Home altars have always held a central place in my domestic life, not as religious relics but as deeply personal spaces that anchor me amidst changes and challenges. Moving out of state to college, relocating internationally, and then navigating the demands of a fast-paced career—each transition was made a little easier by the presence of an altar. These sacred spaces provide grounding, a sense of home when far from the familiar, and a connection to the people, memories, and objects that matter most.
Through my experiences, I’ve come to see home altars as more than static displays; they are ever-evolving spaces that reflect my emotions, intentions, and personal growth. In seeking to understand how others approach altar-making, I spoke with three designers: Laura Kirar, Josué Ramos Espinoza, and Mike Diaz. Each offered a distinct perspective on creating and curating altars, shaped by their cultural heritage, creative practices, and personal philosophies.
What struck me in these conversations was the harmonious blending of design, meaning, and healing in altar-making. Whether inspired by the seasons or crafted with intention to hold energy, these altars create spaces for reflection, connection, and restoration, deepening our bond with ourselves and the world around us.
Their insights reveal how altars serve as vessels for healing, artistic expression, and storytelling, effortlessly woven into the rhythms of daily life. Like my own, their altars are not just collections of objects but profound reflections of their journeys—of who they are, where they’ve been, and where they are headed.
A seasonal approach to design
When Laura Kirar first moved into her 300-year-old hacienda in Mexico, the artist and designer considered converting an old chapel into a bedroom. However, during renovations, workers uncovered remains beneath the chapel floor. “The discovery of those remains shifted my perspective entirely,” she recalls. “Instead of covering up the space, I knew I had to honor it in a way that respected its history.”
