Walnut Creek’s Urban Barnwood Furniture Rebrands as Arista Wood

Walnut Creek furniture maker Urban Barnwood Furniture has a new name. The company will now operate as Arista Wood as it broadens from reclaimed barnwood into a wider range of premium solid hardwood furniture, a change the company says better reflects its long-term direction and what it builds for dealers and showrooms.

"Arista Wood really reflects who we are now and where we’re headed. It lets us show the full range of what we build without locking us into one material or look," said Wayne Yoder, general manager of Arista Wood. He also framed the rebrand as an extension of the company’s roots: "Urban Barnwood Furniture gave us a strong foundation, and Arista Wood builds on that with a name that can grow with us."

The name Arista is drawn from Greek and is used by the company to mean "the best" or "most excellent," a nod to showroom expectations and premium positioning. Company materials underline continuity with its origin story: the business began in a small barn on Ray Yoder’s family farm near Sugarcreek, fashioning pieces from salvaged oak and growing as Ray’s sons joined the operation. "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 company site states. It adds that "that sense of place still matters" in Ohio Amish Country, where the firm says quality is measured by durability rather than speed.

Product strategy emphasizes that reclaimed barnwood will remain a staple even as Arista Wood expands its species mix and stylistic range. Named collections cited by the company include the Shirebrook Living Lifestyle collection, Farmhouse Dining Collection, Kimberley Bedroom Collection and Kimberley Nightstand, Kingston Living Room, Kings Bridge Bar Collection, and an Urban Bar with Barn Doors. The company describes its output as solid hardwood furniture designed for durability and lasting appeal.

The rebrand also involved outside help: Arista Wood worked with a Canton-area marketing agency for naming and brand development. Company leaders framed the move as practical for dealers as well as consumers - a single, consistent brand that can be used across collections, store formats and regional markets should simplify wholesale relationships and merchandising.

For Holmes County the change is more than a new logo. It signals a local manufacturer doubling down on craft-based production and product diversification, which may support skilled local jobs and preserve the region’s reputation for furniture built in Ohio Amish Country. For regional retailers, a clearer premium positioning and a unified brand can improve shelf presentation and customer recognition when negotiating placement with multi-store chains or specialty dealers.

What comes next is rollout and dealer adoption: Arista Wood will keep the barnwood story alive while offering a broader hardwood line to buyers. Local furniture shops and shoppers can expect to see the new name in showrooms and catalogues as the company phases in its identity and collections.