It's a cover-up

This 15-year old Ektorp is new again

Lynn of the US was so pleased with the Soft White covers she chose from Bemz to renew her 15 year old Ektorp sofa and armchair that she decided to order dining chairs covers too.

I love the combinaiton of dark woods and white fabrics. It makes the room warm and inviting without sacrificing on sophistication. Nice job Lynn! Here's what Lynn wrote: I am absolutely amazed at your quality and workmanship.

Please send us a picture of your chairs too Lynn! You've done such a lovely job with your living room, we'd love to see the dining room as well. 

If you have a Bemz cover, why not inspire us? Send a photo to me at blog[at]bemz.com or upload it directly onto our Facebook page.

Design-It-Yourself: Wall Art

I came across this idea on Apartment Therapy and had to share. It is so easy and virtually free, and the results are impressive. In fact, it reminded me a little bit of crafty projects I've taken on with my children to complete school projects. Seriously - check out the list of materials needed!

This one comes via House of Fifty and literally calls for a Ribba frame from IKEA and a sheet of marbled paper, or any beautifully patterned paper in fact.

Would you believe that a piece of funky and contemporary wall art like this can be created by gluing tissue paper to a canvas frame using Modge Podge? It's true. Visit In My Own Style for helpful step-by-step photos and details. The wall art was beautifully finished with a matching ribbon pinned to the edges.

Compartment Life came up with this one using... wait for it... toilet paper and paper towel rolls! I'm not kidding! It obviously took quite a few but what impressive results! Visit the link for all the details. This one was a tad more challenging, if you scoffed at the ease of the previous two.

Again, a little more challenging but not impossible, this one comes via Design*Sponge. Brenna basically traced the outline of a beautiful illustration from a botanical calendar and cut it out of heavier weight paper and used kraft paper under to soften the silhouetted blooms. Stunning!

This clever, and very on-trend chevron wall art, was created using shoe box lids. Spunky Junky spray painted the lot in a glossy white, used tape to outline the chevron pattern and then finished the boxes off in the colours you see above. Clever!

If you like this idea and want to give designing your own wall art a go, check out this other post by guest blogger Sue, who made wall art out of Bemz fabrics. 

Credit and photos: as indicated above

Trend alert: Pantone's colour of the Year

It was Honeysuckle in 2011. This year, colour experts Pantone have chosen a deeper, more robust colour as Colour of the Year. Their's is called Tangerine Tango and is described as a spirited reddish orange providing the well needed energy boost needed to recharge and move forward.

This orange is a deep one with plenty of hot reds in it. It maintains sophistication but adds a dash of drama and seduction.

It emanates heat and energy.

Spice up your interior with orange accents such as pillows, cushions, bedding and table accessories. 

Photo c/o Apartment Therapy

If you are looking for high impact, you can paint a feature wall or give a whole room a burst of energy.

Looking for more ideas? Apartment Therapy did a post on red-orange bathroom.