The Gnomes are products: two series of quasi‐functional objects that we designed by exploring primitive and geometric forms.

Really we just made sure each gnome always had a hat (even in the case of the “Gnome Without
Hat”‐‐whose hat is actually just to its side) and could be somewhat distinguishable. In the flat‐packed line, form is
produced through two interlocking metal sheets. The volumetric line revisits the same family through a variety of
materials ‐‐cork, stone, metal, fabric, mirrored acrylic. Designing between the two‐‐attempting to draw units that
can exist flattened (as planes) or inflated (as heavy and sharp; soft and puffy) has been fun. In the end, we think
they could look good anywhere…

The Gnomes will be at home on a brownstone stoop, a 28th floor terrace, a roof garden, a backyard, a beach, a fireplace, a window sill, a bedroom floor, or a book fair.

sP: What or who influenced this project?
JK & ID: Our affinity for uselessness; our predilection for things that combine consumerism and myth; our interest in kitsch,
decoration, and abstraction.

sP: What were you reading/listening to/watching while developing this project?
JK & ID: There was a moment in time when our studio library consisted of only three books: Gnomes, by Wil Huygen and
illustrated by Rien Poortvliet in 1977 (we found an original!); Georges Teyssot’s The American Lawn, published in
1999; and a catalogue of cork samples that a manufacturer sent us.

sP: Whose work is currently on your radar?
JK & ID: Roman Nvmerals; Victor Pasmore; GRNASFCK; ifyouhigh; Theo Triantafyllidis

Additional Credits/Links:

Design: New Affiliates (Jaffer Kolb and Ivi Diamantopoulou)
Photography: Mari Kon (http://marielkon.com)
Originally displayed as part of Lawn, Redrawn, 1.5 Rooms, Brooklyn, NY
(http://cargocollective.com/onepointfiverooms/)
Flatpack gnomes are currently distributed by ThisXThat (https://www.thisxthat.com)