Chista

Something amazing about natural materials is just how beautiful they are without doing anything to them at all. Chista is a company that understands this perfectly - and has created an amazing collection of gorgeous sculptural pieces from natural stone and wood/root formations. The image to the left is the Void sculpture, a piece of Gigantic Teak Root - and I'm not kidding when I say gigantic at 71" wide and 89" high! You'd need quite a home to house this beauty - but what a statement that would make. The angular shape and amazing depth and texture of the piece is an exemplary piece of nature and art.

The other thing that Chista understands is that you don't have to make any of these things - rather, you can reclaim them. Most of their pieces and sculptures are made from reclaimed woods (particularly Teak), and for the new structures, they use farmed teak to avoid unnecessary and often times highly destructive deforestation of virgin forests.

And just like the Void, the untouched and naturally formed Travertine sculpture below is stunning with its thick and solid structure. And the Organic Root System offers just as much style and interest without the weight.

The shapes of the Sumba Stone and Bintang Trunk slice (yes - you read that correctly - a trunk slice - meaning that it came that way!!) are perfect - strong, bold and interesting...the perfect way to add art, interest and a splash of culture to any space.

I am in love with the Fossil below - and the Bamboo root? Who would have thought something so simple could look so cool?

Simply perfect - the twisted, intricate formation of this Mangrove root is truly 'Monumental' as the collection name suggests. Oh if I could have this in my home!

But Chista goes even further by taking these fabulously formed pieces of wood and turns them into functional furnishings that are truly beautiful and every bit the sculpture as their non-furniture counterparts. You can see their artistry and craftsmanship perfectly with the Monolith and Landscape tables that combine form and function with their organic appeal. I love the contrast of the Landscape's natural wood top with the sleek square of the metal base.

The Double Base table is huge - and the visual impact is just as big. The dark wood and thick slab add weight, both physically and visually. And this same concept is applied to the Parmesan table - a little fun, a little funky, but totally stylin'.

Chista has an amazing way of making every piece sculptural, be it the long, solid forms of the Locomotive table, or the gorgeous star-like and natural form of the Godzilla table made from Teak.

I'm not sure if I'd have the guts to sit on these lounge chairs below, made from solid wood in the first picture and root in the second, but their form is absolutely phenomenal! Sculpture and function all in one.

And just to illustrate just how different their pieces can be - check out these adorable African Stools in contrast to the linear teak shelves made in likeness to Chinese characters.