A conversation with Ask og Eng

In this edition, I speak with Kine Ask Stenersen and Kristoffer Eng, founders of Ask og Eng. Since starting in Norway in 2016 with a self-built bamboo kitchen, their studio has become known for handcrafted bamboo designs that blend Scandinavian simplicity with respect for natural materials. Now based in Mallorca, with a workshop in Drammen, they continue to evolve their considered designs.

I discovered Ask og Eng a few years ago while planning a Scandinavian inspiration trip. A visit to their former Oslo showroom left a lasting impression—the calm, craftsmanship, and considered beauty of their design. In this conversation, they share insights into their journey, creative process, and what’s next.

HOW DO YOU TYPICALLY START YOUR MORNING?

Kristoffer: With coffee – always coffee first.

Kine: I try to carve out a slow, quiet moment before the day truly begins – usually after the kids are off to school. Just a few minutes to breathe and set an intention.

Then our mornings shift into conversations with the team or others – that’s where the workday really begins.

DO YOU HAVE ANY RITUALS THAT HELP SET THE TONE FOR YOUR DAY? 

It’s often the small things – creating space for pauses, even when life is full. Those little rituals help anchor us in the present.



WHAT DOES “HOME” MEAN TO YOU? HOW DOES YOUR HOME REFLECT YOUR INNER WORLD?

Home is where we exhale but also create as work/life/home/studio is very much integrated in our case. Which is lovely and chosen.
Natural stone, organic textures, bamboo are deeply connected to how we want to feel: calm, connected, inspired.

The simplicity in our home mirrors both who we are and the work we do.



WHERE IS HOME FOR YOU?

Norway is home, of course – but more specifically, the people within it.

Home is for us a feeling we carry with us. Right now, that feeling exists in Mallorca, in Binissalem.

But also in our workshop in Drammen – that space is a kind of home too. We write and mean it truthfully, in our message for projects we have been involved in – “Thank you for letting us be a small piece in your Home” So that is also Home for us – Ask og Eng in other people’s homes.



HOW DID YOU GET WHERE YOU ARE NOW?

It’s been a journey built on curiosity, shared values, and a desire to create something meaningful.

Ask og Eng began with a need we felt in our own home, and it has grown organically from there – fuelled by passion, environmental consciousness, hard work and a deep love of craftsmanship.

We’ve followed a path that felt right to us, even when it was unconventional.



WHAT DOES “BEAUTY” MEAN TO YOU IN THE CONTEXT OF DESIGN?

Beauty is presence.

It’s not only about aesthetics – it’s about how something makes you feel. The tactility of a surface, the way light moves across a room, the quiet balance between form and function… and the honesty in the materials.



HOW DO YOU INCORPORATE THAT INTO YOUR WORK?

By choosing materials and solutions that resonate beyond the visual. We think about texture, atmosphere, and emotional response – not just appearance.

It’s about creating spaces that feel timeless, calm, and rooted in something deeper.



WHAT’S A TRAVEL EXPERIENCE THAT HAS LEFT A LASTING MEMORY?

Our recent trip to Japan made a deep impression.

The philosophy, the reverence for nature and ritual, the attention to detail – all of it aligned so beautifully with our own values.

It reminded us how powerful simplicity and intention can be.



WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU – PERSONALLY OR PROFESSIONALLY?

Professionally, we’re excited to keep exploring new collaborations and pushing the boundaries of what Ask og Eng can be – especially internationally, while staying grounded in Norway, with our team and workshop “back home.”

Personally, we’re always seeking a deeper connection to how we live – shaping a life that’s both sustainable and meaningful.

We look forward to growing – not just as designers or a company, but as people.