It's a cover-up

A home to inspire

Came across this post on a fave blog, design sponge - it featured an excerpt from Canadian House & Home and I really liked the pictures. Inspirational! So thought I'd share.

These are photos from their assistant style editor and fellow-blogger, Michael Penney's own home (which happens to be in the very same city that Lesley Pennington, the Bemz founder and CEO, calls her hometown: Toronto, Canada). 

Those baskets are a great solution for making the best use of the space available in a small kitchen, without leaving it looking cluttered. And I love the contrast provided by the window frame painted in a glossy black against all the white of the kitchen.

He certainly makes the brown and blue combo work!

This is my favorite picture. Don't you love how those bold brown stripes bring the room up-to-date, giving it a contemporary edge without sacrificing its cozy feel?

You like?? See the full slideshow and Michael's own comments on why / how he made certain design choices here.

Photos by Angus Fergusson

Che bella: Downtown va italiane

Photo left: Klippan sofa Graphite Grey Panama cotton, cushion in Woven Whimsy- Graphite Grey, Klippan sofa in Tegner Melange Zinc Grey with cushions in Bamboo Green Panama cotton and in Jet Black, and in front of them, the Falsterbo footstool in Tegner Melange Bamboo Green. Photo right: Karlstad armchair in Zinc Grey Belgian Linen blend with cushion in Tegner Melange Burnt Orange.

The Bemz urban Downtown Lifestyle has just gone continental with these fab new Italian fabrics: Tegnér Melange and Frescati Plaid. Produced in Italy, these exclusive new fabrics effortlessly complement and accentuate the classic, clean and uncomplicated Downtown palette.

Photo left: Nikkala sofa in Tegner Melange Real Red. Photo right: Nils chairs in Tegner Melange Burnt Orange and Tegner Melange Real Red.

Tegnér Melange is a yarn dyed fabric made from a blend of cotton, viscose and linen. “Melange” is textile speak (originally french naturellement!) for mix or blend, and perfectly describes the distinctive look of this fabric. The weave of fibers in different color-hues gives the fabric an appealing structure and a soft, smooth feel. Available in Tegnér Melange Real Red, Tegnér Melange Sage Brown, Tegnér Melange Teal Blue, Tegnér Melange Zinc Grey, Tegnér Melange Bamboo Green and Tegnér Melange Burnt Orange (new color!).

Photo left: Stockholm sofa in Sybary- Charcoal Grey with a cushion in Tegnér Melange Burnt Orange. Photo right: Nils chair in Frescati Plaid Grey.

Everyone's talking checks and plaid this autumn, including us. Our brand new Frescati Plaid Grey is spot on-trend by using shades of grey to play on the classic plaid pattern but giving it a crisp updated look. A member of the yarn dyed category, this fabric is 100% cotton with a very soft, yet textured weave.

Photo left: Nils stool in Tegner Melange Teal Blue with a Karlstad armchair in Sage Brown Belgian Linen blend in the background. Photo right: Karlanda sofa in Tegner Melange Sage Brown and cushions in Tegner Melange Burnt Orange. and a the Falsterbo footstool in Tegner Melange Zinc Grey.

If you are inspired by this look and these lovely new fabrics, order swatches to properly experience them first hand. All of these new “Italians” are, of course, machine washable.

Vive la France!

This from Loufia of France who says that Bemz helped me customize my interior thanks to the elegance of these white covers, our Stockholm chairs to stay cool and add pleasure!

Loufia's Stockholm chairs are covered in Soft White Panama cotton. Well done Loufia. Your place looks stunning!

If, like Loufia, you would like to share a photo of your home with the rest of us, please send it along to me at blog[at]bemz[dot]com.

Laura Ashley's homes

Perhaps slightly over budget for most of us but who wouldn't enjoy a look around? Famous designer, Laura Ashley's family home in Wales along with her French Chateau in Picardy, Northern France are up for sale.

Here are some photos of her family home, a classic Victorian Country house, in Rhydoldog, Wales. It's on the market for £1.2 million (but that does include about 50 acres of land!).

Photos c/o Savills

Laura Ashley, originally from Wales, got her big break when Audrey Hepburn (my absolute fave!) appeared alongside Gregory Peck in the 1953 film Roman Holiday, wearing one of Ashley's Victorian style headscarves. As Hepburn was such a fashion icon, she instantly created a style that became popular around the globe.

And with it, she inadvertently placed what was to become one of the world's most successful fashion and home furnishing companies firmly on the map.

Here is her French Chateau in Picardy, Northern France, dating back to the 18th century. It includes four reception rooms, 11 bedroom suites, extensive outbuildings, walled park, English lawns, swimming pool and tennis court set in grounds of 34 acres. Asking price? €3,500,000.

Photos c/o Knight Frank

Laura Ashley was a family run business with everyone from her husband, Sir Bernard Ashley, to their four children involved. The ultimate cottage industry turned global empire. 

Exclusive to Bemz customers: Henriksdal medium-length skirt

As mentioned previously, at Bemz we are all about individual design. With that in mind we have just launched a completely new product, one that is available only at Bemz.com - not something you'll find at Ikea - and one that we are very excited about.

Photos: Henriksdal chair with new medium length skirt with box pleats in Jet Black Panama cotton and cushion cover in new Tegner Melange Bamboo Green

Developed by our in-house designers and following hot on the heels of the latest trends, Bemz now offers a slipcover for the Henriksdal chair with a medium length skirt. As with the full-length skirt, you can choose to have it with or without box pleats.

Photos: Stockholm 3.5-seater in Stockholm Stripe- Jet Black and cushions in Jet Black, Tegner Melange Bamboo Green and Tegner Melange Burnt Orange. Small Karlstad Armchair in Zinc Grey Belgian Linen blend and cushions in Tegner Melange Burnt Orange and Deep Navy Blue Panama cotton.

While we were at it, we decided to add some new models to our existing furniture ranges, with the ambition of eventually offering all models for each set. New additions include covers for the small Karlstad Armchair (pictured right above), for the Strömstad corner sofa and, one of IKEA’s newer sofa models, the popular Stockholm 3,5-seater sofa (pictured left).

Watch Lesley in action: CEO twittering

Just out, Lesley's presentation on the use of social media from The Really Realtime Disruptive Media Conference.

Less is more. Or is it?

Some live by the rules while others feel they are only there to be broken. Anneloes van Gaalen’s new(ish) book, Never Use White Type on a Black Background and 50 Other Ridiculous Design Rules takes an analytical yet humorous look the merit of 51 established design rules. (The jacket sets the stage introducing ambivalence with a title that is far from short and catchy, and graphics that cannot claim to emulate your one chance to make a good impression, but somehow still works...)

It is odd to think that an industry spawned on the back of creativity would even entertain edict but everyone needs a framework and you need to know the rules if you are going to break them (rule 51!). Whether you follow guidelines to the letter or prefer to turn them on their face, there is something to be taken from this book.

As Miyoko of Dwell pointedly writes Regardless of whether you agree with the modernist motto of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe ("Less is more") or the counterpoints presented by Robert Venturi ("Less is a bore") and Frank Lloyd Wright ("Less is only more when more is no good"), "less is more" still stands strong as an accepted design rule.

More interesting than didactic, each rule in this book provides an image that either negates or supports it, along with a short history of its origins and the design world's thoughts on them.

From the popular "Form Follows Function”, “Keep it Simple”, “Dress Your Age", "When in doubt, leave it out" to the overused "... is the new black", Rule 47 stood firmly out as our fave: "If your images does not work, put a dog in it." The phrase is based on a comment once made by iconic American illustrator Norman Rockwell: "If a picture wasn't going very well, I'd put a puppy in it."

Design-It-Yourself: rugs

Abstract Forest by Rug Designer

Whether its pattern is bold and graphic or subtly sophisticated, a surefire way to make a style statement in a room is with a striking rug. If you’re searching for the perfect rug, but can’t find your dream design, don’t despair. There’s a whole host of companies who will help you create a carpet to your exact specifications for less than you might expect. 

Photos c/o Bughetti

Many of these websites, including the ones pictured above and below, allow you to choose from their existing range, or make alterations to these collections through color palette changes. A couple of sites however are dedicated entirely to producing bespoke rugs on a variety of patterned designs.

Photos c/o Bughetti

These interactive websites allow you to test drive many details and if you have a really specific idea in mind, you can even send in a fabric sample or a sketch to create something utterly unique. At Rug Designer, for example, they made this rug based on a swatch of fabric (below)!

I even came across one that had the option of changing the type of background flooring to reflect your own in order to provide you with a true idea of the end result. Très cool! Here's one (below) I put together on Rug Couture. Not bad for five minutes' work.

Most of the suppliers provide hand made rugs from quality raw materials, such as 100% soft touch wool, often with free delivery and within a reasonable turnaround time (considering your product is made-to-order).  Prices start around £79 for the first square meter and less for each square meter thereafter. If you have a completely unique design in mind though, you'll need to get a quote from the manufacturer.

Moodboards con't - my attempt

My most recent Top Tips post about the usefulness of moodboards was a call to action for me. I put together this moodboard for the said H&M Jimmy Choo competition. I chose some shots from the H&M website, some from their Facebook page and some were random words or imaged that helped underline the overall mood I was after. What do you think?

Top tips: Moodboards - do we need them?

Moodboard c/o most inspired

I say 'Yes!' I love the way moodboards enable you to visually illustrate the look and feel you're after without having to come up with all the appropriate adjectives. It's hard to be establish that your interpretation of 'classic' or 'bohemian' or 'shaker' is the same as another's and this is one way to ensure you are on the same page (punny!).

Moodboard c/o most inspired

All kinds of designers from graphic to web to interior designers start their projects with a moodboard. Why is that? Because using this visual tool clearly lays out the direction of style being pursued and these professionals need to be sure they are delivering what the client is after or run the risk of losing precious time and money.

Moodboard c/o stuff and nonsense

OK, but do you need a moodboard, even when you are not enlisting the help of a pro? I still say 'Yes!', even more so, in fact. A moodboard is exactly what will help you stay on track when picking out colors, fabrics, accessories so that the end result in front of you reflects the image you had in your mind, whether it's updating your living room or introducing a nursery to our home.

Moodboard c/o webdesigner depot

So how do you make a moodboard? It's easy: collect examples that show what you are after. These can include everything from textures, colors and any general attributes, including emotional ones, of the project you're undertaking. There are no limits here! It can include cuttings from magazines, photographs, fabric samples, a favorite quote, words, anything that helps form your vision. I've included pieces of jewelry and even the odd leaf and stone. Collate your treasure trove onto a board and voila! Moodboard complete.

Moodboard c/o mydeco

They say a picture is worth a thousand words and in this case it's definitely the truth.

Now onto the project itself...

Moodboard c/o mydeco

PS If you are looking for the chance to try moodboarding out, Swedish clothing giant H&M are having a competition in conjunction with the launch of their Jimmy Choo collection (yes, Jimmy Choo!) Put your moodboard together and you'll be a shoe-in! ;)