It's a cover-up

House Tour: Summer in Canada for Ektorp and Bemz

Who doesn't love taking a peek inside other people’s homes? It's not just about curiosity - it's a great way to get ideas and inspiration, especially if it's a home done up by a professional. You can imagine how thrilled we were to find out that Canada's design star, Samantha Pynn decided to include a Bemz cover in not one, but two episodes of this season's Summer Homes on HGTV Canada.

In this episode, entitled Room to Grow, Samantha tackles a small charming cottage and turns it into a family-friendly summer home full of character. A cover in Eggshell Blue from Bemz for the Ektorp sofa plays a central role in giving the room that coastal feel.

The clean lines of the main living area are cool to the eye but warm to the touch thanks to Samantha's use of a variety of textures: solid wood and rattan, fabrics and other natural elements. The wonderful high ceilings and the sea-inspired palette bring the outside in and create a fresh, relaxing and airy oasis. By grouping furniture into functional areas in the open plan, Samantha ensures definition and order without sacrificing on cosiness or functionality - perfect for family dinners, entertaining and playing games.

Adding a covered porch is a great way to extend your living space and provides a graceful transition to the outside. Get more ideas on how you can achieve this look from the Bemz Simple Life Lifestyle, as well as previous posts highlighting how to use on-trend blues for spring and summer 2012. You can see the rest of the photos on the episode gallery or watch the episode.

If you enjoyed this house tour, then why not take a tour of Bemz founder and CEO Lesley's home or the Scandi country charm in France house tour both recently featured in France’s Journal Des Femmes. And stay tuned to find out what Samantha Pynn chose from Bemz next!

Credit and photos: Samantha Pynn, Summer Homes, HGTV Canada

Trend alert: Nordic Blue - with 10% off

Nikkala sofa with a cover in Stockholm Stripe Deep Navy Blue/Sand Beige from Bemz

Blue has been a Top Trend for a while now, and gaining momentum in the run up to summer. Anything can be a catalyst for a great interior but at this time of year, nature and the seaside will provide the kind of breezy elegance our bodies yearn for.

Nils stool cover in Light Denim Blue Belgian Linen Blend from Bemz.

Bed skirt in Loose Fit Urban style, 100% prewashed linen Cobalt Brera Rigato designed by Designers Guild, from the Bemz Designer Collection

It takes just a few cool accents on a restrained palette to create the overall effect of a blue room. Washed out greys, greige, alabaster, putty and pebbles on the beach are the inspiration, while blues are the nucleus.

Nikkala sofa with a Bemz cover in Unbleached Belgian Linen Blend

Depth and character are added by mixing textures from the translucent sheer curtains to the weighty stone floors and rough-hewn woods. Splashes of simple pattern, especially blue on blues, from the azure seas to the lighter, wispy skies, create an ideal summer interior scheme.

Nils stool with a cover from Bemz in Light Denim Blue Belgian Linen Blend

Straight bed skirt from Bemz in Absolute White Panama cotton

Read more about the Nordic Blue trend on the Bemz website - plus get 10% off the ten most popular blue fabrics chez Bemz until May 15, 2012.

Henriksdal chairs with covers from Bemz: left, Medium length skirt in Absolute White Rosendal Pure Washed Linen Loose Fit Urban style; and right, Long skirt in Bolster Stripe Eggshell Blue cotton

Now that that's settled, you can start focusing on more important things like what you are going to eat, drink and listen to on those long, warm, lazy summer evenings. Roll on summer!

House Tour: Scandi country charm in France

This house tour featured on France's Journal des Femmes immediately caught my eye, perhaps because of its lovely simple decor with a definite Scandinavian influence, so I had to share.

From the outside it looks like a French country house but once inside it is all about simple lines, clean spaces and a monochromatic palette. Enjoy!

A couple of simple Klippan sofas paired with an upcycled table in untreated wood and hints of industrial vintage give the room a sense of calm and character.

Modern meets traditional in the kitchen diner.

In the den, the owners stick to the simple colour palette for their Tylosand sofas paired with untreated woods and vintage accents keeping the aura of calm throughout.

Again, the bedroom is kept simple yet inviting with its stone coloured walls and floor reminiscent of the seaside. The wood cladding also brings that coastal feel to mind.

The minimal colour palette and simple look continue into the ensuite... And finally, a pop of colour!

To see more of this house tour or other really inspirational house tours visit Journal des Femmes.

Credit: by Elodie Rothan at Journal des Femmes

Top tips: How to decorate your bedroom

Bedrooms offer up rest for not just our bodies but for our minds and souls too. Check out our bedroom special full of lovely photos put together by the amazing Bemz design team for tips and inspiration before tackling your own room. But first, here's a synopsis, based on five styles. Which one is yours?

Florö bed frame from Ikea in Moss Green Belgian Linen from Bemz. Ikea Karlstad footstools in Bubbel Brown by designer Bantie at Bemz

Bohemian Chic: The relaxed, yet sophisticated Bohemian Chic Lifestyle is characterized by a hand picked mix of modern iconic designs and antique classics. The bedroom is a peaceful refuge from the day’s stresses. Although a variety of solid-coloured, patterned and embroidered cushions are used, there is no feeling of clutter.

Bed skirt with frills in Rosendal Pure Washed Linen Lavender from Bemz

A sense of personal luxury is created with a subtly wrinkled linen bed skirt. Don’t be afraid to mix colours and textures, these are exciting clashes that will enhance that bohemian look! Read more about Bohemian Chic.

Straight Bed Skirt in Soft White Belgian Linen Blend from Bemz

Simple Life: This is a style that sits as one with nature, taking root in rugged coastal scenery. The typical Simple Life bedroom is discriminating and uncomplicated with a focus on function. A washed linen bed skirt brings a balance of elegance and natural simplicity.

Bed skirt with frills in Rosendal Pure Washed Medium Grey

Various light coloured textiles reinforce the fresh and simple look of this nature-inspired decor. Consider mixing natural textiles with different textures, like linen and cotton, to add character and depth. Read more about Simple Life.

Bemz Bed skirt with frills in Rosendal Pure Washed Soft White

Scandinavian Country: This an interpretation of a romantic past. Create a cosy, romantic, vintage-inspired bedroom using whites and light pastels, ideally in crisp linens. A pleated bed skirt or upholstered headboard paired with cushions and throws underline the tranquil and harmonious vibe. A simple chandelier accentuates the contrasting mix of elegance and rustic warmth.

Florö bed frame cover in Soft White Belgian Linen Blend

Character and cosiness are added through quintessential florals, informal stripes and checks, emphasising the rural expression. Read more about Scandinavian Country.

Florö bed frame cover in Tégner Mélange Ink Blue. Cushion covers in Silver Grey and Tégner Mélange Ink Blue

Urban Living: This evokes a self-confident attitude and a singular character with a chic and functional feel. The Urban Living styled bedroom takes inspiration from hotel rooms. Its function as the perfect retreat from the daily stresses of city living is fulfilled via a coherent colour scheme. Carefully selected designer cushions are lined up while a stylish throw sits at the foot of the bed. An upholstered headboard and a straight bed skirt with box pleats contribute to the sense of serene luxury.

Grimen bed frame cover in Frescati Plaid Grey

The colour scheme is monochromatic, based on either a dark industrial–chic style palette or a lighter modern and elegant palette. Read more about Urban Living.

Florö bed frame cover in Stockholm Stripe Jet Black

Playground: As the name suggests, Playground is all about playfulness. Happy colours and daring patterns mix with Scandinavian design classics and modern favourites. A graphic black and white upholstered bed frame adorned with large patterned cushions in lime, grass green and yellow are lively against white walls.

Fuchsia daybed with scatter cushions in orange, pink and lime from Bemz

The guest room’s fuchsia daybed pops when scattered with pattern-rich cushions in orange, pink and lime. Combine sturdy Panama Cotton from Bemz with Designers Guild and Marimekko to strike the right balance. Read more about Playground.

Sweet dreams!

Top tips: How to dive into the blue

Blue never completely goes out of fashion. This is because it fits into many styles, is multi-functional, practical and beautiful. And it's back at the top of the popularity charts! 

From the coolest pale, powder blue to the deeply warming and intense sapphire, blue reaches from one end of the colour and emotional spectrum to the other. It is the colour of the sea and sky. It is happy thoughts. It is electric and invigorating. It is escapism. It is holidays. It is coolness. It is sadness. It is calming and relaxation. It is distance. It is abstract. And it is this very myriad of shades and the emotions they evoke, that makes blue so powerful.

Having read that, it may now feel like using blue is not easy - but it is, and here's how:

- Step one: think about the purpose of the space you are decorating. What kind of feel do you want to create? Do you want it relaxed or invigorating? Do you want to glam it up or keep it simple and rustic? To help you with this we have a few styles and idea palette choices listed after step three.

- Step two: pick the right shade of blue to achieve the purpose you defined in step one and introduce tones of that shade. In descending order, it goes colour, shade, tone. To further clarify - a tone is the varying degrees of a colour that make up a shade. So, if sky blue is a shade of the colour blue, then just as the sky is never composed of a single flat colour but rather a myriad of tones, so is the shade of colour you've chosen made up of a myriad of tones. And it is with these tones you want to work. 

- Step three: layer with the appropriate tones using patterns and texture. The key to success with blue is working with a mix of patterns and tones. This will keep it interesting without ever overdoing it.

Are you ready to dive in? 

Ultramarine and turquoise shades are vivid, versatile and trendy. They are the ones we are seeing most on catwalks and are great tones to use if you want to inject a feeling of spring/summer into your home. Layered tones will provide texture and interest.

If you are looking for a calm, coastal feel, pale aquamarines, denims paired with sandy beiges are the way to go. They are restful and soothing - well suited to rooms made for relaxing, like the living room or bedroom.

At the other end of the spectrum, an invigorating cobalt or electric blue paired with brilliant white is another take on the traditional monochromatic look. This is a great combination for a space that requires you to be productive, like a home office or kitchen. 

If you love glam, opt for teals, paired with turquoise and petrol blues for sophisticated bling. 

If pretty is more your thing, sky blues should be your palette of choice. They can have the effect of increasing a sense of spaciousness.

Whether you're an urban angel or a country romantic, love rustic or retro, there's a blue for you. Check out our collection of 35 blues by filtering colour choice in our webshop.

Photos: all from Bemz

Karlanda in Urban Tapestry makes the papers

Not too long ago, there was a feature article in Swedish Newspaper SvD's magazine on Form for Everyday Life, which proffered a tour around designer Daniel Svahn's and interior designer Nicole Morel's home in Stockholm, Sweden. 

Needless to say, design sits at the heart of this home where every piece has been carefully selected or designed by this duo.

Karlanda in Urban Tapestry - Jet Black from Bemz

Well weren't feeling like the cat's meow when we spotted their sofa: a Karlanda with an Urban Tapestry - Jet Black cover from Bemz. 

Here are five decorating tips from this design duo:

• Don't chicken out of crazy decorating ideas! It's your home so do what you want. But try to have a clear plan in place.
• Lighting is important. Ensure you have a variety of light sources in every room to help create ambiance.
• Decorate using personal accessories that mean something to you.
• Don't be afraid to use colour. It provides wonderful contrast and livens up a room.
• Redecorate yourself. Almost everything can be made more personal with some paint and fabric, both old and new. 

Trend alert: Urban decay revisited

As defined by Wikipedia "Urban decay (also known as urban rot and urban blight) is the process whereby a previously functioning city, or part of a city, falls into disrepair and decrepitude." This definition may leave you wondering how this could ever become trendy! However, as a result of our love of the environment, our passion for the three Rs, followed hot on the heels by the instant hit upcycling, it seems an almost natural progression. 

Urban decay New York City via Wikipedia

Urban Decay, in the fashion and interior sense, also known as Industrial Vintage and Industrial Chic, is really about embracing the tarnished and somewhat old and used pieces and making them your own. I posted about this back in December but it's high time for a revisit! Bemz's Loose Fit - Urban covers are set to go live momentarily and they are core to this look.

Industrial look c/o Bemz

What do you need to achieve the right amount of decay you ask? Well obviously, as with any design, personal taste will guide you here but basically think about these three things:

Industrial style kitchen c/o Livingetc

Industrial style conservatory c/o Livingetc

Industrial style bedroom c/o Ideal Home

1. Take cues from old, defunct factories and rustic surroundings: Furniture choices are sturdy and functional, with straight lines and simplistic design, ideally a little worn with either rust or peeling paint to give it the proper tarnished look and a genuine factory feel. Use a balanced mix of concrete, untreated wood and tarnished metal, ideally in their crudest, unpolished form to provide the industrial base for this look but then soften it with personal details like framed black and white photos, fresh cut flowers and supple fabrics.

Loose Fit - Urban slipcovers in Rosendal Pure Washed Linen Medium Grey on Henriksdal chairs from Ikea

Loose Fit - Urban bed skirt in Rosendal Pure Washed Linen Sage Brown on a 160x200 cm bed

Daybed cover in textured Sybary Light Grey and cushion covers in Sand Beige and Graphite Grey

2. Fabrics are key: It is the softness and versatility of fabrics that interprets the industrial theme for home living. Shades of grey, with white, black and blue accents, especially denim-like textiles build a solid base for the colour palette of this look. Injections of soft pastel colours, particularly "dirty pastels" such as mint green or light yellow, can break up the predominantly grey colour scheme. On-trend metallics are the ideal partner for offsetting the less refined materials used in this style. Patterns should be used sparingly so that the subdued, monochromatic grey, white and black colour palette remains uninterrupted. To achieve the right, worn look, opt for interesting textures instead, such as washed, tactile fabrics in any and every shade of grey.

A chair as a nightstand and a trolley as a coffee table

Industrial style home office c/o Livingetc 

3. Repurpose pieces - think outside the box! Stacked boxes provide unconventional storage; a slightly worn metal stool can be used as a bedside table; an upcycled pallet finished with a glass top and casters is a coffee table. These details define that urban decayed look while making it personal too.

Have a look at our Loose Fit - Urban collection on Pinterest for more inspiration and follow us on Facebook to find out when this new collection goes live.

Trend alert: What's hot for 2012

What January would be complete without the requisite what's hot list? Here's ours for 2012. We see this year in interiors celebrating your personality. This is of course not entirely new but perhaps taking it up a notch: attention to details, unique pieces, pleasant, comfortable interiors.

Get those paintbrushes out! Strong, bold colours are back. We've already seen this with Pantone's Colour of the Year Tangerine Tango, but it's also apparent with the use of more and more what I like to call confident colours. Those bright, vibrant, determined colours that say 'I like this colour and I'm not afraid to use it.' Bam!

Not too shabby: that rustic, worn and romantic shabby chic style remains hot but is being paired with industrial to give the look a bit of an edge. Looks like we are launching our Loose Fit Urban covers just in time!

Handmade and bespoke furnishings are still in high demand. It is after all these items that make one's home so very personal. 

Wallpaper is still holding it's ground - perhaps due to the great versatility of style and designs available to us. From retro, to glamorous to trompe d'oeuil and everything in between, you are sure to find the right paper to finish the look you want in your home.

Exotic eastern influences are spicing up interiors around the globe. Choose from Moroccan style patterns, or an Asian accessory to turn your home a little more bohemian.

Life in high definition, like über real art is making head ways, like the oil painting above. It's hard to believe it's a painting and not a photo. And that's the point...

You could of course kill two birds with one stone by combining this trend with the wallpaper trend.

Plants are hot, as accessories as well as decor-wise. If you're not much of a green thumb then stick with tropical plants that are used to harsher conditions!

Oversized lighting is one to watch this year. No need to break the bank to achieve this - even our blue and yellow Swedish friend has some nice options.

Sculpted mirrors: with personalisation being so popular, we look to have any and every piece somewhat unique, which is why these sculpted mirrors are so big now. They can be used interchangeably with art.

I love the fact that glass is a popular trend for 2012. They bounce the light around the room, add air and a feeling of space. Plus, today there are so many wonderful glass accessories to choose from, in a plethora of shapes, sizes and colours that it can be easily introduced into any interior. Look for lamp bases, vases and decorations. 

Cover yourself! Window dressings, like wallpaper, once felt like a thing of the past but it is back in a big way. Anything from curtains to simple blinds will tick the box.

Credit: For source of photos hold mouse over image

Trend alert: Trompe d'oeuil wallpaper

There is a whole range of wallpapers available today that can really define a room, add character or even make it seem more than it is. Wish you had a library? Love the idea of wood paneling or shutter? Trompe d'oeuil wallpapers may be just the solution. Here are some of my favourites.

 

If wallpaper seems like too much try a panel, like these ones below.

Like what you see (sorry, I couldn't help it!). Rockett St George has a great selection.

Photos s/o Rockett St George

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