I discovered the luxury artisanal brand OKHA last year at Decorex International where they showcased three of their signature pieces at the Staffan Tollgard Design Group stand. You have probably read in my previous article about the launch of the OKHA furniture collection in London
Based in Cape Town, South Africa, OKHA works hand-in-hand with some of the most talented South-African artists and artisans to create beautifully-crafted furniture and lighting, along with artisanal pieces and contemporary floor art. Recently, they launched the Magnifico series - a pair of tables with geometric shapes and elegant finishes, composed of a side table and a coffee table which reflect the OKHA’s spirit, distinguished by craftsmanship and noble materials.

Made of Larch tree, a conifer growing mainly in Siberia and Canada's boreal forests, the table legs are over-scaled and wire-brushed to emphasise their graphic carbon stained detail. © Niel Vosloo

Verde Magnifico side table, marble top and wire-brushed timber leg detail

With tops in sumptuous South-African green marble or Mars red toned travertine and over-scaled, Brutalist wood legs, the ‘Magnifico’ tables are bold architectural pieces with a cosmic aura. The table tops have been designed to draw attention to the mesomorphic legs of the table - deliberately exposed beyond the table top edge to create a weight pushing down effect in a playful over-exaggeration.

Magnifico coffee table with its distinctive Flame Red travertine top displaying the original sedimentary layers.

STM

Showcased last September at Staffan Tollgard Design Group stand during Decorex International in Syon Park, U.K., the iconic STM swivel armchair is a contemporary classic with post-modernist features which, nevertheless looks at home in the current context.
With a distinctive name which stands for SPEAK TO ME, the STM chair is the perfect balance between aesthetics and comfort. Its swivel base offers plenty of options for positioning and use and extends a subtle invitation to discovery, study and dialogue, which are customary at OKHA.

STM swivel armchair with walnut frame and leather upholstery © OKHA

The STM armchair has a solid wood frame construction and dual density foam cushion which can be upholstered in either leather or fabric. The wood frame is available in high-quality finishes such as Ash, Walnut and a wide range of Oak finishes. The swivel can be replaced by legs for a more classic look.

BIJOU Side Table

Designer Adam Court describes the BIJOU side table as “the result of a fascination with eroded stone and gem forms found in nature as with a piece of bespoke jewellery. It is a play on asymmetry, reflection and the beauty of organic form.”
As its name evokes - "bijou" means “jewel” in French, the BIJOU table is an authentic jewellery piece for interiors with a radiant reflective glow, born from the rigorous craftwork of brass and tinted glass.

BIJOU has two shelves. The tinted glass top shelf does not fill the entire surface, thus creating two “windows” either side, which bear a resemblance to a gemstone mounted in precious metal. Its luxurious appearance is emphasised by the bottom shelf made of polished mirror brass which reflects any object placed above.

The BIJOU side table can be custom-made in oxidised and patinated brass finishes available or mirror polished stainless steel, mirror polished solid brass base with toughened glass insert top in clear, grey or bronze tint; the glass insert can be replaced with marble or granite of choice.

The Stone Rug Collection

For its rug collection, OKHA plays around with graphic and geometric symbols depicted from tribal African art, to create a striking visual language.
Stone Rug Collection combines six surprising designs developed around the triangle motif, with only one four-sided design named '“Traverse”. The rug is made of hand-tufted fine Himalayan wool and bamboo silk, which feels underfoot like an invitation to a voyage across the world.

Oblique echoes the traditional motifs of isiquaza - Zulu ear plugs, and the geometric symmetry in Xhosa beadwork. The rug has six edges and is distinguished by a striking design with an oblique black stripe that divides it in two, each half being defined by triangles of sophisticated colours such as petrol blue, silver grey and mustard.

THE LAUNCH OF THE MAGNIFICO SERIES AND OTHER DESIGN CLASSICS FROM OKHA

STM

BIJOU Side Table

The Stone Rug Collection

THE REOPENING OF THE DOMAINE DE CHANTILLY

MY TOP PICKS FROM DECOREX INTERNATIONAL AT SYON PARK, U.K. - SEPTEMBER 2018