About Us
The Arista Story Excellence Ingrained
Arista Wood began in a small barn on Ray Yoder’s family farm near Sugarcreek, Ohio. With little more than a few tools and a single project at a time, the work was simple and rooted in the traditions of Amish craftsmanship.
As the years passed, the shop grew. Ray’s sons joined the work, learning firsthand the patience, precision, and care required to build furniture meant to last. What started as a family operation gradually expanded into a larger facility, supported by skilled local craftspeople who shared the same respect for material and method.
That sense of place still matters. Today, Arista Wood continues to design and build furniture in Ohio Amish Country, where quality is measured by how something holds up, not how quickly it’s made.
Our Journey
When we began crafting furniture, we worked exclusively with reclaimed oak barnwood, salvaged from historic barns that could no longer be saved. These pieces offered unmatched character, but the goal was never “rustic” for its own sake.
From the beginning, we focused on building furniture that is carefully crafted and made for everyday life. Today, that same commitment continues under a new name: Arista Wood.
The barnwood heritage remains an important part of our story and our work, but Arista better reflects who we have become—design-led, detail-driven, and built around lasting quality.
Our Ethos
Arista comes from the Greek for “the best” or “most excellent” and is used to describe what stands apart, endures, and holds lasting value.
For us, it's not one thing that sets wood furniture apart. It is the small things done well that make the difference. Design, material and method. Each step adds to the whole, making refined wood furniture feel natural.
It’s all brought to light with a flawless finish, where the care behind every decision shines through.
