SHOP TALK

shoptalk by veronica schorr THE LATEST DESIGN NEWS

above: A quintessentially British sitting room decorated with OKA’s rich tones and textures, including the Coleridge sofa in navy, the large George club chair in cheetah, and the Kirmani rug in distressed green. below: The stars of this cozy, English living room are the Talasa tray in Chinese red, which sits atop the Harmonia coffee table, the Coleridge Linen armchair in Areca putting green, and the Hevsel rug in vermillion red.

BRITISH INVASION

OKA OPENS LARGEST U.S. STORE IN WESTPORT

The highly anticipated British furniture and homeware retailer, OKA, is coming to Westport this December. Celebrated on both sides of the pond for its charming and timeless pieces, this will be OKA’s third and largest U.S. location. Set over two floors, the 14,500-square-foot experiential store will offer an abundance of inspiring spaces that delight with color, comfort, elegant furnishings, and decadent décor, including Adam Lippes’s sophisticated tableware collection. Founded in 1999 by entrepreneur Lady Annabel Astor, decorator Sue Jones, and horticulturist Lucinda Waterhouse, OKA (pronounced how the Brits say “ochre”) has become a “destination for lovers of home” with its rich patterns, handmade lounge seating, and effortless British style, which the company describes as “elegant and easy-going; sophisticated but never stiff.” The store will present an ever-changing series of fully decorated rooms and vignettes for guests to discover as they travel through the space, bringing to life an OKA-designed Regency-style London townhouse, a unique country house in north Wales, and a charmingly eclectic cottage in the heart of the bucolic Cotswolds. A dedicated team of home stylists will be on hand to give advice and help customers realize their dream interiors. “We are very excited to bring OKA to the East Coast and especially to Westport; its rich cultural history and artistic bent make it a perfect match for us,” said cofounder Sue Jones. You won’t want to miss this British invasion. 44 Main St, Westport; oka.com/us

Design on a Mission

ROOMS WITH A VIEW Returns in November to Celebrate Design for a Good Cause

Rooms with a View is back in 2022 with four days of fun, including a night you won’t want to miss, hosted by our very own creative director-at-large, Amy Vischio. Each year, Rooms with a View (RWAV) invites twelve well-known designers to create 6’ x 8’ x 8’ vignettes in the library and great hall of Southport’s historic, Gothic Revival-style Congregational Church. A Night at the Hadley, hosted by Vischio, is an industry networking event and celebration of our incredibly talented design community—with all proceeds going towards the RWAV/New York School of Interior Design Scholarship Fund. The scholarship supports an undergraduate or graduate interior design student at NYSID, who will also be invited to create a vignette at a future RWAV event. Albert Hadley, the “Dean of American Design,” was instrumental in creating and supporting the vision of Rooms with a View, and had a home in Southport for many years. This year’s event will bring together the best of art and design, all while supporting the future of the industry: design students. Rooms with a View is one of New England’s premiere design events, so be sure to grab a ticket now. roomswithaview.org

above: Isabella Hamilton, the RWAV/NYSID scholarship recipient.

this photo: A vignette by Christian P. Arkay-Levelier. right: A vignette by William Lyon.

OPENING PARTY

Celebrate the 27th year of Rooms with a View

Thursday, November 10th, 2022 6:30 P.M. to 9:30 P.M.

A NIGHT AT THE HADLEY INDUSTRY NETWORKING

EVENT (to the trade)

A fundraiser for the RWAV/NYSID Scholarship Fund

Friday, November 11th, 2022 5:30 P.M. to 8:30 P.M.

GENERAL SHOW DAYS & HOURS

• Friday, November 11th & Saturday, November 12th 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. • Sunday, November 13th 12 P.M. to 5 P.M.

above: A vignette by Christopher Maya.

COMFORT ZONE

CALIFORNIA STYLE COMES TO CONNECTICUT

Shoppers who love Jenni Kayne’s iconic pieces—from fisherman sweaters to fuzzy mules— are enjoying Sconset Square’s latest addition: a home store devoted to the West Coast-cool brand. Like her line of elevated wardrobe essentials, the range of furniture, décor, tabletop, and textiles make the case for well-made, layered textures in a neutral palette. See the newly launched Cove bed and Sur travertine coffee table in the bedroom and living room vignettes— immersive experiences that invite you in as you take in the 1,954-square-foot space. And if that’s not relaxing enough, Kayne’s skincare line, Oak Essentials, is also available to shop in store. The plant-based products align with the company’s vision of clean, natural beauty and ensure you’ll have a fresh skincare routine to match your refreshed home. 15 Myrtle Ave, Store #1, Westport; jennikayne.com

Style & Grace

Greenwich Avenue gets a new home goods destination

above: In this Jenni Kayne living space, neutrals and natural tones are front and center for some coastal-California-cool. below: The new Westport storefront. above: Monelle Totah and Gary McNatton, cofounders and proprietors of Hudson Grace.

Your holiday hosting, present-planning, and seasonal decorating just got a whole lot easier. Hudson Grace, the San Francisco-born shop known for a curated selection of the best in gifting, home goods, and entertaining, opened the doors of its newest storefront in the heart of Greenwich. With high-quality, original designs and vintage-sourced one-of-a-kinds, the brand’s offerings range from distinctive gifts to simple, tabletop essentials. The common thread, according to Monelle Totah and Gary McNatton (cofounders and proprietors of Hudson Grace), is “a distinctive European inspiration that’s balanced with a California ease, which makes for an elevated but approachable feel.” Totah and McNatton are best friends who share a love for design and all things home. They decided to take this shared interest and run with it, combining their design aesthetics and retail pedigrees into what became a successful and beloved brand. They believe Hudson Grace is a natural fit for Greenwich’s “modern classic” style and are excited to introduce its offerings to a new town. 268 Greenwich Ave, Greenwich; hudsongracesf.com

above: Hudson Grace’s signature cashmere throw blankets; a handsome, solid brass match striker; chunky linen pillows that are custom-dyed in LA and hand-cut and sewn in SoCal.