Behind the Scenes of Caste with Ty Best

Crafted in noble materials including bronze, steel, marble, bridle leather, and classic woods, Caste founder Ty Best’s pieces invoke seemingly contradictory responses: luxurious/simple, complex/comfortable, fine art/furniture. The unique aesthetic has been described as “future primitive.”

Born & raised in Montana, Best left the Midwest to study fashion design in California & later create fantastical window displays for Barneys with the likes of Malcolm Hill and Simon Doonan. With this deep visual arts & sculpture knowledge in hand, Best returned to his home state to continue his creative journey which led to furniture design.

Inspired by his surroundings in Missoula, Montana, the tension between landscapes and seasons has created memorable, provocative work. Best continues to show us that Mother Nature knows…best.

“The rugged terrain of his home state of Montana is one of the many disparate influences he draws on for his powerful yet refined pieces the designer aims to incorporate his daily surroundings into his work. “I get inspired by elements in nature, whether ice formations or the erosion of a rock,” he says. “The daunting Montana landscape has a lot to do with the shapes of my ­pieces.” – Elle Decor