Hundreds of coconut shell pieces give this desk and chair not only an unusual look, but also an extraordinary durability. Should the need arise, “you can cut vegetables without a cutting board, and it won’t damage the desk,” says Stephan Cohen, president of Nusa Furniture (323.937.7055, www.nusafurniture.com). The Coba desk, like the other pieces in the Nusa line, is named after an island, in this case an islet in Indonesia. Italian designer Carlo Pessina refers to the combination of small coconut shell pieces and a modern tapered look as “primitive contemporary.” The shell squares are pieced side-by-side like a mosaic and then a lacquer is applied, resulting in a smooth, extremely hard surface. “The shells are quite thick,” Cohen explains, “so they are more like dominoes pieced together than merely a veneer.” The Coba desk, which has mahogany legs and a hidden pencil drawer, can double as a table. Its dimensions are 39½ inches by 79 inches by 29½ inches. The desk is available for $4,000, and the matching chair for $1,000.