.katrinschikora.com
Angela Damman is an American born designer now living in Mexico.
Since her arrival in the Yucatan Peninsula in 2011, Angela has been inspired by local artisans and their ancestral techniques to transform the vegetable fibers of the region into bags and luxury products for interior design.
Combining her passion for textile design with her expertise in sustainable economic development, Angela collaborates with women in rural villages to integrate their beautiful craftsmanship with a contemporary design aesthetic. This unique collaboration has led to technical and design innovation in the field of textiles, as well as creating a global entry into new markets for natural fiber-based products.
Angela has been a partner of TAKTO Design Group since 2012.
George Samuelson (1957 - 2017) was born in Mexico as the son of Swedish-Colombian parents. He was a co-founder of the TAKTO Design company, together with his life partner, designer and visual artist Katrin Schikora.
He studied Biology and Industrial Design in Mexico City. As an artist, designer, architect and inventor, George's areas of creative experimentation were limitless. After working with several of Mexico's most prestigious architects between 1985 and 2000, and having been running three carpentry workshops in different locations producing his own furniture designs, George began designing and building the homes of his dreams in Valle de Bravo, Edo. of Mexico and in San Miguel Allende, places where he lived alternately during this time. He ended up building seven houses. After finishing the construction of one, George would sell his dream to someone else, so he could continue dreaming about and living his next adventure...
His last dream fulfilled was setting up his carpentry and blacksmith workshop in the center of Mérida, Yucatán, where he had come to live in 2005. In addition to creating unique pieces of furniture and sculpture in metal and recycled wood, George designed and built salt and freshwater aquariums, raised Koi carp, and was a passionate cook.
George's designs continue to be produced in TAKTO's workshops with the team of workers he trained over the years, keeping his vision and passion for design alive.
Our artisans
Supporting local culture
All of our designs are produced by artisans personally trained by us, working in our own studios and workshops in Mérida, as well as in their homes in rural communities in Yucatán.
By guaranteeing our workers a stable income and working conditions and allowing them to work from home or in their own localities, we support them to progress while keeping their families intact.
Artesanos alfareros en taller de Katrin Schikora en Cholul, Yucatán
Artesanos trabajando el barro en Cholul, Yucatán
Taller de herrería de Takto Design. George Samuelson
Artesanos alfareros en taller de Katrin Schikora en Cholul, Yucatán
Our clients (selection)
• Hyatt Ziva Hotel, Cancun, Q. Roo, Mexico | decoration for rooms
• Hotel Dreams Tulum, Q. Roo, Mexico | Monumental art mirrors for lobby
• SOHO HOUSE, Los Angeles, USA
• HAMILTON HUGHES DESIGN, Boston, USA
• CAPICUA CONCEPT STORE, Yucatán, Mexico
• COLOMER MUEBLES, Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico
• COQUI COQUI Boutique, Yucatán, Mexico
• WISECRACKER Design, Yucatán, Mexico
• KAMALAI Interiors, Puerto Aventuras, Q. Roo, Mexico
• Fab.com, USA
• Overstock.com, USA
• SU CASA Furniture, Colorado USA
• Hotel GILDA, Pie de la Cuesta, Guerrero, Mexico | decoration and lighting
• Hotel HOLIDAY INN, Cd. Del Carmen, Campeche | hallway and room numbering lamps
• REEF CLUB, Telchac Puerto, Yucatán | indoor, outdoor and restaurant flying buttresses
• Hotel SPA / AVENTURAS PALACE, Riviera Maya, Q. Roo | complete hotel signage incl. lounges and restaurants
• Hotel HOLIDAY INN, Cancun, Q.Roo | flying buttresses for corridors
• IBEROSTAR Paraíso Hotel, Akumal, Q.Roo | flying buttresses corridors and terraces, restaurant murals
• IBEROSTAR Paraíso El Cedral Hotel, Cozumel, Q. Roo | flying buttresses for corridors
• IBEROSTAR Rose Hall Resort, St. James, Jamaica | flying buttresses corridors and terraces for
Hotel 1/2 and 3
• Hotel PALLADIUM VALLARTA, Nayarit | lamps for restaurants
• Hotel KANTENAH FIESTA, Riviera Maya, Q. Roo | reception bar decor
• Hotel BARCELO MAYA, Riviera Maya, Q. Roo | flying buttresses for restaurant
• Hotel Gobernador, Mérida, Yucatán | complete hotel signage
• Hotel Villa Mérida, Mérida, Yucatán | table lamps
• Hotel Victoria House, San Pedro, Belize | hotel lamps and niche decoration
TAKTO SPECIAL COMMISSIONS (selection)
2018 Hotel DREAMS TULUM | set of two decorative iron, ceramic and wood mirrors for Main Lobby
2015 Hotel HYATT ZIVA, CANCÚN | decorative wood and ceramic for all hotel rooms
2015 IBEROSTR TUCAN QUETZAL Hotel | flying buttresses for LOBBY BAR ART DECO
2014 HBS Delli | boardroom mural, Mérida, Yuc.
2013 Hotel PRESIDENTE INTERCONTINENTAL | lighting and decoration for new restaurant / bar area
2012-13 3 ceramic murals for private residence, Mérida, Yucatán
2011 HOTEL IBEROSTAR CANCÚN | flying buttresses for beach restaurant
2011 Restaurant SUNSET MONALISA, Cabo San Lucas, Baja Cal. Sur | flying buttresses
2011 mural composition ´flores´, 3.50 mx 2.60m, private residence, Mérida Yuc.
2011 creation of a 12m x 1m ceramic mural for a chapel in a private residence, according to the design of the artist Carmen Parra
2010 Ceramic mural of 5.70mx 2.66m for private residence, Mérida, Yuc.
2010 Lighting for ´El Viejo Molino Café franchise
2009 design and elaboration of 7 sculptures and lighting for 7 houses showing the housing development LAS FINCAS, Temozón Norte,
Merida Arch. Álvaro Ponce / MISAN Construction Company
2009 Modular ceramic lattice with iron structure (25m x 3m / 5m) for Hotel Club de Patos, Sisal, Yucatán. PROJECT: Arch. Javier Pérez-Gil Salcido
2009 Lighting for the WINDLINES house by Elisabeth Dunkel, Mérida, Yucatán. Architectural project: Arch. Fernando Vasconcelos
MURAL WORKS / Katrin Schikora
2006 Mural for the general office of the Ice and Healthy Drinks plant, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
2004 Mural (10 mx 1 m) for Lobby Bar, Iberostar Paraíso Hotel / Stage IV, Riviera Maya, Mexico.
2002 Wall decoration (18 linear meters) for Lobby Bar, Kantenah Fiesta Hotel, Riviera Maya, Akumal, Mexico.
2002 Mural (3 m2) for reception area, Hotel Spa Palace, Riviera Maya, Mexico.
2001 Mural (6 m2) for the Cuevas Family residence, Villahermosa, Tabasco, Mexico.
2001 Mural (3 m2) for the Garza Family residence, Cancun, Mexico
2000 Three murals (6 m2) for Hotel IBEROSTAR PARAISO, Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
2000 Mural for the general office of the Ice and Healthy Drinks plant, Playa del Carmen, Mexico.
1999 Mural for the Abraham Chapur family residence, Cd. Del Carmen, Campeche, Mexico.
1996 Ceramic mural for the Fiesta Americana hotel, Mérida, Yucatán, México.
1995 Ceramic mural (3 x 1.50 m) for the Casa Rosa, Cancun, Mexico by Lic. Omar Diaz
1995 Six ceramic murals for the Spasso restaurant / bar, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Mérida, Yucatán, México.