There’s always room for more irreverent whimsy in the world! Jumbo, a New York City design practice founded by friends Justin Donnelly and Monling Lee, seemingly agree. The brand produces objects and environments guided by an interest in reductivism. As a result of the duo’s less is more approach, Jumbo’s projects are simultaneously technical in execution and joyful in design. In 2023, they released two seating designs that stand out for their creativity and questioning of the norm: the Snow Fence Chair and the Foldont Chair.
Shown at ‘Local Objects’ at International Objects in April 2023, the Snow Fence Chair came into existence during the pandemic. At the time, inexpensive materials such as snow fence were put to use cordoning off areas – from outdoor seating to streets that were suddenly pedestrian-only. The Snow Fence Chair continues to explore the boundaries that surround the use of the material by reimagining the flexible polypropylene as a fixed loveseat.
At first glance, you’ll likely guess that the Foldont Chair is an exaggerated folding chair – but that’s not the case. First shown at the Sight Unseen Collection in May 2023, it was created as a response to AI. Playfully utilitarian in form, it follows the expected shape, replacing metal and thin wood in favor of thick wood and birdseye veneer to create a static place to sit.
To learn more about the Snow Fence Chair or the Foldont Chair, visit jumbo.nyc.
Snow Fence Chair photography by Sean Davidson.