OKA Magazine: Autumn/Winter 2023 (UK Edition)

Interiors Inspiration Seasonal ideas for both town and country, plus brand-new pieces aplenty The Inside Scoop Get to know our custom-made furniture collection and take a peek at a fresh design project

From our Friends The joys of autumnal eating, home truths, and so much more.

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

September is something of an enigma, simultaneously ushering in endings and new beginnings. It feels like we’re trying as hard as we can to hold on to summer, as well as secretly revelling in the idea of snuggling up again. It’s a time for easing into cosiness; a slow migration, which I always particularly enjoy.

Within these pages there's everything you could need for layering up, including some of our favourite pieces – from the classics to the latest launches. I'm delighted to introduce you to three new dining tables, each with a unique base design and a variety of finish, shape and size options to suit all kinds of spaces (p.8). To accompany this, the brilliant cook and recipe writer Rosie Birkett shares some of her best hosting tips on page 62 – it’s the season for dinner parties, after all.

With seasonal looks, a guide to mood lighting and a loving homage to the colour green – the latter a recent project by our Interior Design Service (p.54) – there's inspiration at every turn. And all that is rounded out with an an edit from our friend Wiggy Hindmarch, founder of the travel-inspired womenswear brand Wiggy Kit (p.66).

I do hope you find something that perfectly suits you and your home.

Sue Jones, Co-Founder and Creative Director of OKA

THE LATEST

Settle In

Armchair £1,095 Melodeon Coffee

Table £1,695 Hatsumomo

No GreyAreas

Whether you favour lighting or upholstery, it’s easy to go mad for monochrome with this edit.

Game On

Grab a drink, pull up a seat: it’s competition time. Whether you prefer to while away the hours with backgammon, dominoes or Perudo, a South American dice game, each set in our collection elevates the occasion, thanks to beautiful constructions using wood, faux shagreen and bone.

Elena Counter Game Set £95

Pippin Dominoes Gift Set £95

Perudo Game Set with Box £325

Estella Side Table £595

Agnes Upholstered Ottoman £1,750

Mini Grisewood Wireless Lamp and Shade Vellum £185

Java Bone

Lidded Pot £395

In the Limelight

Green is having a moment this season. Embrace the trend with our new Fitzgerald glassware range, comprised of champagne flutes, wine glasses and tumblers. Their elegantly ribbed surfaces are expertly crafted; first shaped in a mould and then cut by hand for a clean finish.

Instant Update

For a simple cushion switch-up, first choose your colour palette: warm greens, browns and ochre are perfect for bringing autumn inside. Then select a combination of plain and patterned designs, in a variety of materials, for a balanced and inviting look. Here, our new Lorna and Mackenna, handmade from the softest wool, form the neutral backbone of the arrangement, while the silk Elemeri and linen Apricia and Ocellus cushions add pattern and texture.

Fitzgerald Glassware

4x Large Wine Glasses £65 | 4x Tall Tumblers £65 | 4x Champagne Flutes £75

Tarma 2-Seater Sofa Crusoe Soft Charcoal £2,395 Cushion Covers, left to right: Ocellus Grey Green £75 Lorna Natural £115 Elemeri Grey Green £75 Apricia £95 Makenna £115

Wine &Dine

Introducing a trio of new dining table designs, just in time for hosting season

From morning coffees to late night feasts, the dining table is a steadfast companion for get-togethers of every variety. This autumn, we’ve created a versatile series of designs – the Marcus, Arthur and Allegro – to suit all manner of occasions and spaces.

Discover Your Perfect Match

Find YourStyle

Choose between the fluted column of the Marcus, the classic pedestal of the Arthur or the Allegro's flared base, each handmade from solid oak.

Choose Your Colour

Each table is available in a choice of two natural-looking finishes: a light Weathered Oak and a rich Burnt Oak.

Pick ShapeYourand Size

We offer two sizes of the round tabletops, and three sizes of the rectangular. All feature smart, engraved borders, which highlight the character of the wood grain.

Brantwood Armchair Dijon £1,395 Fortuna Floor Lamp £395 (seen with Elemeri Shade Grey Green £225)

Phaethon Mirrored Wall Art Panels £2,995 Lauretta Sideboard Weathered Oak £3,795

Faux Cymbidium Orchids with Vase Cream £195 Kirana Wall Lamp £175 (seen with Roa Cone Shade £50) Abakon Hanging Lamp £350 Huckleberry Rug £895 Estella Coffee Table £2,095 Mini Grisewood Wireless Lamp and Shade Brown £185 Tailored by OKA Handmade-to-Order

Highmore 3-Seater Sofa Celadon Clever Velvet £5,000 Elgin Cushion Cover Natural/Green £80

Drisana Cushion Cover Apricot £75 Sycamore Floor Cushion Green £425

Mix and Match

Lampshades impact the way that light – and shadow – is cast in your space. To achieve a romantic glow, look to fabrics such as linen, cotton or silk in soft colours. These are better at diffusing light than more opaque shades that focus light on a particular spot.

Opt for Warm-Hued Lightbulbs

The colour of light is measured in Kelvin (K); lightbulbs at the higher end of the scale (about 5,000 K) produce ‘cool’, blue light, while those at the lower end (about 3,000 K) emit ‘warm’ yellow light – make sure to choose the latter to create a relaxed, intimate vibe.

Glow Up

Simple Tips for Mood Lighting

Get a head start on creating a cosy home before the clocks go back

Create Layers of Light

Done right, the perfect autumn lighting feels like a warm hug. It’s all about using as many sources as possible to spread light softly; opt for a combination of floor and table lamps, alongside wall and ceiling lights, as well as twinkling candles.

Top Pair of Nura Candle Holders Charcoal/Rust £40 Cornelius

Table Lamp £295 (seen with Lascaux Shade £85) Shian Vase £795 Kirana Wall Lamp £175 (seen with Roa Cone Shade £50) Right Mini Grisewood Wireless Lamp and Shade Brown £185

Pair of Nura Candle Holders Charcoal/Rust £40 Cornelius Table Lamp £295 (seen with Lascaux Shade £85) Shian Vase £795

Side Hustle

Furniture is an investment, so why choose pieces that can only do one job? These multitaskers can be seats, stools or extra surfaces – just say the word.

Looking Trim

Put your feet up and embrace the passementerie trend with this slimline design.

Vaquero Stool Camel Velvet £425

Act Natural

Handwoven rattan and a compact barrel shape allow the Damu to blend in anywhere.

Damu Rattan Stool £225

Party Starters

Lacking places for guests to perch? Our fan favourite Costellinis (available in plenty more colours) are here to help.

Pick ‘n’ Mix

Handmade candystriped delights, at your service.

Rander Ceramic Stool Red/White | Spruce/White | Sapphire/White £225

Secret Agents

Hide and seat with this versatile duo, complete with clever concealed storage.

Samena Ottoman Spruce £295 | Camel £295

Pine After

Place drinks down on this column-shaped stand; it's crafted from recycled pine with a smooth stone top. There's also a coffee table to match.

Melodeon Side

Table £850

Costellini Ottoman Olive Stripe Linen £325 | Rioja Velvet £275

Winning Combinations

Our latest lamp and shade collaboration shines a light on colour, pattern and craftsmanship.

OKA X Cabana Pilastro Table Lamp Blue £250 (seen with OKA X Cabana Ambi Shade Ochre/Dune Green £150)

Neat Idea

Stand Tall

Paired with a statement shade, our new Obelisque makes for stylish task lighting.

Obelisque

Table Lamp £195 (seen with Palau Silk Shade £175)

Available in wireless LED or traditional plug-in form – in a rainbow of hues – this space-saving range brightens up any corner.

Grisewood Lamp and Shade Grey £225 Mini Grisewood Wireless Lamp and Shade Dark Green £185

Lead the Charge

Introducing our new wireless, rechargeable and dimmable lamps, alongside specially designed mini cone shades.

Olira Wireless Table Lamp and Emily Cone Shade £200 Ziara Wireless Table Lamp and Roa Cone Shade £200

High Shine

With its deep, glossy colour – courtesy of a reactive glaze –this lamp shines, regardless of whether or not it's switched on.

Oralee Table Lamp Ink Blue £225 (seen with Serigraph Shade £175)

Mellow Yellow

Lend an optimistic mood to your interiors with this handmade beauty.

Miyanoura Table Lamp £395 (seen with Rinca Shade £125)

The Curveball

A unique aluminium-cast silhouette in a matt finish ensures the Demeter will always bring the drama.

Bright Sparks

Whether you choose clever LED lamps or combine expertly crafted bases with punchy patterned shades, every room in the house can be enlightened this autumn

Demeter Table Lamp £295

(seen with Elgin Shade Natural/Teal £175)

Golden Touch

Model Behaviour

Consoles don’t always attract the spotlight but, ticking the boxes for both form and function, these leggy pieces demand centre stage

A new (taller) take on the classic Butler’s tray, the Sovannah’s woven rattan tabletop is finished with a glass panel for added durability.

Sovannah Console Table £1,395 Crispa Vase Small £45 | Large £95

Raise the Bar

Part of our popular Pompidou range, this large metal-and-glass piece easily doubles up as a modern mixologist’s station.

Pompidou Console Table £650

The Upside

This large, breakfront console is crafted from solid oak, offering country charm, as well as two useful surfaces.

Upton Console Table Burnt Oak £1,695

Double Trouble

Available in three colours – Weathered Oak, Ebonised Oak and Espresso – the latest addition to our Marylebone range is an inspired space to house a special display.

Marylebone Console Table Weathered Oak £1,895

Take Note

With an eye-catching base reminiscent of Chinese calligraphy, our Kaishu Tables are worth writing home about.

Kaishu Console Table Watered Grey £1,795

On Stage

Made from wood with a hand-applied ebony finish, the Anio is the ideal base for a striking tabletop vignette.

Anio Console Table £1,595

‘X’ Marks the Spot

With its slim profile, the Xavier can lend a sculptural touch to all manner of spaces.

Xavier Console Table £995

Tobermory Mirror £495 Pair of Porcelain Artichokes White £70 Anni Lidded Pot Jade £150 Mini Grisewood

Wireless Lamp and Shade Dark Green £185 Rubinne Sideboard Large £3,295 Maranka Lidded Pot Jade £250

Halie Decorative Jug £295 Pair of Nura Candle Holders Emerald/Mint £40 Modern Impasto Landscape Oil Painting £450 Berina Rug £1,995 Gwendolen Coffee Table £1,295 Elena Counter Game Set £95 Laurentia Maple

Leaf Dish £60 Kirana Floor Lamp £375 (seen with Girandole Shade £125) Tailored by OKA Handmade-to-Order

Highmore 2-Seater Sofa Dyed Flax Stonewashed Linen £4,600 Drisana Cushion Cover Spruce £75 Halara Cushion

Cover Mustard £140 Pattani Eclipse Cushion Cover Grey Green £55 Elspeth Cushion Cover with Fringing £85

Calabash Table Lamp Pebble £225 (seen with Lascaux Shade £85) Artichoke on Stand £60 Samena Ottoman Camel £295

FINEST HOUR

Capturing the gradual shifts in light throughout the day comes naturally to this cottage in Little Marlow, particularly as we ease into autumn

There’s something particularly beautiful about autumnal golden light. This Georgian home captures the glow beautifully, thanks to large windows working in tandem with a palette of yellows, blues and greens that creates warmth. Colourful walls take centre stage, simultaneously giving each room a unique feeling that perfectly suits its purpose, while providing the threads that tie everything together. Take the sage walls in the breakfast room that provide a gentle wake up, or the rich navy paint in the drawing room that is both smart and welcoming.

There are nods to nature at every turn. “We wanted to reflect the location while adding character,” says our Head of Brand Creative Ali Wicksteed. "From seasonal foliage and wildflower prints to rustic rattan forming everything from baskets to chests of drawers." Pattern certainly isn’t limited to buds and blossoms however – our striped Tarma seating offers contemporary flair while more abstract prints underline the eclecticism synonymous with the English country home.

THIS PAGE Top left: Vasa Linen Bar Stool Natural £650 Above: Sheki Stoneware 6x Dinner Plates £150 | 6x Side Plates £110 | 2x Mugs £35 | 6x Bowls £120

16-Piece Cutlery Set Ivory £95 Betty Butter Jar £60 Pandanus Carafe and Glasses Set £150 OPPOSITE PAGE Arthur Round Dining Table Small | Weathered Oak £2,895

Elder Dining Chair Antique Grey £525 Plain Velvet Cushion Cover Lead £60

Doniferous Candle Holder £70 Qinlin Vase £995 (seen with Faux Hawthorn Berry Stem Dark Blue £18) Tengwan Lidded Pot £325 Pair of Porcelain Artichokes Green £70

Allegro Round Dining Table Small | Burnt Oak £3,195 Ashmolean Hallway

Storage Unit £1,795 Lined Rattan Basket with Lid £115 Cria Throw Lava £350

Astreopora Lidded Pot £75 Rattan Mattaban Pet Bed Small £395 Samira Rug £4,495

Set of Two Berenson Fire Fenders Dark Vellum Leather £1,495 Tarma Armchair

Olive Stripe £1,695 Ocellus Cushion Cover Red Garnet £75 Medanoso Rug

Natural £995 Damu Rattan Stool £225 Pair of Nura Candle Holders

Emerald/Mint £40 Moonbroch Oil Painting £695 Thomasin Floor Lamp £375

(seen with Palau Silk Shade £225)

ABOVE 4x Laucala Wooden Beaded Placemats £195 Isphahan

Porcelain Dinnerware Giant Charger £350 | 4x Dinner Plates £295 | 4x Side Plates £225 | Small Deep Bowl £125 Pulcinella

Glassware 4x Large Wine Glasses £85 | 4x Tall Tumblers £85

Pompadour 24-Piece Faux Shagreen Cutlery Set £195

RIGHT Set of Two Seaweed Prints Blue/White £195

Arthur Rectangular Dining Table Small | Weathered Oak £4,295 Fenghuang Lidded Pot £250 (seen with Faux Wild Green Berry Stem £22 Faux Eucalyptus Stem Dark Brown/Burgundy £15)

THIS PAGE Pomona Ottoman £1,995 Talasa Tray Spruce £160

Elena Counter Game Set £95 Anni Lidded Pot Dijon £150

6x Sheki Side Plates £110 Laurentia Maple Leaf Dish £60

Kirmani Rug £3,295 OPPOSITE PAGE Set of Six Floral Prints £550

Upton Console Table Burnt Oak £1,695 Bricini Vase Large £55

Lvliang Jar £275 Short Tortoiseshell Vase £55 Yiran Table Lamp

Dijon £395 (seen with Ginevra Shade £175) Thetford Throw £350

Nadiya Rug £1,495

THIS

4x Cocktail Glasses £60 | 4x Tumblers £55

Sovannah Rattan Ice Bucket £150

Right: Arnold Drinks Trolley £2,495

OPPOSITE PAGE Fyli Vase Large | Distressed

Blue £125 Berstone Armchair Pebble

Grey Leather £1,750 Plain Velvet Cushion

Cover Lead £60 DoniferousCandleHolder

£70 Inaka Mirrored Wall Art £1,495

PAGE Above: Ranelagh Glassware

We took our colour cues for this room from the beautiful authentic fireplace

Ali Wicksteed, OKA’s Head of Brand Creative

| view the entire collection at oka.com

Emily Cone Lampshade £50 Katsura Side Table £595 Anni Lidded Pot Dijon £150 (seen with Faux Magnolia Bud Branch Deep Purple £20) Tailored by OKA Handmade-to-Order Romilly

Headboard Dune Green Laundered Linen Bukhara Cushion Cover Marine Blue £85 Brier Linen Throw £295 Hester Bench Flaxen Diamond Twill £1,695 Fujian Mirror £450 Capsularis Rug £2,995

Tarma Armless Chair £1,495 Halara Cushion Cover Mustard £140 Balabac Rattan Chest of Drawers £1,695 Bartholomew Table Lamp £175 (seen with Girandole Shade Charcoal/Gold £85)

TOP LEFT Balabac Rattan Chest of Drawers £1,695 Faux Shagreen Memory Box £425 4x Pulcinella Tumblers Round £80 Maranka Lidded Pot Dijon £250 TOP RIGHT Brier Linen Throw £295 Isphahan Porcelain 4x Starter/Side Plates £225 | Breakfast Cup and Saucer £95 BOTTOM LEFT Katsura Side Table Washed Grey £595 Anni Lidded Pot Dijon £150 (seen with Faux Magnolia Bud Branch Deep Purple £20) BOTTOM RIGHT BartholomewTable Lamp £175 (seen with Girandole Shade Charcoal/Gold £85)

Berina Rug £1,995 Mini Grisewood Wireless Lamp and Shade Brown £185

Rubinne Sideboard Large £3,295 Pair of Nura Candle Holders Emerald/Mint

£40 Fyli Vase Large | Distressed Blue £125 Maranka Lidded Pot Jade £250

Halie Decorative Jug £295 Modern Impasto Landscape Oil Painting £450

Anni Lidded Pot Jade £150 Kirana Floor Lamp £375 (seen with Girandole

Shade Multi £125) Tailored by OKA Handmade-to-Order Highmore Two-Seater Sofa

Dyed Flax Stonewashed Linen £4,600 Elspeth Cushion Cover with Fringing £85

Samena Ottoman Camel £295

Bobina Bobble Mirror Flax £450 Maranka

Lidded Pot Dijon £250 Kalinda Table Lamp

Moss £195 (seen with Girandole Shade Multi £85)

Pomona Ottoman £1,995 Drisana Cushion

Cover Spruce £75 Halara Cushion Cover Black/ White £140 Camaret Dining Chair Dijon £595

Nadiya Rug Natural/Multi £1,495 Chianti

Artichoke Candle Holders £50 Marylebone

Side Table Weathered Oak £795

Tailored by OKA Handmade-to-Order Highmore Armchair Terra Laundered Linen £3,100 Shaila Cushion Cover Tabac £85 Demeter Table Lamp £295 (seen with Orford Shade Red £125) Pair of Nura Candle Holders Charcoal/Rust £40 Bukhara Cushion Cover Grey Green £85 | Tabac £85

Set of Two Berenson Fire Fenders Dark Vellum Leather £1,495 Mini Grisewood Wireless Lamp and Shade Brown £185 Kaskata Hand-Painted Wall Art £695

Crispa Vase Small £45 | Large £95 Nina Floor Lamp £375 (seen with Orford Shade Red £125) Set of Three Kalima Bone Boxes £425

Set of Two Zion Lidded Urns Coral £85 4x Julian Bone Coasters with Box £125 Chanterelle Horn Bowl £195 Giant Glass Ball Paperweight £85

Tailored by OKA Handmade-to-Order Beale Three-Seater SofaOat Bouclé £5,600 Halara Cushion Cover Off White £140 Cairie Cushion Cover £85

Samena Ottoman Spruce £295 Elsdon Rug £4,495 Maristela Coffee Table £1,495 Themis Marble Bowl £175 4x Fitzgerald Tall Tumblers £65

Order now to receive your Tailored by OKA piece by Christmas; collection details on page 58

ALL DRESSED UP

Layers of luxurious texture add a sense of occasion to the clean lines of this classic Bath townhouse

THIS PAGE Sycamore Rug £1,295 Pariana Console Table £1,295 Henry Table Lamp and Shade £295 Chanterelle Horn Bowl £195 Set of Three Kalima Bone Boxes £425 Laurentia

Maple Leaf Dish £60 Estella Side Table £595 OPPOSITE PAGE Crispa Vase Small £45 | Large £95

With striking authentic features in every room, this period home is what design dreams are made of, especially for our Head of Brand Creative, Ali Wicksteed. Thanks to panelled walls, rugged wooden floors, marble fireplaces and a picture-perfect staircase, our scene was set; “we looked to a combination of simple silhouettes and statement pieces to bring it to life,” she says. Classic furniture in warm neutrals and tactile materials – spanning linen to velvet – form the basis of the living areas, while subtle mirrored details and touches of monochrome punctuate the space. The result is sleek and modern, but also homely in the most well-considered way.

OPPOSITE PAGE Melodeon Side Table £850 Porcelain Artichoke Candle Holder £35 Isphahan Breakfast Cup and Saucer £95 Kinzig Textured Vase Medium £125 Pair of Coropuna Candle Holders £60 Tarma Armchair Soft

Charcoal £1,695 Grassetto Houndstooth Cushion Cover Grey £80 Bramante Floor Lamp £495 (seen with Longshan Shade £125) Sedgwick Diamond Mirror £995 Vaquero Stool Camel Velvet £425 Medanoso

Rug Chalk £995 THIS PAGE Dorus Marble Bookends £135 Barton Candle Holder with Glass Lampshade £75

Themis Marble Bowl £175 Java Bone Lidded Pot £395

LEFT Briolette Cabinet £3,495 Campanula Planter

£350 Shian Vase £795 Abbey Velvet Dining

Chair Truffle £395 Huckleberry Rug £895

Marcus Rectangular Dining Table Medium |

Weathered Oak £4,995 Paiva Pendant Lamp

£125 Claude Bowl £195 Chanterelle Horn

Bowl £195 ABOVE Mandalay Rattan Placemat

£50 Kraak China Starter/Dessert Plate £40 | Soup

Bowl £50 Silenus 24-Piece Cutlery Set £295

Set of Four Meishan Cheese Knives £35

4x Lavaux Goblets Sapphire £60

soft

THIS PAGE Fitzgerald Glassware 4x Champagne Flutes £75 | 4x Tall Tumblers £65 | 4x Large Wine Glasses £65 Set of Three Elea Horn Bottle Stoppers £60

OPPOSITE PAGE Estella Wine Cabinet £2,295 Sovannah Rattan Ice Bucket £150 Datura Vase £95 Elgin Cushion Cover Natural/Indigo £80

Our hand-carved Estella Range is so unique; this wine cabinet would look good anywhere, but suits this house perfectly

Ali Wicksteed, OKA’s Head of Brand Creative

Bayuban Side Table Natural £795 Set of Two Zion Lidded Urns Distressed White £85

Ernest Table Lamp Vellum £325

Tailored by OKA Handmadeto-Order Arden Headboard Tall Elgin

Cushion Cover Natural/Indigo £80

4x Lavaux Goblets Sapphire £60 Pair of Nura Candle Holders Charcoal/Rust £40

Karaikal Quilt Natural £295

THIS PAGE Left: Karaikal Quilt Natural £295 Grassetto Houndstooth Cushion Cover Grey £80 Longshan Cushion Cover Grey £80 Thetford Throw Natural £350 Agnes Upholstered Ottoman £1,750 Right: Nott Bench Hazelnut Brown Leather £1,195 Avaley Rug £3,995 OPPOSITE PAGE Lauretta Chest of Drawers Weathered Oak £3,495 Kirana Table Lamp £195 (seen with Pleated Linen Shade Natural £55) Tobermory Mirror £495 4x Lavaux Goblets Sapphire £60 Lirio Vase £65 Faux Shagreen Mini Tray £125

Tailored by OKA Handmade-to-Order Highmore Armchair Terra Laundered Linen £3,100

Shaila Cushion Cover Tabac £85 Demeter Table Lamp £295 (seen with Orford Shade Red £125) Frondosa Horn Bowl £125 Pair of Nura Candle

Holders Charcoal/Rust £40 Bukhara Cushion Cover Grey Green £85 Elsdon Rug £4,495

Maristela Coffee Table £1,495 4x Julian Bone Coasters with Box £125 4x Fitzgerald Tall Tumblers £65 Themis Marble Bowl £175 Set of Three Kalima Bone Boxes £425

Get the Look

Paiva Pendant Lamp £125 Zephyr Hand-Painted Wall

Art £495 Morse Cushion Cover £95 Bukhara Cushion

Cover Tabac £85 Tobin Mirror £1,295 Marylebone Side

Table Ebonised Oak £795 Estella Coffee Table £2,095

Themis Marble Balls £60 Marble Pear £30 Pair of Coropuna Candle Holders £60 Sycamore Rug £1,295

Buying a new home always comes with a certain level of risk, but Georgie and Alex took a bigger punt than most when they set their sights on this Georgian townhouse. In their mid-20s and living in central London at the time, they had no plans to move back to the quaint Surrey village Alex had grown up in. However, when the house of their dreams hit the market, they jumped at the chance to buy the “once-in-a-lifetime” property, putting in an offer before they’d even had the opportunity to view it.

With the property came lots of “peach, pale green and woodchip wallpaper"; they have spent the past six years updating the space to create an inviting family home for themselves and their three-yearold daughter. Conscious of the building’s heritage, but keen to put a younger stamp on the place, they struck a careful balance between classic and contemporary, the latter coming through in their adventurous colour choices – think red in the kitchen, pink in the downstairs bathroom and blue in the boot room. By the time they came to the dual-aspect occasion room, however, they had run out of steam.

"I just lost my vision for what that room could be," Georgie says. “I knew I wanted a specific shade of green, but I’d bought loads of samples that kept coming out quite khaki. I wanted it to be really vibrant.”

Having spent many an evening scouring Instagram and Pinterest for inspiration, Alex found that they “kept coming back to the same things, and they were all OKA”. A quick email later and they’d arranged for Charlotte Saunders, one of the experts behind our Interior Design Service, to pop round for a complimentary consultation. “I took loads of fabrics with me, which I always do, because it helps me to get a sense of how adventurous a person is, what patterns they like and what kind of palette they immediately gravitate towards,” Charlotte says. “Georgie picked out so many different fabrics, and Alex immediately loved them as well, so I knew that their style was quite colourful and that they liked pattern.”

Charlotte selected Hopper by Little Greene for the walls and cabinetry, adding brass handles to the cupboards for a warming touch. During the initial consultation, the couple had shared how much they loved our George Cheetah Club Chair, so Charlotte was keen to incorporate that into the scheme, too. With such a vibrant mix as a starting point, the designer knew she could have fun with the rest of the space – and Georgie and Alex happily gave her free rein. For the pair, it came down to finding the right designer, who truly understood the vibe they wanted. “It was about getting it to come together and trusting the professional; we instantly trusted Charlotte,” Alex explains. With the couple’s support, the designer brought an eclectic palette of bold colours and patterns to the space. There's our Coleridge Sofa and Armchair; the former stands strong in navy blue, while the latter brings a dose of joy with our signature Areca palm print. Tucked neatly into the

Forus, it's all about colour; Charlotte really got what wewanted Georgie,OKAClient

I took loads of fabrics with me, which I always do, because it helps meto get a sense of howadventurous a person is

CharlotteSaunders, OKA InteriorDesigner

bay window, it perfectly complements not only the verdant colour on the walls but also the local park that the house overlooks. The striped Crusoe Ottoman, meanwhile, takes centre stage, contrasting happily with the rainbow print of our Izmir Rug, which grounds the space and pulls the look together. “There’s probably every colour in that room,” Charlotte says, “but I’ve zoned it to make certain areas a bit more blue or green, and others gold and red.”

Representing red is our Tailored by OKA Egerton Loveseat, whose welcoming Paprika 'clever' Velvet upholstery offers an invitation to sit. This smart synthetic fabric is both stylish and practical – it offers the look and feel of traditional cotton velvet, but doesn't mark, stain or fade, making it the perfect choice for a young family who don't want to have to worry about wear and tear. “It’s a lived-in house,” Georgie agrees. “We’re not bothered about people taking their shoes off; we want people to feel at home here.”

In the other half of the room, where the much-loved George proudly sits, a custom footstool steals the spotlight. The piece itself is the Fanshawe, part of our Tailored by OKA collection, but the fabric is Lewis & Wood’s Kimono ikat print in a vibrant Cayenne Blue colourway. A perk of using our Interior Design Service is that you can choose any material you like, from any fabric house, for our custom-made pieces – a dream scenario for a couple who aren’t afraid to be bold.

Tailored by OKA Handmade-to-Order Fanshawe Rectangular Footstool with Fixed Cover Custom Material From £1,150

Crusoe Upholstered Ottoman £1,750 Coleridge 3-Seater Sofa Pure Navy £2,595

“We’re very happy with clashing patterns; we’re not people who want to have a mostly neutral home,” says Georgie. “For us, it’s all about colour; Charlotte really got what we wanted." Indeed, it’s not just the occasion room for which the designer has lent her expertise; working closely with the pair, she found the perfect floral fabric to make a new set of blinds for the kitchen, and has also helped them to source a charming bow-print wallpaper for their daughter’s bedroom. Next up is finding a sunny shade of yellow for the hallway. “We really want Charlotte to do our entire house now,” laughs Georgie. “I always like to get more of her ideas when she’s here.”

As for the occasion room, its new décor is already paying off; the couple have enjoyed using the space to celebrate their daughter’s birthday. Looking ahead they hope to have many more moments together in the room, with visions of playing Monopoly on a Sunday or hosting movie nights for friends (plans to install a projector are in the works). With a young family and busy careers, they were pleased at how simple it was to use the service, and have already recommended it to others. “I don’t feel like we’ve had to do anything; it’s very easy for busy people,” says Alex. “The problem is, the bar has been set now, and we have a few rooms left…”

Our Interior Design Service, in Detail

Ourteam can assistwith anything and everything, anywhere aroundthe globe,to craft a homethat is utterlyuniquetoyou. Not onlycantheyhelp create a spacethat is both beautiful andfunctional viafurniture and accessories,theycan also plan colour schemes andworkwithtrusted external suppliersto arrange bespoke curtains, blinds and headboards, aswell as sourcefabricfor custom upholstery.What’s more, projects can betaken from conceptto completion infourto sixweeks.

A Complimentary Consultation 1

Book an appointmentwith our Interior Design team – in-store or online – sotheycan getto knowyou andfind out more aboutyour project.

The Design Process 2

Following a sitevisit, or a detailed look at plans, your designerwill drawup a proposalto present toyouthat includes mood boards,floor plans and elevations, plus ideasfor anybespoke services requested.

Delivery and Installation 3

Onceyou’re happywiththe layout and product selection, ourteamwill processyour order and arrange deliveryand unpacking at atimethat suits you –your designer can also bethere onthe dayto help place everything, ifyou sowish.

Interested?To book your complimentary consultationsimplyemail designservice@oka.com or visit oka.com/designservice

Coleridge Armchair Areca Putting Green £1,695

A Cut Above

Lovingly made to order by the finest craftspeople, our Tailored by OKA collection offers more than 1,000 ways to bring your personal style home

It can’t be overstated just how many people it takes to create a Tailored by OKA design. From the initial concepts, cooked up by our Co-Founder and Creative Director Sue Jones and the team, to the mills from which we source no less than nine fabrics, to the two family-run workshops where each piece is expertly brought to life, it takes a village to create every element. And, of course, there’s you – the person who brings those elements together to create their dream design.

You can also customise one of our most popular seating ranges, the Stafford. Each piece is hand finished in the UK by specialists, who carefully apply the seats’ signature studded borders and upholstery by hand.

Sue Jones,

Co-Founder and Creative Director

We know that homes are personal, which is why we ensured our made-to-order collection puts you in the creative driving seat. You can choose from eight sofas, seven armchairs and a footstool, each of which bridges the gap between classic and contemporary style. “You can find embellishment and print in our core collection,” says Sue, “but with Tailored we really wanted craftsmanship and comfort to take centre stage, through the shapes, structure and even the stitching.”

As for the fabric, the choice is yours, too – our collection spans natural Belgian linens, velvet, leather, wool and linen-wool blends. We also offer ‘clever’ alternatives to traditional velvet and linen, which have been designed to provide the look and feel of their classic counterparts but with increased durability and stain- and water-resisting properties – making them perfect for homes with young children or pets.

We aren’t short on colours, either, with more than 30 options and counting, all of which echo the signature hues you’ll find threaded throughout our collection. So, whether you opt for a striking Paprika clever velvet or a neutral Walnut linen, your chosen shade will not only complement your style, but the rest of your OKA pieces, too.

With Tailored, we really wanted craftsmanship and comfort to takecentre stage

OKA

OPPOSITE PAGE Tailored by OKA Handmade-to-Order Egerton 3-Seater Sofa Dirty Orange Velvet £4,400 Ultimate Paisley Throw £325 Shaila Cushion

Cover Marine Blue £85 Ocellus Cushion Cover Red Garnet £75 Bukhara Cushion Cover Marine Blue £85 Briolette Bureau £2,995 Ernest Table Lamp Brushed Red £325 (seen with Hirkani Shade Mustard £85) Laurentia Maple Leaf Dish £60 Set of Two Seaweed Prints Blue/White £195 Wen

Emperor Vase White/Blue £425 Set of Two Berenson Fire Fenders Hazelnut Brown Leather £1,495 Abila Rug £4,495 Maristela Coffee Table £1,495

4x Pulcinella Tumblers Round £75 Tengwan Lidded Pot £325 Gonglin Tray £125 Pair of Lakadema Leopard Candle Holders £60

Cecil Small Sofa

Haywood Armchair

Tailored by OKA – How it Works

Choose from 11 styles, 10 of which are handmade-to-order here in the UK, and one – the Stafford – that is finished by hand to fit your specifications. Each can be crafted in a wide variety of fabrics and colours, with sustainably sourced legs in two finishes

1  Select a Style

To begin designing, select a style from the collection and get creative with our online tool. Alternatively, pop into your nearest OKA store where our team will be happy to help.

Barrett

Celebrating clean lines, with a square silhouette and traditional track arms

Available as: Armchair; Sofa in five sizes

Beale

A contemporary classic, with a smart, clean-cut silhouette

Available as: Armchair; Sofa in five sizes

Cecil

With a buttoned back, for all the glamour of traditional Chesterfield sofas

Available as: Sofa in four sizes

Egerton

The ultimate in comfort, with sumptuous seat cushions

Available as: Armchair; Sofa in four sizes

Fanshawe

A versatile footstool to pair with any OKA sofa

Available as: Rectangular; Square

Haywood

A playful take on traditional club chairs

Available as: Armchair

Highmore

Timeless English style with a sprung seat and back

Available as: Armchair; Sofa in four sizes

Hughes

Angular and elegant, with curving arms and a low, deep seat

Available as: Armchair; Sofa in four sizes

Radcliffe

A minimalist’s dream, with clean lines and flared arms

Available as: Sofa in three sizes

Wickham

Classic and comfortable with generous, rounded features

Available as: Armchair; Sofa in four sizes

Stafford

Our extra-comfortable and much-loved classic, now available to customise

Available as: Dining Chair, Dining Chair with Arms, Bench and Bar Stool

2 Choose your Fabric

Each style is available in a variety of fabrics and colourways. If you can’t decide, you can order up to five complimentary swatches to try out.

Fine Basket Weave

Boiled Wool

3 Choose the Legs

The legs are crafted from oak or beech – depending on which style you choose – and are available in two finishes: Ebony and Greyed Oak.

Laundered Linen

4 Work Begins

Once your order has been confirmed, our makers get to work on your design and our team will give you an estimated timeline for delivery.

Clever Linen

Velvet

Stonewashed Linen Clever Velvet

5 Your Piece Arrives at Home

Our Customer Service team will contact you to arrange delivery at a time that suits you. Your item will be unpacked and installed in a room of your choice, with all packaging removed.

Heirloom Leather

Bouclé

HomeBringing the Harvest

Themultitalentedfoodwriter,stylist andcookbookauthor, Rosie Birkett, onthejoysofsharingfoodandthe abundanceofautumn

Words: Clare Finney

In a world that is increasingly overwhelmed with recipes – online and in print – Kent-born food writer and cookbook author Rosie Birkett has carved out a voice which is distinctive and delectable. “It’s an amalgam of all the things I’ve experienced in my life,” she muses, when I ask her how she came by her inimitable cooking style, which is joyful and hearty, yet stylish. “It’s my childhood in rural Kent, and that connection with seasonality and ingredients. My mum is a fantastic cook, and my dad was a voracious eater, who took great delight in seasonal changes. He took me foraging for mushrooms and wild garlic, and would get so excited about things like the first new Jersey Royal potatoes with butter. It was infectious,” she enthuses.

Though Birkett began her career as a magazine journalist, it wasn’t long before she specialised in the food scene, interviewing chefs

writing features

THIS PAGE Left Tortoiseshell Glass Cocktail Set £150 Shian Vase Coral £795 Right Takayna Decorative Pine Cone Small £50 Decorative Apple £25

for hospitality publication The Caterer before going freelance and eventually – via a cookery course –graduating into styling and recipe writing. “I wanted to be a food stylist that celebrated the natural beauty of food over trickery. The most important thing is flavour, of course, but there are ways of enhancing the natural beauty of ingredients,” she explains. Indeed, that is where Birkett’s love of – and taste for – good crockery comes in.

A slow-braised beef shin can only look so appealing. Serve it in a beautiful bowl with a few well-chosen table decorations, however, and there’s a sense of ceremony to the rich, comforting brownness; not ceremony in the sense of stiffness and formality, she continues, but “texture, thoughtfulness and intrigue”. Birkett is not a formal cook. Her recipes are built for feasting, sharing, and lingering over the rest of the bottle as the

candles flicker into the remains of the evening. After over a decade working in food, she knows the connecting thread throughout her work is “the love of food and its unifying, creative, nourishing nature”, and she is at her happiest when that is the focus of her writing.

“The recipes I post [on Substack, a newsletter platform that lets writers publish directly to their audiences] are the dishes I made last night,” she says. These, in turn, will have been inspired by the ingredients of that moment. “There’s a depth of flavour to autumnal produce,” she reflects. Where summer is about “salads, quick grills and showy ingredients, autumn is more about food that is gorgeous and glorious and rich in colour – but which takes a bit more cooking. I’m thinking about squashes that have spent summer swelling and maturing in flavour, mushrooms, bitter leaves, beautiful brassicas and celeriac,” she laughs, “which is not the most beautiful, but is so delicious.”

Lean intothe beautiful bounty of autumn with a seasonal menu and a few simple tabledecorations that nod tothe timeof year

Rosie Birkett

What with moving from London to Deal, renovating a house, and having her daughter, now two years old, Birkett’s life has changed dramatically in recent years, and her approach to hosting has changed accordingly. “It’s about something manageable and delicious, that takes the stress out and allows me to enjoy it,” she says. “In autumn that is something I’ve cooked ahead, like a slow braise, which I can keep warm in the pan. I like to have bread on the table when guests arrive, with butter that I’ve whipped up with sea salt, and labneh too, if I’ve had time. It’s about those little homemade touches – not going crazy,” she continues. It’s a home not a restaurant – and she’s not averse to a good shop-bought pudding.

“Resist the temptation to overcomplicate things,” she advises. “Lean into the beautiful bounty of autumn with a seasonal menu and a few simple table decorations that nod to the time of year – I like gourds, crab apples and pretty twigs – and pay attention to the people. I am so thankful for those connections.” Sharing seasonal joys with physical company, as well as a growing digital community, is the real treat.

Delectable Picks

Take a leaf out of Birkett’s (cook) book and match beautiful food with striking crockery

Tortoiseshell Vase Short £55 Mandalay Rattan Underplate £25 Sherwood China 4x Bowls £70 | 4x Side Plates £65 Adam Lippes X OKA Coquille China 4x Dinner Plates £275

Pompadour 24-Piece Faux Shagreen Cutlery Set £195 4x Twisted Wine Glasses Small £30 Sherwood China 4x Bowls £80 | 4x Dinner Plates £95

Pair of Lakadema Leopard Candle Holders £60 Pair of Cormack Candle Holders White £18

TuckintoBirkett'sworldbyfollowingheronSubstack, rosiebirkett.substack.com

1. Bath, Somerset

26-27 Milsom Street BA1 1DG

Tel: 01225 443074

2. Broadway, Worcestershire

46 High Street WR12 7DT Tel: 01386 859631

3. Chelsea Flagship Store 155-167 Fulham Road SW3 6SN Tel: 020 7581 2574

4. Didcot, Oxfordshire - Outlet 166 Purchas Road OX11 7BF Tel: 01235 820320

5. Edgbaston, Birmingham 20-22 Harborne Road B15 3AA (Parking Postcode: B15 1TP) Tel: 0121 454 4912

6. Froxfield, Marlborough The Forge, Bath Road SN8 3LD Tel: 01488 684250

7. Guildford, Surrey Tunsgate Quarter GU1 3QU Tel: 01483 906287

8. Harrogate, N.Yorkshire 9West Park HG1 1BL Tel: 01423 701161

9. Knutsford, Cheshire Manchester Road WA16 0LT Tel: 01565 220020

10. Marlow, Buckinghamshire 25-29 Spittal Street SL7 3HJ Tel: 01628 481418

11. South Godstone, Surrey - Outlet Eastbourne Road RH9 8JB Tel: 01342 893868

12. Sunninghill, Berkshire CrosswaysVillage,SilwoodRoad SL50PZ Tel: 01344 622988

13. Tunbridge Wells, Kent Hoopers Department Store, 2-12 Mount Pleasant Road  TN1 1QT Tel: 01892 240403

Our Stores

For full details, including opening hours, visit oka.com/stores or get in touch with our Customer Service team on 03330 042 042 or customerservice@oka.com

DELIVERY

For delivery details, visit oka.com/delivery

PRODUCT INFORMATION

We do our best to ensure that all items you see in the magazine are as close as possible to the photographs shown, but since they are not mass-produced, slight variations in colour and size may occur. We hope that you understand this and appreciate the skill and craftsmanship required to make such high-quality products.

NOTQUITERIGHT? NOTAPROBLEM

For our returns policy, see oka.com/returns.

PRICING

The pricing and other details in this magazine are valid until Tuesday 10th October 2023. Although every effort is made to check accuracy, incorrect prices – and other details – may occasionally be printed. We regret that such incorrect prices or details cannot be honoured. Prices includeVATat 20% and exclude delivery charges.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

For our full terms and conditions, visit oka.com/terms. All products shown are subject to availability.Your statutory rights are not affected.

HEAD OFFICE

OKA Direct Ltd, 166 Purchas Road, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 7BF

In need of styling ideas or advice? Consult an expert member of our team when you visit your nearest store.

Our collection of lifelike faux flower stems and readystyled bunches add the perfect finishing touch to your home.

Find your perfect match in our handmade-to-order collection; there are over 1,000 possibilities.

Story of My Home

WIGGY HINDMARCH

The founder of fashion brand Wiggy Kit on riverside views in London and beach parties in the Bahamas

Way to Wake Up: My bedroom actually overlooks the River Thames – every morning I wake up and open all the windows, and I'm greeted by the sound of rowers. So, I lie in bed with my cup of tea and listen to all these poor people getting shouted at on the water.

Workspace: I’m really lucky in the fact that I live in a very old, Grade II listed house, but the kitchen is in a modern glass box in the garden, so when you’re in there you’re completely ensconced in nature. If I’m doing a design session, I have to be at my kitchen table looking out of the window.

Dinner Party Game: My two favourites are Articulate and Linkee – I always win at Linkee. The other one that’s really great is Perudo; it’s an excellent game and you can get everyone round the table to play – it gets very competitive. My family play a lot of games, especially in our house in the Bahamas. We’ve now started doing a yearly pub quiz on the beach, and we have about 75 people who come to it. It’s great.

Way to Greet Guests: We always have music playing when people arrive. For me, it’s all about setting the scene, so it’s usually pitch black in my house apart from a bunch of candles, music going, the fire blazing and a drink in my hand.

6pm Cocktail: It depends where I am. If I’m abroad somewhere hot, it would be a spicy ginger margarita with a salt rim, otherwise it’s a glass of champagne.

Night-In Alone: It might start off with either a massage or an assisted stretching session, then a bath, followed by watching some sort of true crime thing on Netflix.

Dance-Around-The-Kitchen Song: There are so many, because that’s the place where I dance all the time. We have the best boogies in our kitchen. It would probably be 1980s hip hop, something like ‘Jump Around’ by House of Pain.

House Plant: I love house plants. I’ve got orchids everywhere, just because you can pick them up when you go to the supermarket. The previous owner of our house was Cath Kidston and she was mad for geraniums – when we first moved into the house they were everywhere. I really like gardenias because they smell very strongly, and I like hydrangeas as well.

Colour Palette: I love green, but it has to be greens that you find in nature. For me, my environment and the colours that are around me are really important. I’m in the process of redoing my house right now and I just won’t let anyone get involved in the choice of fabrics or colours because I’m just so specific; I know exactly what I like.

On your Nightstand: My new Lumity vitamins, that you take morning and evening – they’re the Instagram sensation that everyone’s swearing by. Usually Tiger Balm, copious bottles of half-drunk water and a lip balm.

TodiscovermoreofHindmarch’sworld, visitwiggykit.comorfollowheron Instagram@wiggykit

Top Right: Set of Three Carlina and Artemisia Box Files £65 Kalinda Table Lamp Moss £195 (seen with Hirkani Shade Moss £85) Maplehurst Desk Smoked Oak £2,095 Stafford Dining Chair China Clay Leather £475 Bottom Left: Grisewood Lamp and Shade Petrol £225

Bottom Right: Washakie Dining Chair Wild Oats Wide Herringbone Linen £425