The Gartener

What The Gartener does

The Gartener (TG) is a privately held, founder-led design studio based in Donostia-San Sebastián in the Basque Country, Spain, operating across three interconnected pillars: TG Space (creative spaces and encounters), Studio (space design, photography, and video production for brands), and Community (Creative Dinners gatherings in Donostia, Madrid, and online). The studio's portfolio spans 20+ documented projects covering restaurant interiors, menswear shops, hair salons, trade-show stands, fashion-show teasers, and brand content, with the founder Alex Alonso Asenjo personally directing creative output and a rotating bench of Basque collaborators (illustrators, photographers, flamenco artists, fashion designers) executing work.

The studio monetizes through professional services engagements for SMB clients, supplemented by handcrafted product sales including La Taza (a Basque-made ceramic tea cup sold via preorder/reservation) and the Kufiyyeh Series (coasters, tea light holders, and trays co-designed with Teleedi, manufactured in Jordan, with 100% of profits pledged to Palestinian crisis organizations). Distribution is intentionally low-friction and non-retail: products are ordered by email, services are relationship-driven via Instagram and community events, and pricing on physical products ranges from €40 to €100 per unit. The studio uses AI-assisted rendering as a workflow tool to bring design sketches to life but does not disclose proprietary AI capability. The Gartener is bootstrapped with no external funding, headcount of 1–10, and operates only in Spain with an online extension for community events.

Name

The Gartener

Legal name

The Gartener

Website

https://thegartener.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Gartener is a founder-led Basque Country design studio offering space design, photography, video, and community events to SMB brands, supplemented by handcrafted retail products (La Taza, Kufiyyeh Series) sold via direct contact.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Creative Design Services

NAICS

Interior Design Services (54141), Industrial Design Services (541420)

SIC

Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)

akta.pro primary industry

Interior Design Services (BPAHAKAB)

Keywords

• Creative space design
• Product design services
• Brand experience design
• Photography services
• Handcrafted artisan products

Headquarters

HQ city

Donostia-san Sebastián

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Creative Studio Services: Space design, photography, and video production services for brands seeking to build emotional connections with customers. Collaborative team-based approach focusing on concept as the root of design.
2. Product Sales - La Taza: Handcrafted tea cups designed in the Basque Country, pre-order/reservation model. TG Space's first product bringing together gathering and design.
3. Product Sales - Kufiyyeh Series: Home objects collection including coasters, tea light holders, and trays. 100% of profits donated to Palestinian crisis organizations. Direct contact-based sales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Gartener is a creative design studio that designs spaces, products, and experiences to build emotional connections between brands and their customers. It operates three pillars: TG Space (creative encounters and experiences), Studio (space design, photography, and video production services), and Community (Creative Dinners events). It also sells handcrafted artisan products such as the La Taza tea cup made in the Basque Country and the Kufiyyeh Series home objects co-designed with Teleedi, with 100% of Kufiyyeh profits donated to Palestinian crisis organizations.

Product overview

The Gartener is a creative studio offering three interconnected pillars: TG Space (creative encounters and experiences), Studio (space design, photography, and video services), and Community (Creative Dinners for collaboration). The company designs spaces and products to stimulate ideas, including La Taza (their first handcrafted tea cup product from the Basque Country), the Kufiyyeh Series (home objects supporting Palestinian causes), and Creative Space (physical products for purchase). Services include space design, photography, video production, and curated content through INSPO. The studio operates a collaborative, transdisciplinary working culture.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• La Taza: Handcrafted tea cup product line, TG Space's first product, made in the Basque Country.
• TG Space

Products and services

• Studio (Space Design, Photography, Video) Concept-driven creative services that design spaces, products, and experiences to build emotional connections between brands and their customers. Includes space design, photography, and video production delivered by a collaborative team of creative professionals for SMB clients such as menswear stores, restaurants, salons, and interior designers.
• TG Space (Creative Encounters & Experiences) Curated creative experiences and encounters designed to provide the most intimate and personal space a creative person can be in, supporting work, inspiration, and relaxation. Functions as the framework for TG's products and projects.
• Community (Creative Dinners) Creative Dinners community events that bring together creative and entrepreneurial people to share ideas and foster collaboration, held in-person in Donostia (San Sebastián) and Madrid, with online editions. Sponsored by local food and beverage partners.
• La Taza Handcrafted Tea Cup Handcrafted tea cup designed and produced in the Basque Country, featuring damp, earthy tones through clay and rough exterior texture, with Japanese glaze on the inside. Sold via pre-order/reservation system through the TG website.
• Kufiyyeh Series Home Objects Collection of home objects co-designed with Teleedi featuring the Palestinian scarf pattern, made in Jordan, including natural beech wood coasters (set of 4, 10cm diameter, 40€), tea light holders (15cm diameter, 40€), and trays (40x20cm, 100€). 100% of profits are donated to Palestinian crisis organizations; sold via direct contact/email ordering.
• Creative Space Products Physical products that are part of the TG Space creative environment, intended for purchase through the shop to bring intimate creative space objects into individuals' own work and inspiration settings.

Quantifiable outcome

• La Taza tea cup brings together gathering and design as TG Space's first product

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Aita Mari - Salvamento Marítimo HumanitariominorOthers · 1 January 2022Mediterranean rescuing boat NGO. TG documented presentation of Alfredo Bikondoa's 'Bikonbota' art work supporting the NGO's humanitarian maritime rescue mission.
• Virginia Sánchez InteriorismocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Interior designer collaborated with TG on Neolith Cevisama 2020 exposition stand design featuring kitchen of famous Spanish-Basque cook Karlos Arguiñano. Inspiration based on rounded and sharp shapes of Flysch in Zumaia.
• Karlos ArguiñanominorOthers · 1 January 2019Famous Spanish-Basque cook whose kitchen was featured in the Neolith Cevisama stand design collaboration.
• Innovart 19minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Illustrator who provided illustration work for the Skeye Door project, crafted door as a creative layer collaboration.
• Nekane IbarluceacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIllustrator based in Eibar, Basque Country. Collaborated on Yone Asenjo Hair Salon project and The Gask mask brand, creating artistic illustrations including the 80's Summer Night design.
• Uxue del RíocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDesigner and illustrator, proactive creative who contributes to The Gask mask brand project with design work. Also creates design work for various clients.
• TeleedicoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-designer of the Kufiyyeh series home objects collection, codesigned with TG to support Palestinian crisis through creativity, heritage, and craftsmanship. Made in Jordan.
• Kris VillartaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPersonal stylist contributing to The Gask pandemic mask brand with personal styling expertise.
• Ana Van der HeyenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIllustrator contributing the Amankay design to The Gask mask brand collection.
• Valentina PalmerocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFashion designer and flamenco artist who collaborated on Origendestino fashion show teaser video and Momentos flamenco performance. Runs creative dinners and contributes to The Gask sewing. Fashion designer with handbags made from 3D printed textile at Balab Factory.
• Balab FactorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFashion factory producing 3D printed textile for Valentina Palmero's handbag collection featured in Origendestino runway show at Palacio Miramar.
• Darío PeñalozacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSound engineer from Caracas who contributed sound engineering to Origendestino fashion show teaser, bringing cultural feeling through quitiplá, txalaparta, palms, and tech sounds.
• Raquel RuizcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlamenco singer from Donostia, Basque Country, part of Katak flamenco group. Collaborated on Momentos stage design and video project, contributing to emotional color performances.
• Katak (Flamenco Group)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFlamenco group including Valentina Palmero and Raquel Ruiz. Momentos project was a stage design and video collaboration to connect human feelings, colors, and flamenco style.
• Angello EloizagacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhotographer from Zarautz, Basque Country, who contributed video work to Momentos flamenco performance project. Combines fashion and photography.
• Jon FernándezcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPhotographer from Madrid specializing in portrait and fashion photography. Contributed photography to Sea-dress fashion project.
• UVEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMenswear and artisanal gallery in San Sebastián. Hosted TG's first Creative Gathering encounter focused on 'Why do we design?' Shared values of quality, craftsmanship, and minimalism.
• FRL ARQminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm where Alex Alonso Asenjo contributed interior design for Bar Mendaur pintxos bar proposal in 2015.
• 18/70 la RubiaminorOthersBeer brewery that sponsored the #3 Cena Creativa Online event.
• The Loaf BakeriesminorOthersBakery that provided surprise dessert for the #3 Cena Creativa Online event.
• Altuna Boutique BarminorOthersBoutique bar that provided pintxo ingredients (salmon and tomato salad) for Cena Creativa Online events.
• Las Cosas de ValenminorOthersGift provider for Cena Creativa Online event attendees.
• TOPminorOthersRestaurant/catering service (Top Rápida) that provided food for #1 Cena Creativa Online event during COVID-19 lockdown.
• Alfredo BikondoaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBasque artist whose 'Bikonbota' artwork was presented by TG at Aquarium San Sebastian and Itsas Museoa Bilbao, supporting Aita Mari maritime rescue NGO.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights3 records

Direct peers

• Masquespacio: Valencia-based creative consultancy specializing in interior design and branding. Directly comparable as a small Spanish studio combining space design with brand identity work for hospitality and retail clients.
• CuldeSac: Valencia-based design and innovation studio covering brand, product, and space design. Highly comparable multi-disciplinary model and similar scale, with broader international reach.
• Taracea: Spanish design studio producing handcrafted objects and interiors with a focus on craftsmanship and material experimentation. Comparable to The Gartener's blend of product design (La Taza, Kufiyyeh) and space design rooted in regional Basque craft traditions.
• Studio Inma Bermúdez: Valencia-based industrial design studio. Comparable to The Gartener's product design practice, especially around handcrafted and consumer goods, with a similar small-team, founder-led structure.
• Lagranja Design: Barcelona-based multidisciplinary design studio offering product, interior, and graphic design. Closely comparable to The Gartener's transdisciplinary model spanning space design, product design, and brand experience for an international client base.

Emerging players

• Nanimarquina: Barcelona-based design company producing handmade rugs and home objects with an emphasis on craft, collaboration, and storytelling. Comparable to The Gartener's product-design-plus-storytelling approach for handcrafted home goods.
• Santa & Cole: Spanish design brand producing furniture, lighting, and home objects with a strong craft and editorial identity. Comparable to The Gartener's craft-rooted home-object line (La Taza, Kufiyyeh series) but as an established commercial brand with distribution.

Broad incumbents

• Patricia Urquiola Studio: Internationally renowned Milan-based design studio covering industrial and interior design. Comparable in the sense of operating across product and space design, but at substantially greater scale and global recognition.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/thegartener
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-gartener

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Gartener