Discovering OKA’s Autumn/Winter 2016 Collection: A Journey Through Timeless Design

As the leaves begin to turn and the air cools, the world of interior design eagerly anticipates the unveiling of new seasonal collections. This time of year always brings a fresh wave of inspiration, and few brands capture the essence of refined living quite like OKA. With their Autumn/Winter 2016 collection, OKA once again delights with an extraordinary array of furniture and accessories designed to transform any space into a sanctuary of style and comfort. From luxurious textiles to meticulously crafted furnishings, this collection is a testament to timeless elegance and innovative design.

OKA’s AW16 collection introduces hundreds of new pieces, thoughtfully curated into three distinct inspirational looks, each offering a unique vision for the contemporary home. These looks provide a rich tapestry of styles, catering to diverse tastes while maintaining OKA’s signature aesthetic of understated luxury and global influence. This year, we’re particularly captivated by one of these visions: a stunning, light-filled open-plan apartment conceptualized and designed by the immensely talented Sue Jones, a space that effortlessly marries old-world charm with modern sensibilities and a subtle oriental twist.

Three Distinct Visions for the Modern Home

Beyond Sue Jones’s captivating apartment, the AW16 collection also showcases two other remarkable design concepts. “Palazzo Nuovo” envisions an original Venetian palace reimagined as a sophisticated 21st-century home by the celebrated Annabel Astor. This look exudes grandeur and historical richness, blending classic Italian architectural elements with contemporary comfort and opulent finishes. Think rich textures, intricate details, and a palette that evokes the timeless beauty of Venice.

In stark contrast, “The Berkshire Mahal” presents an interpretation by Lucinda Waterhouse, creating a traditional English country home infused with exotic Indian elements. This fusion results in a design that is both quintessentially British and wonderfully global, featuring vibrant patterns, hand-carved details, and a sense of wanderlust. Both Palazzo Nuovo and The Berkshire Mahal offer unique, inspiring narratives for home styling, demonstrating OKA’s versatility and commitment to crafting diverse yet cohesive design stories. However, it is Sue Jones’s elegant apartment that truly resonated with us, drawing us in with its serene ambiance and thoughtful curation.

Sue Jones’s Open-Plan Masterpiece: A Symphony of Old and New

Sue Jones has masterfully created an inviting space that resonates with a perfect balance of heritage and modernity, enriched by a subtle oriental influence. Her design philosophy shines through in every detail, demonstrating how careful consideration of each element can culminate in an environment that is both aesthetically pleasing and profoundly comfortable. The apartment serves as a brilliant example of how to achieve sophistication without sacrificing warmth, proving that luxury can be both grand and approachable.

“I am far from a minimalist, but it was important for this scheme that all the accessories were chosen and placed with careful precision so you could really see and appreciate them.”

The Art of Living: Designing a Serene Living Room

The living room in Sue Jones’s apartment is a testament to harmonious design, where natural textures play a pivotal role in setting a calming and sophisticated tone. Materials like supple leather, robust jute, and unique goat hair are expertly combined to create a tactile richness that invites relaxation. These natural elements are beautifully complemented by a soft, neutral colour scheme, which forms a serene backdrop, allowing individual pieces to truly shine. The careful selection of these materials adds depth and character, ensuring the space feels both grounded and luxurious.

At the heart of this inviting arrangement lies an oversized leather and brass ottoman, a true focal point that exemplifies both elegance and functionality. This magnificent piece serves not only as a stylish coffee table, perfect for displaying curated decorative items or holding a tray of drinks, but also ingeniously doubles as occasional extra seating, making it ideal for entertaining. Relaxed seating arrangements are strategically placed around this central ottoman, fostering an intimate and conversational atmosphere. Despite the overall relaxed feel, every object, from decorative vases to carefully selected throws, has been chosen with meticulous precision and arranged with an artist’s eye, reflecting Sue Jones’s philosophy of appreciating each item individually.

Seamless Transitions: Open-Plan Living & Dining

The challenge of designing an open-plan living and dining area often lies in creating distinct zones that flow seamlessly into one another. Sue Jones addresses this with an astute understanding of how colour and material can define space without the need for physical barriers. In elegant contrast to the lighter, airier tones of the living room, she introduces darker, richer woods in the dining area. This deliberate choice immediately establishes the dining space as a separate, more intimate zone, adding depth and visual interest to the overall open layout.

Dining Area Elegance: A Nod to Global Influences

The dining area is anchored by a rustic solid oak dining table, its robust and natural character providing a grounding presence. Grouped around this magnificent table are the striking black wooden Murciana chairs, which caught our eye immediately. Upholstered in luxurious goat hair, these chairs offer a captivating blend of comfort and sophisticated design. They immediately bring to mind the timeless elegance of the Hans Wegner Wishbone chair, itself a masterpiece inspired by traditional Chinese design. This subtle nod to global design heritage adds an intellectual layer to the collection, celebrating the enduring beauty of cross-cultural influences in furniture making.

The Murciana chairs are not only a visual delight when clustered around the dining table, creating an inviting setting for meals and conversation, but also incredibly versatile. Their elegant form and comfortable design mean they could just as easily be used as a standalone statement piece at a writing desk, adding a touch of refined style to a home office, or even as a chic vanity chair at a dressing table. This adaptability speaks volumes about OKA’s commitment to creating pieces that are not only beautiful but also inherently functional and long-lasting.

Bedroom Sanctuary: The Allure of the Zamindar Bed

In the bedroom, the magnificent Zamindar four-poster bed takes center stage, an undeniable statement of luxury and architectural beauty. Its commanding presence transforms the room into a tranquil retreat, offering a sense of grandeur that is both inviting and inspiring. This bed is a perfect example of OKA’s ability to blend traditional forms with contemporary sensibilities, resulting in a piece that feels both timeless and exceptionally relevant.

The beauty of the Zamindar bed lies in its incredible versatility. Here, it is sumptuously swathed in rich gold silk, creating an opulent and colourful look that speaks of lavish comfort and sophisticated drama. This styling choice evokes a sense of regal luxury, making the bedroom feel like a five-star hotel suite. However, for those who prefer a more pared-back and minimalist aesthetic, the Zamindar offers more than enough style when stripped back to its natural linen finish. In this simpler form, it exudes an understated elegance, allowing the clean lines and impressive structure of the bed itself to truly shine. Whether adorned in silk for a dramatic statement or left in its natural state for serene simplicity, this bed promises to be the focal point of any luxurious bedroom, effortlessly adapting to different interior moods and personal preferences.

Functional & Stylish Spaces: Home Office and Entertaining

OKA’s AW16 collection extends its thoughtful design to every corner of the home, including dedicated workspaces and areas for entertaining. These pieces demonstrate that functionality need not compromise on style, and that even practical items can be sources of beauty and inspiration within a well-curated interior.

The Bauhaus-Inspired Dessau Desk: Form Meets Function

One of the standout pieces in the collection for us is the Bauhaus-inspired Dessau desk. This exceptional piece truly embodies the Bauhaus principle of “form follows function,” delivering both striking aesthetics and superior practicality. Constructed on a dark metal frame, it boasts a weathered oak veneer top, offering a sophisticated blend of industrial chic and natural warmth. The robust metal frame provides a sturdy foundation, while the weathered oak adds character and a sense of history, making it a compelling piece for any contemporary home office.

Beyond its handsome appearance, the Dessau desk is ingeniously designed for maximum efficiency. It features built-in shelves and cleverly integrated cubbyholes, providing ample storage for all your files, documents, and essential office supplies. This intelligent design helps to maintain a clutter-free workspace, fostering an environment conducive to productivity and focus. It’s a desk that doesn’t just look good, but actively enhances your working experience, making it an indispensable addition to a stylish and organized home office.

The Chic Bar Cart: Elevating Entertaining

However, if we had to pick just one item to covet from this magnificent collection, it would undoubtedly be this gorgeous bar cart. Crafted from a refined combination of acrylic, glass, and stainless steel, it is a piece of art in itself. The transparency of the acrylic and glass, combined with the sleek gleam of stainless steel, gives it a remarkably contemporary and luxurious feel. This bar cart is not merely furniture; it’s a statement piece, designed to be the focal point of any sophisticated gathering.

OKA has long been renowned for its exquisite glassware, and this collection introduces stylish martini glasses and a faux shagreen cocktail shaker that are simply unparalleled. The bar cart provides the perfect, mobile home for these elegant accoutrements, making entertaining a breeze and adding a touch of glamour to every occasion. Imagine effortlessly gliding this chic cart through your living space, offering perfectly mixed drinks to your guests, or simply enjoying a quiet evening at home with your favourite concoction. It transforms any corner into an impromptu bar, inviting moments of refined enjoyment.

So, we must ask: Gin and tonic anyone? With OKA’s AW16 collection, every detail of your home can exude sophistication and style.

Shop the Exquisite OKA Autumn/Winter 2016 Collection

The OKA Autumn/Winter 2016 collection is a masterclass in elegant living, offering a diverse range of pieces that cater to both classic and contemporary tastes. Whether you’re drawn to the serene balance of Sue Jones’s apartment, the regal charm of Palazzo Nuovo, or the eclectic fusion of The Berkshire Mahal, there’s inspiration and exquisite design waiting to be discovered. Each piece is crafted with an unwavering commitment to quality and style, ensuring that your home reflects a truly refined aesthetic. We encourage you to explore the full collection and find the perfect elements to elevate your interior design.

Don’t miss the opportunity to bring OKA’s exceptional design and quality into your home. Explore the entire collection and infuse your living spaces with timeless elegance and captivating charm:

Discover the Complete OKA Collection Here

Posted in collaboration with OKA.