It's a cover-up

Blogger blitz at Bemz: made-to-order bedroom must-haves

This week it's all about design in Sweden. And Bemz was thrilled with a visit of some 80 bloggers from around Europe getting a firsthand look at our brand new bedroom products, including new made-to-order bedspreads, matching cushion covers and a new headboard cover.

Here's the skinny. The group was here in conjunction with Stockholm Design Week for a two-day blogging seminar. Organized by Meet the Blogger, this unique conference dedicated to home-, design- and lifestyle bloggers is held a number of times a year in various cities around Europe.

A part of the Meet the Blogger weekend was a Design Walk through Stockholm's most design oriented stores, and Bemz was really excited to be one of them.

And the timing was perfect.

The Bemz Inspiration Store was all decked out to showcase new Bemz bedroom products, giving the bloggers a firsthand look at our latest must-haves for the boudoir.

These new made-to-order bedspreads join Bemz’s suite of stylish bedroom products, including a line of bedspreads and decorative pillow covers, and a new headboard cover, making it easier than ever to create an elegant and coordinated bedroom look.

A big thank you goes to Meet the Blogger and all the wonderful bloggers we met. We certainly enjoyed having you and appreciate your interest in Bemz. And we hope you enjoyed your goodie bags, containing a couple of neat, specially made bags from Bemz, a candle and a relax/enjoy kit put together by Biofood of Sweden with Pukka tea samples and chocolate.

Come back and see us soon and keep spreading the love!

Lesley Pennington: How I became The Secret Millionaire

Last fall I received a phone call with a very interesting proposition. Would I like to participate in a television program called "The Secret Millionaire"? I had never seen the program but I had heard of the format. A "millionaire" goes undercover for a week and meets people that have had difficult lives, as well as those that have dedicated their lives to helping the less fortunate. At the end of the week, the "millionaire" donates some money to the person(s) they feel need, or deserve it, the most.

I was very unsure about participating - mostly because the thought of being on television in front of several hundred thousand people made me feel like throwing up. But, the idea behind the program intrigued me so I decided to meet with the producers. I felt the program's concept was very much in line with some of my values, and some of the core values at Bemz. We talk a lot about giving back, helping each other, and "caring" as core values, while examining ways of working more ethically and with greater social conscience. On a personal level, I have also been making some life decisions about how I can support social causes in two areas that are really important to me: women and children in distress.

It felt like an opportunity to take a personal journey to understand what these values meant to me, while hopefully making a difference to someone who genuinely needed it.

Although I approached the process from a very rational perspective (even if my motivation was emotional) something inside me changed during that week. I really believe that my week filming The Secret Millionaire has altered me in a very tangible way.

Throughout the course of the week of filming I met some amazing, brave, fearless, wonderful people. I ended up receiving so much more from them than what I was able to give. I met women who had abandoned their lives, lost everything: their friends, family, jobs and moved to uncertainty and an isolation in a new country, whether by choice or not; women who despite it all, remained so positive and would do whatever it took to carve a place for themselves in this new society. Their determination and optimism inspired and awed me. I met teenagers who had found the inner strength and courage to resist peer pressure, to stand up for each other and to be proud of their accomplishments giving them self-esteem and self-confidence. Their talent, dedication and enthusiasm humbled me.

I met a young woman who was thrown in jail, tortured psychologically and physically, without any regard for her basic human rights. In a world where we talk about fulfillment, achievement, and ambitions, it is impossible to understand not to mention imagine. But for so many people around the world a lack of basic human rights is very real. I have been extremely fortunate to never have had to question my rights as a woman, or as a person.

I was affected most of all that week by two entrepreneurs - Sohelia Fors and Calle Björklund - who had come from incredibly difficult life situations themselves. They moved me profoundly because they had managed to find the strength and the courage to turn their devastating personal experiences into a life force which they channeled into helping other people. It was through love and determination and the experiences in their own lives that they were able to connect with others, and motivate them to move forward and find their own inner strength. They gave everything for their causes, and the people around them.

Thank you, Sohelia Fors and Calle Björklund. Thank you for sharing your lives, your passion, and your generosity with me. I have learnt more from you than you will ever imagine, and you have changed me more than you will ever imagine. You are the true entrepreneurs. The world is a better place because of you.

And to all of the wonderful, inspirational people that I met during that very intensive week - you have taken me on the most important journey of my business life.

And, especially to you, Negar- don't give up. You are incredibly brave and strong. You have made a choice to live, and to find a place where you will have your basic human rights respected. Now, you can begin to choose.

And for me - now is the next stage of my journey. I have many plans, many ideas which are moving into fulfillment. We, at Bemz, will continue to work with you, our customers to deliver great products and design while we move forward in our quest to refine what social consciousness means to us.

On a personal level, I have already taken the next step in my journey. I'll keep you updated.

Love to all, lesley

The Beautiful Business Award: And the winner is...

Everyone at Bemz is still on a high from last night's excitement. The winner of the Beautiful Business Award 2012, Businesswoman of the Year, was announced. Here are some photos from the event.

We were, of course, all extremely pleased when we found out that our CEO, Lesley Pennington, was nominated as one of 10 finalists, and have been waiting with bated breath for the winner to be announced.

Presentation on Lesley 

About the contest:
"The Beautiful Business Award 2012 is a Swedish-based competition that aims at bringing women entrepreneurs to the forefront as role models. ... The Beautiful Business Award focuses on innovation, sustainability and growth ambitions; on astute business that inspires others. It's beautiful to be a role model."

The finalists

Other nominees included such amazing entrepreneurial minds as Emy Blixt, the woman behind fabulous shoes Swedish Hasbeens (if you don't know them, then definitely check them out!) and foodie Renée Voltaire. Naturally, Lesley was honoured to have been competing in the same class as these women whom have also inspired her on her own journey as an entrepreneur.

Please join everyone at Bemz in congratulating Emy Blixt, who took the title home. Congratulations Emy! 

Lesley, a very satisfied finalist 

The annual Beautiful Business Award is arranged by Swedish Price Waterhouse Cooper, the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth, and Swedish business network Driftig.nu.

Trend alert: from London Design Festival 2011

What can we expect for the rest of 2011 design-wise, you ask? What better place to look than one of the hottest design highlights on the calendar: the London Design Festival. 

There were more than 200 exhibitors from around the world at this year's Tent London, one of the largest design trade shows taking place during the London Design Festival, which boasts the very latest in contemporary interior products - furniture, lighting, ceramics, textiles, materials and accessories. Just up our alley!

And from it four clear trends remained apparent: retro modern, wood, 3D/geometrics and playful. Nothing strikingly new but slightly tweaked indeed.

Retro modern has been in the spotlight for a while now and our love for it shows no signs of waning. The reason? There is so much room for interpretation in this style! The latest twist being brought to the forefront is one that we love: Gustavian Elegance. Be still our Bemz beating hearts!

Ektorp sofa in Gustavian Flowers from Bemz

Give that lovely, ornate and over-the-top Louis XIV style a touch of that clean, sleek and minimal Scandinavian design and you've got the Kings of Sweden in the 1700s, and the the root of the design term Gustavian. Introduce it today, paired with contemporary pieces and their pared-back opulence and muted colours scream style and function.

A Twist on Tweed: When I say tweed, does it conjure an image of an old man smoking a pipe in a darkened library? Tweeds are rooted in tradition and used to be a tad drab but manufacturers have broken away from that stayed image by introducing their tartans in a myriad of colours. There's nothing old-fashioned or stayed about a vibrant and intense purple, is there?

Grimen bed frame cover in Frescati Plaid Grey from Bemz

Introducing these rich and tactile fabrics into your home in unexpected ways also helps bring them up-to-date. Layer them using different scales from a single palette to make a wonderful impression.

1930s Drama: We love the fact that this sexy, feminine, curved and voluptuous style is finding its way back into our hearts and homes. Everything about it is soft, curvaceous and sensual. It's taking all that modern bling and giving it a sophisticated and elegant edge.

Nils chairs in Sybary Charcoal Grey, New Baroque Chocolate Brown, Hounds Tooth Dusty Rose and Aubergine from Bemz

This is a tactile style, where textured fabrics really come into their own. Stick with sophisticatedly deep and rich colours, add a dash of sparkle and remember above all else, glamour, and this contemporary style will be yours.

Playful indeed: This is where we don't take ourselves too seriously and introduce a bit of fun and tongue-in-cheek humour into our decor. And why not? Embrace the fantasy, the surreal and imaginative. Can you spot the 21st century danger hidden among the fruit?

This style embraces a spectrum of happy colours and daring patterns where design and functionality play equal parts and curiosities have a happy place in the home.

Credit and photos, except where otherwise indicated: House to Home

Out with the old and in with the new Bemz

Everyone at Bemz has been working very, very hard on our biggest transformation yet. This time we are not talking about a sofa, or a room or even a whole home. This time we have given our website a complete overhaul - from the shopping experience to the inspirational lifestyles, from test-driving your favourite Bemz fabrics in 3D to introducing a completely new range of products. 

When we first opened for business in 2004, Bemz was all about living-room products.

It didn't take us long to bring in products for the dining-room.

We are thrilled to now be able to include bedroom products in our range.

We've also included a section entirely dedicated to trend alerts. Right now it's featuring the ever popular shabby chic decor.

Launch day was today - and as you can see, we are celebrating at HQ.

Champagne all around! Cheers. Please visit us and let us know what you think.

Bemz Inspiration store needs to lie down

The Bemz Inspiration store tends to get a facelift to mirror the latest trends and any new products with each changing season, but this time around I think it would qualify as an extreme make-over. Here are pictures from the way the Inspiration Store looks now, taken at a press event for our upcoming launch.

With our imminent, very exciting move into bedrooms, a completely new area for Bemz, the sofas have had to take a backseat (see what I'm doing there!) to allow beds to take centre stage.

As outlined in an earlier post, we're now introducing a series of bed skirts and headboard covers in a variety if styles, sizes and designs opening up a whole new variety of options for personalising your bedroom.

The really unique aspect here is the fact that these bed covers are made to fit certain IKEA models but also to suit standard bed sizes, opening up the Bemz collection to those who do not have IKEA furniture.

Any princesses out there?

This has left me wanting my bed... Available from the end of June 2011.

Design with a capital D in Stockholm

From local newspaper "Vi i Vasastan", Feb 5, 2011: Bemz marketing manager Karin Kronborg on an Ektorp in new Salamander - Black/White by Bantie from the Bemz Designer Collection. To her right is an Ektorp armchair in Kokeshi - Black/White/Red from the same collection.

This week the Stockholm Furniture Fair is in full swing. The fair takes a close look at what is happening on the Scandinavian design scene and this year will entertain with themed exhibits including cultural diversity, light and circus.

To ensure all those design interested visitors for the fair are not at a loss for what to do, Stockholm Design Week is held in parallel with the fair. This boasts an extensive citywide program of events and exhibits which are both commercial and cultural in nature. All over Stockholm showrooms, museums, galleries and furniture stores compete for public attention with special exhibits and events.

From local newspaper "Vi i Vasastan", Feb 5, 2011: entitled "Vasastan is the trendiest in town"

As a part of Design Week, a local initiative has been set up called Design in Vasastan. Vasastan is a neighbourhood in Stockholm that is the hub for design shops and the starting point for the design interested. It is of course no happenstance that the Bemz Inspiration Store is also located there.

If you happen to be in Stockholm, include Odengatan 22 on your agenda of must-dos where we will have a small exhibit and have special offers available in store, light refreshments, not to mention the opportunity to mingle with like-minded people. The cherry on top perhaps is the fact that our design director, Lisbeth Toivonen, will be on hand ready to offer free professional advice for anyone with interior design queries. Hope to see you there!

Bemz CEO, Lesley Pennington, shares her insight

Bemz founder and CEO, Lesley Pennington, has been called on again to share her insight and expertise. This time it's at Your Life event this coming Tuesday, February 7, in Stockholm, Sweden.

Your Life was launched as a lifestyle magazine and website back in August with a focus on Mind, Books, Style, Time, Work, Spa and Travel. These same categories will be reflected in this, there first ever Live Your Life event.

Each category presented at the event plays host to field-specific leaders in Sweden. Lesley falls under the STYLEyourlife category, of course, and will talk about changes in home decorating trends. A couple of our intrepid Bemzies, Ben and Sofia, will also be on hand manning an intimate booth dedicated to all that is Bemz.

The event is already sold out - but all is not lost! Watch this space for a follow-up.

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!

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!