Coda Studio’s founders Braden Richter and Nikita Putnam.
Nikita Putnam and Braden Richter, the two principals behind Aspen’s Coda Studio Furniture & Decor, love to disrupt the marketplace—something they’ve been doing their entire careers. Richter, who has nearly 30 years of experience as a manufacturer for brands like Jonathan Adler and West Elm, has built several hotel projects, most recently in the British Virgin Islands. Over the years, he noticed there was a need for custom furniture that could be manufactured more efficiently and with infinitely more care.
The furniture company offers work from local and international artisans.
“Coda owns and operates its own manufacturing plants, two of which are in North America,” says Richter, whose grandfather built a home in Aspen in the early 1970s. “Coda controls all aspects of its vertical production, creating unlimited creativity and capacity. Our vision is to provide an authentic local experience.” Aspen customers will find tables, chairs, sofas, beds, lighting, outdoor furniture and accessories in Coda’s showroom.
Visitors to the Aspen showroom will find tables, chairs, sofas and lighting, among other sleek pieces.
Putnam, who is South African, brings two decades of work in business development, most notably of design studio ADG for commercial real estate; she’s also worked on set design for John Legend. When launching Coda Studio with Richter, she says the experience for consumers was paramount. “Braden and I wanted a stage to present our pieces directly to consumers and businesses. Our showrooms are a place where you can touch and feel the quality of our materials,” she says. “Working with our team, you can create custom artisanal furniture combining local and international craft smanship. Coda is set apart because we started as a factory—we started as the supply chain, so, in a way, we’ve built from the ground up.” She adds that Coda can design a property for its clients or act as a manufacturing arm for designers and architects.
Another X factor for Coda is its employees. “First and foremost, we take a personal interest in the people who work in our factories,” says Putnam. “We’ve created a community work environment where brothers, sisters, husbands and wives are able to work side by side earning fair wages. We also pride ourselves in using sustainable materials that are environmentally conscious.” No project is too big or too small, says Putnam. “We’re happy to help someone re-cover a chair or remodel a hotel—they’ll get the same concierge-level service. We offer local creatives a stage to showcase their work.” 602 E. Hyman Ave., 970.710.7655, coda.studio
Photography by: Courtesy of Coda Studio
