Iconic by Design: Allow Us to Introduce Our OKA Icons

Since we started as a small mail-order interiors company back in 1999 – co-founded by Sue Jones, our Creative Director, Lady Annabel Astor and Lucinda Waterhouse – we’ve been obsessive about three key things: expert craftsmanship, distinctive patterns and quality materials. It’s this trio of winning ingredients that still go into everything we entrust our talented makers to create. An unwavering design ethos that has made everything from our furniture and accessories to lighting and textiles wonderfully distinctive and much-loved.

Although, as Sue herself says, we didn’t set out to intentionally create icons. “I don’t think you can make or predict an icon,” she explains, “they simply become one out of their own success and are recognised for their brilliance over time. Things often become iconic because they haven’t been done before and beat their own path.”

Sue adds: “In the early days, we used to do a lot of travelling, especially to India, where we’d take the best of things we’d see and adapt them to a British way of life. We loved the culture, inspiration, colours and design, of course, but we always needed to make it work for western homes.”

She says: “During those early days, we also took fairly mundane things, such as a waste-paper basket or a wine cooler, and made them beautiful. We felt like we weren’t just indulging ourselves with pretty designs, but improving everyday objects. And in these instances, it wasn’t so much the pieces themselves that become iconic, but sometimes the medium, such as rattan. In a way, iconic isn’t just a single object, but the way something’s made, the pattern or something like that.”

Sue concludes: “Ultimately, it’s our customers who make our pieces iconic when a design captures their imaginations and gives something a life of its own.”

Now, our expanding but curated emporium of characterful and elegant pieces celebrates timeless, effortless style that’s much-loved around the country – and beyond. This year, Sheki celebrates 25 years since it was first created by skilled artisans in India after Sue was inspired by a rug she found in an antiques market. Characterised by English roses and abstract prints, the delicate pattern is hand-screen printed and hand-embroidered across a collection of pieces from a cushion to an ottoman and a headboard. A folksy and textured design, it’s the epitome of quality, enduring appeal and everything we stand for. And it’s just one of our iconic OKA patterns, which also include Areca – a glorious celebration of the palm’s history with elegant fronds stacked up to form a timeless design on the likes of sofas, cushions and screens – and Ocellus, inspired by age-old Indian block prints reinvented for contemporary homes. To give the traditional method a modern twist, we digitally-print the repeated pattern to achieve greater intricacy and depth on the rich shades of our luxury fabrics. Adding cut velvet in the centre of each motif creates a decorative touch, while layering with embroidered, beaded feathers brings tactile detail.

Specifically in furniture, there’s a collection of exquisite OKA Icons to invest in for creating truly stylish interiors. Created by Co-Founder Lady Annabel Astor, Stafford chairs are a stalwart of our brand and are immediately recognisable by elegant silhouettes that tuck seamlessly beneath a table to get her with signature brass studs and stylish back-pulls; while Tarma seating features hand woven and hand-printed upholstery across armchairs and sofas with signature removable fringing for changing up your scheme quickly and easily. And why not bring far-flung style home with a woven barstool characterised by its curved back in the form of Taino? It takes its name from the islanders who invented the hammock and features a solid frame and natural finish. In cabinetry, nothing could be more OKA than our hand-painted Chinoiserie with meticulous detailing that gives these future heirlooms the appearance of antiques handed down from generation to generation. Peking is practical, too, offering a stylish solution for the perennial issue of how to conceal the television.

Our attention-to-detail, commitment to craftsmanship and dedication to design also extends to accessories and textiles – because we know, more than most, that the finishing touches really make a house a home. Also drawing on Chinese scenes is our collection of Fenghuang table lamps hand-decorated with gargoyles and birds in red, green and blue colourways. Truly iconic sat either end of a console table in the hallway or on the landing. Inspired by Ming and Qing pottery, our Kraak crockery – spanning plates, bowls and teapots – is another way of bringing the splendour of centuries-old Chinese design into your home, whether displayed in a cabinet or laid on the table, while the Ispahan serveware takes its cues from ancient Persia.

In lighting, we were among the first to create a range of styles that combined the aesthetics of antiques with modern-day practicalities, such as the wireless table lamp. Perfect for a side table away from a power socket or for taking outside in the summer months. Grisewood is handmade from brass and iron then hand-painted in shades like burnt caramel and putting green.

Elsewhere, reflecting our signature look, while mirroring your unique sense of style, are Laurelin and Phaethon – unique mirrors with spectacular art works hand-painted onto their surfaces. Surefire conversation-starters in any space.

Artistry runs deep in our iconic rugs, too, handcrafted designs harnessing the finest materials, whether in Alanya, Manisa, Darica or Elsdon. Enduring coverings that are purposefully faded to reflect the gentle passing of time inelegant colourways.

Finally, who can talk of OKA Icons without mentioning the material we’ve championed since the beginning? Our rattan collection runs the gamut from statement furniture to decorative accents and is all expertly - crafted from its naturally-grown namesake. Bringing warmth to your scheme and versatility to your spaces, it’s beautiful indoors and out while being absolutely timeless.