CONVERSATION WITH MOLLY BERRY
Molly Berry is the Founder and Creative Director of Luna Zorro Studio, an impact-led design brand based in Antigua, Guatemala. Originally from California, she has spent the last 14+ years living in Central America, where she collaborates with artisans to create textiles, spaces, and experiences that merge cultural heritage with modern design. She’s also a photographer, writer, and mother of two who brings curiosity and care to everything she creates—especially when it comes to sharing stories about travel, home, and lifestyle.
THE FOUNDATION
NAME:
Molly Berry
CURRENT LOCATION:
Antigua, Guatemala
WHERE HAVE YOU SPENT MEANINGFUL TIME?
California (San Francisco and Napa Valley), Panama, Guatemala, England, Italy, Mallorca, and Mexico.
WHAT DO YOU DO?
I’m the Founder and Creative Director of Luna Zorro Studio, an impact-led design studio partnering with artisan weavers, based in Antigua, Guatemala. In recent years, Luna Zorro has expanded to include curated travel and immersive experiences in Guatemala and Mexico. I’m a mother of two, a photographer, and a writer—constantly weaving together creativity, culture, and connection in my daily life.
OUTSIDE OF WORK, WHAT SPARKS YOUR CURIOSITY?
When I’m not working, I make an effort to be mindful of how I move through my day. I love slow mornings making coffee and sitting in my garden before anyone else is up, while the house is still quiet; taking a cold swim to reset; and hiking with my dog, Lucy. Time off my phone—recharging through creative projects and working with my hands—is when I feel most centered. I love designing interior spaces, taking care of my home, cooking with fresh ingredients from the farmers market, hunting for vintage textiles, sharing long dinners with family and friends, and exploring the world with my husband and kids.
I also recently launched a Substack newsletter called Well Traveled by Luna Zorro, where I share personal essays on travel, home, and creative living. It has become a really cool new outlet for me.
ANTIGUA
CITY NOTES
A personal take on the place you call home—or know best
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR CITY TO SOMEONE WHO’S NEVER BEEN?
Antigua is a colorful little town nestled in a lush valley surrounded by three majestic volcanoes. The cobblestone streets are lined with 400-year-old ruins, colonial facades, bursts of bougainvillea, and some of the best coffee you’ll ever have. It’s a town that hums with history and also feels alive with creative energy—where artists, locals, and visitors mingle in passing, at rooftop bars, art workshops, and cozy cafés. I always say that Antigua may be small, but it stays with you long after you leave.
WHAT MAKES IT FEEL MEANINGFUL TO YOU, EITHER NOW OR OVER TIME?
My husband is half Guatemalan and spent much of his life growing up here, so as a family, we do have meaningful roots. But when we moved here together, we really grew into it and made it home. Antigua is where my daughter was born, where we built our home, and where Luna Zorro came to life.
After four years in Panama—and having my first child, Joaquin, there—we moved to Antigua with the dream of building something more rooted, creative, and slow. There’s a rhythm here that makes everyday life feel special—from the sound of church bells to the kindness of strangers and the beauty of market life. Antigua has shaped my family’s day-to-day world in a way that feels grounding.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME OF THE YEAR TO VISIT, AND WHY?
January through April are beautiful here—warm, dry days, jacaranda trees in full bloom, and the town vibrates with color and celebration during Holy Week (Semana Santa). That said, I also love the rainy season (May to October), when the afternoons bring thunder, lush greenery, and cozy evenings at home.
WHAT THREE WORDS CAPTURE ITS ESSENCE?
Authentic, vibrant, communal.
WHERE WOULD YOU STAY FOR A DREAM WEEKEND?
Posada del Angel is a romantic, elegant Antigua classic boutique hotel, or Villa Bokeh for an incredible experience set within a stunning Antigua estate. For those visiting after Fall 2025, book a stay at La Valiente—a design haven and curated guesthouse that my husband and I bought and have restored over the last two years. Its thoughtful interiors and attention to detail make it a truly special oasis in the heart of Antigua.
RHYTHM AND RITUAL
Your daily path through the city
HOW DO YOU START YOUR MORNINGS?
Most mornings begin with waking up to the birds. We live next to a coffee farm, so my morning alarm is truly a chorus of birds outside our window. If I’m lucky and there’s enough time, once I’ve put the coffee on, I’ll take a swim in our (very cold!) pool—which really is the best way to start the day.
After dropping off my kids at school, I try to fit in a yoga class at Shakti Shala or pilates at Intensity Pilates. Before heading to my studio, I’ll walk for (another!) coffee at one of my favorites—Artista de Café or Alegría Café. I often stop at Caoba Farms for produce and fresh bread, drop things at home, and then head to my studio on the other side of town, located on a 150-year-old coffee farm. By 3 p.m., I’m picking up my kids, and we’ll go for ice cream at Sobremesa or head home to start homework and dinner. I cook nearly every night—it’s my time to wind down and be present with my family.
A FOOD SPOT YOU ALMOST HESITATE TO SHARE?
To be completely honest, the best food and atmosphere in Antigua is right at Luna Zorro Studio. I designed and built the studio in 2019, creating a large outdoor kitchen for our natural dye workshops. As the studio evolved into a destination, we wanted to integrate food into the experience. That’s when I met Noemi from Wild Daughter. She officially moved in two years ago and has created true magic there with her team. Their organic, farm-to-table meals are all cooked over open fire; their botanical cocktails and mocktails are beautiful; and her daily-made breads, pastries, and tortillas—fresh over the comal—are next-level. Wild Daughter has become a community gathering place. Everyone knows they’ll get an unforgettable experience—and the best food—at her pop-up brunches and events.
In addition, there’s a new spot in Antigua called Libra that is incredibly well done. The food is thoughtful and delicious, the team is warm and inviting, and the décor is lovely.
DESIGN & INSPIRATION
Places, people, and details that reflect the spirit of the city
ONE OBJECT OR ITEM IN YOUR HOME THAT REFLECTS THIS CITY’S INFLUENCE?
One of my favorite ways to layer soul and story into my home is by using textiles from around the world. But of course, the very best textiles come from Guatemala. My home is filled with vintage and newly handwoven pieces (by Luna Zorro’s partner artisans) that reflect the beauty, artistry, and history of Guatemala.
WHERE DO YOU ALWAYS TAKE VISITING FRIENDS?
One place I always take visiting friends is Santo Domingo Spa. Built into old ruins, this adults-only spa is as lush as it is peaceful. The outdoor/indoor pools and Roman-style jacuzzis are truly an oasis in Antigua.
I love spending hours here catching up with friends. What I hope they’ll feel—as well as notice—is that this slow, beautiful way of spending an afternoon reflects so much of what life in Antigua is like: connected, thoughtful, and soulful.
A SPACE THAT INSPIRES YOU WITH ITS DESIGN?
Luna Zorro Studio, hands down. It’s all glass, full of light, surrounded by native flora and birdsong. It brings together traditional Guatemalan craftsmanship with clean, modern design. We share the space with brands like Nada Duele, host natural dye workshops, showcase artisan collections, and welcome travelers and artists alike. It’s a true creative haven.
WHERE DO YOU GO WHEN YOU NEED CREATIVE FUEL?
In Antigua, I find inspiration walking through the Mercado, watching the buzz of daily life unfold. Guatemalans are incredibly kind, and it’s easy to feel welcomed into the rhythm of market days, when fruits, veggies, and flowers are brought in from around the valley. The colors alone are something to marvel at—robust produce laid out in piles, women in intricate handwoven traje selling bundles of lilies and birds of paradise, the sounds of tortillas being made by hand, and vendors singing out their daily offerings.
Creativity here comes from the land, the light, and the way people move through it all in such an authentic way.
FINAL IMPRESSIONS
Places, people, and details that reflect the spirit of the city
MOST ICONIC LOCAL FLAVOR:
Pepián—rich, earthy, and deeply Guatemalan.
A SINGLE WORD TO DESCRIBE WHAT THIS PLACE HAS TAUGHT YOU:
Presence.
ONE LOCAL EXPERIENCE EVERYONE SHOULD TRY AT LEAST ONCE:
Climbing Volcán Acatenango and sleeping overnight at base camp to hike the summit and watch the sunrise over the world below.
