OKA Magazine: Spring 2020 (UK Edition)

M A G A Z I N E

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S P R I N G

Loft & Found

Step into this London loft to escape the hustle and bustle of city life

Isle Be Here

Explore a blue and white paradise on the Greek island of Santorini

Introducing Collagerie Get to know the innovative new fashion platform

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t’s not only a new year, it’s a new decade, and we have so much to show you: our brand new collection, new inspirations and plenty of interesting articles about influential people and unique things we have seen recently.

Sue Jones Co-Founder and Creative Director of OKA

Spring is the perfect time to update your home, whether it’s with a few new cushions, a throw or you’re completely redecorating. Explore our pages to get inspired. This is only a small selection of our range: visit our website to see all that we have to offer.

I’m excited for you to see our new collection, and I hope you like it as much as we do.

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THIS EDITION’S

CONTRIBUTORS William Sitwelll

William Sitwell is one of the leading food writers and authors in the UK, an award-winning editor, TV and radio presenter, and a restaurant reviewer for The Telegraph. He hosts a number of acclaimed supper clubs in London and Northamptonshire, and is also a regular critic on the competitive cooking programme MasterChef.

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Lucinda Chambers & Serena Hood

Lucinda Chambers was Fashion Director of British Vogue for 25 years, and has extensive experience as a creative consultant and stylist. Serena Hood is former Executive Fashion Director at British Vogue, and has created countless style and fashion edits for the magazine and media sites.

Together, they have shaped the face of fashion and influenced the wardrobes of millions of women. Now they have joined forces to create Collagerie, a new platform where they aim to bring the digital shopping experience to life in an informative and inspiring way.

81 Liz Earle

Liz Earle MBE is the UK’s leading wellbeing entrepreneur, TV presenter and the number one best-selling author of over 35 books on a range of health, beauty and wellbeing topics.

A global brand pioneer, Liz co-founded (but is no longer connected to) the multi-award-winning Liz Earle Beauty Co., before moving on to launch Liz Earle Wellbeing magazine, where she is Editor-in-Chief.

OK A .C OM Browse the entire OKA collection.

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

Rose Mann

Rose Mann is the Founder of Farm Girl - the café that bridged the gap between speciality coffee and restaurants - which has pioneered the recent trend of healthy brunching and gained global popularity. What began as a desire to bring Melbourne’s vibrant brunch culture to London has positioned Farm Girl as a leading name in the food and wellness industry.

Originating in Notting Hill, there are now five sites across the city.

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STOR E S NAT ION W I DE We have 14 stunning stores situated around the country, and even more opening soon.

See P.97 to find your nearest.

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Isle Be Here Step into Sue Jones’ blue and white paradise in Santorini.

The Design Insider

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Our industry expert reveals the best new books, exhibitions and more.

The Chronicle Collection Explore our brand-new range of candles and diffusers.

The Loched Hut Lucinda Waterhouse transforms a dilapidated property into an idyllic hideaway.

Introducing Collagerie

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Lucinda Chambers and Serena Hood, formerly of British Vogue, are transforming the digital shopping experience.

Loft & Found

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Discover an industrial loft that is the perfect antidote to busy city life.

Lead By Design Let our talented Interior Design team inspire you to redecorate.

The Blonde Hedgehog Take a trip to Alderney, where this beautiful new hotel has just opened.

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Castilian Character We turn up the heat in this terracotta-toned apartment in Toledo.

Fresh From The Farm

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Rose Mann, Founder of Farm Girl, tells us all about creating a café.

Woven In Nature Relax and unwind in Annabel Astor’s new orangery.

Drawing From The Classics See what happens when we recreate rooms from iconic novels.

Après Dark

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Nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, this contemporary chalet eschews traditional log cabin style.

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Chez Moi William Sitwell, The Telegraph’s restaurant reviewer, reveals the delights of the private chef.

From Paris, With Love

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Get to know the Co-Founder of The Invisible Collection, the platform selling a curated selection of pieces by the world’s best interior designers.

Liz Earle’s Favourite Things

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The leading wellbeing entrepreneur talks everything from business to style.

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“People still have pieces in their homes from our first collection - that’s the sign of a classic.”

Sue Jones

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

Benoa Floor Lantern £75 Faux Miniature Olive Tree £75 Saddle Leather Maxi Bar £1,095 Reeded Bone Ice Bucket £195 Low Stack Shelves 68x40x73cmH £865 Set of Four Lavaux Goblets - Crème de Menthe £45 Ormoy Dining Chair 66x60x90cmH £750 Hooghly Rug 244x305cm £1,495

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T H E L AT E ST

NEW COLLECTION Cevoli Leather Lanterns Small 31cmDiax23cmH £195 Large 31cmDiax38cmH £275 Faux Fern Bunch £115 Set of Three Olabe Decorative Panels on Stand £225 Glin Herringbone Linen Ottoman 138x92x47cmH £995 Decorative Golden Poulpe £55 Nugola Round Leather Woven Basket £395 Pair of Jonglere Decorative Wooden Balls £175 Costellini Velvet Ottoman - Blood Orange 47cmDiax45cmH £235

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I S L E B E H E R E This season, Sue created a sleek paradise on the Greek island of Santorini.

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his house is set in such beautiful surroundings, and Sue wanted the landscape to be a major feature within the home. “I used huge windows, so that you can see the view outside and also to make the most of the extensive natural light,” she says.

Sue predominantly used furniture in neutral tones, but to add depth to the scheme, she added shades of blue and turquoise, as well as a few other pops of colour.

NEW COLLECTION Roheline Wall Art 180x200cm £1,395 Qinlin Vase £995 Papavera Vases Small £95 Medium £145 Large £245 Demoiselle Dish £150 Large Rectangular Kalivia Dining Table 240x100x76cmH £2,995 Stafford Leather Chair - China Clay 45x59x92cmH £380 Costellini Ottoman Shown in: Charcoal | Alchemilla 47cmDiax45cmH £235 Decorative Golden Cerezas £30 Set of Three Jujak Feather Decorations £125 Tiryn Mirrored Wall Art 104x4x127cmH £1,995 Odense 3-Seater Sofa Off-White 210x97x92cmH £2,995

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SANTORINI

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NEW COLLECTION

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SANTORINI

“The views onto the beach outside just help the sitting room come to life, with the white sand and blue sea being reflected in the interiors.”

Sue Jones

O P P O S I T E P A G E 1-3. Arashi Cushion Cover Collection - Grey Blue/Onyx 1. Burijji 2. Noboru 3. Hasu-Hana 56cmSq £75

Locke Ottoman With Drawers 103cmSqx40cmH £3,995 Odense 3-Seater Sofa - Off-White 210x97x92cmH £2,995 T H I S P A G E Olja Table Lamp 20cmDiax42cmH £250 (seen with Pleated Linen Shade - Off-White 45cmDiax31cmH £80) Magnante Console Table 160x32x82cmH £1,595 Darver Swivel Armchair 67x98x70cmH £1,950 Baricella Side Table With Shelves 50x28x61cmH £550

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“It is so important to have a peaceful and calm bedroom, it encourages a good night’s sleep.”

As well as using neutral tones, Sue made sure she incorporated lots of storage pieces, from a large wardrobe, to an ottoman at the end of the bed and a side table with many drawers.

Grista Wardrobe 120x57x203cmH

£2,495

Crusoe Upholstered Ottoman 122x78x42cmH £1,450 Kildonan Throw 130x170xcmH £95 Jaqueta Lamp 35cmDiax58cmH £395 (seen with Kawa Pleated Drum Shade - Jet 35cmDiax23cmH £105) Zhenyi Side Table (available in April) 40cmDiax62cmH

£1,395

‘Pearl Colour’ 14

NEW COLLECTION

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SANTORINI

“Sometimes using neutral-toned furniture and accessories can be just as interesting as going wild with colour.”

Sue Jones

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NEW COLLECTION Leroux Mirror 69x3x137cmH £895 Thurstaton Decorative Ornament on Stand £85 Druantia Chest of Drawers 124x47x92cmH £2,495 1-4. Arashi Cushion Collection - Saffron/Onyx 1. Noboru 56cmSq £75 2. Burijji 56cmSq £75 3. Hasu-Hana 56cmSq £75 4. Sumi 60x35cm £65 Flavian Side Table 80cmDiax77cmH £1,195 Miniature Faux Fiddle Plant £75 Atherton Dining Chair 55x65x85cmH £675

To shop the look, visit oka.com/isle

16 | view the entire collection at oka.com

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SANTORINI

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NEW In this dining room, Sue displayed a menagerie of pots in different shapes and sizes, to play on the Ancient Greeks’ love of pottery.

“Blue and white is a colour combination that just works, it always looks classic and sophisticated.”

She brought in a dash of red in the napkins, to add a little contrast, and, of course, a beautiful faux olive tree – as every Greek home deserves.

1. ‘Ivory’ Cutlery From £16 2-3. Mosken Range (available in April) 2. Set of Four Dinner Plates £45 3. Set of Four Side Plates £35 4-5. Set of Four Omilla Tumblers 4. Short £45 5. Tall £45 6. Set of Six Tarifa Napkins, Tablecloth & Tote Bag Set - Imperial Red

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(available in April; bag and tablecloth not shown) £195

7. Set of Four Arlecchino Glasses (each glass features the same swirled pattern in a different colour) £75

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8. Shenlong Lidded Jar £495 9. Zetian Lidded Jar £295 10. Minxian Jar £150

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18 | view the entire collection at oka.com

Stafford Velvet Chair - Sea Blue 45x59x92cmH £335 Large Rectangular Kalivia Dining Table 240x100x76cmH £2,995 Faux Large Potted Olive Tree £325 Large Arrina Eco Vase £150

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C H A I R S From left to right:

Washakie Velvet Chair - Truffle 50x59x98cmH £325 Stafford Velvet Chair - Alchemilla 45x59x92cmH £335 Taino Chair 68x52x86cmH £195 Stafford Velvet Chair - Putting Green 45x59x92cmH £335 Feur Chair 47x49x88cmH £195 Stafford Velvet Chair - Sea Blue 45x59x92cmH £335 Stafford Leather Bar Stool - China Clay (available in April) 45x59x110cmH

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£450

To see our full collection of collages, visit oka.com/collages

THE

DESIGN

INSIDER

The Design Insider is our undercover source who reveals all the industry secrets.

Find out what’s going on and who is doing what each season, with our anonymous expert.

MAD ABOUT THE HOUSE Veteran interiors journalist, blogger, and stylist Kate Watson-Smyth, aka Mad About the House, is launching her third book. ‘101 Interior Design Answers’ is a practical companion for anyone wanting to start a home project, however large or small. Her opening chapter on the six essential questions to apply to any scheme: ‘Who, what, when, where, why and how?’ provides an inspiring springboard for the bulk of the book, which is organised into eight useful sections. Each of these is arranged in a Q&A format (like, “How do I choose a sofa?” and “What about grout?”) with a handy concluding checklist. You’ll be an expert by the end.

Mad About The House: 101 Interior Design Answers (£20, Pavilion) is out in March. madaboutthehouse.com

FEELING CRAFTY? Calling all craft lovers! Plenty of diary dates for you, courtesy of the Craft Council. Firstly, there’s ‘Collect: International Art Fair for Modern Craft and Design’, where over 40 galleries from all over the world bring work that ranges from glass, to timber, to ceramics. Collect Open is always a must-see, with 12 installations on topics such as climate change and dementia being tackled by leading craftspeople. Then, the end of March sees the reopening of the Craft Council headquarters, which have been renovated and revamped by AOC Architecture, experts in cultural buildings. Visitors will enjoy enlarged gallery space with the opening exhibition ‘Maker’s Eye’ showcasing highlights from the institution’s 1,700-strong collection. In addition, there will be a publicly accessible study and a renewed programme of events, talks, workshops and demos ramping up in anticipation for its 50th anniversary in 2021.

Somerset House, London 27th February - 1st March (Craft Council HQ is 46-52 Pentonville Road, London, N1 9HF) craftscouncil.org.uk

DON’T MISS...

Exhibition

TIM WALKER: WONDERFUL THINGS Enter the surreal and magical world of this influential fashion photographer. His portraits of Tilda Swinton are spellbinding, as is his series on masculinity. Just as fun is the dreamy exhibition design, by long-term collaborator Shona Heath. £15 entry at the V&A Museum until 8th March. vam.ac.uk

Podcast

MATERIAL MATTERS WITH GRANT GIBSON This podcast is an insightful, warm and enjoyable journey through a host of designers and makers as they discuss their relationship with craft and creativity with Grant Gibson, journalist and former Editor of Crafts magazine. Edmund de Waal on porcelain is a particular gem, as is the episode with American curator Glenn Adamson discussing material intelligence. buzzsprout.com/248727

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PR ESEN TING THE F IRST CH A P TER OF T H E CH RON IC L E COL L E C T ION We’r e del ighted to i nt ro duce you to OK A’s new Ch ron ic le C ol lec t ion of c a nd les a nd d i f f u ser s .

Written by Clare Montgomery A personal perfume is olfactory tailoring.

Dabbed on pulse points, its aroma wraps around us like a jacket, accessorises like a scarf, crowns an ensemble like a jewel. It tells the story of who we are or who we want to be, communicates character, states intention. It’s in conversation with all who cross our paths. Home fragrance, on the other hand, is a quieter customer. Like the blanket enveloping idle toes, it doesn’t go anywhere; it imparts its message within four walls. It’s a conversation between your house and you, and whoever else crosses the threshold.

“Interior scent should be a signature for a home, creating atmosphere and telling stories.” Sue Jones Wanting to give the OKA home an olfactory voice, Creative Director and Co-Founder Sue Jones turned to the expertise of the world’s oldest and most highly reputed chandelier, Cire Trudon, and sought the fluency of fragrance makers at Robertet in perfume’s capital, Grasse in the South of France. Perfumer Emilie Bouge’s practiced nose has interpreted Sue’s brief to create four transporting scents that launch flights of fancy to moments lost in time: a summer party where the smoke of a twilight fire cuts through the lingering aroma of sun-warmed flora; a secluded island beach where a soundtrack of lapping waves is accompanied by the smell of patchouli and citrus fruits; a crisp mountain setting with violets underfoot, cedar in the air, and bergamot in the orchards; an amber autumn mist lifted to reveal ripening vines. “They are designed to trigger the senses, recreate amazing places, emote feelings, tastes, smells,” says Sue. Selecting and lighting a candle, pausing to hear

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its story and allow its aromas to massage the senses has become a modern ritual that slows us down and counters the chaos outside our four walls. It’s a deceleration that is perfectly matched by the slow, meticulous production techniques employed by Cire Trudon when making the candles themselves.

“The manufacturing of scented candles is a difficult art,” affirms Julien Pruvost, Creative Director of Cire Trudon, who are credited with furnishing the court of Louis XIV with candles.

“Blending two things that in atmospheric conditions are in entirely different states - one solid (wax) and one liquid (fragrance) that then burn and melt together to release scent is far more complicated than it may seem.” The manufacturer’s perfectionist pursuit is that of a homogenous burn (evenly across the surface), where the flame is stable - not too strong or low regular and safe, with a decent ‘throw’ (strength of scent release). To this end, rations of mineral and vegetable waxes in the blend are adjusted and wicks adapted, by varying the diameter, thread count and weave structure, according to the mix.

When the parameters are set, the quality of the burn is then rigorously tested. Whilst for the most part mechanical and modern, the process is nevertheless labour intensive. Not only are the wicks straightened no less than four times and then cut by hand, the end product is then wiped and packaged by hand, with every aspect of the unboxing experience considered.

For her part, Sue has ensured that the elegant aesthetic of the candles’ containers and accompanying reed diffusers - both tapering ceramic jars with a midnight blue glaze and minimal labelling, featuring only an insignia inspired by an antique lock - blends into the OKA environment and plays its part in the sensual feast that is a very modern scenting ceremony.

To see the full collection, visit oka.com

“They are designed to trigger the senses, recreate amazing places, emote feelings, tastes, smells.�

Sue Jones

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Our extensive collection of faux flower stems and ready-made bunches are unbelievably lifelike - buy them for yourself or give them as presents. oka.com/bunched

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THE LOCHED HUT Co-Founder Lucinda Waterhouse transforms a hut on the edge of a stunning loch into the ultimate bolthole.

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If you asked Lucinda what kind of space she has always dreamed of designing, her answer would be instant: a rural hut. “I’ve always found the idea of them so charming,” she says. So, when she came across this neglected property on the edge of a loch, she couldn’t resist the opportunity. “It was completely overgrown, there was grass growing inside and the windows were broken. I couldn’t help but think that this could be completely transformed with a little bit of care. It was a very small space but it could be such a sanctuary. The perfect bolthole for a weekend away.

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“The sitting room is small and compact, so I had to be really careful with how I used the space. I love the stripy sofa with tassels, it just adds such fun. Storage was a problem in the hut, so I used side tables that had drawers and a large ottoman as a coffee table. I stuck with a blue and red colour scheme throughout, as it makes the place look more sophisticated and together.”

“It was transformed from an overgrown hut into a remote sanctuary.”

T H I S P A G E 1-2. Koyari Cushion Cover 1. Teal Blue 2. Vermillion Red 51cmSq £55 3. Ulaika Cushion Cover 51cmSq £55 Taino Bench 137x50x84cmH £545 Aldus Cushion Cover Persian Red/Lead 51cmSq £60 Cranesbill Upholstered Ottoman 122x78x42cmH £1,450 Cria Alpaca Throw - Midnight Blue 130x200cm £285 O P P O S I T E P A G E Tarma 2-Seater Sofa 137x89x88cmH £1,995 Wyatt Chest of Drawers 77x44x82cmH £995 Fyli Lamp 26cmDiax35cmH £145 (seen with Malati Pleated Drum Shade - Marine Blue 45cmDiax31cmH £110) Set of Twelve Exotic Leaf Framed Prints 24x3x31cmH £295

26 | view the entire collection at oka.com

NEW COLLECTION

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The bedroom is quirky and different but sleeps three, in the three single beds. Each bed can be enclosed behind a curtain and has its own side table and lamp. “The room is absolutely ideal for children, but I love it so much, I would happily sleep in here too,” says Lucinda.

O P P O S I T E P A G E Aglovale Wall Lamp 26x15x26cmH £125 Cria Throw - Burgundy 130x200cm £285 Watelet Cushion Cover 60x35cm £40 T H I S P A G E Grisewood Lamp & Shade Loganberry 31x19x41cmH £175 Fontana Side Table 45cmDiax60cmH £695 Chyangra Goat Hair Cushion Cover - Cheetah 50x35cm £100 Ely Rug - Rosy Brown 244x305cm £2,595 1a&b. Anar Reversible Cushion Cover - Blue 51cmSq £60 2. Palmyra Cushion Cover 51cmSq £60

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Ikat Stripe Loose Cover For Echo Dining Chair 42x65x75cmH £225 (available soon)

Fyli Lamp 26cmDiax35cmH £145 (seen with Malati Pleated Drum Shade - Marine Blue 45cmDiax31cmH £110)

Tuan Framed Textile 90x8x90cmH

£995

Coleridge Armchair - Ice Blue Linen 71x84x78cmH £1,125 Fractal Leaf Cushion Cover - Ocean Blue 51cmSq £60

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Déjà Blue These blue beauties are utterly timeless.

They transcend any era; always ready and waiting to bring character and a calming wash of colour to your home.

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F R O M L E F T T O R I G H T Zabiya Decorative Vases Large 12cmDiax31cmH

£30 Medium 12cmDiax24cmH £25 Grenadilla Lamp - Peacock £145 Set of Four Skeleton Coral Prints 50x70cmH £325 Set of Four Small Elne Champagne Flutes 10cmDiax15cmH £45 Aldus Cushion Cover - Blue/Persian Red 51cmSq £60 Plain Velvet Cushion Cover - Atlantic Blue 51cmSq £55 Lea Table Lamp 18cmSqx30cmH £295 (seen with Pleated Linen Shade - Grey Blue 40cmDiax28cmH £70)

20cmDiax39cmH

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INTRODUCING COLL AGERIE

Lucinda Chambers, expert creative consultant, stylist, and Fashion Director at British Vogue for 25 years, has joined forces with Serena Hood, the former Executive Fashion Director at British Vogue. The two have already shaped fashion and influenced the wardrobes of millions of women, but now they’re bringing the digital shopping experience to life in an informative and inspiring way with their new curated platform, Collagerie.

When Lucinda and Serena left Vogue after sitting across from each other for five years, the idea for Collagerie arose organically, in Lucinda’s kitchen. “We both felt the need for a shopping platform that was practical as well as being visually exciting,” says Serena, adding, “we both want to shop from it, all of the time.”

Both women were interested in fashion from an early age, taking inspiration from their mothers. Lucinda fondly remembers how her mother used to make all of her clothing. “We would go to the Harrods designer room, try everything on, and go back home and try to copy them,” she says. Serena recalls Saturdays spent exploring the stalls of Portobello Road with her mother, saying, “her love of fashion definitely kick-started mine.”

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

With this kind of early “high-low” inspiration, it’s easy to see how Collagerie’s intriguing offering took shape.

The platform curates styles for fashion, interiors, lifestyle and beauty, and you’re just as likely to find carefully selected pieces from H&M as from JW Anderson or Hermès. The effect is uplifting.

You’ll also find some OKA pieces on the site. The pair love the “mix and variety, the textures and the colours” that OKA use. “It really speaks our Collagerie language,” says Serena.

“It’s thrilling to start one’s own company. I loved every part of my career and feel very lucky about that.”

T H I S PA G E

Apse Round Dining Table With Metal Inlay 140cmDiax77cmH £2,350 Rander Ceramic Stool - Red 32cmDiax46cmH £175 Baricella Sideboard 160x39x86cmH £1,195 O P P O S I T E P A G E

Set of Four Arlecchino Glasses £75

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COLL AGERIE PICKS

Channel Lucinda and Serena’s impeccable style with these pieces.

“Line up three for colour and shape and bring forward spring.”

Faux Potted Amaryllis Plant £95 Faux Mini Planted Orchid £25 Faux Small Planted Phalaenopsis Gigantea Orchid £60

“A real statement piece and only for the brave.

Paired with a black lampshade, it looks really smart.”

“Throw a throw at the end of your bed, the back of a sofa or wrap it around you whilst watching a box set.”

Timna Lamp 29cmDiax43cmH

£350

Lowndes Throw 140x180cm £125

Linnaeus Squares Cushion Cover - Burgundy/Indigo 56cmSq £38

“Let this migrate from inside to out - we always love a stripe at Collagerie.”

Large Dinard Tablecloth 150x300cm £195

“Such a useful addition for almost anywhere, whether it’s in the bedroom or sitting room. Great for putting your feet up, as well as pulling up for extra guests.”

Tantallon Floor Cushion - Red 62cmSqx55cmH £295

34 | view the entire collection at oka.com

TRICK OF THE LIGHT Harness natural light and make a small room appear much bigger with a carefully placed mirror or two.

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5 1. Airi Mirror 71x100cmH £395 2. Small Magritte Mirror 69x121cmH £745 3. Small Oban Mirror 52cmDia £195 4. Basile Mirror 105x139cmH £695 5. Small Killarney Mirror 40x50cmH £95 6. Small Versailles Mirror 23x31cmH £50 7. Juventa Bevelled Mirror 90cmDia £425 8. Antiqued Bamboo Mirror 60x80cmH £325 9. Leroux Mirror 69x137cmH £895

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SPOTLIGHT

THE CONTORTIONIST It’s a pleasure to introduce you to the Zhenyi, a side table that embodies storage and faux shagreen at their finest. This clever little piece has the ability to pivot at will, transforming from a classic drum design into one with three nifty compartments.

Zhenyi Side Table (available in April) 40cmDiax62cmH

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ÂŁ1,395

LONDON

LOF T & FOUND

Looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life?

Step into this peaceful loft, which overlooks Regent’s Canal.

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Gently weaving its way from West to East London, Regent’s Canal remains one of the city’s many hidden gems. Whilst once its banks were used for industry and its channels for transport, today you’ll find arty cafés, tranquil towpaths and, perhaps, if you wander far enough, this spacious loft that is situated at the top of an old Victorian foundry.

The history of the property dictates some of its most striking features: the exposed brickwork, simple white-tiled walls and painted wooden flooring.

Coleridge Armchair - Natural 71x84x78cmH £1,050 Glin Herringbone Linen Ottoman 138x92x47cmH £995 Pietro Corner Sofa - Natural 283x97x65cmH

£5,500

Plain Linen Cushion Cover - Citrine 51cmSq £40 Plain Velvet Cushion Cover - Charcoal 60x35cm £50 51cmSq £55 Pattani Cushion Collection - Mustard 1. Eclipse 51cmSq £45 2. Dots & Dashes 51cmSq £45 3. Geometric 60x35cm £40

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NEW COLLECTION A pared-back colour palette of browns and neutrals complements the architecture of the property and creates a sense of calm. Pops of rich charcoal, citrine and mustard, on luxurious materials, add depth and tie the room together.

The loft is big and open plan, so it was key to introduce plenty of accessories to ensure that the space felt welcoming. Nature-inspired items, like faux coral, and natural textures, such as wood and rattan, provide the perfect antidote to the industrial aesthetic. £675 Arthur Dining Table £2,950 Large Glass Hurricane Lamp/Vase £45 Faux Berry, Magnolia & Eucalyptus Bunch £155 T H I S P A G E Curtiz Console Table - Natural 175x50x80cmH £1,395 (available in April) Raphia Mirror 90x4x150cmH £745 Thurstaton Decorative Ornament on Stand £85 Eressos Decorative Wooden Panel on Stand £175 O P P O S I T E P A G E Atherton Dining Chair 55x65x85cmH

165cmDiax80cmH

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To designate an area for the bedroom, huge swathes of fabric were hung over the rafters. The curtains separate the space in a dramatic way, but, as they are almost sheer, have no impact on the vast quantity of natural light that the loft benefits from. With such high ceilings, a four-poster bed was a must, and a large rug was introduced to add an essential warming layer to the wooden floor.

T H I S P A G E Tuffete Ottoman 120cmDiax39cmH

£1,250 Bayuban Cabinet £2,695 Nugola Round Leather Woven Basket £395 O P P O S I T E P A G E Gullion Bench 220x42x48cmH £1,950 Chalca Rug 240x305cm £1,595 King Size Zamindar Four Poster Bed & Mattress 172x224x211cmH £4,750 1. Oware Cushion Cover 60x35cm £55 2. Stonewashed Linen Cushion Cover With Fringing - Off-White 51cmSq £65 121x57x201cmH

Designed by Anders Olsson.

To shop the look, visit oka.com/loft 42 | view the entire collection at oka.com

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Lead By Design You’ve created a Pinterest board full of inspiration. You’ve trawled home renovation accounts on Instagram for hours. You’ve even made a mood board using clippings from your favourite interiors magazines. Next step: talk to our design team and make your fantasy a reality.

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“The OKA design team is fantastic. I had my own ideas about the design but it was so helpful to discuss them and bring them to life with someone else. On top of this they were incredibly nice... I felt like I’d spent the day with a friend! I’ve ended up with some timeless pieces from OKA which I absolutely love.”

Client Testimonial

How It Works FREE INITIAL CONSULTATION A discussion to understand your requirements with one of our dedicated interior design consultants instore.

THE DESIGN PROCESS

If the thought of starting an interior design project leaves you feeling overwhelmed, why not let our talented interior designers take care of everything? With over 20 years’ experience working on design projects of all sizes and budgets around the world, you can trust us to achieve your vision.

Our personal service starts from the first consultation. Your appointed designer will take the time to listen to your ideas and understand your interiors style, in order to create a space that looks beautiful and works for you.

Whether you’re redecorating a whole house, you want to include your existing furniture, or you’re looking for something bespoke, our flexible approach means we can tailor our design process to suit your specific requirements.

From concept to completion, our dedicated team will work closely with you to ensure the finished design is exactly what you imagined.

We specialise in turnkey projects and pride ourselves in our ability to deliver them on time and on budget in just a few weeks. No matter how big or small your project is, the initial consultation is free, and our design fee is redeemable* instore upon completion. So, sit back, relax and let the experts bring your design ideas to life.

Following an on-site visit, we will draw up a spatial plan, visual presentation and put together a virtual shopping list.

DELIVERY & INSTALLATION Our premium ‘White Glove’ delivery service ensures 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.

Call 03332 400744 or email designservice@oka.com to book your appointment. *minimum spend required.

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TRAVEL

The Hunt For The Blonde Hedgehog Entrepreneur and hotelier Julie-Anne Uggla speaks with us about finding inspiration in Alderney, the challenges of opening a hotel, and making design a family affair.

You could be forgiven for not having been to or even heard of Alderney, one of the northern Channel Islands, but from now on, you might be sorry to admit it. Entrepreneur and first-time hotelier Julie-Anne Uggla has called our attention to the island with the September opening of The Blonde Hedgehog, her lavishly designed boutique hotel that has made its home in the quiet main town of St Anne. The hotel takes its name from the island’s rare but beloved population of albino hedgehogs, which are often spotted wandering about Alderney.

During her first visit, Julie-Anne fell in love with what she describes as Alderney’s quirky charm. “It’s like going back in time,” she says, also citing the island’s “breath-taking views and nice people,” as some of its best attributes. Finding a place to stay in Alderney during her subsequent trips, however, often proved difficult. Realising there was a major gap in the market, and that newcomers to the island were sure to fall in love with it just as she had, Julie-Anne set out to create her own hotel.

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With the help of family and community members, Julie-Anne has now brought some of the key elements of Alderney life—which she cites as “community, tenacity, and pride”—into the philosophy and fabric of The Blonde Hedgehog.

In addition to the snags you might expect when embarking on such an ambitious undertaking for the first time— “I had absolutely no idea what I was doing, I really jumped in head-first”—JulieAnne faced some hurdles specific to being situated on an island. Alderney has a small airport, but travellers are otherwise dependent on ferries, which are inherently fickle and run on a limited schedule at certain times of the year.

“Everything depends on the water and the boat!” she says.

Another challenge set by Julie-Anne herself was the commitment she and her staff made to keeping the hotel plastic-free and fully composting. This, however, she says, was easier to implement than she initially thought. “I had a lot of guidance from my daughters. They are passionate about a plastic-free world.”

The challenges do not outweigh the advantages of The Blonde Hedgehog’s perch. It is surrounded by exquisite coastline, has a refreshing sense of remoteness, a beautifully preserved military history, stunning sun-washed beaches, and, of course, a unique population of quirky hedgehogs. And they’re nothing compared to the fact that Julie-Anne was able to share the new experience with family.

“The three buildings are Georgian and Victorian, each bringing their own individual identity.”

Several of the hotelier’s family members were heavily involved in the project early on. As mentioned above, her daughters helped her undertake the banishment of plastic from the hotel’s halls, but one particular daughter, Cassidy, oversees marketing, whilst Cassidy’s sister-in-law, Charlie Horner, designed the hotel. To Julie-Anne, this level of family involvement was encouraging. She insists it was fabulous to work with them, “as they know me so well and could easily see my vision and help me to achieve it.”

The Blonde Hedgehog occupies three 18th century buildings in St Anne - two

townhouses and a cottage that is ideal for families or groups of friends. Some of the hotel’s nine rooms are named after places that are iconic at an international level, such as Le Marais Suite, but most are recognisable only to those who know and love Alderney. Tourgis, for example, is a reference to the island’s western Fort Tourgis and Tourgis Hill.

Beaumont recalls Rue du Beaumont on the northern coast, and we can only assume that Burrow and Spikes were named after the island’s famous fourlegged inhabitants. “Each room has its own style but they are reflective of each other in colours and feel. The three buildings are Georgian and Victorian, each bringing their own individual identity,” says Julie-Anne.

Charlie Horner was inspired in her design of the hotel interiors by JulieAnne’s own home and personal taste, which Julie-Anne describes as “boho chic, elegant yet cosy.” According to the hotelier herself, Horner “nailed it, with every detail.”

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The hotel’s look is a blend of country comfort with modern updates like midcentury-style furniture. Muted greens are paired with bright jewel tones and rich velvets. Horner furnished the interiors with a combination of antique pieces and British brands, including OKA. “OKA’s pieces personify what I value the most in style and comfort,” remarks Julie-Anne.

“They have a unique yet familiar feel and a fabulous selection that can fit into any home.”

Julie-Anne cites the OKA Saddle Leather Mini Bars as some of her favourite pieces in the hotel — “I love the OKA leather bar” — though the Taino Chair, Merle Console Table and several OKA mirrors also feature in The Blonde Hedgehog and amongst her own top picks.

Inspired by the idea of a stay in such lovely lodgings? In case you’re thinking of getting on the next ferry, Julie-Anne gives us her idea of a perfect day in Alderney at The Blonde Hedgehog. “I would start with a farm-totable breakfast at the hotel, then get one of the island’s electric bikes and explore its incredible landscape and fascinating history.

Have lunch at the Georgian; walk on one of the many beaches and then enjoy garden dinner and drinks in the summer at The Blonde Hedgehog or by the fire in the winter.”

Julie-Anne hopes that the hotel will enable her to give back to Alderney’s economy by welcoming more visitors to the island.

“I want The Blonde Hedgehog to create a truly unique experience right on the doorstep of the UK,” she says. “Be prepared to fall in love and never want to leave!”

We’re prepared. blondehedgehog.com

SE T T H E SCE N E Key furniture and accessories found in The Blonde Hedgehog.

Huaca Reversible Cushion Cover Charcoal 51cmSq £75 Saddle Leather Mini Bar 38x25x35cmH £695 Merle Console Table 100x27x80cmH

£795

Large Camellia Lamp - Celadon 25cmDiax40cmH £225

(seen with Drum Linen Shade - Natural 45cmDiax29cmH £65)

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C A STILI A N CH A R AC TER Warm colours, contemporary furniture and classic architecture unite in the ancient Spanish city of Toledo, a melting pot of culture and history.

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If you have wound your way through the maze-like cobbled streets of the ancient Spanish city of Toledo, to the top of the tallest hill, you might have unknowingly passed this apartment. Sprawling across the top floor of a medieval building, it is an oasis that offers breezy respite from the Mediterranean heat.

When decorating the space, it was important to embrace the grand architecture of the property. Cool stone floors, high ceilings and large windows create an airy feel that lends itself perfectly to the climate, and the ornate carved doors are striking features all by themselves.

The apartment is testament to the fact that classic and modern design can live in perfect harmony: the overall look is one of cohesion with clever use of colour.

Everything is perfectly matched: the chairs and textiles take their cues from the bold terracotta walls, an opulent element was introduced with golden accessories and detailing, and the dining table is the exact same shade as the original dark wood paneling.

Hercule Mirror 122cmSq £525 Botero Modular Sofa Range From £1,850 Calabash Lamp - Pebble £175 (seen with Pattani Eclipse Shade Cabernet Red 45cmDiax31cmH £110, available in April) Large Marylebone Coffee Table 160x140x40cmH £2,150 Nest of Six Lama Offering Bowls £145 Set of Two Zion Lidded Urns Aruba Blue £65 Stafford Velvet Chair - Blood Orange 45x59x92cmH £335 Large Apse Dining Table 240x100x77cmH

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T H I S P A G E Stafford Velvet Chair - Blood Orange 45x59x92cmH

£335 Large Apse Dining Table 240x100x77cmH £2,595 Yichun Decorative Cauldron £295 Qinlin Vase £995 Jadis Decorative Jug £90 Faux Miniature Olive Tree £75 Ormoy Dining Chair 66x60x90cmH £750 1-2. Plain Velvet Cushion Cover 1. Blood Orange 2. Elephant Grey 51cmSq £55 3. Ghini Fronds Cushion Cover Red 60x35cm £32 4. Ayabaca Cushion Cover 56cmSq £95 O P P O S I T E P A G E Set of Four Skeleton Coral Prints 50x4x70cmH £325 Plain Velvet Cushion Cover - Hot Pink 51cmSq £55 Olson Table Lamp & Shade £250

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TOLEDO

“Terracotta is the perfect base colour for this apartment; it manages to be warm, earthy and elegant, all at once.”

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‘Red Ochre’

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COFFEE TABLES

Fro m l e f t t o r i g h t :

Merle Coffee Table 80x60x40cmH £750 Small Marylebone Coffee Table 140x80x40cmH Set of Two Mirrored Solasta Tables Large 92cmDiax41cmH; Small 61cmDiax36cmH

£1,295

£995

Abbotsford Ottoman - Marine Blue 106cmSqx43cmH £850 Costellini Velvet Ottoman - Charcoal 47cmDiax45cmH £235

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HOW D O Y O U TAKE Y O UR S ?

Whether you go for a flat white, a cappuccino or an espresso, they will all look good on one of these tables.

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NEW Illaja Wall Art 80x7x80cmH

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£795

How’s It Hanging?

Sometimes paintings and pictures are as happy sitting on the floor as they are on the wall. How do you show off yours?

Set of Six Framed Whippet Portrait Prints 35x45cmH £295 Set of Twelve Bird Prints 24x30cmH £295 Framed Pair of Branch & Leaf Prints 69x93cmH £275 Set of Four Chinese Piper Framed Prints 33x43cmH £325 Skull Framed Collage 100cmSq £375

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1. Set of Four Chinese Piper Framed Prints 33x43cmH £325 2. Makila Wall Art 80x7x80cmH £795 3. Set of Four Seaweed Framed Prints 61x83cmH £325 4. Set of Six Framed Whippet Portrait Prints 35x45cmH £295 5. Framed Pair of Ace of Clubs & Diamonds Collages 75x100cmH £495 6. Set of Twelve Anatomical Fruit Framed Prints 38x50cmH £350 7. Set of Eight Coral & Seaweed Prints 44x55cmH £425 8. Set of Twelve Feather Prints 24x31cmH £295 9. Set of Twelve Bird Prints 24x30cmH £295

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£425 2. Set of Twelve Feather Prints 24x31cmH £295 3. Set of Four Chinese Piper Framed Prints 33x43cmH £325 4. Set of Twelve Anatomical Fruit Framed Prints 38x50cmH £350 5. Set of Twelve Bird Prints 24x30cmH £295 Lantau Desk/Dressing Table 120x50x78cmH £1,750 Costellini Velvet Ottoman Alchemilla 47cmDiax45cmH £235 Small Octagon Side Table 49cmDiax60cmH £395 Faux Potted Aloe Vera Plant £75 O P P O S I T E P A G E Small Killarney Mirror 40x50cmH £95 Set of Six Framed Whippet Portrait Prints 35x45cmH £295 T H I S P A G E 1. Set of Eight Coral & Seaweed Prints 44x55cmH

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FRE SH FROM T HE FA RM We caught up with Rose Mann, the original ‘Farm Girl’ and Founder of the popular London cafés, the interiors of which have become just as iconic as the menus.

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1. Chyangra Goat Hair Cushion Cover - Cheetah 50x30cm £100 2. Kawa Kaleidoscope Reversible Cushion Cover - Loganberry 56cmSq £95 3. Fractal Leaf Cushion Cover - Ocean Blue 51cmSq £60 4-5. Herrinko Range 4. Set of Four Mugs £30 5. Set of Four Side Plates £45 6. Bukva Glass Tealight Holder Pink £25 7. Dappled Glass Tealight Holder £25

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Having grown up on a farm in Australia, the concept of eating sustainably comes naturally to Rose, but how did she translate this into a café?

To the naked eye, Melbourne and London might look like similarly cosmopolitan cities, but what struck Rose upon moving to the capital was that the combination of “easy food and good coffee didn’t really exist.”

So, she set out to change this.

Rose’s advice for starting a business is to “always go with your gut,” which was incredibly important for her when embarking on her own entrepreneurial adventure. It was only after finding the perfect chef - who used to cook for David Beckham - navigating the complexities of food laws and regulations, and battling with landlords to secure her perfect Notting Hill location, that the first Farm Girl was born.

“We hit the market at the right time,” says Rose. Whilst now it’s hard to imagine dining without gluten-free options or plant-based milks, a few years ago this wasn’t the case.

Farm Girl was among the first to think creatively when it came to dietary requirements and alternatives. It’s not about wellness trends - in fact, Rose is pleased to see that people seem to be taking a step back from the plethora of information about the latest ‘healthy’ foods - the most important thing is embracing seasonal fruit and vegetables to create wholesome recipes, taking inspiration from a wide variety of places and cultures. Coming up with new menus is “the best time but also the hardest time,” according to Rose.

Costellini Velvet Ottoman - Rioja 47cmDiax45cmH £235

“Cafés never used to be colourful. For us, it’s all about colour and flavour.”

For customers, Farm Girl’s aesthetic is just as important as the food. “Nigella Lawson once instagrammed a sandwich,” Rose tells us, and the cafés frequently have winding queues of people outside waiting to peek at the signature pink and green interiors - which we also adore.

thefarmgirl.co.uk

Vanilla Hibiscus Latte The ‘Rose’ and ‘Lavender’ Lattes are some of Farm Girl’s bestknown drinks, and now we have our very own OKA one too.

Here is the recipe for you to recreate at home: •

1 teaspoon dried hibiscus or a hibiscus powder

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1 drop pure vanilla essence

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1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

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cup almond or oat milk

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A pinch of Himalayan salt

Blend the hibiscus, cinnamon and salt together with 20ml hot water.

Let it brew for approximately 3-4 minutes.

Steam the milk until nice and frothy.

Add to the brew and enjoy hot.

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SIDEBOARDS

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Go Overboard Your sideboard will be there for you when you need a place to rest your plate, store your books or complete a room.

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£2,295 2. Franconi Sideboard 135x46x91cmH £1,495 3. Aulnay Sideboard £1,550 4. Balabac Sideboard 151x40x87cmH £1,195 5. Dalu Faux Shagreen Sideboard - Taupe 110x50x80cmH £2,795 6. Iliosse Sideboard 200x52x87cmH £3,325 O P P O S I T E P A G E Small Drummond Sideboard 120x42x95cmH £1,650

T H I S P A G E 1. Inigo Sideboard 200x50x101cmH 140x50x84cmH

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GAR DEN

COLLEC TION

Our new garden collection is launching soon.

Find out more at oka.com/garden

WOVEN IN NATURE When designing a new orangery in her countryside home, Co-Founder Annabel Astor drew inspiration from all that nature has to offer. Step inside to explore a property bursting with colour and texture.

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“I wanted to move away from a solely neutral colour palette, but the space still needed to feel calm.”

When Annabel set about designing this space in her rural home, it was essential to achieve a tranquil look, but one that didn’t play by the rules.

“I always feel so at peace when out walking in the countryside, so I wanted to bring an element of this inside by introducing more natural materials and textures,” Annabel says.

She used plenty of rattan, rustic woods and soft-toned upholstery to create a relaxed aesthetic in the dining room; this light colour scheme allowed her to incorporate plenty of vibrant patterns and tones when it came to the accessories. “I love green and I wanted to do something a little different, so I thought, why just stick to one shade when there are so many beautiful options?” explains Annabel.

T H I S P A G E Gillear Dining Table

179x90x78cmH £1,775 Mosaic Cushion Cover - Green 51cmSq £60 Washakie Linen Chair - Stonewashed Eau de Nil 50x59x98cmH £320 Drummond Sideboard 180x42x96cmH £2,175

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Tjikko Dining Table 281x100x77cmH £2,200 Lotus Candle Holder Large £65 Medium £55 Stafford Linen Chair - Natural 45x59x92cmH £305 Tilacancha Rug 255x310cm £1,595 Round-Based Crystal Glassware From £110 (per set of four) Set of Four Lavaux Goblets - Crème de Menthe £45 Ellington Hanging Lamp - Antique Bronze/Gold Large 50cmDiax41cmH £175 Small 35cmDiax35cmH £150

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Creating a cohesive look was especially important to Annabel. ”I wanted each room to be unique, but very much part of a whole concept, so I specifically included wood and rattan in several rooms. In the bedroom, the headboard, the top of the chests of drawers and the back and sides of the chair are all rattan. It’s such a beautiful material that adds a lovely textured element,” she

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says. The bedroom in particular had to feel very inviting, which Annabel achieved with warm oranges and browns, luxurious velvet cushions and dashes of gold. With matching chests and lamps, the room is near perfectly balanced too, which enhances the serene atmosphere.

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NEW COLLECTION Juventa Bevelled Mirror 90cmDia £425 Cartama Desk 130x63x93cmH £2,195 Set of Three Sibudu Wooden Sculptures £125 1. Tamri Lamp 16cmDiax38cmH £125 (seen with Pattani Pleated Eclipse Shade - Mustard 35cmDiax23cmH £75, available in April) Ormoy Dining Chair 66x60x90cmH £750 2. Morcent Lamp 24x14x49cmH £225 (seen with Pattani Pleated Eclipse Shade - Indigo 45cmDiax31cmH £110, available in April) Keeling Double Headboard 138x7x156cmH £500 3. Bamboo Sequence Cushion Cover 60x35cm £55 4. Plain Velvet Cushion Cover - Elephant Grey 51cmSq £55 5. Mosaic Cushion Cover - Blue 51cmSq £60

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Drawing From The Classics Interiors inspiration can be found anywhere, even in the pages of your favourite book.

We took the descriptions of distinctive rooms from two classic novels and brought the words to life using OKA pieces and a little imagination.

By Frances Hodgson Burnett *

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“Some odd materials ials of rich colours had been fastened against the wall… some brilliant fans were pinned up, and there were several cushions, big and substantial enough to be used as seats… spread upon the floor was a thick, warm crimson rug; before the fire…a folding table, covered with a white cloth and upon it spread… a cup, a saucer, a teapot; on the bed were new warm coverings… the ugly walls were eventually covered with pictures and draperies.”

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* Penguin Books Ltd 2012; ** Penguin Books Ltd 2009

1. Washakie Linen Chair - Coral 50x59x98cmH £320 2. Budle Lamp 40x12x44cmH £325 (seen with Rectangular Shade - Natural Linen 45x29x24cmH £65) 3. Ithaca Hand-Woven Floor Cushion 50cmSqx50cmH £275 4. Herrinko Teapot 1.1 litres 23x13x17cmH £30

By Evelyn Waugh**

NEW “We dined in a room they called ‘the Painted Parlour’. It was a spacious octagon, later in design than the rest of the house; its walls were adorned with wreathed medallions and across its dome prim Pompeian figures stood in pastoral groups.

They and the satin-wood and ormolu furniture, the carpet, the hanging bronze candelabrum, the mirror and sconces, were all a single composition, the design of one illustrious hand.”

5. Set of Six Seashell Framed Prints 40x54cmH £275 6. Noboru Cushion Cover - Saffron/Onyx 56cmSq £75 7. Ballygannon Mirror 62x102cmH £395 8. Pair of Lakadema Leopard Candle Holders 9cmDiax25cmH £50 9. Round Acanthus Dining Table 161cmDiax74cmH £2,695

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APRÉS DARK

Nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains is this contemporary chalet, with an impressive vista a n d i n t e r i o r s t o m a t c h.

Eschewing the traditional log cabin style, the interior of this modern mountainside retreat near Lake Tahoe, Sierra Nevada, is slightly off-piste. Gone is the plaid, cowhide and brown leather, replaced by rich textures and dark accessories that work together to deliver a contemporary update. As a nod to the alpine setting, we kept the panelled walls but chose wood with a smooth finish to give the chalet a more refined edge. Natural materials feature heavily throughout the space to reinforce the connection to the mountain landscape but also show how simple pieces can still have an impact.

Different tones and textures of wood help to create depth and interest, whether in the form of abstract art on the walls or as a coffee table centrepiece.

Garasu Side Table 65cmDiax46cmH £475 Anozoria Paperweight £30

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Nanping Wall Art 120x5x120cmH £795 Eustace Lamp 17cmDiax35cmH £295 (seen with Drum Shade Linen - Natural 45cmDiax29cmH £65) Abbotsford 3-Seater Sofa - Wide Herringbone Linen 195x84x75cmH £1,995 Plain Velvet Cushion Cover - Putting Green | Charcoal 51cmSq £55 60x35cm £50 Cornaro Cushion Cover - Multi 60x35cm £48 Vasa Linen Lounge Chair 73x79x83cmH £750 Set of Two Garasu Nested Coffee Tables Large 104cmDiax39cmH; Small 84cmDiax31cmH £1,495 Longshaw Decorative Inlay Box £175

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“A d r a m a t i c h e a d b o a r d c a n t a k e a b e d f r o m a v e r a g e t o a v a n t - g a r d e .”

NEW COLLECTION

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LAKE TAHOE

The bedroom is all about dramatic decadence. A striking headboard was fashioned from a hand-carved piece of wooden wall art, then flanked with black column lamps on dark faux shagreen sideboards to give the space a moody, masculine feel.

Comfort has not been forgotten either; tactile pieces in velvet and wool provide warmth and softness against the cool metal and glass furniture.

O P P O S I T E P A G E Carved Feather

Wall Art 120x5x160cmH £795 Simone Table Lamp 20cmDiax51cmH £295 (seen with Drum Shade - Black Cotton 50cmDiax29cmH £55) Plain Velvet Cushion Cover Charcoal 51cmSq £55 Vataro Cushion Cover - Alchemilla/Noir Blue 60x35cm £55 51cmSq £60 Cria Alpaca Throw - Flint 130x200cm £285 Mallory Stool - Vixen 67x53x48cmH £425 Hooghly Rug 244x305cm £1,495 T H I S P A G E Dalu Faux Shagreen Sideboard Onyx 110x50x80cmH £2,795

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LAKE TAHOE

For the pièce de résistance, we moved the drama to the big screen and included a cinema room. Ideal for those days when there’s a total whiteout, a dark, cosy snug - complete with luxurious leather recliner chairs, soft lighting and warm throws invites you to watch your favourite films in ultimate comfort. With a hot chocolate in hand, is there anywhere better to unwind after an exhausting day?

“This dark leather recliner is the per fec t blend of comfor t, lu xur y an d m o d er ni t y.”

T H I S P A G E Merton Floor Lamp 60x26x160cmH £425 Torla Recliner Lounge Chair - Greyhound 81x93x90cmH £2,895 Chyangra Goat Hair Throw - Cheetah 130x160cm £750 Hasu-Hana Cushion Cover - Saffron 56cmSq £75 Costellini Velvet Ottoman - Sea Blue 47cmDiax45cmH £235 Melaka Rug 240x305cm £1,995

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CINEMA

Lights, Camera, Action...

In no particular order, here are our top four cinemas. Please take your seat.

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Not only is the Electric Cinema a good place to catch a movie, but its Portobello Road location also happens to be a great brunch haunt (the Electric Diner serves everything from breakfast to cocktails). The screens themselves have been designed with comfort in mind and each is equipped with armchairs and cashmere blankets.

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Ciné Lumière is an independent movie theatre in South Kensington that shows classic and French films. Situated in the red brick Grade II listed building of the Institut Français, this cinema has two screens: an intimate, Art Deco-style 35-seater, and a much larger room that accommodates up to 230 people.

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Backyard Cinema all started when its Founder began screening movies in his garden, which he would project onto bedsheets. The company is defined by its nostalgic film sets, which – to date – have included a church with a choir, a beach with palm trees and a winter garden swathed in fairy lights.

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Secret Cinema is an immersive event that sees warehouses and public parks cleverly transformed into cult film locations.

They’ve put on a huge range of productions, including Stranger Things, Dirty Dancing and Moulin Rouge. We don’t want to give too much away, but what we can tell you is that every participant is given a character to play. This involves being assigned names, missions to complete and hints on what to bring and wear.

The more ‘in character’ you are, the more you will get out of your experience. Cameras and phones are not permitted - to prevent both spoilers and distractions.

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T H I S PA G E

Set of Nine Dutch Tulip Framed Prints 24x31cmH £250 Morcent Lamp 24x14x49cmH £225 (seen with Kawa Pleated Silk Drum Shade - Jet 50cmDiax33cmH £195) Decorative Pied Ornament £55 Kaishu Console Table 200x50x85cmH

£1,395

NEW COLLECTION

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ZEBRA CROSSING You’re at a crossing. Which way do you choose? Luckily, there is no wrong answer: every turn leads to beautiful black-andwhite striped goat hair accessories.

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Goat Hair Photo Frames Small (picture size 13x18cm/5x7”) £75 Large (picture size 20x25cm/8x10”) £90 Goat Hair Cushion Cover 35x50cm £100 Bristow Range Luggage Tag £25 Box File £245 Wallet with Keyring £30 Magazine Basket £225 Travel Jewellery Roll £145 Set of Six Coasters £75

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All of our goat hair items are made using byproducts of the meat industry.

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A D R O P I N T H E O C E A N Forget about feeling blue, it’s the aqua feeling that everyone is after.

Here are some beautiful pieces to get you started.

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AQUA

O P P O S I T E P A G E Roheline Wall Art 180x200cm £1,395 Magnante Console Table 160x32x82cmH £1,595 Vorto on Stand £195 T H I S P A G E Qinlin Vase £995 Yichun Decorative Cauldron £295 Olja Lamp 20cmDiax42cmH £250 (seen with Pleated Linen Shade - Off-White 45cmDiax31cmH £80) Tilacancha Rug 255x310cm £1595

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BIG, B OLD & BE AUTIF UL Who knows what goes on behind (beautifully designed) closed doors? Our cabinets and wardrobes are full of secrets - not to mention drawers, shelves and rails as well.

GRISTA The nostalgic Grista Wardrobe in Nordic grey recalls a distinctly Gustavian design.

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WARDROBES

ANVARD

GEDDES

blankets or bed linen.

97x47x199cmH

Rustic and elegant, the Anvard has a purposefully distressed finish, carved indent detailing and plenty of room for clothes,

The beautiful, bejewelled Geddes draws on Art Deco furniture. You could even use it as a full-length mirror.

115x58x185cmH

£2,575

£1,350

NEW

BAYUBAN

Hand-made from wood and metal, boasting two drawers, three adjustable shelves and a hanging rail, this impressive cabinet takes storage to another level.

121x57x201cmH

£2,695

BOURGES

Featuring a carved quatrefoil design, single drawer and plenty of storage space inside, the Bourges is an excellent combination of form and function.

104x55x198cmH

£2,695

stores nationwide | oka.com | 85

Chez Moi William Sitwell, the Daily Telegraph’s restaurant reviewer and MasterChef critic, discusses the delights of inviting a private chef into your home.

As a restaurant critic I’m constantly asked for recommendations. And so I keep a top five in my head at all times. But now I’m doing something different. Assuming you like the home you live in, my advice – for this the dreariest time of the year – is to stay put. Make your home your favourite restaurant. Staff up and think of it as the food equivalent of self-partnering. It’s selfindulgent and the happiest person in the room could well be you. After all, it’s your dining room everyone is wallowing in, your furniture they are sitting on and eating at, and your cutlery and crockery. And, best of all, someone else is doing the cooking and clearing.

Because surely if money was no object you would employ a chef. Employing a private chef every now and again can let you

indulge that fantasy and if you think it’s too expensive just share the cost with your friends. And do it now, because, trust me, it’s all the rage.

Some of the best emerging talent in the food world can be found in the realms of private cheffing. Take Marianne Lumb, for example. A finalist on Great British Menu and MasterChef, she had her own place, an exquisite little Notting Hill 14-cover restaurant, until 2018 when she quit to work in the private sphere. Now she travels around the world cooking for a variety of clients. “I get to travel to amazing places, there’s so much variety. And with one major client they are so charming that I feel like one of the family.” Although whereas in the restaurant world chefs are always able to share their work on social media, “private

cooking is just that,” adds Marianne, “it’s private. So you have to be very discreet on social media.”

Which means that when she’s cooking in beautiful locations – be it Sardinia or Switzerland - we can only guess who the client is.

For London-based Irish chef Blo Deady, it’s that variety that spurs him on. “I have a phobia about being in the same room all the time and with private cheffing I love that every client is different and every job is different,” he says. “And I get to cook new food, to experiment with new produce all the time and it means that I can always cook seasonally.”

Deady avoids taking jobs for long periods - three months on a yacht in the South of France, for example - because, he explains, “I find I miss out on working for new clients and people quickly stop asking if you keep saying you aren’t available.”

Gloucester-based chef Matilda Carr also loves the variety and that, “every job I have is exciting and I do loads of research, reading books and finding ingredients and ideas that suit the client.”

Matilda quit her job working for the high-end hand-painted wallpaper firm de Gournay in 2018, is self-taught, and now runs her own very successful business.

As with Marianne and Blo, “almost all my clients are word-of-mouth,” she says, although some come via Instagram.

As for the downsides, “it can be quite lonely,” says Matilda, “but I make great friends with my suppliers!” And Marianne adds that: “You might not develop as fast as you’re not cooking in a time.”

Marianne, Blo and Matilda are leading lights of the hottest new non-restaurant trend. So if you want to impress your friends and you’d rather not step out of the house, booking them to cook for you could be the most delicious thing you do in 2020.

The chefs ready to take over your kitchen

Marianne Lumb’s high-end work and inspiration is on display at her Instagram account @marianne_lumb and you can contact her via her website:

Matilda Carr’s natural, decorative

for local producers can be seen on his website along with details of how to book a place at his monthly supper club.

blodeady.co.uk

chefmarianne.com

matilda@bymatilda.co.uk

Blo Deady’s seasonal food and passion

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food and table design can be seen on Instagram @_by_matilda.

For sample menus email:

Ron Arad and Sue Jones

Lucinda Waterhouse

Blo Deady Chefs

Award-winning designer (and OKA collaborator) Ron Arad was the host of our latest OKA Supper Club, held at our Chelsea Flagship store, where he unveiled his show-stopping design to friends and fans, alongside good food and excellent company.

Ron Arad and Elizabeth Hurley

Blo Deady

William Sitwell

Annabel Astor and Sue Jones

Lucinda Chambers, Catriona Gray & Marianne Cotterill

stores nationwide | oka.com | 87

“Our faux flowers have all the beauty of the real ones but they last forever.�

Sue Jones

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REALITY CHECK We have to tell you the truth, and we know it might be difficult to believe, but these beautiful, incredibly lifelike bunches are, in fact, faux.

NEW

1

3

2

1. Faux Foxglove, Scabiosa, Hydrangea & Eucalyptus Bunch £130 Vase £195) 2. Faux Ranunculus & Hop Bunch £130 (seen with Small Loutro Vase - Pale Celadon £35) 3. Large Faux Mixed Hydrangea Bunch £165 (seen with Medium Fyli Vase £60)

(seen with Zhenyao

stores nationwide | oka.com | 89

T H I S P A G E Coleridge Armchair - Natural Linen

£1,050 Merton Floor Lamp 60x26x160cmH £425 Costellini Velvet Ottoman - Charcoal 47cmDiax45cmH £235 O P P O S I T E P A G E Small Cardoon Candle Holder 20cmDiax27cmH £40 Sorano Breakfast Cup & Saucer £15 Plain Velvet Cushion Cover - Blood Orange 60x35cm £50 71x84x78cmH

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From Paris, With Love Get to know Isabelle Dubern-Mallevays, Co-Founder of The Invisible Collection, the first online platform to sell a curated selection of pieces by the world’s best interior designers.

A

s a design consultant, former Artistic Director for Dior Maison, and Artistic Advisor for Diptyque Paris, working with the most talented craftspeople, interior designers and artists is second nature to Isabelle. Having realised that many pieces of furniture are created by designers and architects for private projects, and that often the public never get the opportunity to see or purchase these unique items, the idea for The Invisible Collection was born: a space that offered these confidential pieces to collectors.

Collection to work together. The AKO chair, a Ron Arad creation for OKA, is available on The Invisible Collection, and we had the pleasure of hosting a joint dinner in celebration of its launch at PAD London.

Born out of the friendship between Isabelle and her partners, Anna Zaoui and Lily Froehlicher, The Invisible Collection dreams to “sell the design classics of tomorrow,” and now hosts exquisite furniture from over 70 designers. Each piece is made by craftspeople in the best workshops in Europe, “we are very attached to the tradition of decorative arts,” says Isabelle.

When it comes to decorating her London home, it is the “classic, very comfortable and timeless” Coleridge Armchair that catches Isabelle’s attention. “This minimalist and masculine version goes well in my flat, which has a slightly worn floor and a beautiful view of a garden,” she explains. Part of the charm of the Coleridge, as Isabelle details, is that “it can be mixed with vintage as well as very modern pieces, and contemporary or classical art.”

With this shared ethos in mind, it seemed only natural for OKA and The Invisible

Isabelle came to London nearly six years ago, and shares her time between the city and Paris. “I think the first address Anna gave me for furnishing my apartment when I arrived in London was OKA,” Isabelle tells us.

“I’ve always admired Sue Jones: chic, simple, and radiant, a great traveller and so quintessentially British,” she says.

“The Coleridge is beautiful in all environments: a house in the countryside in the Cotswolds or Puglia; an apartment in New York or Paris.” stores nationwide | oka.com | 91

Ottoman Em p i r e NEW 2

NEW 5

NEW 1

3

NEW 4

1. Cranesbill Upholstered Ottoman 122x78x42cmH £1,450 2-3. Costellini Velvet Ottoman 2. Sea Blue 3. Alchemilla 47cmDiax45cmH £235 4. Ely Floor Cushion - Granite/Lead White 69cmSqx30cmH £325 5. Miskin Velvet Upholstered Ottoman - Marine Blue 138x92x47cmH £995 6. Chyangra Floor Cushion - Cheetah 50cmSqx40cmH £300 7. Crusoe Upholstered Ottoman 122x78x42cmH £1,450 8. Tuffete Ottoman 120cmDiax39cmH £1,250

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Whether you are using one as a coffee table or your four-legged friend has cheekily claimed it as their new bed, these multi-purpose beauties will serve you well.

6

NEW 7

NEW N 8

stores nationwide | oka.com | 93

Baricella Side Table 60x40x62cmH £575 Hatta Coffee Table 105cmDiax40cmH £1,875 Miskin Velvet Ottoman Marine Blue 138x92x47cmH £995 Mallory Stool - Vixen 67x53x48cmH £425 Apse Round Dining Table With Metal Inlay 140cmDiax77cmH £2,350 Dalu Faux Shagreen Sideboard - Onyx 110x50x80cmH

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£2,795

NEW COLLECTION

Gillear Coffee Table 150x85x43cmH

£1,325

Raphia Mirror 90x4x150cmH

£745

Mixing Materials Incorporating lots of different materials into your home can be daunting, but if there’s one rule to remember, it’s that there are no rules. Adopt a ‘more is more’ approach when it comes to texture. Velvet, wood, goat hair and metal can all sit side by side in a room - creating a unique contemporary-meets-classic look.

Murciana Dyed Goat Hair Armchair - Cheetah 58cmSqx78cmH

£625

Large Apse Dining Table Baricella Side Table With Shelves 50x28x61cmH

240x100x77cmH

£2,595

£550

stores nationwide | oka.com | 95

CUSHIONS

NEW 1

3

NEW 6

5

Don’t Be A Square Regardless of their size or shape, cushions just want to have fun - so there’s no reason not to go wild with colour and pattern.

4

NEW NEW

7

2

1-2. Plain Velvet Cushion Cover 1. Perfect Navy 2. Marine Blue 60x35cm £50 3-4. Plain Linen Cushion Cover 3. Deep Blue 4. Citrine 51cmSq £40 5. Roku Thin Stripe Cushion Cover - Blue 60cmSq £45 6. Nesbitt Cushion Cover - Blue 56cmSq £60 7. Koyari Cushion Cover - Teal Blue 51cmSq £55

96 | view the entire collection at oka.com

CUSHION PADS SOLD SEPARATELY AT OKA.COM

Our Stores For full details, including opening hours, call our Customer Services team on 03330 042 042 or visit oka.com/stores Abingdon, Oxfordshire Store & Outlet

Harrogate, N.Yorkshire

Bath, Somerset

Manchester Road WA16 0LT Tel: 01565 220020

Broadway, Worcestershire

25-29 Spittal Street SL7 3HJ Tel: 01628 481418

Chelsea Flagship Store

251 New King’s Road SW6 4RB Tel: 020 7751 9874

153B Brook Drive, Milton Park OX14 4SD Tel: 01235 820320 26-27 Milsom Street BA1 1DG Tel: 01225 443074

46 High Street WR12 7DT Tel: 01386 859631

155-167 Fulham Road SW3 6SN Tel: 020 7581 2574

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

Froxfield, Marlborough

The Forge, Bath Road SN8 3LD Tel: 01488 684250

Guildford, Surrey

Tunsgate Quarter GU1 3QU Tel: 01483 906287

DELIVERY - UK MAINLAND Standard Delivery £6 Express Delivery £9.96 Fragile Delivery £6 Heavy Delivery £30 For full delivery details, visit oka.com/delivery or ask instore.

PRODUCT INFORMATION We do our best to ensure that all items you see in the catalogue 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.

NOT QUITE RIGHT? NOT A PROBLEM We’re happy to offer you 30 days to make up your mind. For our full returns policy, see oka.com/returns

PRICING The pricing and other details in this catalogue are valid until 2nd September 2020. 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.

9 West Park HG1 1BL Tel: 01423 701161

Knutsford, Cheshire Marlow, Buckinghamshire Parsons Green

South Godstone, Surrey - Outlet

Eastbourne Road RH9 8JB Tel: 01342 893868

Sunninghill, Berkshire

Crossways Village, Silwood Road SL5 0PZ Tel: 01344 622988

Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Hoopers Department Store, 2-12 Mount Pleasant Road TN1 1QT Tel: 01892 240403

TERMS & CONDITIONS For our full terms and conditions, visit oka.com/tandc. Your statutory rights are not affected.

All products shown are subject to availability.

HEAD OFFICE OKA Direct Ltd, 170 Brook Drive, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxfordshire OX14 4SD

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GUEST PICKS

My Favourite Things Liz Earle is a leading entrepreneur, TV presenter and best-selling author.

She co-founded Liz Earle Beauty Co., before moving on to launch her eponymous Wellbeing magazine, where she is Editor-in-Chief.

What advice would you give to young female entrepreneurs trying to start their own business?

Trust your gut instinct! As I discovered when writing The Good Gut Guide, our gut is linked to our brain via the largest nerve in the body (the vagus nerve) and those instinctive inner feelings we get when we know something to be true is so often proved right. It’s also vital to be 110% passionate about your brand and to totally love it as it’s likely to consume every waking hour!

What’s the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given?

“Incredibly useful, yet stylish storage.”

Lighten up. It’s perfectly possible – and preferable – to have fun while you work. Advice from my eldest daughter Lily!

You converted your farm in the West Country, what are your best tips for decorating/renovating?

Homes evolve with age so take your time and don’t rush. Buy pieces you truly love and enjoy looking at every day.

What is your favourite room in the house?

The kitchen – it has such lovely light from the windows overlooking the farm fields, and I’m happiest when I have all five of my children gathered together round the table. As they get older and leave home, these occasions become rarer and even more special.

What makes a house a home?

Happy memories and filling it with family and friends.

“This looks like the perfect cushion to sink into.”

How would you describe your style?

I love soft, tactile fabrics and comfort, so you’ll find chairs covered in velvet and big squashy sofas. There’s also a botanical theme that flows throughout, captured in paintings of flowers or small details, such as a vintage tapestry cushion.

Tell us something unexpected about yourself?

I’m learning Swahili. lizearlewellbeing.com 98

“I have these in my Liz Earle Wellbeing studios – and they are always noticed by guests!”

Ashdown Bench - Taupe 150x38x59cmH £995 Bukva Glass Tealight Holder - Pink £25 Low Stack Shelves - Silver Birch 68x40x73cmH £865 Grisewood Lamp & Shade - Grey 31x20x42cmH £175 Chyangra Floor Cushion - Fawn 50cmSqx40cmH £300 Set of Two Opplyst Tables Large 100cmDiax40cmH; Small 80cmDiax45cmH £1,395

In the next issue...

Explore gardens from around the world and different ways to decorate your home for summer. There will be colour, greenery and lots of beautiful new furniture and accessories.

Online oka.com

Stores Click & Collect available

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