Splurge of the Moment: Chess Reimagined through an Artistic Lense
District Mills transforms the classic game format with midcentury dinette charm.
Photo: Jeremy Williams
CHECKMATE With roots dating back some 1,500 years, chess remains, for many, the ultimate brain game. For design studio and fabricator District Mills—begun in a former L.A. flour mill in 2010—inspiration came in reimagining the game’s classic format as a self-contained, compact “booth” with midcentury dinette charm.
A fresh choice for mountain game rooms, the singular creation is handcrafted to order in the team’s Southern Cali shop. Powder-coated steel pairs with hand-picked and-pieced dueling woods while adjustable brass feet keep games on the level. The accompanying chess set, represented in the MoMA collection, is the iconic 1966 interlocking minimalist design by modern art expert Lanier Graham.
As demonstrated here by District Mills’ shop dogs, Dudley and Roo, this mod twist on ancient play is our choice for nurturing high-country grandmaster dreams. Chess Booth, eight-week approximate lead time, from $4,595; districtmills.com.
