OKA Magazine: Spring 2021 (US Edition)

2 0 2 1 I nter ior s I nspi rat ion Patter ns to t he ma x, a L ondon tow nhouse ful l of contrast, a romant ic count r y manor and a sun-f i l led idyl l Col lec t ion H igh l ights Sig nat ure scents for your space and consoles w it h character A Lit t le Escapism Dining w it h José P izarro, and so much more.

S P R I N G

B L O O M I N G B R I L L I A N T A proper new home… stateside.

O K A HO UST ON COMING SPRING 2021

DEAR FRIENDS OF OKA, After a topsy-turvy 2020, we’re focusing on looking forward, and we’re doing so with optimism. What better way to blow away the cobwebs than with a few new mood-brighteners for your home—and some exciting news: the opening of our first store in the States.

Debbie Treloar, Damian Russell

This spring we will be throwing open the doors and welcoming you to OKA Houston. The sprawling space (it’s Texas after all!) will be full of interiors inspiration and provide the perfect chance for us to get to know each other. Plus, there’s a pretty greenhouse brimming with OKA blooms right at its core, so when you’re worn out exploring our collection, you can pull up a chair at the tea station and enjoy a relaxing “cuppa.”

Comfort is paramount to us English—when we ask you to put your feet up, we mean it! To that end, this season we’re presenting a fresh array of pillows to complement our beloved sofas, ottomans and chairs. Woven, patterned, appliquéd—ours are designed for layering. Have fun, play around. There’s no wrong way to do it.

To ignite your creative engine this season, we’re presenting a few dream-worthy interiors in this issue. We’ve dusted off a romantic 13th-century farmhouse and filled it with OKA favorites, dressed a smart London townhouse high on contrast and imagined a light and airy Grecian hideaway. Whatever your style, we hope you’ll find something to inspire your next interior.

Sue Jones Co-Founder & Creative Director of OKA

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CON T E N T S

Decimus Bone Box With Lid $350 Kellingin Table Lamp 6.5”Diax25”H $295 (seen with Drum Cotton Shade

THIS PAGE

Black 15.5”Diax10”H $60) OPPOSITE

12 Note Perfect

Gonglin Cabinet $750 Set of Four Elne Champagne Flutes PAGE

Find your signature home fragrance in The Chronicle Collection.

20 Nomad’s Land

24”Wx16”Dx33”H

Shown in: Tall | Small $60

Sit back and relax in this light and airy Grecian-inspired space.

30 Role Models Consoles full of character that demand center stage.

36 Romance, Restored Historical features meet OKA favorites in a 13th-century manor house.

44 Handsome Prints Discover the art of mixing and matching pattern.

50 Better Together Opposites attract in this London townhouse.

60 Shared Passions Chef José Pizarro discusses the joys of simple food, with recipes to match.

66 Power Desking Sheherazade Goldsmith, founder of luxury jewelry brand Loquet, on how she gets things done.

OK A .C OM Browse the entire OKA collection online.

Your new favorite pieces could be on their way to you in just a click.

OU R S O C I A L C I RC L E For plenty of design ideas and inspiration, make sure to follow OKA on all these platforms.

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Shipping Large furniture: 15% of order value + $50 surcharge per order, up to a maximum of $295.

All large furniture shipments include our white glove delivery service. When your items arrive, our white glove delivery team will remove all packaging before placing them in the room of your choice. If you’re not completely satisfied, they can take your order away with them free of charge.

For full shipping details, go to oka.com/us-shipping Customer Care Email us at customercare@oka.com or call 1-800-621-8309 Hours are 9am–5pm CST Monday–Friday. Closed Saturday and Sunday.

Misprints & Errors The pricing and other details in this magazine are valid until August 31st 2021. Although every effort is made to check accuracy, incorrect prices and other incorrect details may occasionally be printed. We regret that such incorrect prices or details cannot be honored.

Returns If you decide something isn’t for you, simply return it to us within 60 days of receipt in the same condition in which it was received and we’ll refund the cost of the piece—no questions asked. In the rare event your OKA piece develops a manufacturing fault within six months of purchase, we’ll replace it free of charge.

For our full returns policy, see oka.com/us-returns

THE LATEST N E W S E A S O N F U R N I T U R E | T E X T I L E S | L I G H T I N G | D É C O R | I N S P I R AT I O N

GONGLIN CABINET Introducing the latest addition to our ever-popular Chinoiserie Collection, the Gonglin Cabinet. Its petrol blue hue brings a contemporary twist to a traditional Chinese landscape-inspired design, which is painted by hand.

PHOTOGRAPHS:

Jake Curtis

STYLING:

Despina Curtis | 5

T H E L AT E S T

WFH HERO There are two things that make working from home that much easier—designated space and storage. With clever hidden panels that allow you to extend its surface, not to mention dressed-up brass knobs and detailing, our brand-new Maplehurst Desk is here to assist in style.

Maplehurst Desk 47”Wx23.5”Dx31.5”H $2,395 Bricini Vase Small $30 Grisewood Lamp & Shade Gray 12”Wx8”Dx16.5”H $225

CHAMPAGNE TASTE Staying in is the new going out, so we’re embracing the little things that elevate the everyday. Our beautiful new champagne-hued flatware is just the thing; the stainlesssteel Silenus Set brings understated glamor to the table.

Silenus 24-Piece Flatware Set $375

Inside Story “Early civilizations are simply fascinating; they always offer me so much inspiration. It was Ancient Roman shields, their rectangular profiles and circular centerpieces, that first got me thinking about playing with shape here. The Istina is such a statement piece, thanks to its size, but also the contrast of contours and colors—black and gold is such a timeless combination.”

Sue Jones, Co-Founder & Creative Director of OKA Istina Lamp & Shade 21.5”Wx6.5”Dx20.5”H $395

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PHOTOGRAPHY:

Gareth Hacker

Instant Update Spring calls for a fresh injection of color and there’s no easier way to grant this wish than with new pillows. It’s the perfect time to introduce lighter natural materials to your arrangement; our new Zacke and Rinca Pillow Covers are hand-woven from silk and cotton, and feature vibrant ikat designs, which pop against complementary block colors like burnt orange and hot pink.

Flamboyance Pillow Cover 20”Sq $75 Zacke Pillow Cover 20”Sq $75 Rinca Pillow Cover 20”Sq $75 Plain Velvet Pillow Cover Shown in: Blood Orange | Dirty Orange 20”Sq $70

ALL THE R IGHT ANGLES This season, we’ve given our bestselling Marylebone a contemporary update—a sleek ebonized finish.

Like the original, it is crafted from oak, with grand proportions softened by a glass top and lower surface.

Short on space? We’ve got your displaying and resting needs covered with a smaller version (see P.50.)

Marylebone Coffee Table Ebonized Oak | Large 63”Wx55”Dx15.5”H

$2,995

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COL L EC TOR’ S ITEMS Add a finishing touch to your bookshelves, sideboard or console table with one of these striking decorative ornaments.

RISE TO THE OCCASION A bench is one of the most versatile pieces of furniture, so we’re always glad to welcome more to our collection. Eugenia, upholstered in natural herringbone linen with a border of antique brass-colored studs, is just as happy offering extra seats at dinner as it is a place to perch at a dressing table. And she does so with major mid-century modern charm.

Eugenia Bench 46”Wx25”Dx33”H $1,395 Contorno Pillow Cover Dirty Orange 23.5”Wx14”H $60

Set of Three Desir Horn Sculptures $295

Sesorthos Block Cross Decoration $70

Thurstaton Decorative Ornament on Stand $95

THE VEGETABLE PATCH Decorative artichokes and botanical-inspired jugs add fun new meaning to bringing the outside in.

Set of Two Porcelain Artichokes Shown in: Green | White $75

Toji Decorative Pagoda $395

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Leaf Jug $70 Stoneware Chinese Cabbage Jug $70 (seen with Bunched by OKA Faux Maple Bud Branch Yellow $18)

I D E A S T O F I R E U P YO U R I M AG I N AT I O N

DE SIGN DI A RY

Adam Lippes

Starting this month, the comely floral frocks and “forever pieces” of Adam Lippes have a very-first home of their own, a boutique in lower Manhattan’s swanky Brookfield Place.

Here, the designer and OKA collaborator gets to flex his other talent: decoration (if you’ve seen his famille rose-inspired OKA china then you’ll understand). Upholstered in a pale pink silk faille and outfitted with wicker, chinoiserie and ferns, the store is a veritable Victorian garden. Pray there’s a fainting couch—you might need it.

SHOP

Adam Lippes, Brookfield Place, NYC. adamlippes.com

The Connaught

London’s iconic hotel, The Connaught—known for its plush rooms and legendary boîtes (including Connaught Bar, which was recently crowned World’s Best Bar)—just added a compact pâtisserie to its eye-popping mix in Mayfair. Conceived by color-happy firm Ab Rogers Design, this delectable, dusky-pink confection is aglow with handblown Czech-crystal pendants in rose and bronze. Can’t decide between chef Nicolas Rouzaud’s pastries, éclairs and cakes? Check the time: a clever clock will direct you to the hour’s freshest offering: croissants, madeleines, tartes, or gateaux.

Might we recommend the miniature chocolate hazelnut cakes shaped as the sleek signature Connaught hounds—they’re our pet favorite.

the-connaught.co.uk

Kips Bay Decorator Show House

The world’s most celebrated spaces— typically seen solely in books, magazines, and screens—come alive each year at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House, a Manhattan institution that challenges top-tier interior designers to transform a room into something brilliant and memorable. “Kips,” as it’s affectionately known, supports enrichment programs at Boys & Girls Clubs organizations, but visitors benefit handsomely, too—it’s impossible to come away without ideas for your own home. Dallas and Palm Beach showcases are now part of the yearly lineup; the latter returns to Florida this spring.

Designed by Alizee Brion. kipsbaydecoratorshowhouse.org

Accidentally Wes Anderson

Pop-pastel palettes, unrelenting symmetry and hyperbolic idiosyncrasy are hallmarks of the Wes Anderson aesthetic, a look so recognizable that it spawned @AccidentalWesAnderson, an Instagram page documenting in-the-wild locations with that oh-so-Wes look. What started as one Brooklyn couple’s passion project is now a much-vaunted coffee table book with 200 lush photos of novelty locations worldwide. The director, a Houston native (his St John’s high school inspired the set of breakout film Rushmore), ever in on the fun, even penned the foreword. Armchair escapism at its most whimsical.

($35, accidentallywesanderson.com)

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T H E L AT E S T

SIDE HUSTLE You’ve found your perfect sofa and have even chosen a spot for it, but how to style it?

A lamp, pillows and side table are essential; here are three winning combinations.

To add contrast to lighter neutrals and softly rounded shapes, choose a side table with a slender frame, like our black metal Pompidou.

Echo this contrast in the pillow colors you choose, and the result will be balance.

Avitus 3-Seater Sofa White Linen (back and side cushions not shown) 86”Wx38.5”Dx35.5”H

$4,195 Plain Velvet Pillow Cover Shown in: Sea Blue 23.5”Wx14”H $65 | Camel 20”Sq $70 Ocellus Pillow Cover Natural 20”Sq $80 Medanoso Rug 8’Wx10’L $895 Pompidou Side Table Large 23.5”Sqx23.5”H $475 Tilda Table Lamp 10”Diax21.5”H $650 (seen with Pleated Linen Shade Natural 12”Wx10”Dx8”H $90) Concha In Acrylic $195 Set of Twelve Traditional Hat Prints 12”Sq $495

Multi-level side tables aren’t only practical, they add visual depth to a room. Opting for monochrome lamps and accessories means you can go wild with print and pattern on your shades and pillows; simply pick a color palette and commit to it.

Longshan Pillow Cover 23.5”Wx14”H $70 Areca Pillow Cover Air Force Blue 22”Sq $70 Textured Linen Velvet Pillow Cover With Tassels Slate 22”Sq $110 Baricella Side Table 23.5”Wx15.5”Dx24.5”H $695 Hulu Lamp Chalk 9”Diax20.5”H $250 (seen with Elemeri Drum Shade 19.5”Diax13”H $225) The Chronicle Collection Candle $105 Decimus Bone Box With Lid $350

A circular i l side id table b in natural wood helps to create a soft, welcoming look. Here the low surface is balanced out with a tall, slim lamp to add scale and interest.

Sayulita Pillow Cover 23.5”Wx14”H $95 Emel Pillow Cover 20”Sq $110 Garasu Side Table 25.5”Diax18”H $595 Morgiana Table Lamp 6.5”Diax29.5”H $250 (seen with Drum Cotton Shade White 12”Diax6.5”H $30) Bricini Vase Small $30 (seen with Bunched by OKA Faux Maple Bud Branch Yellow $18)

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Greta Garbo

FROM THE SILVER SCREEN One of the greatest leading ladies of Hollywood’s Golden Age, Greta Garbo set the standard for elegance.

Bring a touch of Garbo glamor into your home with clean lines and mirrors for miles.

Lydian Mirror 35.5”Wx1”Dx53”H $995 Polished Glass Ball Bookends $250 Noboru Pillow Cover Gray Blue/Onyx 22”Sq $90 Costellini Ottoman Charcoal Velvet 18.5”Diax17.5”H $325 Hatta Coffee Table 41.5”Diax15.5”H $2,295 Reeves Table Lamp 6.5”Diax18.5”H $425 (seen with Drum Cotton Shade Black 15.5”Diax10”H $60) Stafford Dining Chair Midnight Green Velvet 17.5”Wx23”Dx36”H $495 Bunched by OKA Faux Dancing Lady Orchid Stem $15

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NOTE PERFECT Discover your signature room fragrance with The Chronicle Collection.

PHOTOGRAPHY:

Baker & Evans

Just like perfume, home fragrance is an expression of personality.

Evocative and mood-enhancing, it has the power to trigger senses, conjure memories and inspire emotions, to relax or invigorate. “Interior scent should be a signature for every home, creating atmosphere and telling stories,” explains Sue Jones. Which is exactly why she wanted to give OKA an olfactory voice.

So, Sue turned to the expertise of the world’s oldest and most acclaimed chandler, Cire Trudon, and sought the artistry of fragrance makers at Robertet in perfume’s capital, Grasse, in the south of France. Together, they created four transporting scents, each of which invites you to take a moment to press pause on busy lives; to be

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STYLING:

Johanne Mills

seduced by aromas of dusky rose and revitalized by notes of fresh citrus; to feel comforted by warming vanilla and uplifted by amber.

The quartet of fragrances forms the backbone of The Chronicle Collection’s candles and reed diffusers. The calming ritual of lighting a candle is one that is perfectly matched by the meticulous production techniques employed by Cire Trudon when they make the candles. It is an intricate and careful process based on a traditional recipe, using zero artificial ingredients to ensure a clean, smoke-free burn. By nature, candles and diffusers distribute scents differently, so they are ideally used together to create a richer, layered fragrance. In both cases their midnight blue-glazed ceramic containers, featuring only an insignia inspired by an antique lock, finish the look and create a beautiful aesthetic in tandem.

The Chronicle Collection Candles & Diffusers $105 each.

The diffusers will be available in our Houston store soon.

CL A IR DE LU NE

ROSE FU MÉE

Notes of vanilla, grapefruit and patchouli.

Notes of sandalwood, rose and smoked birch.

Inviting yet subtle, this fragrance is ideal for shared spaces like the sitting room.

An enticing, musky scent, which can’t help but evoke notions of romance.

HER BE S DE MON TAGNE

A MBR E BRÛLÉE

Notes of violet, bergamot and citrus.

Notes of amber, patchouli and bergamot.

Fresh and light, this is the perfect accompaniment to dinner, since it won’t clash with other aromas.

Bring positive vibes with this scent, featuring bergamot to relieve stress and fight infection.

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THE ILLUSIONISTS A well-placed mirror can completely transform a room, making it appear larger and amplifying natural light.

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THIS PAGE 1. Juventa 35.5”Wx47”H 29.5”Wx1”Dx37.5”H

$495 2. Plaited Bone

$1,195 3. Tipperary 24”Wx40.5”H

$395

4. Sarzay 25”Wx35.5”H $595 5. Sega 23.5”Wx78.5”H $895 6. Teleri 24”Wx1”Dx29.5”H $395 7. Versailles Small 9”Wx12”H $95 8. Pevensie 27”Wx37”H $495 OPPOSITE PAGE Sedgwick Large 47”Wx1”Dx65.5”H $1,195 Papavera Vase Medium $195

SHOPPING

PHOTOGRAPHS:

Jake Curtis

STYLING:

Despina Curtis | 15

SHOPPING

16 | view our entire collection at oka.com

PRACTICAL MAGIC Taking you from desk to dining table, an extremely comfortable chair is quickly becoming the most important item in the house.

Stafford Dining Chair Shown in: Ash

OPPOSITE PAGE

Gray Leather | Smoke Blue Leather 17.5”Wx23”Dx36”H THIS PAGE

$650

1. Claverton

Dining Chair 23”Wx24.5”Dx36”H $1,150 2. Ormoy Dining Chair 26”Wx23.5”Dx35.5”H $1,095 3. Washakie Chair Stonewashed Eau de Nil Linen 19.5”Wx23”Dx38.5”H $495 4. Beardon Armchair 28.5”Wx35.5”Dx39.5”H $1,395 5. Echo Dining Chair Oak $325 Legs 16.5”Wx25.5”Dx39.5”H (seen with Cotton Slip Cover For Echo Dining Chair Oatmeal 16.5”Wx25.5”Dx29.5”H $95)

6. Stafford Kawa Dining Chair 17.5”Wx23”Dx36”H $495

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GLOW YOUR O W N WAY Loving these lamps is the right thing to do.

They add ambience and character to a room in an instant.

1. Duffy 14”Diax17.5”H $225 (seen with Empire Linen Shade White 20”Diax11”H $90) 2. Budle 15.5”Wx4.5”Dx17.5”H $395 (seen with Narrow Rectangular Linen Shade Natural 19.5”Wx4”Dx9.5”H $70) 3. Aberarth 10”Sqx14”H $350 (seen with Drum Cotton Shade Black 15.5”Diax10”H $60) 4. Lucine 7”Diax17.5”H $250 (seen with Empire Linen Shade White 20”Diax11”H $90) 5. Parzival 14”Diax21”H $375 (seen with Drum Linen Shade Natural 10”Diax6.5”H $35) 6. Falkor 6.5”Diax14”H $375 (seen with Drum Cotton Shade Black 15.5”Dia x10”H $60) 7. Egret 4.5”Sqx22”H $150 (seen with Drum Linen Shade Natural 10”Diax6.5”H $35) 8. Morcent 9.5”Sqx 19.5”H $295 (seen with Rectangular Linen Shade White 17.5”Wx11.5”Dx9.5”H $75) 9. Morgiana 6.5”Diax29.5”H $250 (seen with Drum Cotton Shade Black 15.5”Diax10”H $60) OPPOSITE PAGE Kinzig 13”Diax19.5”H $250 (seen with Drum Linen Shade Natural 14”Diax8.5”H $95) Kaishu Console Table Black 78.5”Wx19.5”Dx33.5”H $1,795

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SHOPPING

view our entire collection at oka.com | 19

Nomad’s Land PHOTOGRAPHS:

Damian Russell STYLING:

Anders Olsson

City life and Grecian design are an unusual pairing, but one that works like a charm in this incredibly bright and airy London dwelling.

The Cycladic lifestyle is one of beauty and simplicity. A relaxed mood, rustic charm and warmth, in myriad forms, underpin the aesthetic, which Anders Olsson, OKA’s head stylist, chose to emulate in this unusually airy London home.

“There’s something about the evening light when you’re abroad,” says Anders. “That glowy setting sun; it evokes such a laid-back feeling.

I wanted to try and capture that here.” The open-plan space, with its whitewashed wood-paneled floors and ceilings, white walls and large shuttered windows, provides a bright blank canvas—the perfect starting point for a minimal yet soft look, which is so typical of the Greek islands.

From hand-woven banana-fiber baskets and seagrass rugs to rattandetailed chairs and a dining table fashioned from weathered wooden railroad ties, an abundance of earthy tones and raw textures add contrast to the simple backdrop. The natural theme continues throughout with bare branches, giant pampas grass and dried palm leaves adding the finishing touches. “They’re understated and effortless, but add that essential drama,” Anders explains. Accessories are kept to a minimum, so form is particularly important. Curved, classical vases echo the indents in the wall in the bathroom while large urns bring a Grecian element, complemented by more organically shaped pieces.

Most importantly, it’s comfortable and sociable. You’re invited to sink into the linen sofas or grab a pillow and pull up a seat at the table.

Magnante Console Table 63”Wx12.5”Dx32”H $2,295 Bricini Vase Small $30 Capiz Neckpiece on Stand $150 Daintree Decorative Vase $70 Asimina Planter Small $395

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Magnante Console Table 63”Wx12.5”Dx32”H $2,295 Vase Small $30 Capiz Neckpiece on Stand $150 Decorative Vase $70 Asimina Planter Small $395

Bricini Daintree

view our entire collection at oka.com

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Faiyum Basket Vase $195 Thalassia Collection Basket Vase $195 | Planter (also Kinzig Table used as a side table) $295 Lamp 13”Diax19.5”H $250 (seen with Drum Cotton Shade White 22”Diax13”H $90) Pietro Corner Sofa 111.5”Wx38”Dx25.5”H $7,195 Stonewashed Linen Pillow Cover With Fringing Off-White 20”Sq $80 Dahan Pillow Cover 20”Sq $75 Plain Velvet Pillow Cover Camel Shown in: 23.5”Wx14”H $65 | 20”Sq $70 Zostera Pillow Cover Chalk 20”Sq $75 Medanoso Rug 8’Wx10’L $895 Apolonia Coffee Table 47”Sqx19.5”H $3,495 Merisiili In Acrylic $195 Ursa Vase Large $95 Bricini Vase Medium $50 Orzola Lounge Chair 21.5”Wx23”Dx33.5”H $995

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view our entire collection at oka.com | 23

Bricini Vase Medium $50 (seen with Bunched by OKA Faux Maple Bud Branch Yellow $18) Perisphere Table Lamp 6.5”Diax21.5”H $225 (seen with Drum Linen Shade Natural 19.5”Diax11.5”H $85) OPPOSITE PAGE Hadrian Decorative Jug $30 Avitus Armchair White Linen 49.5”Wx38.5”Dx35.5”H $2,995 Pattani Eclipse Pillow Cover Mustard 20”Sq $60 Thalassia Planter (used as a side table) $295 THIS PAGE

24 | view our entire collection at oka.com

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$225 Plain Velvet Pillow Camborne Dining Table (pictured without its glass top) £5,195 Asimina Planter Small $395 Glass Hurricane Lamp 94.5”Wx39.5”Dx30”H Shown in: Small $35 | Medium $50 | Large $60 Set of Four Soraya Napkins $95 Set of Four Lavaux Glass Goblets Tortoiseshell $65 THIS PAGE Sillben Dinnerware Set of Four Side Plates $60 | Set of Four Dinner Plates $95 Set of Four Twisted Glass Tumblers Short $30 Laucala Wooden Beaded Collection Set of Four Placemats $195 | Set of Four Silenus 24-Piece Flatware Set $375 Coasters $35 | Set of Four Napkin Rings $35 OPPOSITE PAGE Feur Chair 18.5”Wx19.5”Dx34.5”H

Cover Camel 20”Sq $70

view our entire collection at oka.com | 27

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Pula Vase $25 Hadrian Decorative Jug $30 Fengari Throw 78.5”Wx47”L $175 Apadana Herringbone Linen Armless Chair Natural 24”Wx28”Dx33.5”H $1,250 Stonewashed Linen Pillow Cover With Fringing Off-White 20”Sq $80 THIS PAGE Washakie Chair Sand Wide Herringbone Linen 19.5”Wx23”Dx38.5”H $495 OPPOSITE PAGE

view our entire collection at oka.com | 29

They’ll happily sit on the sidelines, but don’t be fooled, these console tables are packed with personality.

THE BAKER & CA NDLESTICK M A KER Amarolo keeps many plates spinning all by herself. One minute, she’s whipping up her famous layer cake, the next, turning to another crafty side project.

Amarolo Console Table 60”Wx10”Dx29.5”H $850 Emborio Bowl $110 Sorano China Side Plate $12 Set of Two Porcelain Artichokes Shown in: Green | White $75 Artichoke Serving Bowl $95 Set of Three Cotteret Mini Vases $75 (seen with Bunched by OKA Faux Sedum Stem $25)

| Dinner Plate $25

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PHOTOGRAPHS:

Damian Russell

STYLING:

Ruth Sleightholme

THE SCULPTOR Tall, dark and handsome, with a f lamboyant side, Anio is quite the charmer. His impeccable taste only serves to earn him extra points with his suitors.

Anio Console Table 55”Wx14”Dx31.5”H $1,895 Sesorthos Block Cross Decoration $70 Herodotus Table Lamp 5”Sqx18”H $175 (seen with Drum Cotton Shade Black 15.5”Diax10”H $60) Pair of Eferi Framed Prints 27.5”Wx39.5”H $425 Papavera Vase Medium $195 Jamai Rug 8’Wx10’L $3,295

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THE SUPER MODEL Looking like she just stepped off the Paris catwalk, Versailles is perfection from every angle thanks to her innate style and mirrored detailing.

Versailles Console Table Small 50”Wx18”Dx30”H $895 Falkor Glass Table Lamp 6.5”Diax14”H $375 (seen with Drum Cotton Shade Black 19.5”Diax11.5”H $70) Faux Potted Fern Plant $90 Set of Five Pentangle Mirrored Wall Art Panels $995 Faux Tortoiseshell Tray $75 Tortoiseshell Glass Jug $60 Melaka Rug 8’Wx10’L $2,295 13”Wx2.5”Dx35”H

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THE JEWELER She has traveled the world, but Helenium is an artistic soul who draws most inspiration from warm golden Mediterranean sunsets.

Helenium Console Table 52.5”Wx15”Dx31.5”H $1,395 Faux Miniature Olive Tree $95 Decorative Pear $20 Set of Four Decorative Feather Name Card Holders $50 Ashva Rug 8’Wx10’L $1,695

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THE HOPELESS ROM A N T IC Lyric feels most at home wandering long-lost paths through the woods, looking for treasures for her one true love, with only melancholy thoughts of Greek tragedies for company.

Vincent Darré X OKA Lyric Console Table 47”Wx19.5”Dx39.5”H $5,195 Bone Temple Box $195 Archytas Half Head Sculpture $75 Set of Four Lavaux Glass Goblets Crème de Menthe $65

34 | view our entire collection at oka.com

T H E NAT U R A L IST After years spent poring over textbooks, Flavian can tell his gardenias from his roses and his sea anemone from his coral.

But he’s at his happiest simply taking in the natural beauty of the countryside.

Flavian Console Table 63”Wx17.5”Dx30.5”H $2,295 Bricini Vase Shown in: Large $60 | Medium $50 Aptera Decorative Jug $65 (seen with a selection of Bunched by OKA stems, including: Faux Maple Bud Branch Shown in: Yellow | Green $18, Faux Sedum Stem $25, Faux Single Eucalyptus Stem Pale Green $15) Pula Vase $25 Set of Four Elne Champagne Flutes Small $60 Set of Eight Coral & Seaweed Prints 17.5”Wx2”Dx21.5”H $595 Costellini Ottoman Alchemilla Velvet 18.5”Diax17.5”H $325

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Damian Russell Sue Jones

PHOTOGRAPHS: STYLING:

W he n O K A c o - fo u n d e r S u e J o n e s s t y l e d a 13 t h - c e nt u r y m a nor house i n Por t ishead, a tow n i n sout h west Engla nd, she had one t h i ng i n m i nd —to a l low t he feat u res of t he proper t y to si ng.

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Fontana Side Table 17.5”Diax23.5”H $995 Hadrian Decorative Jug $30 Pula Vase $25 Avitus 3-Seater Sofa Flax $4,195 Crusoe Upholstered Ottoman 19.5”Wx33.5”Dx50”H $1,995 Carulea Rug Narrow Herringbone Linen 86”Wx38.5”Dx35.5”H 8’Wx10’L $2,295 Pompidou Side Table Small 15.5”Sqx23.5”H $445 Plain Velvet Pillow Cover Burnt Orange 20”Sq $70 | Midnight Green 20”Sq $70 Ocellus Pillow Cover Burnt Umber 20”Sq $80 Avignon Side Table 23.5”Wx15.5”Dx23.5”H $550 Pacaya Decorative Vase $350 (seen with a selection of real and Bunched by OKA stems, including: Faux Laurel Leaves $20, Faux Rose Stem Deep Purple $20, Faux Dancing Lady Orchid Stem $15) Set of Four Lavaux Goblets Eggplant $65 Set of Twelve Traditional Hat Prints 12”Sq $495 Antrim Dining Table 63”Diax30”H $2,495 Set of Two Porcelain Artichokes Shown in: White | Green $75 Leaf Jug $70 Faux Rose, Ivy & Allium Bunch $150 Drummond Cabinet 51”Wx30.5”Dx91.5”H $3,150 Cardoon Candle Holder Large $70 Lirio Vase $70 Kamari Decorative Jug $95 Loutro Vase Shown in: Small $50 | Large $90 Fyli Vase Shown in: Large $110 | Bricini Vase Large $60 Apadana Herringbone Linen Armless Chair Natural 24”Wx28”Dx33.5”H $1,250 Medium $75

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Pacaya Decorative Vase $350 Faux Laurel Leaves $20 Faux Rose Stem Deep Purple $20 Faux Dancing Lady Orchid Stem $15) Set of Four Lavaux Goblets Shown in: Eggplant | Crème de Menthe $65 Gustaf Sideboard Small 43.5”Wx20”Dx36”H $2,895 Pulcinella Collection Set of Four Large Wine Glasses $95 | Set of Four Short Tumblers $75 Set of Four Round-Based Crystal Glasses Shown in: Large $175 | Small $150 OPPOSITE PAGE Visby Cabinet 17.5”Wx23.5”Dx44”H $2,495 Washakie Linen Chair Sand 19.5”Wx23”Dx38.5”H $495 Conisbrough Dining Table 102.5”Wx39.5”Dx29.5”H $3,495 Sorano China Latte Cup $18 Emborio Bowl $110 Rattan Cake Stand $95 Loutro Vase Large $90 Stoneware Chinese Cabbage Jug $70 Areca Pillow Cover Putting Green 22”Sq $70 Gullion Bench 86.5”Wx16.5”Dx19”H $2,495 THIS PAGE

Set of Twelve Traditional Hat Prints 12”Sq

(seen with a selection of real and Bunched by OKA stems, including:

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$495

view our entire collection at oka.com | 39

Brummundal Floor Lamp 11”Diax54.5”H $495 (seen with Empire Linen Shade Natural 14”Diax8”H $75) Aptera Decorative Jug $65 Hadrian Decorative Jug $30 Pula Vase $25 Kamari Decorative Jug $95 Tarma 2-Seater Sofa 54”Wx35”Dx34.5”H $2,695 Plain Velvet Pillow Cover Blood Orange 20”Sq $70 Marcine Pillow Cover 20”Sq $80 Nostell Dashes Pillow Cover Red Madder 20”Sq $60 Zostera Pillow Cover Blood Orange 20”Sq $75 Rander Ceramic Stool Charcoal 13”Diax18”H $195 OPPOSITE PAGE Giant Glass Ball Paperweight $95 Gonglin Memory Box $250 THIS PAGE

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Court House Farm has a certain magic about it. Dating back to the medieval period, its buildings have been carefully restored over the years, but its character remains quite the same. Stepping inside is like stepping into a moment frozen in time.

“I wanted to let the house talk,” says OKA co-founder and creative director, Sue Jones.

“There are so many fascinating historical elements—the raw plaster walls, old brick fireplaces, weathered wooden floors and huge beams.” Rather than play to the traditional to showcase these details, she chose to create a setting full of contrast. Modern, clean-lined furniture, plenty of patterned textiles, and an eclectic mix of classic and contemporary accessories look, surprisingly, right at home here amid all the history and authentic paintings. “I chose to include lots of the pieces simply because I love them; they’re so versatile. They just work,” explains Sue. The space is light, airy and unique. The soft cream and dusty pink-hued walls, in tandem with the beautiful architectural details, can’t help but lend a sense of romance. If you let your mind wander, you can easily imagine great literary heroines poring over letters in one of the many inviting spots to sit. Comfort was particularly important to Sue, which is evident everywhere from the relaxed dining area to the tranquil bedroom. “It’s easy for a big house like this to feel cold, so I used lots of warm tones, without limiting myself to a color palette,” she says.

The result?

It’s a seamless look that is simultaneously stylish and welcoming, without overstatement.

view our entire collection at oka.com | 41

THIS PAGE Chantal Armchair Natural Linen 30.5”Wx34”Dx37.5”H

$1,650 Ocellus Pillow Cover Seagreen Leaf Jug $70 (seen with a selection of Bunched by OKA stems, including: Faux Pussy Willow Stem $12, Faux Single Eucalyptus Stem $15) Bonington Table Lamp 9.5”Diax14”H $495 (seen with Drum Linen Shade Natural 14”Diax8.5”H $75) OPPOSITE PAGE Taya Mirror 48”Wx1.5”Dx93.5”H $2,995 Regulus Collection Rug 8’Wx10’L $2,995 | Floor Pillow 27.5”Sqx15.5”H $495

20”Sq $80 Beccles Rug 8’Wx10’L

42 | view our entire collection at oka.com

$3,295

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Handsome Pr int s PHOTOGRAPHS: STYLING:

Mel Yates

Belinda White

Why be a wallflower?

Layering a riot of colorful patterns makes for a comfy space packed with personality.

Listra Rug 8’Wx10’L

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$1,995

$1,695 Crusoe Upholstered Ottoman

Zacke Pillow Cover 20”Sq $75 Atet Pillow Cover 20”Sq $65 Viscacha Pillow Cover Grenache 23.5”Wx14”H $80 Magicus Console Table 39.5”Wx12”Dx31.5”H $995 Vincent Darré X OKA Gemini Vase $595 Bramante Floor Lamp 10”Diax50”H $495 (seen with Warna Silk Pleated Lampshade Lime 14”Diax9”H $175) Rander Ceramic Stool Charcoal 13”Diax18”H $195 19.5”Wx33.5”Dx50”H

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Tilda Table Lamp 10”Diax21.5”H $650 (seen with Pleated Daun Cotton Shade Turmeric 14”Diax9”H $80) Baricella Side Table With Shelves 19.5”Wx11”Dx24”H $695 Anozoria Paperweight $40 Set of Three Very Useful Cosmati & Ocellus Trays Ink Blue $55 George Club Chair Cheetah 24”Wx28.5”Dx28”H $3,595 Contorno Pillow Cover Alchemilla 22”Sq $70

46 | view our entire collection at oka.com

Rich blues, in everything from ikat to stripes, reign supreme here. Sticking to one color allows the complementary red to really pop on the pillow.

Set of Four Skeleton Coral Prints 19.5”Wx27.5”H $425 Egon Table Lamp 10”Diax22”H $495 (seen with Pattani Eclipse Shade Indigo 14”Diax9”H $125) Gustaf Sideboard Small 43.5”Wx20”Dx36”H $2,895 Kraak Collection Dinner Plate $65 | Large Deep Bowl $150 | Giant Charger $275 Nesbitt Rug 7.5’Wx10.5’L $695 Polperro Armchair 29”Wx30”Dx36”H $1,395 Haruku Pillow Cover 20”Sq $75 Merinid Floor Pillow 27.5”Sqx12”H $495

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It’s bold, but starting by adding pattern to the wall makes styling the rest of the room easy; it sets the tone and color palette.

Don’t be afraid to combine classic and contemporary prints—the more eclectic, the more effective.

Sulamani Throw 47”Wx78.5”L $175 Claverton Dining Chair 23”Wx24.5”Dx36”H $1,150 Zostera Pillow Cover Blood Orange 20”Sq $75 Guadua Tripod Floor Lamp 21.5”Wx18”Dx54”H $395 (seen with Pattani Eclipse Shade Mustard 14”Diax9”H $125) Magnante Console Table 63”W x12.5”Dx32”H $2,295 Costellini Ottoman (used as a wall hanging)

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Blood Orange Velvet 18.5”Diax17.5”H $325

Amarolo Side Table 25”Wx13.5”Dx23.5”H $650 Set of Four Lavaux Goblets Crème Set of Three Very Useful Elibris Trays $55 Bonington Table Lamp 9.5”Diax14”H $495 (seen with Daun Pleated Cotton Shade Watermelon 14”Diax9”H $120) Apadana Armless Chair Air Force Blue 24”Wx28”Dx33.5”H $1,195 Rinca Pillow Cover 20”Sq $75 Merinid Rug 8’Wx10’L $1,695 Iznik Lidded Jar $595 de Menthe $65

Coleridge Collection Pure Navy 3-Seater Sofa 71.5”Wx41”Dx32.5”H $2,850 | Footstool 34”Wx19.5”Dx13”H $775 | Armchair 50”Wx36”Dx32.5”H $1,850 Plain Velvet Pillow Cover Shown in: Charcoal | Gainsborough Gray 20”Sq $70 Thomasin Collection Floor Lamp 9.5”Diax52.5”H $350 | Table Lamp 6.5”Diax27”H $225 (both seen with Drum Cotton Shade Black 10”Diax6”H $30) Pompidou Side $445 Table Small 15.5”Sqx23.5”H Matte Glass Cylinder Vase Short $65 (seen with Faux Eucalyptus Stem Dark Brown/ Burgundy $15) Oban Mirror Extra $495 Set of Three Large 35”Dia Cotteret Mini Vases $75 Fyli Marylebone Vase Small $30 Coffee Table Small | Ebonized Oak 55”Wx31.5”Dx15.5”H $1,895 Katsura Console Table Rubbed Black 37”Wx13”Dx32.5”H $750

B E T T E R TO G E T H E R Opposites attract, as the saying goes, so what finer way to show off the more dramatic side of our Spring Collection than by contrasting its striking mix of inky upholstery and sleek black furniture with light-filled, white-painted rooms.

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PHOTOGRAPHS:

Ben Anders

STYLING:

Belinda White & Anders Olsson

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THIS PAGE 12”Wx1”Dx15.5”H | Large $110

Set of Twelve Framed Flower Botanical Prints $495 Fyli Vase Shown in: Small $30 | Medium $75

Sorin Lidded Jar Short $55 Beardon Armchair 28.5”Wx35.5”Dx39.5”H $1,395 Alfred Extendable Dining Table 114”Wx39.5”Dx30”H (fully extended); 43.5”Wx39.5”Dx30”H (six $4,595 OPPOSITE PAGE Pair of Eferi Framed leaves removed) Prints 27.5”Wx39.5”H $425 Ursa Vase Shown in: Small $70 | Large $95 Sutcliff Armchair 27”Wx30.5”Dx34.5”H $895 Plain Velvet Pillow Cover Charcoal 20”Sq $70 Vincent Darré X OKA Spiral Lamp & Shade 14”Diax55”H $1,295

52 | view our entire collection at oka.com

“The greater the contrast, the greater the potential,” wrote Carl Jung—a statement that is as true for great design as it is in life. Sometimes the tension between opposites makes for a classic pairing: sweet and salty, dots and stripes, black and white…

With this in mind, we set about finding a space flooded with natural light to show off the darker side of our Spring Collection—a striking mix of inky upholstery, sleek black furniture, and sharp silhouettes. A space where the bright white walls and floor-to-ceiling windows are perfectly juxtaposed with the dark stained wood floors to provide minimalist drama in abundance.

Against this unassuming backdrop, the gaze can’t help but be drawn to our new navy Coleridge Sofa, Armchair and Footstool, or the studded Sutcliff Armchair, while the new Alfred Extendable Dining Table and natural linen Beardon Dining Chairs team up in sweet harmony. And to make sure things aren’t oversimplified, brass accents lend just a dash of embellishment, showing up as geometric knobs and legs on our new Vortist Chest of Drawers and Side Table—or perhaps that should be telephone table?—and complement the Art Deco-esque design of the new Aberarth Lamp.

Dark and light, not exactly a groundbreaking combination, but just as night follows day, a timeless one.

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Acanthosphere Lidded Pot $55 Set of Three Cotteret Mini Vases $75 Merdiven Lamp & Shade 5”Diax16.5”H $250 Vortist Chest of Drawers 36”Wx19.5”Dx 34.5”H $1,395 OPPOSITE PAGE Sorrel Mirror 35.5”Wx47”H $895 Maplehurst Desk 47”Wx23.5”Dx31.5”H $2,395 Aberarth Table Lamp Soot 10”Sqx14”H $350 (seen with Drum Cotton Shade Black 15.5”Diax10”H $60) Stafford Dining Chair Charcoal Velvet 17.5”Wx23”Dx36”H $495 THIS PAGE

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OPPOSITE PAGE Plain Velvet Pillow Cover Shown in: Charcoal | Gainsborough Gray 20”Sq

$70 Dahan Pillow Cover 20”Sq $75 THIS PAGE

Set of Twelve Framed Flower Botanical Prints 12”Wx1”Dx15.5”H $495 Vaquero Stool 21.5”Wx16”Dx19.5”H $795 Coleridge Armchair Pure Navy 50”Wx36”Dx32.5”H $1,850

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THIS PAGE Decimus Bone Box With Lid $350 Kellingin Table Lamp 6.5”Sqx25”H $295 (seen with Drum Cotton Shade

Black 19.5”Dia11.5”H $70) OPPOSITE PAGE Costellini

Ottoman Herringbone Linen 18.5”Diax17.5”H $325 Vortist Side Table 23.5”Wx14”Dx23”H

$750

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Shared Passions Chef José Pizarro on the simple pleasures of a good meal with family and friends WORDS:

Clare Finney

The marriage between José Pizarro and Spain’s beautiful Basque region seems, at first glance, slightly unlikely. The Basque Country is in northern Spain and best known—in culinary terms—for having the highest per capita concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants in the world. José is a Spanish chef from Extremadura in the south west, a region celebrated at his beloved tapas bar in London’s Bermondsey (he’s launched several other excellent restaurants since, but José is his first and most famous) and in his five-strong range of books offering fun, flavorful, yet highly accessible immersions into Spanish cooking.

I have been to the Basque Country, sampling dishes like truffled meringue courtesy of Eneko Atxa and red space egg created by Elena Arzak. How could such rarefied food translate into José’s characteristically friendly style; the ebullient, jovial way in which he recounts his experiences and recipes? Then you open the book and realize José’s love affair with Basque cuisine is born of its simpler pleasures: “Sharing big plates of food around the table, celebrating happy occasions,” he writes in the introduction. “As much as I love visiting my friends in their Michelin kitchens, where I’m always bowled over by their creativity, what I love is… good ingredients, sourced locally wherever possible, cooked with little fuss.”

And so, he wrote Basque: Spanish Recipes from San Sebastián & Beyond.

Comprising pintxos, grilled meat and fish, densely fruited almond cakes, and beautifully unvarnished photography, it is a vivid testimony to his love of the city that has become something of a spiritual home. We meet in his second Bermondsey restaurant, Pizarro, in November, just before the UK’s second national lockdown is announced. Like all restaurateurs, José is anxious about the future, but quietly confident—reassured by his staff, and the locals who rushed to support him when the pandemic hit.

Barely a guest leaves the restaurant before coming to say hello, and thanking him for the meal they’ve had. His desire to hug them is palpable, but he makes do with an elbow bump. “It has been tough,” he says, “but I think there have been good things.

When lockdown hit, and we set up a shop and takeaway, we really felt the community here; and when we opened the restaurant again people were so thankful. Eating together with our family and friends and neighbors—we all

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PHOTOGRAPHS:

Matt Russell

FOOD STYLING:

appreciate it more.” And at its heart, that is what Basque cuisine is all about.

Where do you start trying to find recipes to represent a region as rich in, and as obsessed with, food?

I love the Basque Country. I must have visited hundreds of times.

But researching a recipe book is very different to vacationing there.

When they hear you are interested in the food of their country, people open their hearts and their homes. But the recipes they were so generous to give me—I couldn’t include them in my book, because they were so difficult. My favorite thing is to get lost in the pintxos bars of San Sebastián, to have some boquerones here and some gambas there, and to wander around speaking to people I meet on the beach, in the cafés, at the harbor or market. Meeting new people is essential for research. Previously when I was researching

Aya Nishimura

PROP STYLING:

Jennifer Kay

Conisbrough Dining Table 102.5”Wx39.5”Dx29.5”H $3,495 Washakie Chair From $495 Set of Four Ranelagh Wine Goblets Large $65 Kintaro Collection Shown in: Indigo | Cochineal Set of Four Side Plates $70 | Set of Four Dinner Plates $100 | Set of Four Bowls $75 Bukva Glass Tealight Holder White $30 Sorano China Collection Soup Bowl $18 | Dinner Esio Flatware Plate $25 | Large Plate $30 28-Piece Set $375 | Pair of Serving Spoons $55 Set of Four Soraya Napkins $95 Pair of Jigsaw Puzzle Cutting Boards $125 Set of Four Twisted Tumblers Tall $35 Gromwell Jug $60

recipes, I would go to a place with an idea of what I wanted to find out. But with Basque, and my subsequent books, I have gone with a clear mind, telling myself I know nothing. I go to discover it again.

How has the climate and culture of the Basque Country shaped its food?

Spain is 17 countries in one—and the variations make a big difference. In the north, the winters are longer and darker. It is rainier and colder, and people spend more time in their houses.

The accent is different. I understand Catalan and Andalusian. But Basque? It’s like Welsh. This, combined with the problems they experienced under Franco and with the separatist movement, has made them very close-knit. Then there are the txokos, the private men’s cooking clubs, where you can go and cook with friends, or even just by yourself—the kitchen is always stocked up. You just

write down what you have used. It’s so special, a real community center. All this has shaped the culture and food.

How do you like to serve your food?

My food is simple, so presentation is important. In my home, like in the Basque Country, I like to serve food on platters in the center of the table for everyone to dig in and share. I love feeling the quality of a good wine glass in my hand, but I cannot afford to have the very best quality glasses because I am so clumsy. I break more glasses at home than we do in the restaurants.

Basque: Spanish Recipes from San Sebastián & Beyond

by José Pizarro (Hardie Grant, $22.99)

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SERVES 4 17 fl oz olive oil 10½ oz eggplant, sliced 7 oz waxy potatoes, sliced 8 free-range eggs Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 2½ oz blue cheese 2–4 tbsp honey Heat the oil in a large pan and very gently fry the eggplant and potatoes for 25–30 minutes until the potatoes are tender. Drain well (reserve the oil to use later). Break up the potatoes into smaller pieces with a spoon.

Beat the eggs with plenty of seasoning in a large bowl. Add the cheese and honey to the vegetables and mix well. Add all of the ingredients to the bowl of beaten egg and gently mix. Heat 3 tablespoons of the reserved oil in a 9-inch non-stick frying pan. When the oil is hot, pour in the omelet mixture. Swirl the pan over a high heat until the mixture starts to set around the edges, then reduce the heat and cook for 4–5 minutes until it just starts to set, and the bottom and sides are golden, but it is still quite loose in the middle.

Cover the pan with a flat lid or board and turn the tortilla carefully onto it.

Don’t worry that it is still quite runny— it will all come back together when you continue to cook it. Slide the tortilla back into the pan, then put the pan back on a low heat. Use a spatula to tuck the edges of the tortilla under to give it its characteristic curved look. Cook for a couple of minutes, then turn onto a board and serve. It should still be lovely and juicy in the middle when you cut into it.

THIS PAGE Nostell Diamonds Tablecloth

Indigo 59”Wx98.5”L $150

Kintaro Collection Shown in: Cochineal | Indigo

Set of Four Side Plates $70 | Set of Four Dinner

Plates $100 OPPOSITE PAGE

Conisbrough Dining Table 102.5”Wx39.5”Dx29.5”H

$3,495

Set of Four Kintaro Bowls Indigo $75 Set of Four Soraya Napkins $95 Set of Four Round-Based Crystal Glasses Small $150 Sorano China Collection Soup Bowl $18 | Side Plate $12 | Large Plate $30

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Eggplant, Honey & Blue Cheese Omelet This is proof of how versatile an omelet can be.

We cooked this at my little tapas bar, José, and now everyone asks us when it’s coming back. Serve hot or cold, it really doesn’t matter. It’s delicious.

Spinach & Goat’s Cheese Croquetas Croquetas, croquetas, croquetas. Many people tell me that they make a beeline to Spanish restaurants for the croquetas and the tortilla, and we are very proud of ours. This is one of the most popular flavors at the restaurant; they are so creamy and tasty. You can freeze them ahead of time, and then just defrost before frying.

Heat a large frying pan over a medium-high heat and add the spinach with a tiny splash of water. Cook for 3–4 minutes, or until completely wilted, then run under cold water.

Once cold, squeeze out all the water. Chop finely and set aside.

In a saucepan, heat the milk and the stock together. In another saucepan, melt the butter over a medium heat, then add the flour and cook for 2–3 minutes. When the mixture starts to turn brown, begin adding the milk and stock very slowly until you get a really silky-smooth consistency. This will take approximately 10 minutes.

Add the cheese to the mixture slowly, then add the spinach and stir constantly until it is well combined. Season with salt, pepper and a grating of nutmeg.

Spread the mixture onto a shallow tray and press a sheet of plastic wrap over the top. Cool down in the fridge for a minimum of 2 hours.

Put some oil in the palm of your hand and roll the mixture into 1 oz balls. If they are a little soft, pop them on a tray in the freezer to firm up for 30 minutes.

Place the beaten egg and the breadcrumbs into two separate bowls. Dip the croquetas first into the beaten egg and then into the breadcrumbs. Heat the oil to 350°F and fry the croquetas for around 2 minutes or until golden. Drain on paper towels, then eat right away.

MAKES 32–34 CROQUETAS 1 lb 2 oz baby leaf spinach 13 fl oz whole milk 3½ fl oz strong fresh vegetable stock 3 oz butter 4 oz all-purpose flour 3 oz goat’s cheese, crumbled Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper Freshly grated nutmeg 2 large free-range eggs, beaten 4 oz dry breadcrumbs Olive oil for deep-frying

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Grilled Green & White Asparagus With Idiazábal Smoked Cheese

12 green asparagus spears

We’re so lucky in Britain with the amazing array of produce that we can find on our doorstep—British asparagus is one of my favorites and the season never comes soon enough for me. I always feel inspired when I first see asparagus on the shelves, but nothing frustrates me more than to see asparagus on the menu in the winter. It doesn’t make sense!

3 tbsp olive oil

I love to combine the best British products with classic Spanish ingredients, and this cheese from the Basque Country complements the asparagus perfectly.

SERVES 4 12 white asparagus spears

3½ oz Idiazábal smoked cheese, sliced Extra virgin olive oil Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Blanch the white asparagus in a pan of boiling salted water for 3–4 minutes, then drain. Put both the white and green asparagus in a large dish with the oil and mix together well. Heat a griddle pan over a high heat. Turn the heat down to medium, place half of the asparagus in the pan and grill for a couple of minutes, then turn over. When the first half of the asparagus is ready, keep the spears warm and cook the rest.

Divide the asparagus among four warm plates and add the cheese, drizzle over some more olive oil and season with sea salt and fresh black pepper.

64 | view our entire collection at oka.com

SERVES 4 OPPOSITE PAGE Conisbrough Dining Table 102.5”Wx39.5”Dx29.5”H

$3,495 Set of Four

Round-Based Crystal Goblets $195 Set of Four Kintaro Side Plates Shown in: Cochineal Nostell Diamonds | Indigo $70 THIS PAGE Tablecloth Red Madder 59”Wx98.5”L $150 Set of Four Twisted Wine Glasses Large $35 Sorano China Collection Large Dinner Plate $30 | Soup Bowl $18 Esio 28-Piece Faux Tortoiseshell Flatware Set $375

1 lb 5 oz fresh squid, cleaned 1 red chili, finely chopped 1 garlic clove, finely chopped 2–2½ oz dry breadcrumbs A handful of cilantro, finely chopped 1 free-range egg Sea salt and white pepper All-purpose flour, for dusting Olive oil for frying Chopped parsley to garnish the sauce 2 tbsp olive oil 1 banana shallot (echalion), finely chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 garlic clove, crushed 5–6 ripe tomatoes, skins and seeds removed 25 fl oz fresh fish stock A good pinch of saffron 2 oz ground almonds Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

Squid Meatballs With Saffron & Almond Sauce I took inspiration for this recipe from the traditional albóndigas that you’ll always see in tapas bars and from the Ibérico pork meatballs that we serve with a cuttlefish sauce at my restaurants—but I have made the squid the star here. The most important thing to remember when serving squid or cuttlefish is to cook it either very quickly or very slowly, otherwise it becomes tough and chewy. For this recipe, I’ve cooked it quickly, to ensure it’s really tender.

Finely chop the squid and mix with the chili, garlic, breadcrumbs, cilantro and egg. Season well with the sea salt and white pepper. Lightly oil your hands and roll the mixture into small balls, about 1 oz each. Chill in the fridge while you make the sauce. Heat the oil in a pan and gently fry the shallot and onion for 10 minutes until lovely and soft. Add the garlic and cook for a minute more, then add the tomatoes and stock and simmer for 20 minutes to reduce to a thick sauce.

Soak the saffron in 2 tablespoons of hot water for a few minutes, then mix with the ground almonds to form a paste and add to the pan with plenty of seasoning.

Simmer for 5 minutes to thicken.

Set aside.

Dust the squid meatballs in flour. Heat a good amount of oil in a non-stick pan and fry them for 2–3 minutes, turning until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

Add the squid meatballs to the sauce and heat through gently, then scatter with parsley and serve.

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POWER DESKING SHEHERAZADE GOLDSMITH The founder of luxury jewelry brand Loquet, and long-term environmental advocate, tells us how she gets things done.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?

Do one thing and do it really well, make it original and the very best it can be so that it stands out from the rest.

What inspired Loquet?

My son bought me a pendant with dried flowers when he was six years old.

It was nothing special but it was special to me—I wore it all the time. I thought it would be so nice to be able to open and close it and personalize it myself. Many conversations later, the idea of having a locket that can be customized with collectable handmade charms and birthstones was born.

How have you found working from home this past year?

It was very difficult to balance my work and home life. Suddenly, women who normally work from an office were expected to juggle a full day’s work with cooking three meals a day and looking after the housework. When my 20-year-old complained that there was no milk in the fridge, I realized that I was doing way too much and they were perfectly capable of pitching in. Sharing the cooking became fun and, in the process, my girls became excellent cooks.

Workwise it has been one of the most productive and creative times. We needed all hands on deck, so I worked across everything. It was amazing being so close to the product—it made me re-look at the business as a whole.

What are your tips for being more productive at work?

I use a datebook; everything is written out in my trusted Smythson and I create a mood board at the beginning of each month, filled with ideas, feelings and emotions.

If you hadn’t ended up on your career path, what would you like to have done?

I was a journalist and I’ve always been a voracious reader so I would have loved to have become a novelist. Loquet gives me the chance to tell people’s stories, as each one takes you on a journey. The best books are filled with real human emotion, like our lockets.

What is your personal mantra?

We’ve just collaborated with Charlie Mackesy and he sent me an illustration that said: “One of your greatest freedoms is how you react to things.”

What would you say to your younger self?

Take a deep breath—it’s a big journey.

Loquetlondon.com

To see more of Sheherazade’s world, visit our Instagram page @oka.

Eustace Lamp 6.5”Diax14”H

$375

(seen with Drum Cotton Shade Black 19.5”Diax11.5”H $70) Ormoy Dining Chair

$1,095 Honshu Desk/ Dressing Table 43.5”Wx21”Dx30.5”H $1,795 26”Wx23.5”Dx35.5”H

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PHOTOGRAPHS:

Liz Seabrook

Our collection of unbelievably lifelike faux flower stems and ready-styled bunches add the perfect finishing touch to every home. oka.com/bunched

SS21USM1 The paper used in this magazine is sourced from mills certified in responsibly managed forests.

This magazine is recyclable.

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