It's a cover-up

Design spotlight: AGA

We started this design spotlight series in the beginning of the year, with the hopes of featuring some real dandies. As a starting point, I ask Bemzies to tell me what designer item would top their wishlist. First up was Production Manager, Lisbeth with her Royal Copenhagen dinnerware then Project Manager, Sara's cabinet from Svenskt Tenn. So far, so good! Now it's Customer Service Rep, Emma's turn and her choice: the iconic AGA oven.

Photo via AGA: Classic two oven AGA in cream

I'm really glad this feature made it to our list, as the AGA is a stunning piece of furniture for the kitchen that suits many different styles, despite first being launched in 1929.

Photo via Ideal Home: Updated Shaker style kitchen with modern handles and pure white AGA

Photo via Homes & Gardens: Country style kitchen with a splash of colour

Photo via Sylvarna Kitchen Designs: Classic black AGA completes a modern kitchen design

Plus, we at Bemz have more in common with it than we perhaps first suspected: it was invented by a Swede! Nobel Prize winning physicist Dr Gustaf Dalén, who was house bound after losing his sight due to a failed experiment, created a cast-iron cooker capable of every kind of cooking simultaneously through its two large hotplates and two ovens, otherwise known as the AGA.

Photo via AGA: Cream coloured conventional AGA

Photo via Beautiful Homes: Earthy tones and rustic touches give this fisherman's cottage kitchen a coastal feel

Photo via Livingetc: A country kitchen with a modern edge

More importantly however, an AGA sets the standard for kitchen design and gives this heart of the home a stunning focal point. Like any clever company, AGA has made changes to meet customers' more modern demands over the years without ever losing sight of the all important look of this iconic appliance.

I think Emma put it perfectly when she informed me that the AGA cooker topped her designer wishlist: Something I would love to have but do not actually need is this iconic appliance, although I would prefer it in Duck Egg Blue.

Photo via AGA: 3-oven in duck egg blue

Photo via Henry Gorden Jones: Duck egg blue AGA

Read more about the history of AGA and their range of cookers. And thank you Emma for your brilliant choice providing us with another intriguing Designer Spotlight!

PS FYI: Dalén contributed more to this world than this iconic piece - he was awarded the Nobel prize for his work in developing automated lighthouses, an invention which saved countless lives.

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

Design Spotlight: Svenskt Tenn

It's time for the second installment of our new Design Spotlight series where we look at all those classic, iconic as well as up-and-coming design pieces we covet, and the creative minds behind them.

The first installment came from our very own Lisbeth's wishlist. Officially called the Product & Production Manager, Lisbeth is the Bemz in-house design specialist so suffice it say, she knows design. And what a great start it was with a look at some stunningly beautiful and timeless, retro inspired Royal Copenhagen dinnerware.

Svenskt Tenn shop today

But let's move onto our next feature which comes from the wishlist of the person I work most closely with - our fabulous marketing extraordinaire, Sara. Project Manager Sara has also chosen a piece from an iconically Scandinavian design house, Svenskt Tenn. More iconic still, Sara has chosen a piece by the superlative of designers, Josef Frank and his Cabinet 2192, pictured below. 

Cabinet 2192 by Josef Frank

What makes this cabinet design so unusual and fresh is the shadow effect formed from the corrugated cardboard-like doors. Josef Frank designed this in 1954, yet it still looks contemporary and fresh. That's talent.  

Svenskt Tenn is an interior design shop located on Strandvägen in Stockholm, Sweden, but a shop with a great history. It was founded in 1924 by Estrid Ericson, who recruited Austrian architect and designer, Josef Frank to the company 10 years later. The pairing of Viennese elegance and Swedish functionalism, brightly coloured patterns, unabashed borrowing from high and low cultures and eras defined Svenskt Tenn’s design philosophy and completely went against the ideals of the day. This creative duo designed the elegant and boldly patterned style that continues to pervade the collection today.

In 1958, Josef Frank wrote in the magazine Form: “There’s nothing wrong with mixing old and new, with combining different furniture styles, colours and patterns. Anything that is in your taste will automatically fuse to form an entire relaxing environment. A home does not need to be planned down to the smallest detail or contrived; it should be an amalgamation of the things that the owner loves and feels at home with.” A sentiment that is as current today as his creations.

Josef Frank is still held in great repute and continues to be a source of inspiration for many young designers today. In fact, textile designer Stig Lindberg, whose creations are included in the Bemz Designer Collections (pictured above), quoted Josef Frank as one of his sources of inspiration. 

Estrid Ericson and Josef Frank have succeeded in creating that timelessness which so many strive for but few manage to achieve.

Thank you Sara for your wonderful choice and providing such a fascinating Design Spotlight!

Read more about the history of Svenskt Tenn, about shop founder Estrid Ericson, and Josef Frank.

World Design Capital of 2012: Helsinki, Finland

Helsinki has been officially designated the honour of World Design Capital for 2012 and we are thrilled. This Finnish capital has long been a mecca for design aficionados, but it's wonderful to see it finally get the credit it deserves!

Light show on Helsinki Cathedral

Back in the 90s, a group of über creatives were drawn to the rough charm and low rents of the west of downtown Helsinki so decided to set up shop and call it their own... The Design District of Helsinki was born.

Minna Parikka in her shop in the Design District in Helsinki

In the heart of the Design District, where cutting edge boutiques and studios abound, you can often find the creative minds behind the wares on hand, ready to provide personalised advice. One example is designer Minna Parikka and her extravagant shoes (pictured above) which are popular with the likes of Lady Gaga and Dita von Teese.

This is not to say that Finnish designers are contemporary new kids on the block. Au contraire! Much of this Nordic country's design success is rooted in a very well established portfolio, one that has held its ground for decades.

The timeless Aalto vase

Not so long ago, I posted about Finnish fave Alvar Aalto and a book about his architectural achievements which show no signs of diminishing in popularity. But like so many of his prolific counterparts, he is equally famous for his vase, pictured above.

Kartio glassware collection by Kaj Franck and the Ball Chair by Eero Aarnio

Other Finnish favourites include Kaj Franck and his seminal glassware (left), Eero Aarnio and his coveted Ball Chair (right) and so many other classics to be found under the famous Iittala and Artek design houses. 

Klippan sofa in Unikko Red by Marimekko from the Bemz Designer Collection

Of course, our favourite would have to be Finnish cult brand Marimekko. Global recognition was cemented back at the start of the 60s for this textile giant, when Jackie Kennedy wore a Marimekko shift dress on the cover of Life magazine. They've never looked back. 

What is the secret of these Finnish masters' success? Three words: beautiful, functional and timeless. Who's your favourite Finnish designer?

Happy holidays and the best of 2012 from Bemz!

Thank you for sharing 2011 with us. As we take leave of the year that is drawing to a close and ponder all we achieved, big and small, over those 365 days, we thought it fitting to provide you with true Scandi ambiance with some Swedish holiday music. The music was recorded in 1962 by Åke Jelving along with a chorus of parents and children and comes to us thanks to blog Door Sixteen.

Follow this link and you can download the album (wait for the countdown to finish if you don't have an account). It even has the scratchy sounds of an LP. Festive, retro and vintage! Spot on. The only way to make it more Scandi chic is if you were sipping a mug of mulled wine. Skål!

We hope to see more of you in 2012!

Books to Inspire: Alvar Aalto Houses

Finnish Alvar Aalto is perhaps best known for creating stunning glassware, furniture and textiles, which are still sought-after pieces today. From his iconic vase to his cantilevered birch wood chairs, we see his creations everywhere. But did you know he was an architect?

Alvar Aalto Houses by Jari and Sirkkaliisa Jetsonen, presents 26 innovative single family homes built according to his designs between the 20s and the 60s. These were built in Finland, Estonia and France and are still considered architectural gems today.

With a hugely successful career that spanned half a century, Alvar Aalto was one of the 20th century's most important architects. He designed almost 100 houses taking a new and unique approach that cleverly combined modernist principles with traditional Finnish architecture to create a  individual style that is both exclusive and desirable.

What was so unique about Alvar Aalto's approach in architecture was that he and his wife Aino Aalto, also an architect, saw it as a complete body of art. Their designs progressed beyond the shell of the building to demand special treatments to interior surfaces as well, including furniture, lamps, furnishings and glassware. It is this holistic approach to his works that made him so successful and his works so instantly recognisable.

"There is an ulterior motive, too, in architecture, which is always peeping out from around the corner, the idea of creating paradise. It is only purpose of our buildings. If we do not carry this idea with us the whole time all our buildings would be simpler, more trivial and life would become - well, would life amount to anything at all? Every building, every work of architecture, is a symbol which has the aspiration to show that we want to build a paradise on earth for ordinary mortals." - Alvar Aalto

Even the Alvar Aalto museum showcasing his works was designed by the man himself. Truly holistic.

Books to Inspire: IKEA the book

Why not? Whether we like to admit it or not, we are all drawn to that blue and yellow Swedish giant. Plus, as we are virtually piggybacking off this amazing home retailer, we really need to take our hats off to them.

IKEA the book talks about how this home retailer went from a one man show selling furniture off the back of a truck to one of the most recognised home retailers on a global scale in less than 50 years.

It also presents the designers who are behind the many successes at IKEA.

I once saw an episode of a television series called megafactories where they looked at the manufacturing process for IKEA sofas. It was very insightful. This book also explores the manufacturing processes from concept to execution, and discusses just how the pieces are engineered to come together so easily in consumers' homes.

This excerpt says: One of the pioneering child-friendly efforts was the Klippan sofa. Suddenly children were allowed on what used to be considered a parents-only sofa. The living room's most expensive piece of furniture, constantly exposed to chocolate stains and spilled milk, caught up making "stricter" parents less fearful about their furniture.

This is exactly why Bemz came into being - all our slipcovers are machine washable, child- and family-friendly. However, we are giving you one thing IKEA can't: at Bemz, thanks to our 180 strong collection of fabrics, you can give your sofa, chair or even bed your own unique look, one that won't be repeated in homes throughout the world.

From Scandinavia with love, indeed

Do you ever jump from one link online to the next and the next and end up somewhere wholly different from where you started? Sometimes that's a good thing: I was doing that today and came across this beautiful shot on From Scandinavia with Love.

Nice place! Very contemporary but not without a bit of playfulness and lots of vibrant colours. I love the way the room has been built on a monochromatic palette of white with black highlights and then brightened with injections of a gorgeous sun yellow and real red. By sticking to those two colours when choosing accessories and even pieces of furniture, the overall look is a clean, sophisticated and modern one.

By the way, those two free standing Karlstad chaise longues are in Stockholm Stripe - Jet Black.

Bemz + Bantie = fab new designer collection

Bubbel by Bantie at Bemz on an Ekeskog sofa

Once again, Bemz has created the opportunity for easy and inspired home updates by transforming Ikea sofas around the world into something truly unique and individual. This latest collaboration with up-and-coming Swedish design-team Bantie, will see four new patterns added to the Bemz Designer Collection.

The Bantie Designer Collection for slipcovers at Bemz includes the Kokeshi, Salamander, Bubbel, and Korall patterns, available at Bemz in a total of seven colorways.

Kokeshi by Bantie at Bemz on an Ekeskog armchair

Playful Kokeshi (above), depicting the ever popular Japanese wooden dolls, is a modern interpretation of a classic toile de Jouy pattern with a distinct and affectionate Japanese twist.

Left: Salamander by Bantie at Bemz on an Ekeskog sofa; Right: Korall and Kokeshi by Bantie at Bemz in two colorways on Nils chairs

Salamander (left) seems to simmer with emotion and movement while Bubbel (photo, top) and Korall (photo, right) are more earthy depictions, using wonderfully unique organic treatments of shape and form with obvious retro influences.

Kokeshi by Bantie at Bemz on a Nils chair

These new fabrics, machine washable as always, will be available as sofa and chair covers at bemz.com from January 2011.

"Aside from the fact that we clearly love the Bantie patterns, we see this launch as a natural continuation of our work with both classic and modern Scandinavian design," says Bemz CEO and founder Lesley Pennington.

Korall by Bantie at Bemz in two colorways on the Stockholm Easy chair

Stockholm-based Bantie’s style is a contemporary one but not without a sense of humor and a serious nod to the past. Inspiration is drawn from a wonderful mélange of eclectic and modern design influences, pulled together with Scandinavian inspired color palettes and design sensibilities.

Bantie founder and CEO, Wilhelmina Wiese’s take on the upcoming launch: "It's fantastic to be able to initiate a collaboration with Bemz, and the idea that our wonderful designs will end up on IKEA furniture all over the world is very exciting."

Left: Salamander by Bantie at Bemz on an Ekeskog sofa with Kokeshi by Bantie at Bemz on a Nils chair at back; Right: Bubbel by Bantie at Bemz on Jennylund armchairs

The individual behind the vision for this collection is Ulrika Gyllstad, whose background in fashion brings new thinking to the fabrics in terms of coordination and cohesion. Modern and timeless design that allows room for personal and genuine esthetic, sits at the heart of the design house’s collection.

Bantie is the latest in a series of designer collaborations for Bemz, which recently launched collections from Designers Guild of Britain, Marimekko of Finland and Lisa Bengtsson of Sweden. These join the Swedish design classics Stig Lindberg, Viola Gråsten and Göta Trägårdh to make up the Bemz Designer Collection.

With these seven new patterns from Bantie, the total number of fabrics available via bemz.com will exceed 170.

Summer special: 10% off Archipelago favorites!

During its best moments, summer inspires us to dream of salty seas and summerhouses by the waterfront. With the help of Bemz lifestyle “Archipelago“ and some new Bemz slipcovers you can recreate a nautical look in your own home and always have your own warm summer dreams! Psst, keep reading to check out our special Archipelago offer...  

For the classic navy look, combine fresh Stockholm Stripes in Real Red, Deep Navy Blue, Caffe Latte and Sand Beige with their matching solid color, or mix it up with another color hue and fabric texture, like Unbleached Linen.

To recreate the boho chic archipelago style of faded jeans, go for a base of Light Denim Blue and complement with pixel rose pattern True Rose or multi-striped Static Stripe in Light Denim Blue and Caffe Latte.

Feel like introducing a cool summer breeze into your living room or dining room? Shop now and get 10% off Real Red, Deep Navy Blue, Soft White and Absolute White (in our 100% panama cotton weave, stain protected and machine washable)! This offer is available until Sunday July 25th, and applies to all Bemz products (sofa, chair, and/or cushion covers, and fabric by the metre) in the above mentioned fabric choices. The price you see online is the discounted price, and this offer is only valid for orders placed and paid online.

Shop latest Sunday 25th to get your Archipelago discount!