In design, we often talk about “intent”—the specific way we hope a piece will be used or the exact space we imagine it inhabiting. But sometimes, the most rewarding part of the creative process is seeing a design take on a life of its own, traveling far beyond the studio and landing in places we never could have dreamed of.
The Vision Behind the “Citties”
The Cotta Collection was born from an obsession with the urban landscape. Its name is a playful nod to the Indonesian word Kota, meaning city. I wanted to capture the beautiful complexity of a skyline—the way lines, sharp angles, and soft curves intersect to create a dynamic, living visual language.
To balance this complexity, I embraced a philosophy of efficient design. The entire chair is crafted using a single, consistent wood thickness throughout. However, efficiency doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort. We integrated slanted armrests and a generously wide seat base to ensure that the “Cotta” isn’t just a sculpture to look at, but an ergonomic sanctuary meant for long, relaxed conversations.
A Quiet Start
When the collection was originally released in 2024 for Goodwood Home, it didn’t exactly set the world on fire. It was a quiet launch. Only a handful of discerning buyers chose to include it in their homes. Like many designers, I faced moments of doubt—questioning the direction of my work and wondering if my vision was truly resonating.
An Unexpected Guest in Dubai
Then, the unexpected happened.
A photo recently surfaced online featuring the Ruler of Dubai, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. There, resting quietly in the background, was the Cotta Collection.
I don’t know the logistics of how it got there or the specific journey it took to reach such an esteemed setting. But seeing my work—inspired by Indonesian cities—find a home across the globe was a powerful, humbling reminder. Design is a universal language; it travels, it crosses borders, and it touches lives in ways we cannot predict.
Trusting the Journey
This moment arrived at a time when I was grappling with uncertainty. Seeing Cotta resurface in such a monumental context gave me the clarity I needed.
It taught me that it’s perfectly okay to feel uncertain or to doubt your path. What truly matters is the courage to keep moving and keep creating. You never know who your work will reach or whose world it will become a part of.
Trust the journey. You might just end up in a palace. 🌻