It's a cover-up

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.

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.

Thanks for the shout out!

Photo c/o M2JL with Tullsta chair with Bemz cover in Marimekko Unikko- Red 

We've recently been getting some great coverage from some fab blogs. Thanks to M2JL, A Chair in a Room, Rented Spaces, Swedish Våning & Villa, Inspirera Mera and Villa Varm, and Norwegian Fjellrosa & Livet Under Stjernene.

Left: Residence from Sweden; right: Your Home UK

On the newsstand you will have found some of our models gracing the pages of some fave mags. Swedish Residence put together this great orange ensemble with a Klippan dressed in Gotland Stripe- Mandarin Orange by Bemz which, combined with the wood, really warms up the otherwise white room. Meanwhile, the UK's Your Home opted for a greener look with an Ektorp armchair in Marimekko Kirsikka- Turquoise by Bemz.

Have you got a point?

Poäng is Swedish for point but at Ikea is it also for a bent birch framed armchair. Well - good news for those of you who do have a "point": Bemz has added them to the list of models for which we manufacture covers. 

Also, new to our list of products are covers for the Nils chair and stool, the Strömstad corner sofa and, just in time to put your feet up, the Falsterbo footstool. 

If none of these were the ones you've been holding out for, why not drop us a line and let us know what you'd like to see included in our next product launch.

Lesley at Formex: The e-commerce revolution

Not so long ago I told you that Lesley was going to give a talk about the E-commerce Revolution at the Formex Trade show in Sweden. They've written about it in Formex Magazine:

Lesley Pennington gave a powerful talk with hard facts and numerous thought-provoking points. Captivating and truthful.

Some of the stats she shared:

- 93% of Internet users bought something online last year
- The Internet accounted for 7.7% of total global sales in 2008

Read the entire article here.

10% off trend colors this fall

To celebrate the arrival of autumn, the great people at Bemz have put together this special offer: 10% off fall favorites Crimson Red, Moss Green and Sand Beige. All three are in 100% Panama Cotton weave, are stain protected and machine washable (naturally!). The offer is valid until October 11th, 2009.

Lego Architecture - Aren't they clever!

With more than Scandinavian roots in common, we at Bemz have always loved Lego. The Danish giant harnesses individuality, providing each builder the opportunity to create exactly what is on the box or to pursue their own creations. From those simple little interlocking bricks of our childhood, to the amazing range of movie-themed kits today, Lego stays one step ahead of the game with products catered to every age, interest and ability.

Their latest addition, Lego Architecture, will definitely keeps those Lego fans (purists and kids alike!) coming back for more. So far there are renderings of six world famous buildings, including two of Frank Lloyd Wright's most famous: the Guggenheim Museum (above) and “Fallingwater” (below).

What's brilliant about this new challenge is the unique insight it offers into the actual design and construction that went into these world class buildings.

 

The name 'LEGO' is derived from an abbreviation of the two Danish words "leg godt", meaning "play well" and although it may be true some of us remain happiest left with a pile of bricks and our active imagination, isn't it wonderful to tap into the imaginations of some of the world's best?

Photos c/o Lego.

E-commerce Revolution at Formex

Lesley Pennington, founder and CEO of Bemz, has been asked to be a guest speaker at the upcoming Formex Trade Fair. Lesley has chosen a topic that sits close to our hearts: "The E-commerce revolution". And that's not all - our design and production departments have been scurrying to finalize the details for the two exhibits we will host.

Formex is the biggest meeting place for professionals working within the realm of Nordic Design. The underlying theme of this year's fair is stylish  vintage travel with several similarly themed exhibits focused on various aspects of travel as seen in the 40s and 50s. The Orient Express exhibit promises to be functional and esthetic while the Young Designer's zone "The Lady Lisa Cafe" will provide an interesting mix of past and contemporary design. Read more about it on the  Formex Trade Show website.

Formex takes place this August 27-30 in Stockholm, Sweden and the Bemz exhibit space is AG:64. As it is by invitation only to trade professionals, I'll make sure to keep you posted with the details of Lesley's lecture as well as feedback from the fair. Stay tuned!

Photos via Formex

Ikea as art

This summer's major design exhibition at the Stockholm Art Gallery Liljevalchs, one of the most appreciated exhibition spaces in all of Sweden, is focused on Ikea.

IKEA AT LILJEVALCHS will tell the story of Ikea as 'the largest furniture and design phenomenon of all times'. The exhibition promises to be entertaining with entry gained through an oversized PS cabinet to then be greeted by the Flat Pack - made famous, or is it infamous, by the Swedish furniture giant. Also, visitors to the exhibition will be given a small pin on which a piece of Ikea furniture will be pictured. More information about each piece furniture will be available on the Liljevalchs website.

Liljevalchs will take visitors on a journey through the life of furniture design from a series of traditional 18th century furniture right through to Ikea's early jeans furniture from the 70s. One room will show how Ikea’s business idea, to provide an affordable furniture solution for "the everyman", coincided with the Swedish political concept du jour of the 50s: a radical, ambitious and visionary housing program. More importantly perhaps, you can see how the Swedish furniture giant contributed to yours, and many others', past and present digs.

The exhibition is on from June 13 - August 30, 2009, in Stockholm, Sweden.

Credit: photos via Liljevalchs

IKEA AT LILJEVALCHS will tell the story of Ikea as 'the largest furniture and design phenomenon of all times'. The exhibition promises to be entertaining with entry gained through an oversized PS cabinet to then be greeted by the Flat Pack - made famous, or is it infamous, by the Swedish furniture giant. Also, visitors to the exhibition will be given a small pin on which a piece of Ikea furniture will be pictured. More information about each piece furniture will be available on the Liljevalchs website.

Liljevalchs will take visitors on a journey through the life of furniture design from a series of traditional 18th century furniture right through to Ikea's early jeans furniture from the 70s. One room will show how Ikea’s business idea, to provide an affordable furniture solution for "the everyman", coincided with the Swedish political concept du jour of the 50s: a radical, ambitious and visionary housing program. More importantly perhaps, you can see how the Swedish furniture giant contributed to yours, and many others', past and present digs.

The exhibition is on from June 13 - August 30, 2009, in Stockholm, Sweden.

Credit: photos via Liljevalchs