Maximilian Störbeck and Julian Kuhnle founded Kumpelkram in Essen in 2020, driven by a shared passion for design and the Ruhr region. The pair first met in mining, where they engineered pumps and ventilation systems for underground operations. When the industry declined, they pivoted into furniture design—but rather than simply selling others' work, they decided to create their own brand. Every piece tells the story of the region's industrial past. For their signature coal surfaces, Störbeck and Kuhnle developed a proprietary technique: the coal structure is hand-modeled, then coated and sealed with fine coal granules, creating a durable finish with zero dust or wear.

The collection showcases thoughtfully designed pieces like the Kohle.Tisch M—a 100 cm wide, 60 cm deep table standing 41 cm tall, with coal texture on both surfaces and a wild oak top (customizable upon request). The Kohle.Kommode M draws inspiration from pit head frames, featuring laser-cut steel legs in a sleek black finish. Perhaps most distinctive are the Kohle.Bilder: coal-textured panels framed in steel, with magnetic mounting for custom mining motifs that swap easily. Any magnetic object light enough to hold can float across the coal surface. Kumpelkram also creates bespoke lettering and designs for these pieces on demand.

www.kumpelkram.de

Photos:
Kumpelkram

(Published in CUBE Ruhrgebiet 04|21)