OKA Magazine: Autumn 2020 (UK Edition)

2 0 2 0 I n t e r i o r s i n s p i r a t i o n E m b r a c e a p r a c t i c a l t a k e o n Ve n e t i a n g r a n d e u r o r g o back to black w it h a Dutch Golden A ge master piece Col lec t ion h igh l ight s From cof fee t ables w it h character to custom-made sofas L i fe s t yle W here to t r avel, what to cook , a nd so muc h mor e.

A U T U M N

oka.com

Do it your way

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#NoHouseRules

A New Leaf

Although September marks the end of the summer, it’s also a month that offers a blank slate; a new beginning in the middle of the year, which is something we could all do with right now.

Let’s welcome in the new season with optimism. There is really nothing like spending so much time in the house to set in motion your next big interior design project – or even just to motivate you to make small improvements. I know I’ve reorganised every shelf and drawer I can find!

I hope you enjoy our latest issue and find plenty of inspiration for creating a space that works for you.

Here’s to a fresh start.

Sue Jones Co-Founder and Creative Director of OKA

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CON T E N T S 22 Set in Stone Step inside a liveable take on Venetian grandeur.

32 Ahead of the Curve Smooth lines and rounded edges that draw the eye.

38 Master Pieces Embrace your dark side with this all-black scheme.

48 Calm & Collected Classic meets contemporary in this newly refurbished home.

56 Centre of Attention Coffee tables packed with personality.

ST OR E S N AT ION W I DE We have 14 stores situated around the UK. See P.89 to find your nearest.

OK A .C OM Browse the entire OKA collection online. Your new favourite 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.

4 | view the entire collection at oka.com

62 Second Nature Organic textures provide the starting point for this warm and inviting space.

70 Adam Lippes X OKA Meet the acclaimed fashion designer behind our latest collaboration.

74 Home Comforts The best houses in the UK to hire for a staycation.

80 Simply Irresistible Sabrina Ghayour dishes on her latest must-have cookbook.

86 Tailored to Perfection Behind the seams of our new handmade-to-order sofa collection.

THE LATEST NEW SEASON FURNITURE | TEXTILES | LIGHTING | ACCESSORIES | INSPIRATION

Set of Two Lutwidge Nested Coffee Tables Large 135x81x45cmH; Small 130x76x41cmH £1,295 Tortoiseshell Glass Vase Tall £95

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T H E L AT E S T

WILD THING

SPACE ODYSSEY

Embrace your wild side with this giant cheetah-print floor cushion, the latest addition to our popular Chyangra collection. Crafted from dyed goat hair, this statement piece could easily be the focal point of a room, but part of its charm is that it can also be easily tidied away when not in use.

This brand-new piece shares plenty of the characteristics of the original Stafford dining chair: oak wood legs, studded detailing and the ability to fit more guests around the table thanks to its narrow profile. The bench takes it a step further, with a wide seat roomy enough for four people to cosy up on.

Upholstered in luxurious charcoal velvet, it’s so comfortable it could even be used as extra seating in the sitting room, making it the perfect choice for smaller homes.

Chyangra Goat Hair Floor Cushion 50cmSqx40cmH £895

Stafford Velvet Dining Bench 200x59x92cmH

£1,595

ON THE PROWL These intricately painted leopard bookends have joined our best-selling Lakadema range.

Like their feline counterparts, they’re incredibly adaptable: happy to prowl your bookshelf, or any other habitat.

Lakadema Leopard Bookends £70

SOFT TOUCH Who could say no to cashmere? Tactile and inviting, thanks to its soft fibres sourced from cashmere goats, this versatile new grey cushion cover is guaranteed to complement every room and will be the softest thing you ever rest your head (or backside) on.

Cashmere Cushion Cover 50cmSq £175

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Instant Update A new season calls for new cushions; it's one of the easiest ways to refresh a room. Inspired by the abstract patterns found in nature, our new Leptoria Cushion Cover lends a contemporary edge to an arrangement – create the perfect backdrop with complementary block colours, like charcoal and blood orange, in rich velvet.

Stonewashed Linen Cushion Cover With Fringing Aqua 51cmSq £70 Leptoria Cushion Cover Ink Blue 51cmSq £65 Plain Velvet Cushion Cover Charcoal 51cmSq £60 | Blood Orange 60x30cm £55

C H E Z DE DE X OK A : L E GR A N D S AC F U L H A M ROA D, S W3 From Capri to Santorini and Singapore to St. Barth, each iconic Grand Sac bag created by French-Italian luxury lifestyle brand Chez Dede is dedicated to a place they love. And sometimes that destination is right around the corner, in your own city. As an ode to our London flagship store, we have collaborated with Chez Dede to create this limited-edition tote bag, Le Grand Sac Fulham Road, SW3. It is made from Italian leather and features an exclusive print designed by us, featuring some of our signature indigo blues and reds. “We were thrilled by the idea of working with Chez Dede as we share the same vision,” OKA co-founder and creative director, Sue Jones, explains. “People travel far and wide to visit the Chez Dede store, no trip to Rome is complete without it. They create such beautiful, original pieces, that each have a story behind them and a hint of fun, which is what OKA is all about.

I think we have a lot in common and the tote we’ve created is testament to that; it celebrates a mutual love of travel and exploration.”

Le Grand Sac Fulham Road, SW3 40x14x48cmH £375

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BI R D S OF A F E AT H E R Traditionally associated with freedom, avian motifs add an element of escapism to interiors.

Set of Four Wild Feather Embroidered Napkins £65

Alkonost Decorative Feather Plate £60

Inside Story “I’ve always been fascinated by amulets and the way that different cultures represent good luck, whether it's the evil eye or the scarab, which is what inspired this lamp. The Ancient Egyptians often used the beetle as a symbol in their art and we wanted to do something similar, capturing its unique shape and the shimmering quality of the shell.”

Sue Jones, Co-Founder & Creative Director of OKA Scarab Lamp 25cmDiax44cmH £295 Cotton Shade Black

(seen with Drum

50cmDiax29cmH £60)

THE BEE'S KNEES

Kraak Milk Jug £40

Hand-made from recycled pine wood and inspired by a traditional honey stirrer, this barrel-shaped side table offers a useful surface with plenty of character. But there is more than meets the eye: the top lifts off to reveal not golden honey but plenty of storage space.

Quinby Side Table 55cmDiax46cmH £695

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Lark Lamp 26x14x56cmH £195 (seen with Empire Linen Shade Natural 41cmDiax23cmH £55)

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 HOTEL

Birch Set to be the country house hotel opening of the year, Birch, formerly the De Vere Theobalds Estate, is just under an hour’s drive from London in Cheshunt, Hertfordshire. The 140-room property will also operate as a private club, with members having access to a co-working area, fitness studios, three bars, a heated lido and farm, as well as screening, music and art rooms. Self-improvement seekers will love the activities on offer, from sourdough making, gardening and foraging to pottery throwing and glass-blowing. Save time for the two on-site restaurants: both promise to be worth a visit, with farm-to-table dining overseen by The Dairy Group dream team, Robin Gill and Ben Rand. birchcommunity.com

D E S T I N AT I O N

BOOK

Petworth

Cabinet of Curiosities

After months indoors, there couldn’t be a nicer day out than one spent visiting this picturesque market town in West Sussex. Enjoy the rolling Capability Brown landscape, stately rooms and world-class art collection of Petworth House, learn about rural life at small local museums and rummage around the many antiques stores – Petworth Antiques Market has some great Art Deco barware. Don’t miss new gallery, Newlands House, orchestrated by the charismatic, globally renowned auctioneer Simon de Pury.

Whether you’re a collector of natural beauties, or just a hopeless hoarder, you’ll love this lavish new Taschen tome, packed with images of notable cabinets of curiosity, or Wunderkammer, by Italian photographer Massimo Listri.

Antonio Paolucci’s introduction documents how 17th century European royalty and nobility created these lavish private galleries dedicated to representing ‘all of human knowledge’. There's plenty of interiors inspiration, whether it’s the trompe l’oeil Baroque rooms of Friedenstein or the Tiffany blue and gilt shelves laden with mollusc shells at Stift Seitenstetten.

Cabinet of Curiosities, Massimo Listri, £100, taschen.com

FILM

Out of Africa Kenya is the indisputable star of Sydney Pollack’s classic film adaptation of Danish author Karen Blixen’s memoir, which stars Meryl Streep and Robert Redford.

But Blixen’s homestead, with its heavy dark furniture, Limoges porcelain and brass candlesticks, patterned textiles, packer trunks, romantic mosquito net-draped bed and pale cream linens, is just as unforgettable. Channel the same elegant feeling by combining rattan furniture on the terrace with a serious drinks trolley laden with your best crystal.

Don’t forget to serenade with Mozart on the Crosley turntable, the modernday equivalent of Denys Finch Hatton’s gramophone (the baboons might be harder to come by).

Streaming on Netflix

Panama Luggage Rack 46x36x60cmH £150

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BE T W E E N T H E PAGE S For bookworms, the reading nook is the most important place in the house. Here are three of our favourite ways to create one.

Nostell Leaves Cushion Cover Seaweed Green 51cmSq £65 Nostell Diamonds Cushion Cover Seaweed Green Set of Five Pentangle Mirrored 51cmSq £50 Wall Art Panels 165x6x89cmH £895 Brummundal Floor Lamp 28cmDiax138cmH £450 (seen with Drum Cotton Shade Black 40cmDiax23cmH £50) Plain Linen Cushion Cover Citrine 51cmSq £45 Plain Velvet Cushion Cover Shown in: Rioja | Porridge 51cmSq £60 Ely Floor Cushion Granite/ Selene Lead White 69cmSqx30cmH £395 Velvet Armchair Charcoal 79x70x76cmH £1,100 Burijji Cushion Cover Saffron/Onyx 56cmSq £75 Stack Shelves Low 68x40x73cmH £925

1 An efficient use of space, and one that takes advantage of natural light, the window seat is the subject of countless readers’ fantasies.

All you need is a selection of extremely comfortable cushions.

2 Multifunctional spaces are key if you live in a smaller home.

It doesn’t get much more flexible than floor cushions; you can fashion a relaxing spot in the same time it takes to pick up a novel.

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3 In the chillier months, there’s nothing better than a cosy corner. Layers are essential: think heavy, warm rugs, an armchair in a tactile material, such as velvet, and plenty of lamps for low mood-lighting.

'Marie Antoinette with a Rose' (1783) Élisabeth Louise Vigée Le Brun

BA D ROM A NC E

Rumoured to have never worn the same thing twice, Marie Antoinette’s decadence made her one of the most controversial rulers of her time.

But there is no denying she had impeccable taste; her fashion and interiors choices shaped the trends of the 18th century and beyond.

Leroux Mirror 69x137cmH £995 Curlicue Chandelier 76cmDiax72cmH £895 Faux Rose Stem £12 Lvliang Jar £250 Stonewashed Linen Cushion Cover With Fringing Shown in: Eau de Nil | Dusty Rose 51cmSq £70 Chantal Armchair Blue 77x86x95cmH £1,250 Xin Side Table 45x37x80cmH £475 Roseraie Collection 4 x Starter Plates £175 | Tea Cup & Saucer £45 Faux Bone Handled Cutlery (from £20 per set of four) Costellini Velvet Ottoman Air Force Blue 47cmDiax45cmH £250

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T H E L AT E S T

START WITH A RUG It’s as simple as it sounds. Find a rug you love and draw inspiration for the rest of the room from its shape, pattern, texture and colour palette.

12 | view the entire collection at oka.com

Fortuna Floor Lamp 18cmSqx109cmH £325 (seen with Pleated Linen Shade Off-White 45cmDiax31cmH £85) Taino Bar Stool 57x52x99cmH £330 Cheviot Rug 240x305cm £2,595 Ikkuna Mirror 90x140cmH £350 Twig Table Lamp 26x25x62cmH £150 (seen with Drum Cotton Shade Black 40cmDiax23cmH £50) Miniature Faux Fiddle Plant £75 Maniglia Vase £40 Valmeira Cushion Cover Deep Sea/Persimmon 51cmSq £60 Plain Velvet Cushion Cover Midnight Green 60x35cm £55 Norga Chaise Longue 90x164x62cmH £2,750 Pompidou Coffee Table Square 100cmSqx45cmH £750

Make Your Space Your Own with OKA’s Interior Design Service “When you go to a client’s house, you get a very clear idea of their character, the feeling of the property and their personal style – this truly is the most important and inspiring thing,” says OKA designer Sarina Hawkins.

This outlook underpins the ethos of our Interior Design Service: no two homes should be the same, as a home should echo those who live there. Objects collected from antiques fairs, family photographs, a love of a particular colour or country – all of these things can serve as inspiration for you and our team when beginning the design process.

If you don’t have a vision or starting point, that’s fine too. “Some clients come in knowing exactly what they want or have pictures they’d like to emulate. Others like us to look around their home and get a feel for it before we decide together which direction to go in – there’s no right or wrong way to go about it,” explains Sebnem Barker, OKA's head of interior design. It’s a flexible and collaborative attitude, which takes into account not only individual preference, but the nuances of space and architecture as well.

The diverse design portfolio, which showcases over a decade of work across the globe, is testament to this.

An open-plan penthouse in London’s iconic Battersea Power Station with huge floor-to-ceiling windows called for a contemporary look. Relaxing and entertaining areas delineated only by carefully arranged furniture aligned with the client’s request that the apartment be the "perfect combination of elegance and practicality." A property in Antibes, on the other hand, required a different style and approach. “It had heritage, elegance, a country feel, the outdoors, and the seaside all in one, with the Mediterranean as the backdrop, so both the exterior and interior had to reflect and embrace that. The huge terraces were incredible, ideal for hosting. I even built a gazebo on one to really make the most of it,” recalls Antoni Roig, a senior designer at OKA. Two very different homes, but what each, and all of our projects, have in common is that they are always refined, always comfortable and always have an element of fun. For our interior design team, it’s all about lifestyle. They can help to furnish a house from top to bottom, tailor a tiny dining room around a faithful old table, create a new colour scheme based on a paint shade or simply commission bespoke blinds and curtains for a specific room. The end goal is to create a space that works for you and will be enjoyed at every moment.

Interested? Here’s how we work: • Make an appointment with one of our team in-store. We offer a free initial consultation where we’ll get to know you and your requirements.

• Following an on-site visit – or an assessment of blueprints if necessary – we will draw up a spatial plan, visual presentation and put together a virtual shopping list.

• Once you’re happy with the layout and pieces, our team will arrange white glove delivery, which ensures that all items are unpacked and placed with the utmost care and attention.

• For larger projects, your designer will be on-site to oversee the installation and make sure everything is fully dressed – this turnkey service is our speciality.

• There is no task too big or small; wherever you are in the world our interior design team is on hand to help from start to finish.

Learn more at oka.com/designservice or get in touch by emailing designservice@oka.com.

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SHOPPING

14 | Photographs: Michael Bodiam | Styling: Imogen Frost

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AT E A S E

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Whether your style is classic or a little on the wild side, these armchairs will welcome you home at the end of the day.

OPPOSITE PAGE George Cheetah 61x72x71cmH THIS PAGE

£2,995

1. Vasa Truffle

Velvet 73x79x83cmH

£750

2. Darver 98x67x70cmH £1,995 3. Coleridge Ice Blue 71x84x78cmH £1,250 4. Crosby Aged Tobacco 83x72x70cmH £895 5. Berstone

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Aged Tobacco 74x84x82cmH £1,050 6. Stanhope 69x95x99cmH £995 7. Apadana Blood Orange £795 Velvet 61x71x85cmH 8. Thovarton Natural 81x92x99cmH £1,995

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MOOD MAKERS These lamps set the ambience, bringing a warm glow that transforms a room into a welcoming space.

THIS PAGE 16cmDiax58cmH

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1. Gourami £295 (seen with

Drum Linen Shade Natural 45cmDiax29cmH £65) 2.

Claudette Dusty Rose 24x20x56cmH £250 3. Aberarth 26cmx26x23cmH £295 (seen with

Drum Linen Shade Natural 56cmDiax33cmH £80)

4. Wide Tortoiseshell 26cmDiax34cmH £375 (seen with

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Drum Cotton Shade Black 50cmDiax29cmH £60) 5. Carraway Small 26x6x26cmH £150 (seen with

Narrow Rectangular Linen Shade Natural 31x10x24cmH £45) 6. Tamri 16cmDiax38cmH £125 (seen with Pattani Eclipse Shade Onyx 35cmDiax23cmH £75)

7. Tanjore 38cmDiax50cmH £375 (seen with Drum Linen Shade Natural 40cmDiax25cmH £55) 8. Reeves 16x16x47cmH £375 (seen with Drum Cotton Shade Black 40cmDiax23cmH £50) 9. Goblet Matte Silver 28cmDiax49cmH £275 (seen with Drum Cotton Shade White 40cmDiax23cmH £45) OPPOSITE PAGE

Skarkos

28cmDiax41cmH £250 (seen with

Drum Linen Shade Natural 40cmDiax25cmH £55)

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SUPPORTING ACT A stage for photographs, a makeshift desk, an anchor for artworks and decorative objects – there’s no limit to the console’s versatility.

Shikotan

OPPOSITE PAGE 137x31x78cmH

£1,250 (seen with

Giant Glass Paperweight/ Doorstop £75 | Fyli Vase Large £95) THIS PAGE 1. Magicus 100x30x80cmH

£825

2. Katsura Rubbed Black 94x33x83cmH

£695

3. Merle 100x27x80cmH £850 4. Castellau 110x35x82cmH £850 5. Upton Linen Grey 200x50x80cmH

£1,495

6. Versailles Nested Large 130x34x81cmH; Small 110x28x70cmH

£1,295 7. Pompidou Large 161x40x82cmH

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DOUBLE DUTY

SHOPPING

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Mirrors with unique shapes and features can make just as much of a statement as any work of art.

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THIS PAGE

1. Babiole 92x122cmH £995 2. Ballygannon 62x102cmH £450 3.

Sarzay 63x90cmH £495 4. Hercule 122cmSq £595 5. Oban Extra Large 89cmDia £395 6. Magritte Small 69x5x121cmH

£795

7. Ventana 70x147cmH £695 8. Trianon 96x168cmH £695 OPPOSITE PAGE

Glaçon Mirrored Wall Art 117x8x210cmH

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£1,495

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SET

IN STONE Photographs: Nick Pope | Styling: Sue Jones

If you have ever visited Venice, it’s the spectacular Gothic architecture; the intricate stonework and floor-to-ceiling windows of the grand palazzi, that draw you in. Breathtakingly beautiful, but perhaps too over the top for the typical home. Here, co-founder and creative director Sue Jones has taken inspiration from the city’s piani nobili to create a more pared-back look that still makes a statement – one that is designed for the everyday.

“I’ve taken Venetian grandeur and made it liveable,” explains Sue. “The floors and stone-effect walls are very simple – the drama comes from the height of each room.” Colour is important, but in a very restrained way. Just a splash here and there is all it takes to offset the neutral palette. “When you use accessories sparingly, it means they really shine – they’re seen in their own right. It allows your eye to be taken to each piece and you really appreciate them as design elements,” says Sue. Certain subtleties can also be acknowledged; tall lamps that echo gondola poles and cushion covers that draw on the marble from the famed I Gesuiti church.

It’s a new take on minimalism; it’s focused and uncluttered but warm and comfortable.

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Razmataz Hanging Lantern 37cmDia £295 Versailles Wall Lamp 17x11x40cmH £195 Faux Shagreen Oval Plateau Taupe £225 Altena Candle Holder £40 Cariape Decorative Pot Triangles £40 | Dashes £25 Plain Velvet Cushion Cover Blood Orange 60x35cm £55 Nostell Cushion Cover Red Madder Shown in: Dots | Dashes 51cmSq £50 Tarma 2-Seater Sofa 137x89x88cmH £2,095 Rander Ceramic Stool Red 33cmDiax46cmH £175 Daugava Rug 240x305cm £1,295

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T H I S PA G E

Versailles Wall Lamp 17x11x40cmH £195 Cariape Decorative Pot Triangles £40 | Dashes £25 O P P O S I T E P A G E Washakie Linen Chair Sand Herringbone 50x59x98cm £340 Ogival Cushion Cover 51cmSq £55 Thomasin Table Lamp 17cmDiax70cmH £150 Galloway Desk/Dressing Table 140x60x79cmH £995 Zabiya Decorative Vase Large £35 Alkonost Decorative Feather Plate £60 Sorin Lidded Jar Short £45 | Tall £55 Bamarre Mirror 70x108cmH £695

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SET IN STONE

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Quinby Side Table 55cmDiax46cmH £695 Darver Swivel Armchair 98x67x70cmH £1,995 Fontana Side Table 45cmDiax60cmH £750 Thomasin Table Lamp 17cmDiax69cmH £175 (seen with Square Card Lampshade Cream 19cmSqx13cmH £60) Cerchio Wall Art 60x8x160cmH £1,195 Odense 3-Seater Sofa Putty 210x97x92cmH £2,995 Tarsia Cushion Cover Red Garnet 60x35cm £75 Cosmati Cushion Cover Shown in: Ink Blue | Agate | Red Garnet 56cmSq £75 Flavian Side Table 80cmDiax77cmH £1,295 Papavera Vase Large £245 (shown with a selection of Bunched by OKA stems) Belvès Coffee Table 175x102x42cmH £2,095 Medea on Base £65 Woven Lidded Bone Box £175 Divot Vase Round £15 Fovea Rug 240x305cm £1,995 Makila Wall Art 80x7x80cmH £795 each

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28 | view the entire collection at oka.com

O P P O S I T E P A G E Visby Cabinet 112x45x200cmH £1,995 Selene Velvet Armchair Charcoal 79x70x76cmH £1,100 Cosmati Cushion Cover Agate 56cmSq £75 T H I S P A G E Brummundal Floor Lamp 28cmDiax138cmH £450 (seen with Pattani Eclipse Lampshade

Cabernet Red 45cmDiax31cmH £110)

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30 | view the entire collection at oka.com

Atherton Dining Chair 55x65x85cmH £725 Hawkley Extendable Dining Table 350x135x78cmH (fully extended); 110cmx135cmx76cmH (six leaves removed) £4,495 Lotus Candle Holder Large £80 (seen with Pillar LED Candle Tall £20) Alkonost Decorative Feather Plate £60 Ellington Hanging Lamp Large | Antique Laurelin Mirrored Wall Art 92x4x152cmH Bronze/Gold 50cmDiax41cmH £250 £1,595 Tortoiseshell Vase Tall £95 (seen with Faux Magnolia Branch £20 each)

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Photographs: Tina Hillier | Styling: Belinda White 32

T H I S P A G E Mysa Mirror 34x200cmH

£595

Faux Shagreen Drum Table 40cmDiax45cmH £495 Goblet Table Lamp Matte Silver 28cmDiax51cmH £275 (seen with Empire Linen Shade Natural 46cmDiax28cmH £65) O P P O S I T E P A G E Vorto On Stand £195

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T H I S P A G E Thurstaton Decorative Ornament On Stand £85 Top to bottom: Sorin Decorative Pot £50 Cariape Decorative Pot Dashes £25 | Abstract £75 | Triangles £40 Hatsumomo Round Vase £50 O P P O S I T E P A G E Kaishu Console Table Black 200x50x85cmH £1,550 Oban Mirror Large 64cmDia £295 Perisphere Table Lamp £175 (seen with Drum Cotton Shade Black 40cmDiax23cmH £50) Fyli Vase Medium £65

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T H I S P A G E Trisphera Shagreen Print Lamp

Onyx 16cmSqx45cmH £325 (seen with Drum Linen Shade Natural 35cmDiax22cmH £50) Kinoko Lamp 36cmDiax34cmH £195 (seen with Drum Cotton Shade White 56cmDiax33cmH £75) Hulu Lamp Grey 23cmDiax52cmH £195 (seen with Pleated Linen Shade Ecru 40cmDia £95) O P P O S I T E P A G E Top: Brigantia Lantern Grey 56cmDiax71cmH £695 Magicus Console Table 100x30x80cmH £825 Sorin Decorative Pot £50 Bottom left: Papavera Vase Large £245 | Medium £145 | Small £95 Giant Glass Paperweight/Doorstop £75 Bottom right: Tortoiseshell Glass Decorative Ball

Large £65 Budle Lamp 40x12x44cmH £350 (seen with Drum Cotton Shade Black 40cmDiax23cmH £50)

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Set of Three Jujak Feather Decorations £125 Set of Nine Dutch Tulip Framed Prints 24x31cmH £250 Mezzano Floor Lamp 21cmDiax112cmH £595 (seen with Drum Cotton Shade Black 50cmDiax29cmH £60) Nell 2.5-Seater Sofa 192x80x69cmH £2,295 Plain Velvet Cushion Cover Shown in: Dirty Orange 60x35cm £55 Charcoal | Lake Green 51cmSq £60

Khafra Coffee Table 122x71x41cmH £1,895 Cire Trudon Candle (part of the Chronicle Collection; four scents available) £75 Decorative Oak Leaf Dish £40 Sorin Lidded Jar Short £45 | Tall £55

38 | view the entire collection at oka.com

MASTER PIECES If you’ve ever been tempted to ditch your white walls and cross over to the dark side, there is one rule: be bold.

Commit to the colour and embrace the drama.

Photographs: Damian Russell | Styling: Anders Olsson

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T H I S P A G E Lempicka Screen 108x180cmH

£1,395

Tailored by OKA Handmade To Order Radcliffe 3-Seater Sofa Velvet | Charcoal 230x110x82cmH £4,650 Plain Velvet Cushion Cover Shown in: Perfect Navy | £1,495 Porridge 51cmSq £60 Tohono Rug 240x300cm Costellini Velvet Ottoman Perfect Navy 47cmDiax45cmH £250 Kyoto Side Table 45x35x69cmH £245 Sequoia Lamp & Shade 40cmSqx104cmH £250 O P P O S I T E P A G E Hatsumomo Round Vase £50 Nest of Six Lama Offering Bowls £175 Matt Glass Range Short Vase £55 | Tall Vase £75 | Candle Sorin Lidded Jar Tall £55 | Short £45 Holder £25

40 | view the entire collection at oka.com

D

rama is exactly what Anders Olsson, OKA’s head stylist, had in mind when he set about creating this statement look. “I have always loved paintings by the Dutch Masters, where rich colours and textures appear so vividly against very atmospheric, dark backgrounds.

I wanted to play with this idea here,” he says.

Just as in the paintings, natural light is key when it comes to subtly picking out details and textures. “I also included plenty of mirrors and reflective surfaces to really make the most of the highlights and jewel tones,” explains Anders. This is part of the beauty of this scheme: it’s all about contrast, so, surprisingly, you don’t actually need a big space to make it work. Less is more when it comes to furniture and accessories; by virtue of being placed against black they will automatically make a statement.

Are you ready to go for it?

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Stafford Velvet Dining Bench Charcoal 200x59x92cmH £1,595 Plain Velvet Cushion Cover Burnt Orange 60x35cm £55 Pagoda Chinoiserie Cabinet 125x46x170cmH

£1,750

Hatsumomo Round Vase £50 Matt Glass Cylinder Vase Shown in: Tall £75 | Short £55

Stafford Velvet Dining Chair Moss 45x59x92cmH

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£365

Luminosia Hanging Disc Lamp £395 Stafford Velvet Dining Chair Perfect Navy £365 Petworth Extendable Dining Table 'French Walnut' 350x135x79cmH 41cmDiax55cmH

(fully extended);110x135x79cmH (no leaves)

£2,795

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Plain Velvet Cushion Cover Perfect Navy 51cmSq £60 Xin Side Table 45x37x80cmH £475 Claudette Table Lamp Soot 24x20x56cmH £250

Cire Trudon Scented Candle (part of the Chronicle Collection; four scents available) £75

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1. Oban Mirror Large 64cmDia £295 Birell Coffee Table 140x80x50cmH £1,595 Cria Throw Evergreen £795 Costellini Velvet Ottoman Perfect Navy 47cmDiax45cmH £250 130x200cm £325 2. Sega Mirror 60x200cmH 3.

Versailles Wall Lamp 17x11x40cmH £195 Vasa Velvet Lounge Chair Truffle 73x79x83cmH £750 Plain Velvet Cushion Cover Rioja 60x35cm £55 Triomphe Tripod Table 43cmDiax64cmH £450 Decorative Pied Ornament £55 Sorin Lidded Jar Short £45 4. Han Cabinet 60x40x82cmH £595 Set of Nine Dutch Tulip Framed Prints 24x31cmH £250 Brass Bamboo Tray £250 Set of Four Ranelagh Tumblers £40 Unlock Trouble Bar Set £75

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T H I S PA G E Thomasin Floor Lamp 24cmDiax134cmH £295 (seen with Drum Cotton Shade

Black 40cmDiax23cmH £50)

Gezi Cabinet 79x39x169cmH £2,595 Apadana Armless Chair Midnight Green 61x71x85cmH £795 Plain Velvet Cushion Cover Perfect Navy 51cmSq £60 O P P O S I T E P A G E

Claudette Wall Lamp 12x18x23cmH £150 Sorrel Mirror

£795 Matt Glass Cylinder Vase Tall £75 Treppiedi Folding Table 44cmDiax52cmH £215 Set of Three Cotteret Mini Vases £65 Set of Four Round-Based Crystal Wine Glasses Small £125 Ashva Rug 240x305cm £1,495 90x120cmH

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Karaikal Quilt Grey/Blue £250 Coleridge 3-Seater Sofa Ice Blue £2,050 Plain Velvet Cushion Cover Shown in: Air Force Blue | Gainsborough Grey 51cmSq £60 Cornaro Cushion Cover Multi 60x35cm £55 Dalu Faux Shagreen Sideboard Onyx 110x50x80cmH £2,995 Cowrie Table Lamp 25cmDiax29cmH £175 (seen with Pleated Empire Linen Shade Ecru 45cmDiax31cmH £105) Babiole Mirror 92x122cmH £995 Set of Two Mirrored Solasta Tables Large 92cmDiax41cmH; Small £995 Maniglia Vase £40 Zagora Rug Large 300x340cm 61cmDiax36cmH £3,495 Lantau Desk/Dressing Table 120x50x78cmH £1,850 Grisewood Lamp & Shade Grey 31x20x42cmH £195 Trois Mirror 84x70cmH £450 Faux Shagreen Boutique Tissue Box Cover Taupe £95 Vasa Linen Lounge Chair Natural 73x79x83cmH £795 Ipazi Cushion Cover 60x35cm £50 182x104x82cmH

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Calm & Collec ted Classic meets contemporary in this newly refurbished south London townhouse.

Photographs: Ben Anders | Styling: Bruce MacArthur

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W

ith this space, it’s all about the feature details: marble Victorian fireplaces, wood-panelled walls, parquet flooring, the Crittall doors in the kitchen-diner – there's so much contrast, yet everything has come together beautifully,” explains Bruce, OKA’s head of store design and visual merchandising. With striking features like these in play, it’s all about enhancing them with subtle use of shape, colour and detail. Clean lines offset curvaceous silhouettes, threads of colour from existing pieces and architecture are picked up and gently intertwined with complementary tones in each room. It’s a quintessentially British approach: artfully mixing eras and styles to create an elegant look, but one that isn’t precious – as soon as you step inside you want to kick off your shoes and hop onto a bar stool or sink into an armchair.

T H I S P A G E Calabash Table Lamp Pebble 28cmDiax42cmH £175 (seen with

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Pleated Empire Linen Shade Ecru 45cmDiax31cmH £105) Decorative Robin £16 Natoire Headboard Super King 193x10x185cmH £1,325 Karaikal Quilt Grey/Blue 270x260cm £250 Pattani Geometric Cushion Cover Mustard 60x35cm £40 Plain Velvet Cushion Cover Air Force Blue 51cmSq £60 Costellini Linen Ottoman Wide Herringbone 47cmDiax45cmH £250 Kirkwall Velvet Armchair Grey/Green 70x63x78cmH £625 O P P O S I T E P A G E Papavera Vase Small £95 Dover Wall Lamp Antique Brass 7x16x33cmH £195 (seen with Mini Cotton Cone Lampshade Off White 14cmDiax13cmH £15) Lantau Desk/Dressing Table 120x50x78cmH £1,850 Trois Mirror 84x70cmH £450 Grisewood Lamp & Shade Grey 31x20x42cmH £195 Faux Shagreen Range Taupe Tray £95 | Boutique Tissue Box Cover £95 Rander Ceramic Stool Charcoal 33cmDiax46cmH £175

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CALM & COLLECTED

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O P P O S I T E PA G E Thomasin Floor Lamp 24cmDiax134cmH £295 (seen with Pattani Eclipse Lampshade Mustard 45cmDiax31cmH £110) Leroux Mirror 69x137cmH £995 Set of Two Opplyst Tables Large 100cmDiax40cmH; Small 80cmDiax45cmH £1,495 Nest of Six Lama Offering Bowls £175 Beccles Rug 240x305cm £2,995 Duffy Table Lamp 35cmDiax44cmH £175 (seen with Drum Linen Shade & Carrier Natural 45cmDiax29cmH £65) Selene Linen Armchair Wide Herringbone 79x70x76cmH £1,150 Plain Velvet Cushion Cover Air Force Blue 51cmSq £60 T H I S P A G E Dige Urn £595 Winglefield Extendable Dining Table 475x90x75cmH (open); £2,795 Qinlin Vase £995 Yichun Decorative Cauldron £295 237x90x77cmH (closed) Washakie Velvet Chair Lake Green 50x59x98cmH £355 Thalassia Planter £245 Faux Fiddle Plant Large £195

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T H I S P A G E Stafford Leather Bar Stool China Clay 45x59x110cmH £495 Twisted Glassware Jug £50 | Set of Four Tall Tumblers £30 Set of Four Ranelagh Tumblers £40 Faux Shagreen Range Ice Bucket £350 | Serving £895 Tray £195 O P P O S I T E P A G E Crosby Armchair 83x72x70cmH Labirinto Cushion Cover Gainsborough Grey 51cmSq £70 Garasu Side Table 65cmDiax46cmH £475 Papavera Vase Small 26cmDiax29cmH £95 Faux Double Eucalyptus Stem £12 Costellini Linen Ottoman Wide Herringbone 47cmDiax45cmH £250 Rattan Range Small High Basket £150 | Cutlery Carry £70 Faux Bone Handled Cutlery (from £20 per set of four)

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CE N T R E OF AT T E N T ION Few things add more personality to a room than an artfully arranged coffee table.

Photographs: Ben Anders | Styling: Hannah Bort

T H E BE ACHCOM BE R In the absence of a fresh coastal breeze whipping across her weathered surface, Belvès takes comfort in ocean blues and ref lects on all her seaside treasures.

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T H I S P A G E Hatta Coffee Table 105cmDiax40cmH £1,875 Dice Box & Six Dice £30 Swirled Glass Paperweight £35 Set of Four Pulcinella Cocktail Glasses £85 Set of Four Ranelagh Tumblers £40 Costellini Velvet Ottoman Charcoal 47cmDiax45cmH £250 O P P O S I T E P A G E Thovarton Armchair Natural 81x92x99cmH £1,995 Belvès Coffee Table 175x102x42cmH £2,095 Set of Three Shagreen Print Box Files £55 Zabiya Decorative Vase Medium £30

T H E A RT DECO E N T E RTA I N E R Renowned for his unbeatable hospitality and speakeasy-style cocktail parties, Hatta wishes he had been around for the frivolity of the 1920s.

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T H I S P A G E Locke Ottoman With Drawers 103cmSqx40cmH £3,995 Fyli Vase Medium £65 Faux Shagreen Jewellery Box Taupe £250 Botero Armless Sofa Chair 96cmSqx66cmH £1,895 O P P O S I T E P A G E Baricella Coffee Table 110x90x46cmH £1,250 Jiande Tray £150 Minxian Jar £175 Melaka Rug 240x305cm £1,995

T H E HOL LY WO OD STA R L E T There’s no denying it: Locke has got plenty of stage presence and can’t help but steal the show. With such good looks and charm, getting red carpet-ready requires little adornment.

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THE ECLECTIC EXPLORER Baricella has seen it all. But this nomad just can’t bear to be tied down for too long. When you have the travel bug, it’s very hard to shake.

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T H I S P A G E Birell Coffee Table 140x80x50cmH

£1,595

Pair of Lakadema Leopard Candle Holders £55 Kolokythi Decorative Wide Bowl Aruba Blue £20 Apadana Armless Chair Blood Orange 61x71x85cmH £795 O P P O S I T E P A G E Set of Two Garasu Nested Coffee Tables Large 104cmDiax39cmH; Small 84cmDiax31cmH £1,495 Hatsumomo Round Vase £50 Set of Four Twisted Glass Tumblers Tall £30

THE BOHEMI A N Usually you would find Birell exploring the rainforest or hidden away working on her next book of poetry. But for now she’s enjoying a rare moment of calm, content to display her creative artistry at home.

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T H E A RCH I T ECTS In keeping with their Scandinavian roots, the Garasu’s are a pair who like to keep things simple, safe in the knowledge that sometimes less is more.

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SECOND NATURE Photographs: Nick Pope | Styling: Lucinda Waterhouse

Organic textures and a bold colour palette combine to create a warm and welcoming home.

If you're not sure where to begin when designing a room, pick something you love as a starting point and get creative. This is exactly what OKA co-founder Lucinda Waterhouse did here.

“I have always loved rattan and I wanted to design a look where it takes centre stage, so I created wall panels from stained rattan and bamboo,” she explains.

Once you have your focal feature, take your colour and style cues from it – this scheme is full of warm, earthy tones and natural accessories. But don’t worry about everything matching, sometimes the most unlikely combinations are the most interesting. Here, quintessentially English furniture, such as button-tufted ottomans and classically shaped sofas and armchairs, takes its place amid Asian-inspired details and a plethora of prints. Don’t be afraid to layer pattern: the trick is to vary to the scale. “Try to include a combination of delicate and bold motifs. If you use too many patterns of the same size they’ll be competing for attention, which makes it hard for the eye to focus,” says Lucinda.

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Set of Five Pentangle Mirrored Wall Art Panels 165x6x89cmH £895 Wallace Coffee Table Rectangular 160x90x41cmH £2,350 Tilacancha Rug 255x310 £1,595 Triomphe Side Table 60x40x62cmH £595 Naoshima Table Lamp Bonsai Green 18cmSqx30cmH £295 (seen with Pattani Eclipse Lampshade Cabernet Red 45cmDiax31cmH £110) Coleridge 3-Seater Sofa Natural 187x92x82cmH £1,875 Leptoria Cushion Cover Putting Green 51cmSq £65 Locksley Cushion Cover 60x35cm £60 Anduin Cushion Cover 51cmSq £65

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T H I S P A G E Set of Four Fern Framed Prints 54x74cmH £295 Cartama Desk 130x63x93cmH £2,195 Curved Bone Photo Frame Small £65 Claudette Table Lamp Dusty Rose 24x20x56cmH £250 Washakie Linen Chair Coral 50x59x98cmH £340 Marea Vase Short £95 | Tall £125 O P P O S I T E PA G E

Thalassia Planter £245 Thomasin Floor Lamp 24cmDiax134cmH £295 (seen with

Pleated Linen Shade Natural 45cmDiax31cmH £105) Set of Five Pentangle Mirrored Wall Art Panels 165x6x89cmH £895 Apadana Velvet Armless Chair Blood Orange 61x71x85cmH

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£795

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SECOND NATURE

66 | view the entire collection at oka.com

O P P O S I T E PA G E 137x31x78cmH

Shikotan Console Table

£1,250 Trisphera Shagreen Print Lidded

Pot Large £75 Zellige Espresso Cups Set of Four Purple/Green £35 T H I S P A G E Galahad Table Lamp 21cmDiax47cmH £325 (seen with Empire Linen Shade Natural 36cmDiax20cmH £45) Dalu Side Table 38x80x59cmH £695 Tailored by OKA Handmade To Order Egerton Armchair Velvet | Dirty Orange 85x90x80cmH £2,400 Koyari Cushion Cover Vermillion Red 51cmSq £65

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A large sideboard provides ample space to store and display china.

Set of Five Pentangle Mirrored Wall Art Panels 165x6x89cmH £895 Washakie Linen Chair Coral 50x59x98cmH £340 Wide Tortoiseshell Column Lamp 26cmDiax34cmH £375 (seen with

Pleated Linen Shade Natural 45cmDiax31cmH £105)

Talauma Candle Holder £125 Natural Teak Salad Bowl

& Servers (servers not shown) £175 Gustaf Sideboard Large 221x51x91cmH

£3,225

Rattan Range Closed Shelf Basket £95 | Small Low Basket £95 | Small High Basket £150 | Cutlery

Carry £70 Faux Bone Handled Cutlery (from £20 per set of four) Adam Lippes x OKA Tableware Collection From £45 Shalba Rug 240x305cm £1,495 Aberarth Table Lamp 26cmDiax23cmH £295 (seen with Pattani Eclipse Lampshade Cabernet Red 35cmDiax23cmH £75)

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A Fine Romance Acclaimed US fashion designer Adam Lippes swapped dresses for dining tables to collaborate with OKA on a unique collection of tableware.

Words: Aimee Farrell

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“My heart lives in England,” says Adam Lippes. As evidenced in his exuberant Brooklyn apartment and 100-acre estate near Monterey, Massachusetts, the American fashion designer has enjoyed a lifelong love affair with English style.

“I don’t know where it comes from really,” says Lippes, who has been making transatlantic trips since he was 10 years old; most recently to visit the London boutiques that purvey the eponymous label he founded in 2013. “But it started with English interiors – from Chatsworth to [the Vogue photographer] Cecil Beaton’s Reddish House. These houses flow so beautifully; they’re the perfect mix of grandeur and casualness.”

It’s the same easy elegance that’s at the core of Lippes' own creative empire, running seamlessly throughout his homes and his celebrated clothing collections. “Adam is a keen collector with a very sophisticated eye – and he loves entertaining,” says OKA co-founder Sue Jones, who felt compelled to propose a project with the designer after being introduced by a mutual friend. “He came to England and we got along straight away. There was great synergy right from the start.”

Although Lippes had been approached many times to collaborate with American interiors brands, before OKA, nothing felt right. “I don’t believe that things have to be expensive, but I do believe in quality,” he says. “One of the founding tenets of my label is that I don’t want to just make more stuff.” What also chimed with Lippes – besides its Anglo appeal – is the fact that at OKA, “everything is created on the basis of need and love.”

“I don’t believe that things have to be expensive, but I do believe in quality.”

The son of a decorator and a lawyer (and serious art collector) Lippes grew up in Buffalo, New York.

He was obsessed with interior design from an early age; his mother would frequently consult him on the décor of their homes – a fact, he says, that lent validity to his visual point of view right from the start.

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So why not become an interior designer? “I always wanted to be in fashion,” he says. After studying psychology at Cornell, and a fleeting misstep into investment banking, Lippes started out at Ralph Lauren, later joining Oscar de la Renta, where he remained for close to a decade. By 28, he was creative director, a role that included overseeing the launch of the label’s interior collections. With their legendary homes and entertaining style, Oscar and Annette de la Renta were a seminal influence – and his first introduction to OKA. “Working there exposed me to some of the greatest houses in the world,” says Lippes. “My sense of style was given to me by my parents, but refined by Oscar.”

This process of education hasn’t stopped since. In his womenswear creations, Lippes draws from the bold and daring designs of decorators such as David Hicks, Renzo Mongiardino and Billy Baldwin. “I’m very passionate about the mix – blending centuries and styles and giving everything a foundation in classicism,” he explains. “That’s how I live – and that’s how it is when you enter OKA’s stores.”

And so began a fruitful exchange that has evolved over nearly two years into a Lippes X OKA tableware collection that includes ceramics, glassware and linen. The creative process started with a series of mood boards – a veritable menagerie of images of ceramic cockerels, boars and birds, monkeys and dragonf lies, alongside fantastical toile de jouy fashion confections. For Jones, however, it was a series of pictures of Famille Rose plates – the Chinese export porcelain style popularised in the 18th century, characterised by its opaque decoration in shades of blush pink and crimson – that stood out.

“I knew immediately that this was the way to go,” she says of the delicate ceramics that she has long avidly collected.

“I wanted to create a modern rendition of Chinese export patterns.”

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This rich mélange of references gave rise to the centrepiece of the project, a series of elaborately embellished bone china dinnerware that’s inhabited by butterflies, tropical birds and flora. “I wanted to create a modern rendition of Chinese export patterns,” explains Lippes, who leafed through auction catalogues and surveyed the collection at the Met Museum for source material.

Chaillot Dress up your everyday dining table with these white cotton napkins and placemats, adorned with an ornate Art Deco hemstitched border.

4 x Napkins 50cmSq £80 4 x Placemats 30cmSq £80

It’s perhaps no surprise that the Famille Rose plates were some of the most complex to create. After Lippes conjured the design in his New York studio, OKA consultant Molly Lu charged an artist in southern China with recreating the composition in watercolour on specialist rice paper, known as Xuan paper.

After playing with the scale of the motifs and carefully adjusting the colours, the artwork was then digitally rendered

by OKA’s London studio, ready to apply to the smooth and translucent fine bone china. “It’s so full of colour and vibrancy,” says Lippes of the finished product, which can be mixed and matched with simpler styles.

Roseraie Inspired by antique Famille Rose porcelain fashionable in Europe during the Late Baroque period, featuring a menagerie of colourful flora and fauna.

4 x Dinner Plates 26cmDia £215 4 x Starter Plates 23cmDia £175 4 x Side Plates 18cmDia £115 4 x Bowls 18cmDia £130 4 x Embroidered Cotton Napkins 50cmSq £80 Tea Cup & Saucer 16cmDiax8cmH £45

Much like Lippes' playful runway creations, the Famille Rose ceramics effortlessly meld prettiness with practicality. “I’m a great believer in using what you have,” says Lippes. “They look as though they’re your grandmother’s finest inherited china, but they’ll go in the dishwasher.” The same is true for the crystalware, which borrows its form from a classic OKA wine glass, with a bright Lippes flourish of painted rims and dots. The decorative motifs of the Famille Rose dinnerware are also handembroidered on white cotton napkins. “These are not pieces you’re going to be able to find anywhere else,” says Lippes.

The OKA project certainly came at an opportune moment for the fashion designer, who’d had porcelain on his mind. He’d recently been eyeing a vast set of Chinese export dinnerware at a Dallas auction house; hunting for curios is one of Lippes' favourite pastimes. “I was literally about to place a bid,” he says. “But now I just don’t need it.”

Coquille Simple yet elegant bone china plates and crystal glasses finished with a dainty teardrop border, which contrasts beautifully with the minimal designs.

4 x Dinner Plates 26cmDia £215 4 x Starter/Side Plates 20cmDia £175 4 x Bowls 19cmDia £130 4 x Crystal Wine Glasses Shown in: Small 8cmDiax12cmH £180 | Large 9cmDiax14cmH £195

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TRAVEL

Home Comforts Words: Kate Lough With foreign adventures off the menu, there are few more soothing prospects than a Great British escape with your family or closest friends.

We’ve handpicked five destinations, from Scotland to the Isle of Sheppey, that play host to a selection of beautiful private houses, including a former award-winning boutique hotel near the Lakes and a RIBA architectdesigned beauty on Wales’ westernmost coastline.

74 | for more inspiration visit the OKA blog | oka.com/blog

WALES Wales’ Pembrokeshire coastline is one of the most beautiful in the UK and Newport is one of its discrete hotspots, with a topnotch food scene to boot. There are few better spots to soak it all up from than Seren Mor, which sits on the green cliffs of the National Park overlooking Newport’s estuary. Winner of the RIBA Welsh Architect Award, it was built to melt into its surroundings and maximise its views and the light – as well as the spectacular sunsets. In addition to five bedrooms, this upside-down, contemporary house has a particularly special wildflower garden and secret pathways leading down to the beach. If you must leave, make time for the three-mile walk to the top of Carningli Mountain or take the house kayaks or surfboards for a spin. Come rain or shine, adults, children and well-behaved dogs will all be very happy here.

Book Seren Mor via uniquehomestays.com

CORNWALL Away from ritzy St Mawes in the south and the Rock tribe in the north, something is cooking in West Cornwall. In Penzance, chic homeware shops and design-conscious B&Bs like Chapel House add to the magic of a spectacular stretch of coast that reaches right down to Land’s End. Near the fishing harbour of Newlyn, you’ll find Pembroke Lodge, which is new for 2020. An 18th century house with five stylish bedrooms, right on the sea, it was once home to the artist Walter Langley. When you’re not admiring the view from the tropical garden, rally the troops for a brisk walk to the Tolcarne Inn or a blustery beach day at Porthcurno.

On the other side of Penzance, you’ll find a trio of rustic-luxe farm cottages by Kip Hideaways that can be rented all together.

Close to Prussia Cove and Praa Sands, there are endless coves for paddleboarding (wetsuits obligatory) and magnificent coastal walks, including a low-tide one to the mythical castle at St Michael’s Mount.

Book Pembroke Lodge via boutique-retreats.co.uk and the cottages via Kip Hideaways kiphideaways.com

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TRAVEL

SCOTLAND Our journey starts in Highland Perthshire, in between Loch Tay and the wilds of the Cairngorms.

Those looking for splendid isolation will find it at Tay House, a ninebedroom Victorian property that has been sensitively transformed by its architect-cum-interior designer owners. After a day exploring the magnificent surroundings, ticking off the Birks of Aberfeldy waterfall walk, a spot of trout-fishing, a pony picnic in the heather or whisky-tasting at Dewars, you’ll want to gather everyone around the 5.5m bespoke dining table, made from oak and poured bronze in Scotland. For after-dinner fun, there’s a wood-fired cedar hot tub in the woods, a cinema room and a den for the kids.

Heading north into the Cairngorms National Park, you can drop in for a wee dram and an artwork at the

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Fife Arms, the Highland outpost of gallerists Ivan and Manuela Wirth, before heading for your accommodation.

Up a long dirt track you’ll find the 4,000-acre Killiehuntly estate and its fully catered 17th century farmhouse.

Here, Scandi meets Scottish design – think Bamse chairs covered in curly sheepskin fleeces – and farmto-fork feeding punctuates your days.

Fresh eggs by the Aga for breakfast, a packed lunch for fly-fishing (with your personal ghillie) or biking trips, topped off with venison or loch-caught salmon around the big communal table for dinner.

Rent Tay House through Scott Williams scottwilliams.co.uk and Killiehuntly Farmhouse killiehuntly.scot

LAKES/YORKSHIRE DALES The Lakes are always sublime, but this spot sits just outside the District in the less well-trodden Yorkshire Dales. Looking out over Howgill Fells, it’s the kind of countryside with wild ponies, waterfalls, river glades and castles. The spot in question is the laid-back but luxurious Brownber Hall. Previously an award-winning B&B, it reopened this summer as a private house for a group of up to 15 and was joined by Brownber House, a Victorian farmhouse that sits just next door. Both properties have been designed by exSoho House architect Georgina Rose, combining original details such as William Morris wallpaper

and stained-glass windows with creature comforts including Moroccan rugs, velvet sofas and freestanding baths.

Most importantly, you’ll still be able to enjoy being expertly looked after by owners, Peter and Amanda, who live in the grounds. They can take care of all the food so there’s no hassle of cooking after long days romping over the fells. Familystyle dishes, puddings and picnic hampers can all be dropped off at your doorstep.

Book Brownber Hall and Brownber House via brownberhall.co.uk

NORTH KENT The wild Isle of Sheppey is only an hour’s drive from London, but this patch of North Kent feels a world away. Its crown jewel is the family-owned Elmley Nature Reserve: 3,300 acres of pure wilderness, nature and vast skies.

Sitting in the middle of the reserve is the sixbedroom Kingsmill Farmhouse, a stay at which can feel like being on constant safari. Whether you’re gathered in the kitchen with its wall of glass or sitting around the fire pit, you can be sure to spot wildlife, including barn owls, marsh harriers and hares. You’ll have access to the island’s miles of nature trails and a private crushed-shell beach where you can swim at high tide – and you might even be joined by a seal.

The area will be a particular hit for foodies, with Whitstable and its oysters half an hour away by car, as well as the award-winning pub The Sportsman at Seasalter – just make sure you book ahead. Stock up on goodies at Faversham’s food market (three times a week) and cheese from Macknades for an autumnal picnic back at Elmley. You’ll also be able to make the most of sampling Kentish beers, ciders and wine, including Chapel Down’s sparkling whites.

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TRAVEL

Caribbean Dream Charlotte Lewis, fashion editor and founder of luxury cashmere travel accessory brand Ven Store, on her love affair with Barbados.

When I was 10 years old, my parents decided in a moment of madness that our family should pack up and move across the Atlantic to live in Barbados. That is where the love story began for me.

Barbados is a celebration of the slow life, and it shows; you’ll meet the happiest people in the world. It’s also an island of two tales: the rugged, Atlantic-battered East Coast that still takes my breath away after 20 years and the serene West Coast, where it feels like swimming in a bath. You won’t find organic coffee stores, but what you will find is so much more special. You’ll eat some of the best food of your life, pulled out of the ocean that day.

We always stay at my father’s house, which is sat on a ridge in the middle of the island. You can see both the calm Caribbean and the wild Atlantic. A mass of greenery and troops of monkeys are your neighbours and it’s a muchneeded antidote to city life.

It’s very easy to get accustomed to island time. Most days are spent in the same way, which is peaceful in itself. We’ll start with a long morning swim at Gibbs, our favourite beach, followed by lunch at The Fish Pot, which is sat in a tiny fishing village near the north point of the island. A slow boat trawl down the west coast is the perfect way to pass the afternoon, before dashing home to watch the sunset from the terrace.

We cook dinner at home most nights, especially in winter when the restaurants get more crowded. My father is a keen fisherman, so more often than not it’s local catch such as Mahi Mahi. The classic Bajan way to cook fish is by blackening it; the fish is coated in a Cajun rub and then fried. You can ask any restaurant on the island to cook like this. Another Bajan favourite is macaroni pie. It was the dish of my childhood and I still ask my mother to make it for me.

Barbados has been the backdrop for some of the happiest moments in my life, including my wedding at Fustic House.

It’s one of a handful of properties designed by the English artist Oliver Messel. An unassuming dirt track opens up into the most breathtaking gardens. I visited as a child with my mother and it stuck with me. When it came to thinking about where to get married, I became obsessed with the idea of those gardens.

When we can travel again, I hope to take my daughter to see her grandfather and swim in the Caribbean Sea.

As told to Kate Lough

Camellia Lamp

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Small | Blue 18cmDiax27cmH £175 Urchin Jug £45

ven-store.com

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

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FOOD

Acclaimed chef and cookbook author Sabrina Ghayour explains her multicultural food philosophy and shares a selection of delicious recipes from her latest release, Simply.

Words: Clare Finney | Photographs: Matt Russell “So what kind of food does she cook?” my mum asked curiously, when I told her I was interviewing Sabrina Ghayour later. Like Sabrina, I was isolating with my mum for lockdown, those three interminable months when the world shuddered to a standstill. For a moment I was baffled: how did my mum not know Sabrina’s food? She’s the multi-awardwinning, best-selling author of five books; a regular face on Sunday Brunch and Saturday Kitchen. Yet when I went to reply, and sum up the dazzling array of dishes that come out of Sabrina’s kitchen, the cacophony of colours and cuisines, feelings and flavours, I struggled to find the words.

“I think in Britain I will always be Persian or Middle Eastern – but I am not really your classic Middle Eastern cook,” Sabrina muses, when I put the question to her on the phone that afternoon. “I do African recipes, Asian recipes – and even my Middle Eastern recipes use ingredients that aren’t Middle Eastern.”

She references a recipe in her latest book, Simply, for marinated chicken wings, marrying fish sauce, harissa and lime juice. “How do you explain that?” she laughs. “Harissa is north African, and fish sauce is Vietnamese.”

Though her first book, Persiana, captured the Persian-style dishes that defined the supper clubs she had become known for, her subsequent recipes have incorporated flavours and ingredients from the globe’s four corners.

“I am happy with a little bit of everything.

People are welcome to label it what they like,” she replies, when I ask if she objects to being pigeonholed. “Did you like it, did you find the recipe straightforward, do you want to make it again – that’s what I care about. If the answer’s yes, then happy days.”

Simply, which hit the bookshelves last month, is the culmination of Sabrina’s characteristic approach to cooking; it is, as the kids might say, peak Sabrina. “It’s not Middle Eastern, it’s not Eastern, it’s not Western – it is Simply Sabrina, because that is the easiest way to explain my food.” Simply is not, as I myself first thought, her answer to the slew of ‘simple’ or ‘speedy’ cookbooks out there, but the encapsulation of her own culinary brand. “It’s a bit exotic, tasty – and accessible,” she says. “I do have

Sabrina Ghayour a book like [those simple cookbooks] in me, but my recipes are already straightforward.

I’ve already stripped most recipes back to a minimal number of ingredients. It’s hard to see how I could pare them back more.”

Though the book opens with a chapter dubbed 'Effortless Eating', there are more involved recipes there too, such as the tangy, teasingly textured fish, okra and tamarind stew pictured.

There are spiced pork wraps with a salsa of crisp green apples, a tahdig of macaroni, and what Sabrina laughingly calls a ‘do-it-in-yoursleep cake’ of pistachio, lemon and rosemary.

It’s a book as intriguing as it is inviting, one that defies all attempts at categorisation and lends itself as much to noisy, laughter-filled feasts with friends as it does a cosy night in on the sofa or a candlelit date night supper. It is, quite simply, Sabrina.

Somewhat unusually, you didn’t learn to cook from your mother or grandmother. How has being a selftaught chef shaped you?

People are desperate for me to have a family recipe, and it’s particularly unusual in Persian culture – but that’s the truth. Mum wasn’t allowed into the kitchen, so she never learned and never taught me. What this did mean was that she always let me play in the kitchen, and mess around with different ingredients.

I was the cook from a young age. Mum knows what good food is though, she’d drive from London to Birmingham for a curry, or from west London to Green Lanes for kibbeh. The

Aswathi Tablecloth, Napkins & Tote Bag Set £195 Gyllene Salad Servers £75 Set of Four Lavaux Goblets Crème de Menthe £55 Set of Four Mosken Glass Dinner Plates £45 Isphahan Range Giant Charger £295 | Set of Four Small Dinner Plates £275 | Set of Four Starter/Side Plates £195 Sorano Range Dinner Plate £20 | Soup Bowl £15

fact that every night during lockdown we have eaten a different meal from a different cuisine can be attributed to her.

You were born in Tehran and now live in Yorkshire – but you made your name teaching and running supper clubs in west London. How did that scene launch your career?

I grew up in Earls Court, after we moved there when I was two. I’d been teaching cooking and doing catering in the evenings and weekends, and it was something to turn to when I lost of Sabrina my job Portrait in marketing.

InGhayour an affluent area, expectations are high – but if you do a good job, you will never stop working, and the Persian and Jewish communities in west and north London are very word-of-mouth. When my first book, Persiana, came out, the people who bought it were the people I’d cooked for, and they spread the word. I always say that London’s dinner party crowd did my PR. What do you look for in dinnerware – and what are your top table tips?

I’ve made many mistakes over the years buying fancy-pants stuff, but the best dinnerware is understated: let the food do the talking. I love big platters in blues or greens – I’m obsessed with those two colours – and then nice, simple glassware, and some matte gold cutlery. In my culture we don’t do plated meals: it’s always a spread of dishes, and it’s nice to those on contrasting colours so it’s popping and vibrant.

What do you hope people will get out of Simply?

I want to instil confidence. I don’t want people to cook my recipes, look at the book and think – mine doesn’t look like that. I want them to say, WOW, yes! One of the funniest bits of feedback I've ever had was from someone who said, I took a day off to tackle six of your recipes, and I was done in two hours. I said, I hope you made a drink and put your feet up.

Don’t spend days in the kitchen if you don’t have to. Life is too short.

Simply: Easy Everyday Dishes from the Bestselling Author of Persiana by Sabrina Ghayour (Mitchell Beazley, £26) is out now.

Clare Finney is Fortnum and Mason's Food Writer of The Year.

Food styling: Aya Nishimura Prop Styling: Jennifer Kay

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Lamb & Mint Kofte These simple yet delicious little kofte are based on something I tasted in a restaurant in Antakya (the Ancient Roman city of Antioch in southern Turkey), and use dried mint – a wonderfully versatile ingredient. These kofte really are pleasingly straightforward and a recipe that I’ve made many times since coming back from that trip.

MAKES ABOUT 20 500g minced lamb 1 onion, minced in a food processor and drained of any liquid, or very finely chopped 2 tablespoons dried mint 2 eggs vegetable oil, for frying generous amounts of Maldon sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper Greek or natural yogurt with chopped fresh mint leaves, to serve

Put all the main ingredients, except the vegetable oil, into a large mixing bowl and, using your hands, work them together really well, pummelling the meat mixture for several minutes into a smooth, even paste.

Take golf-ball-sized amounts of the mixture and shape into round patties, about 20 in total.

Heat a large frying pan over a medium-high heat. Once hot, drizzle in a little vegetable oil and cook the patties in batches for 3–4 minutes on each side until browned on both sides and cooked through. Thread each patty on to a little wooden skewer and serve with a bowl of Greek or natural yogurt scattered with some chopped fresh mint for dipping.

FOOD

Maast-o-esfenaj - Spinach & Yogurt with Walnuts This is a much-loved staple of Persian cuisine. Traditionally, we don’t add garlic or sumac, and walnuts may be used to garnish the top, but I like to add them to the dish for texture. This is the one dish that always surprises my students at my Persian cookery class, as yogurt is always thought of as a dip in the West, while the Persians treat it as a main event but also as a condiment that goes with or over everything, or it can be simply enjoyed on its own.

SERVES 6–8 250g spinach leaves 500g thick Greek yogurt 1 large garlic clove, minced 2 generous handfuls of walnut halves, roughly chopped 2 teaspoons sumac, plus extra to garnish olive oil, for drizzling Maldon sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper flatbread, to serve

Bring a saucepan of water to the boil, add the spinach and simmer for 2–3 minutes until wilted, then drain and plunge into a bowl of iced water to stop it from cooking further. Once cooled, drain well and finely chop.

Put the spinach into a mixing bowl with the yogurt, garlic, walnuts (reserving some for garnish), sumac, a little drizzle of olive oil and a generous amount of salt and pepper.

Mix together well.

Spread the mixture out on a flat plate, then drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with extra sumac and the reserved walnuts before serving.

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Pistachio, Lemon & Rosemary Cake The pistachio is the king of Persian nuts, and using naturally bright green Persian pistachio slivers helps create the electric green colour of this cake. Fragrant with lemon zest and aromatic rosemary, it’s also gluten free.

SERVES 8 – 10 150g unsalted butter 4 x 10cm sprigs of rosemary, leaves very finely chopped 3 eggs 100g golden caster sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon lemon extract (alcohol-free) 2 heaped tablespoons Greek yogurt Finely grated zest of 3 large unwaxed lemons

Fish, Okra & Tamarind Stew I dedicate this recipe to my dear friend Bryan Koh, who I first met in Singapore and who took me to some of the best places in town for local cuisine, including fish head curry. Sadly, it isn’t something we get to eat very often back home in England, so I came up with a version that we make at home and enjoy while thinking of Bryan.

SERVES 4 – 6 100g fresh root ginger, peeled 25g fresh turmeric, unpeeled and scrubbed 1 onion, cut into rough chunks 4 garlic cloves, peeled vegetable oil, for frying 3 cardamom pods, bashed 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 1 teaspoon fennel seeds 1 teaspoon chilli flakes 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 300g fresh okra (or use frozen whole okra, defrosted) 3 tomatoes, roughly diced 1 tablespoon unsweetened tamarind paste 500g skinless chunky white fish fillet, such as cod, hake or haddock, cut into 4cm chunks Maldon sea salt flakes and generous amounts of freshly ground black pepper

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Put the ginger, fresh turmeric, onion and garlic into a mini food processor and blitz to as fine a paste as you can achieve.

Place a saucepan over a medium heat, drizzle in a little vegetable oil and add the paste. Cook for 8–10 minutes until all the moisture has evaporated and the paste has mixed with the oil, ensuring it doesn’t catch.

Add the dry spices and salt and pepper and stir. Add the okra and stir to coat it in the mixture, then stir in the tomatoes and tamarind paste. Pour in just enough water to cover the ingredients, cover the pan with a lid and leave to simmer over a gentle heat for 30 minutes until the sauce thickens, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking. If you have a lot of liquid left in the pan, remove the lid and cook over a slightly higher heat for a few minutes until it has reduced.

Place the fish chunks on top of the stew, cover the pan with the lid and cook for 5 minutes. Remove the lid, spoon the okra and sauce over the fish and cook for a further 5 minutes. Serve with rice.

100g ground almonds 300g pistachio slivers (or whole nuts), very finely blitzed in a food processor, plus extra to decorate

For the icing 150g icing sugar 25ml freshly squeezed lemon juice Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan), Gas Mark 4. Take a large square of baking paper, scrunch it up, then smooth it out and use to line a 22–24cm round cake tin or ovenproof dish.

Warm the butter in a saucepan over a gentle heat until just melted, then remove from the heat, stir in the rosemary and leave to infuse.

Put the eggs, caster sugar and vanilla and lemon extracts into a mixing bowl and beat together until well combined. Mix in the yogurt, followed by most of the lemon zest (reserving a little for decorating the cake), the ground almonds and pistachios. Pour in the infused melted butter and mix again until evenly combined.

Pour the batter into the prepared cake tin or ovenproof dish and shake to level the surface, then bake for about 45 minutes until golden brown on top and springy to touch. Remove from the oven and leave the cake to cool completely in the tin or dish.

Mix the icing ingredients together in a small bowl until smooth.

Carefully remove the cake from the tin or dish and set it on a serving plate. Pour the icing on top and leave to set, then scatter with the pistachios and reserved lemon zest before serving.

FOOD

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Charger Plate £295

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TA I LOR ED

TO

PER FEC TION

The sofa is one of the most integral pieces in every home, so why wouldn’t you want to create one that is made just for yours? That was the idea behind Tailored by OKA, our new handmade-to-order sofa service with over 800 combinations to choose from.

“This is very exciting for us, as it is the first time we are putting the design in the customer’s hands,” explains OKA co-founder Sue Jones on the eve of the launch of our first made-to-order sofa collection, ‘Tailored by OKA’. The collection, available to order in-store and via our website at oka.com/tailored, comprises four styles, one footstool, three fabric options and 18 colours, so no two pieces ever need look the same.

“We have always been known for creating modern heirlooms, so it was important that the sofas be exceptionally well-made so they could be loved and passed down for generations,” explains Sue. “Of course, the key to longevity is quality; they really needed to be as good on the inside as they look on the outside.”

“It was important that the sofas be exceptionally well-made so they could be loved and passed down for generations.”

As simple as the brief sounds, it took many years to find the perfect sofa-maker to help bring the vision to life.

“We really wanted the sofas to be made by hand, using traditional methods. And since OKA started out as a small English brand, with a love for beautifully made pieces, we wanted to collaborate with a company with the same background and ethos,” Sue says.

The family-run business eventually chosen is staffed by some of the most passionate and skilled craftsmen in the business, who have been handmaking sofas for years. Every step of the process happens in the father-son duo’s workshop, a creative hub nestled in the English countryside – a light, open space, with tools, benches and vast windows that let the scent of freshly cut wood mingle with country air.

To ensure quality and ownership, a sole maker – with in-depth knowledge of everything from furniture construction to fabric upholstery – is responsible for making an entire sofa, a process known in the industry as ‘frame to finish’. The antithesis of a production line.

86 | find out more at oka.com/tailored

“We really wanted the sofas to be made by hand, using traditional methods.�

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Tailored by OKA HANDMADE TO ORDER

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

Egerton When it came to design, the main goal was to keep things simple – to create sofas that could truly fit into anyone’s home, regardless of size or style. “Each of the four sofas is very different to the other, but what they do have in common is that they are so beautifully uncomplicated and extremely comfortable.

You can find embellishment and print in our core sofa range, but with Tailored we really wanted craftsmanship and comfort to take centre stage, through the shapes, structure and even the stitching,” explains Sue.

“The traditional English sofa is definitely in the spotlight at the moment.”

The designs were also guided by patterns in the industry – “The traditional English sofa is definitely in the spotlight at the moment, with a huge increase in demand over the past couple of years,” explains Sebnem Barker, OKA’s head of interior design. “Our customers were telling us they want softer seats, curves and a really good balance of classic and contemporary, which works in real ‘lived-in’ spaces.”

The four shapes available at launch are a combination of classic and contemporary styles, with the construction varying to give each its signature look. The Beale’s short, tapered, oak legs, square arms and low-sitting frame give it a modern, clean-cut 88

aesthetic. The Highmore, on the other hand, has rounded arms and a classic curvaceous silhouette. If it’s contemporary versatility you’re after, meet the Egerton, which features gently sloping arms and sumptuous seat cushions. Last, but not least, is the Radcliffe, the embodiment of minimalism, with simple lines and flared arms. Completing the collection is the Fanshawe Footstool, a simple, elegant all-rounder, whose two shapes can also be made to match any sofa in the collection.

All styles are available in three fabrics: Belgian linen (stonewashed or laundered) and OKA’s exclusive range of sumptuous cotton velvet.

With 18 shades, ranging from a neutral oysterhued linen to a dense charcoal velvet (see page 40), and a whole spectrum of bold hues in between, there’s a much greater chance you’ll find a colour to perfectly complement whatever interior scheme you’re planning, or refresh your existing one.

Back in the workshop, the pattern cutting and sewing all happens in situ alongside the sofa construction. As soon as the covers are complete, the maker can apply them to their handiwork. Then it’s time for the finishing touches, like the seat, back or arm cushions, and removable oak legs. “A lot of work went into the construction of the legs. They are such a key component and they are so often overlooked,” Sue says.

“I couldn’t be happier with how the collection has turned out, but I think the best is yet to come,” says Sue. “The point of Tailored by OKA is to give our customers the chance to create their dream sofa, so I can’t wait to see what they come up with, and how the designs look in real homes.”

The ultimate in comfort, with sumptuous seat cushions.

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

Highmore Timeless English style with a sprung seat and back.

Fanshawe A versatile footstool to pair with any OKA sofa.

To browse the Tailored by OKA collection and find out more, go to oka.com/tailored or visit OKA’s Chelsea, Knutsford and Guildford stores to view samples.

Not sure exactly which colour you’re after? Order up to five complimentary fabric swatches from oka.com.

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.

You don’t need an appointment to shop with us, but to avoid queuing you’re welcome to book one by contacting the store you wish to visit directly.

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DELIVERY - UK MAINLAND Standard Delivery £6 Express Delivery £9.96 Fragile Delivery £6 Heavy Delivery £30 For full 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.

Froxfield

We hope that you understand this and appreciate the skill and craftsmanship required to make such high quality products.

Additionally, due to the current global situation, there may be some delays in products arriving in-store. Please contact your nearest store for more information.

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PRICING The pricing and other details in this magazine are valid until 29th January 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 honoured.

Prices include VAT at 20% and exclude delivery charges.

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All products shown are subject to availability.

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POWER DESKING: VA N E S SA K I N G O R I M B E

The multi-award-winning publishing director of British Vogue on how she gets it done.

Top tips on being more productive at work?

- Get dressed and ready properly every day. What you wear affects your state of mind and productivity. It is very hard to nail it with a comfy pyjama mindset.

- Schedule in lunch breaks and exercise, otherwise it is easy to work through for days without realising and suffer loss of energy and concentration. The mental health benefits make this essential.

- Love your workstation. Think of how motivating new-term stationery made you feel after the school holidays – it’s time for the grown-up version of a shiny new pencil case.

Best advice you’ve ever received?

Whenever I complained about anything being unfair, my mother would tell me that expecting things to be fair for people like us is a surefire way to feel let down. Instead I should fortify myself to navigate unjust systems and to work harder than everyone else in order to thrive.

She insisted that I should instead push organisations to become fairer by the time I was established.

It’s sad that, decades on, this advice still resonates for many people of difference, women and to me personally, there should be an equal playing field, but we know this is far from the norm. Happily, I do believe that because of recent events, protests and a new appetite for honest dialogue, many organisations have truly begun the difficult work to make things fairer for all.

and increased the realms of possibility for her. Many successes in my life are directly because of the things she taught me.

What is your personal mantra?

Some you win, some you learn – every day is a school day.

Any advice for someone hoping to follow in your footsteps?

Be inspired by others but forge your own path. There is no fixed formula: many paths can lead to the same, or even greater, end.

Your proudest achievement to date?

My son, Charles.

To see more of Vanessa’s world, check out the highlights section of our Instagram page @oka

What would you say to your younger self?

I would tell her not to change a thing, all of the cringe-worthy stuff is just as valuable as all the times she nailed it. It is all part of the path that leads you to where you are now, which is exactly where you are supposed to be.

How do you find working from home?

Intense. My workload has increased at least three-fold. Simultaneously, childcare responsibilities have obviously increased too. Despite this, I will look back on this time with great fondness. As a working mother, I feel incredibly lucky to have been here to see every one of my son's key development milestones and develop an even stronger bond with him.

Who has been your biggest inspiration?

My grandmother. She was a woman of abundant talents and neverending optimism. She never complained and never fussed about challenges or a lack of opportunities. She left school at 14 years old to support her family but remains the smartest and most eloquent person I have ever known. She educated herself and read all of the classics, quoting them often in her cautionary tales to me. She was enterprising and numerate, funny and charismatic, which endeared her to everyone

Phaedra Mirror 57x67cmH £150 Small Hatton Rug Teal 170x240cm £1,995 Avezzano Desk 100x46x80cmH £795 Lined Rattan Basket With Lid £95 Merton Floor Lamp 60x26x160cmH

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