Travelocity has popularized the gnome with their "roaming gnome". Photo: Travelocity
Thanks to
Amelie and
Travelocity, the garden gnome is back and better than ever! (See the evolution of the garden gnome at
AOL Home.) This pointy-hatted fellow first entered gardens in the mid-1800's
in Gräfenroda, Germany by Philip Griebel, who created the little terracotta figurines based on local mythology. Garden gnomes were then
introduced to the United Kingdom in 1847 by Sir Charles Isham, who brought some back from Germany and placed them in his garden in Northamptonshire. One of them, nicknamed Lampy, still survives.
You can get a traditional garden gnome just about anywhere these days, or even a novelty gnome donning your
favorite team's gear.
But what about the modern design lover? Where do we go for garden garnish?
A few companies have a new take on the traditional garden ornament for modern decor-lovers.
Garden gnomes add a little whimsy to your garden. Photos: CB2, Questo Design
CB2's gnome (above, left) is a jolly little guy with cute pointy gnome shoes. And he's pretty affordable at just $20. Kartell has created an entire line of tables starring the little cutie in traditional
gold (above, right) from Questo Design for about $241 and
black (below) from The Future Perfect for $374 each.
Black gnomes from Kartell can be used as a side table or a stool. Photo: The Future Perfect
How adorable are these little guys? C'mon, even if you didn't have a soft spot for the traditional gnome, you must be falling for these cuties! Remember, no matter what your style, you can still have fun with silly garden decor.
Would you ever include a garden gnome in your yard? Tell us why or why not in the comments section.
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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)
Gnomes of their own free will make an effort to travel far from the Land of Gnomes to help out in our garden. Why they would want to I can not say...especiallly since every new arrival from their land gets peed on by Blakie our labrador retriever. Children love the Gnomes and want them to stay. If one day we find them gone, we will miss them beyond words.
ReplyNow I that I know what gnomes do, I think I need one too.
ReplyMy GNOMES are well taken care of--my new husband even painted them when the hot Arizona sun got to them, something we didn't have in WISCONSIN, they travled well on the moving truck too.
ReplyNOW I finally understand what the Travelocity commercial is about. Duh! I was Gnome ignorant up until this point. Perhaps my garden needs a gnome. : )
ReplyThey DO love to travel, but as the intrepid Lampy, guardian of English flora says, "There's no place like Gnome"
ReplyI have several gnomes in my garden and I love them all. They are all different and unique.
ReplyI have an extensive collection of garden gnomes tucked away secretly in my backyard and I love them all. My daughters tell me I have a gnome problem. My all time favorite was a large swinging garden gnome who lived in a pine tree in my backyard. Unfortunately his rope broke last summer and he came crashing down and broke into several pieces. I am currently saving up to buy another one to replace him.
ReplyIs the Travelocity Gnome available for purchase?
Sure is. Just Google: travelocity gnome for sale.
It is so true. Gnomes like to hide. Your having a "donsy" of them, now that's quite special. If a lepruacon ever show up in your backyard, you might want to start digging about for a pot of gold.
my garden knome went on holidays sent me a post card and then returned home . but then went missing never to b seen again . is there a missing knomes thing were u can report them as i dont know exactly how old he was i cant give his age only name what he was wearing and about the time he went missing and date
I have had and still have lots of gnomes. I think they are adorable. I have them outside and inside. Also in my picture window outside.
ReplyI wasn't sure about the Travelocity Gnome either until now. Thanx fo th info. I saw three little Gnomes yesterday at Home Depot. I commented to my husband how cute they were. I may have to go back and purchase them myself since he did not take the hint...lol.
ReplySaw Ottmar Hoeri's gnomes. His gnomes are out of character. His gnomes are more a reflection of his own "self." It's the old boring idea that one has to be shocking to get anyone to notice their so called art.
ReplyOne would hope that we were not "being had" to begin a discussion about gnomes. Kitsch might be simple, but it is honest.
So here's to your fifteen minutes....Ottmar.