It's a cover-up

Nikkala lets a little Sun in on the Grey

Monica of Canada chose to get a new cover for her Nikkala sofa in Zinc Grey. A sophisticated and elegant choice! And to jazz it up, she threw on two cushions in Sun Yellow. Now that makes it pop! Here is the photo she sent in.

And here is what Monica had to say: LOVE, LOVE, LOVE IT. This is the second time I've purchased covers from you and I am addicted to them. I also recommend you to all my designer friends. I wish I could buy ALL your fabrics! WOW! Thanks Monica - and well done on a beautiful choice.

Do you have a Bemz cover? Share it with us! Send a photo to me at bemz [at] blog [dot] com or upload it directly to our Facebook page.

Desire to inspire: Hounds of love

Seemingly unaware of its busy pattern, Hounds Tooth sits beautifully alongside New Baroque - Chocolate Brown, Aubergine and Graphite Grey

At Bemz we are big on inspiration. We want to help you make the most of your home with easy updates and inspired ideas. As you can see from the vast range of fabrics, patterns and colors on offer at bemz.com there's plenty of love out there for textiles.

Palette Lanzhou on the Tomelilla (left) provides guidance in matching different patterns and fabrics that work well together

But sometimes it's hard to figure out how to match them all up and inevitably we often take the safe route and go for a solid shade in a safe color.

Hounds Tooth sitting pretty alongside Klappstas in Dusty Rose and Frescati Plaid Grey

No more! I've decided it's high time we tap into the expertise that swims around in our in-house designers' heads and share. First up - Hounds Tooth.

With the resurgence of the monochrome palette, we are seeing a revival of the classic hounds tooth pattern. Here at Bemz, we already offer it with its personal twist by mixing Black and Dusty Rose rather than the more traditional black and white version. But what to do once you've injected this clashing textile into a room? Classic monochrome looks chic mixed with other colorways such as Mandarin Orange, yellow, pink, beige and grey and yes, even with other patterns as you can se from the pictures here.

 

Happy holidays and best wishes from Bemz

I saw this picture on Apartment Therapy's Home Tours and thought it was simply inspirational. What child would not be happy be such a beautiful and unique room? And on that note, I leave you until next week.

Merry Christmas everyone! 

Allerum gets into the festive spirit

Pauline of France gave her Allerum sofa bed a make-over by choosing this Real Red cover. Ideal for the festive season... And beyond!

Pauline writes: I am very satisfied with my new Allerum slipcover and have been enjoying it for a while now. Pauline has achieved a really sophisticated look thanks to sparkly accessories, clean lines, modern touches and a mixture of textures. Bravo Pauline!

Thank you Pauline for sharing your home with us. If you have a Bemz slipcover, share it with us by sending a picture along to me at blog [at] bemz [dot] com or simply upload it to our Facebook page.

Thank you for the shout outs

We seem to always be able to count on our friends and fellow-bloggers Elka Karl of Casa Sugar and Helena of Room and Serve for a kind word or two. In these latest posts, they share in our excitement over the upcoming Bantie launch, our latest addition to the Bemz Designer Collection. Swedish graphic designer and blogger Britta posted on her visit to the Bemz Inspiration Store for our Bantie press meet. Thanks for the support Britta!

There was also a really nice article in Dwell about CEO and founder Lesley giving kudos to the Bemz business concept. Thanks Dwell! Always nice to find out we have another fan.

And finally, thanks to LA Splash mag for including Bemz slipcovers in their Holiday Home Gift Guide for under $35.

 

Creations et Savoir Faire - Paris!

Sara recently hopped a jet to Paris to help man our booth at French design fair Salon Création et Savoir-Faire where she was joined by our French PR team Virginie and Elisabeth. They had a great response with loads of visitors. Here are some photos and their feedback from the event.

The show welcomed over 50,000 visitors, of which more than 95% are women; creative women! (Sound familiar?)

It was five days of discovery focused on many and varied creative talents.

The theme of the show this year was "Alice in Wonderland, "a source of inspiration for designers and exhibitors", evident from this alley of amazing wonders (pictured above and below)...

In the Forest of Wonders, visitors were treated to a bucolic universe dreamed up by real artists that gave life to matter with surreal results.

And we were there too! This was a first for Bemz in France.

After many long hours in the crowds and heat, heads full of images and hands full of packages, many came to rest in our Relaxation Area in the middle of the hall and got to discover the Bemz collections.

It was a real pleasure to have been there representing Bemz, showing off our exclusive range of fabrics and covers on a variety of sofas, chairs, stools and cushions.

And what a welcome! The comments were rife: "Your fabrics are of great quality!"; "With your covers, I will finally be able to give my Tullsta and Pöang chairs the style they deserve!"; "It's a great concept: I can finally imagine a makeover without breaking the bank"; "I cannot get new a cover for my Ektorp sofa bed at Ikea anymore but can now choose from over 170 fabrics. How unexpected!"

Standing room only!

Design-It-Yourself: Christmas wreaths

Felt ball wreath by Pickles

Admittedly we did do a whole Design-It-Yourself Christmas series last year, one part of which focused on wreaths, but they are such an integral part of the holidays that I had to share these new ideas I came across on fave blog AT!

Bike Wheel Wreath by City Cradle Design and Coffee Cardboard Recycled Wreath by Cut and Keep

With each wreath there is a link to the original site where you'll find complete instructions on how to go about creating your own version of it. Some are a little more straight-forward than others...

This yarn felt flower wreath by Take Heart reminds me a 1920s flapper. Sophisticated and chic with a colorful sense of fun.

This pompom wreath by Bluebird Vintage reminds me of my old aunties who used to knit those slippers for us as children. They always had a pompom at the front, above the toe. The deer in the middle just adds to the retro kitsch of it all. Love it!

Are you looking for something traditional like this paper doily lighted wreath by Dujour magazine or a little less conventional along the lines of the tea wreath above by Kojo Designs (practical and pretty!) or just fun like this owl wreath by Love people, like things?

Deck the halls....

Happy Birthday Inspiration Store - you are one!

It was just over a year ago that we let the cat out of the bag with regards to the Bemz Inspiration Store.

Our ambition with the store was for it to be a place for customers to get ideas, advice and, like it says on the tin, inspiration.

Many of our customers have told us that they get stuck at the final stages of the buying process: they can't decide on a fabric; they feel daunted by making a choice online for such a large piece of furniture as a sofa; they are unsure of how the fabric color or pattern will work with the rest of the decor in the room in question...

We hope having the Inspiration Store available to you will help alleviate some of these concerns. Our goal was not so much to sell products but rather deepen our relationship with you, the customer.

We all need a little hand-holding at times and the Store gives you the opportunity to drop in, see the products first hand, get advice and ideas from our experts as well as have your questions answered.

One year on and it's turned into a wonderful meeting place. We've hosted one Inspiration Marathon, five press meets, one princess photo shoot and one very successful customer event there.

The Inspiration Store has been given at least 12 facelifts (!) and has seen over 6000 visitors since its inauguration.

This Saturday, December 11th, VIPs (that you!) are welcome to drop in for a spot of tea and something sweet to help celebrate our Inspiration Store success and first birthday. See you there!

Press meet: Bantie release

Just thought I'd share these photos from our recent press launch of the upcoming Bantie collection. It took place in the Bemz Inspiration Store which, as you will see, was transformed with samples from the Bemz Bantie Designer Collection. Enjoy!

Find out more about the new Bemz Bantie Designer collection, which will be launched in January 2011, here.

Top tips: How to decorate for Christmas

The second advent weekend has come and gone and you are still humming-and-haing about how to jazz your home up for the festive season? Here are some great tips to help you along the way:

Picture c/o Simply Marvelous

Do Christmas your way: stick to a theme you'll want to pull out each year. Usually choosing something that reflects your personal taste as well as your interior works best. Sticking to what you know and love and incorporate new things as you discover them. Before you know it, you'll have developed your own set of traditions!

Photos c/o Martha Stewart

Bring out the best: If there ever was a time to use your best china, your best linens, your best what-evers, it is now! You can also invest in basics that you'll be happy to pull out each year. Wait for the sales and pick up a bargain for next year.

Photos c/o Livingetc and Apartment Therapy

The tree: This is a big one. It's meant to be real. It's meant to be an eclectic collection of basic items surrounded by inherited and homemade decorations, ideally topped with a angel made by a child that sits slightly askew at the top. Warm white fairy lights blend in seamlessly, highlighting all the natural finishes and silvery accents without taking over the tree.

Photo c/o Livingetc

Your front door: What better way to get into the festive spirit than by sharing that with everyone who comes to your door - from the postie to friends and family. Anything from a wreath to trailing greenery and berries from the garden will do. 

Photo c/o Apartment Therapy

Candles, candles and more candles: Living in Scandinavia taught me to appreciate the beauty of the living flame more than anything. Put candles everywhere - even in empty glass bottles on display in the window - and don't forget to light them! (Or put them out!!) Scented candles can add to the ambience.

Photos c/o Livingetc

Give it your personal touch: If you are feeling creative, make your own greeting cards. Displaying the ones you receive can up the festive mood exponentially. String them from the mantle or display them on a five-point star made from ribbon and tacks on your wall. Create mini galleries throughout your home for everyone to enjoy.

Photos c/o Livingetc

Be original when wrapping presents: Use unexpected materials. They don't have to be expensive! Even brown paper and string will give your gifts and original look. Add a creative touch by making tags from last year's card with a hole punched in the corner and ribbon tied through.

Photo c/o Livingetc

The devil's in the detail: Stockings hanging from the fireplace, mince pies and board games are a must to any successful holiday but even details like Christmas crackers, fairy lights and pine cones up the wow factor. Stick to natural decorations, silvery accents and you can't go wrong.

Check out our Design-It-Yourself Christmas series from last year on baubles, candles, twigs and branches and wreaths for more ideas and inspiration!

Credit Elle Decoration, Dec 2010 issue