Just like that, another year is coming to a close. Before we say goodbye to 2022, and a warm hello to 2023, we’re indulging in a little self-reflection as we revisit the highlights from the past 12 months. We’ve packed a lot in; from two exciting new collections to the launch of our first podcast and a charity partnership close to our hearts, plus so much more, there’s a lot that we’re proud of. Read on for our year in review.

New Collections and Inspirational Looks

A selection of images showing interior designs in a country house and London townhouse

A new year brings with it a host of fresh design opportunities and inspiration, and in 2022 this took the form of two collections, which we unveiled in spring and autumn. Both starred a range of exciting new furniture and accessories, as well as fresh twists on old favourites, from our Kintaro crockery in new colourways to patterned silk lampshades inspired by some of our much-loved cushion covers.

To help bring our creative visions for these new pieces to life, we sought out a series of unique locations across Britain, each of which acted as the stage for a new seasonal look. In the spring, we took to London’s Old Sessions House, transforming the Grade II-listed former courthouse with our latest pieces. Next, we escaped to the country, heading to Winnie-the-Pooh’s former stomping ground, Ashdown Forest, to decorate a picturesque cottage, before paying a visit to historical Bath, where a limestone townhouse received a modern makeover. For autumn, we brought a 1970s twist to a Regency-style space overlooking London’s Hyde Park, decorated a cosy cottage in the Cotswolds with an abundance of colour and print, and took inspiration from the period features of a 17th-century house in north Wales. Each location presented our collections in a different way, offering ample interiors inspiration for the seasons.

Homes That Tell A Story

A selection of images showing India Hicks, Alice Grace and Eshita Kabra-Davies at home

We’ve always believed your home should reflect who you are and what you love, and nothing is better placed to tell that story than the furniture and accessories that bear witness to your life. Cases in point are the homes we’ve had the privilege of visiting over the past year, where we discovered how they support and enhance their inhabitants’ lives and style – from Alice Grace Interiors’ new-build in the Cotswolds, which she transformed with her signature country-house chic, to DJ Zara Martin’s London townhouse, where the soundtrack to her life plays out. We were invited to Marylebone, too, to discover By Rotation Founder Eshita Kabra-Davies’ home truths, as well as Oxfordshire, where India Hicks shared her festive family traditions with us. Click the link below to discover how you can give your home a tale to tell, too.

Women’s Aid

OKA's Plain Velvet Raspberry Cushion Cover and Christmas cards in support of Women's Aid

On International Women’s Day, we announced our partnership with Women’s Aid, the national charity working to end domestic abuse against women and children. The organisation provides lifesaving services, empowering survivors and campaigning for change in policy, practice and awareness. As a company founded by three women, OKA is built on the belief that a home should be a sanctuary, and as such Women’s Aid’s mission resonates with our core values. Over the course of the year, we’ve raised funds for Women’s Aid in support of its important work, including taking part in a sponsored 10k run, charity quiz and Giving Tuesday. We have also donated all profits from the sales of our Plain Velvet Cushion Covers in Raspberry and created a bespoke set of Christmas cards in collaboration with Alice Edwards, founder of the stationery company Memo Press. This money has helped us fund a full-time Direct Services Support Worker – Kat – who supports survivors of domestic abuse through the Live Chat Helpline, Survivors’ Forum and via email.

House of Tales

A selection of images showing Amanda Cutter Brooks, Paula Sutton and Bay Garnett at home

One of our biggest 2022 highlights came in the spring, when we unveiled House of Tales, our curiosity-driven podcast series focused on the remarkable relationships people have with their homes. Host and design journalist Bethan Ryder spoke to eight tastemakers about how they interact with and take inspiration from the places where they live. The series took her to Norfolk, where she visited Paula Sutton’s idyllic countryside home (and the inspiration behind her famed blog Hill House Vintage); to west London, where Ryder discovered the family heirlooms that shape stylist Bay Garnett’s life; and to the Cotswolds to explore the cottage that tastemaker Amanda Cutter Brooks has made her home after a life travelling the globe. Discover all eight episodes now and hit subscribe to be the first to hear about future updates.

Expanding Tailored by OKA

A selection of images showing Tailored by OKA products, from yellow linen chairs to blue velvet sofas

This year, we’ve introduced new styles, colourways and fabrics to our made-to-order seating collection, Tailored by OKA. Among them was our Stafford Range; from our original dining chair to the more recent bench and bar stool additions, these best-selling designs are now customisable with a choice of fabrics, colours and leg finishes.

We also launched two innovative ‘clever’ fabrics: clever velvet, which has all the tactile appeal of the traditional material, but won’t fade, mark or stain, and clever linen, a more durable, colourfast and moisture-wicking linen. With these two new fabrics came a selection of colourway options, taking our total offering to 34. For those who already own a Tailored by OKA piece, or who want to switch up their style seasonally, we also unveiled a selection of loose covers for our made-to-order sofas, available in stonewashed or laundered linen.

Highlights from #MyOKAHome

Three images showing OKA products in customer homes, from a rattan table lamp to a blue patterned cushion
Images courtesy of @seansymington, @comptonsmithinteriors and @lallywalfordinteriors

Our #MyOKAHome hashtag on Instagram gives us a peek at how our community styles their favourite pieces from our collection, and we’ve loved seeing the creativity that 2022 has brought. From colourful bedrooms starring our much-loved artwork, lamps and soft furnishings, to dining rooms serving a feast for the eyes with our favourite tableware, we’ve loved seeing our designs in their new homes. Follow us on Instagram @oka to discover more, and use the hashtag #MyOKAHome to share your favourite OKA pieces with us.