Santa & Cole is a Barcelona-based design publisher founded in 1985 by Nina Masó, Javier Nieto Santa, and Gabriel Ordeig Cole. The company emerged during a transformative period in Spain, characterized by a spirit of possibility and renewal following the end of the dictatorship. Initially, Santa & Cole focused on creating unique lamps for iconic Barcelona nightlife venues, which later extended to illuminating the homes of their patrons. In contrast to the prevailing trend favoring cold, blue-toned halogen lamps, Santa & Cole championed the use of natural materials such as wood, sewn paper, and ribbons, either by reissuing existing designs or developing new ones, like the iconic “Básica” lamp. 

Santa & Cole operates as a design publisher, akin to a book editor but for objects. This approach involves curating and managing a catalog of designs, outsourcing production to specialized manufacturers, and safeguarding the intellectual property of their authors. The company adheres to principles reminiscent of the Bauhaus school: structural integrity, aesthetic restraint, and functional quality.