chista

Chista is a New York-based furnishings designer with an emphasis on materials – specifically, wood. Similar in premise to Stew Design, the execution is entirely different. Chista prefers to keep its wood as close as possible to its original state, and excels at taking natural coincidences and making beautiful furniture. Above: several tables are formed from slabs of richly colored aged teak for a wholly primitive look.

The Root block table and solid wood lounge chair are even more primitive, with the natural channels caused by water and decay not only retained but emphasized. In the case of the Root table, the damaged appearance is unique, if not entirely functional (lost coffee cups anyone?). The lounge chair is beautiful, although not something I would want to sit on for any length of time without plenty of padding.

Chista’s Dubuffet tables are also made from teak wood and feature complex, organic slices that are extruded vertically. They bear somewhat of a passing resemblance to traditional Chinese characters. A glossy lacquered surface and a flat-top make these slightly more acceptable in a clean, minimalist setting than the previous Root table.

Above: the stunning Slice line of tables are cross-sections of Tamarin and Teak wood, dominated by a single gaping and irregularly-shaped hole. A squared, tapered design and smoothly sanded surface is a stark contrast to the raw, chaotic center – gorgeous, yet simultaneously disturbing.

Chista also makes more traditional furniture: the Coconut line is made from solid coconut wood, with an emphasis on rectangular segments in its design. Each piece features a beautiful matte surface that reveals the fine grain of the wood. Modern but not cold, due largely to the naturally warm colors of coconut.

My favorite work by Chista is pure art: these old chinese roots are familiar yet entirely natural. Many of these pieces look like something out of an HR Giger painting, with surreal curves and an alien biology. The wild-yet-tamed “Horse” is startlingly accurate, down to not only the shape of a horse but its pose. I’ll take the horse any day – truly natural coincidences are a beautiful thing, and Chista has an uncanny ability to not only find but beautifully prepare these wood pieces for the home.
chista.net