A coffee with Cati

Welcome to the club, Catalina! Let’s start with a little intro, who are you?

I’m Cati, I’m 26, latina and now living in Cologne, Germany with my husband Patrik. I’m the founder of The Tote Library, where I design bags that make life a little more beautiful and a little more practical.

Where did you grow up and where do you live now?

I grew up in Santiago, Chile. After that, I bounced around quite a bit, Dublin, Budapest, back to Chile, and finally landed in Cologne, Germany, where Patrik and I feel most at home now.

Could you please share more on how The Tote Library came to be?

It started very simply: I couldn’t find a tote bag that was both functional and felt like “me.” They were either too plain or too flimsy. So I decided to design my own — totes that are practical, with pockets and bottle sleeves, but also inspired by art and culture. One bag turned into a full collection, and suddenly The Tote Library became our life.

Where do you source inspiration for your designs?

I’m very inspired by art history, museums, and the idea of taking something classic and reimagining it for daily life. But also from Copenhagen! I completely fell in love with the city when I visited back in 2023. My own chaos is a big part of the inspiration process— like losing my keys at the bottom of a tote one too many times or having a water bottle spill on my books. A lot of the “aha” design moments come from everyday frustrations.

How do you find it working with your partner and fellow co-founder, Patrik?

Equal parts amazing and challenging. We get to share the highs together — celebrating a big launch or reading sweet customer emails — but we also have to learn when to switch off “work mode” and just be husband and wife. It’s not always easy, but I wouldn’t want to do this with anyone else.

What’s something you’re currently obsessed with?

Dirty chais, cozy books, fall interior decor and of course, our Scandi bag.

What does an average day look like for you?

There’s no such thing as average when you run a small business, but it usually starts with coffee (or matcha if I’m in the mood), checking in on orders and emails, planning content, and working on new designs. Somewhere in between, I try to squeeze in a workout or a walk. And evenings usually mean brainstorming with Patrik, even when we’re supposed to be “off.”

And of course, the Lepelclub classic: how do you take your coffee?

Regular lattes most of the time. If I’m feeling extra, I’ll have a dirty chai <3