Cool and classy: Frida Watson

**** Sadly, Frida Watson no longer resides in Santa Catalina. ****

It was about two years ago that I heard about the new vintage store in Santa Catalina for the first time. Frida Watson – a very likable name. I was looking forward to meeting her occasionally, somehow expecting a tall, dark-haired woman. So I was surprised to find out that Frida stands for Margit and her daughter Sarah who pay tribute to Frida Kahlo by adopting her first name to their own family name.

When it comes to original vintage and retro furniture Frida Watson is a prime address in Palma. You find a fine selection of mostly Scandinavian design from the 50s, 60s, and 70s, furniture as well as smaller accessories like tableware, glasses and ceramics. Among them classics like the radial wall clocks by George Nelson, or lamps from Vitra or Gubi. They look extremely chic at Frida’s, yet it’s strange how I remember some of those pieces from the parents’ homes of friends where we considered them rather uncool. Not anymore, now. Next to vintage you also find some chic contemporary items like pillowcases and blankets in fancy retro designs, or the popular Swedish vinyl-rugs by Brita.

Margot and Sarah are carefully screening household clearances, auctions and flea markets – mainly in Denmark, but they have ties to other countries as well. Three to four times a year, they have their objets trouvés shipped to Palma. When the van arrives „it always feels like Christmas,“ Margit tells me. Most pieces need to be cleaned, fixed and/or painted before they can be displayed and sold, so the two of them spend a lot of time in their workshop upstairs. If you are looking for a certain item they will try to find it for you, and in case you need props for photo shootings or filming Margit is happy to assist, too. She’s had an child casting agency for many years and knows all about the business.