It's a cover-up

Books to inspire: Paul Smith A to Z

Interested in finding out what inspires British fashion designer Sir Paul Smith, one of the most influential designers of our times? Then his latest book Paul Smith A to Z is a must-have. Available on Amazon, this is also a great book to browse through when you need some inspiration or something to smile about.

Paul Smith A to Z draws on a personal collection of photographs, sketches and documents, all arranged alphabetically, offering rare insight into his unique way of working. A for Abbey Road, E for Eccentricity, P for Post-Its and R for Rabbits and so on.

"I was being filmed for a documentary by the French company Arte and they originally wanted to make a small booklet to go in with the DVD," said Smith to Vogue. "When they started talking and visited my London studio they realised they could make it into a simple book instead - a little story about each letter along with my photographs taken over various years and in different locations."

Paul Smith has a very unique yet relatable outlook on life and every ounce of it is translated in his brand. He reckons that being dyslexic hones his way of working and his creative chaos. The book, as you would expect, is beautifully put together.

What is amazing is the simplicity and diversity of the images – a cross section of Paul Smith’s creativity. It also clearly shows the importance of keeping sketchbooks or visual diaries, such as an Instagram account.

Paul Smith A to Z gives us a peek into the personal collections of the designer, what he loves and how he relates to things as a designer, businessman and inquisitive gentleman.

Credits: Vogue
Photos: Amazon, Zimbio

Trend Alert: Denim

We’ve written about this trend before. And we’re bound to do it again – because denim never seems to go out of style. From handbags to home decor, from shirts to sofa covers, this durable textile remains a hot trend in our wardrobe and our homes.

The cool, laid-back appeal of denim is the perfect match to the utilitarian simplicity and unexpected beauty of the Industrial Vintage look that we like so much.

Bemz covers for Karlanda sofa in Dark Denim Blue Piper Twill and cushion in Cloud Grey Woven Whimsy

Bemz cover for Kivik sofa in Loose fit Urban style

Take inspiration from boyfriend jeans with slouchy masculine seating. Structured pieces act like seams to bring the room together.

Bemz cover for Karlanda sofa in Dark Denim Blue Piper Twill

Bemz cover for Karlanda sofa in Dark Denim Blue Piper Twill and cushion cover in Sand Beige Panama Cotton

For a softer rustic style, look to dip-dyed denims, using black details and inky fabrics to emphasise depth.

Layer smart, tailored and geometric textiles upon a distressed denim style background for rough-and-ready urban style.

Add denim textile details for a fun, tactile finish. Time worn wooden furniture is the ideal partner.

Bemz cushion covers in Soft White Panama Cotton, Dark Denim Blue Piper Twill, Deep Navy Blue Stockholm Stripe


Bemz cover for Nikkala sofa in Deep Navy Blue & Sand Beige Stockholm Stripe, with cushion covers in True Blue Panama Cotton, Unbleached Belgian Linen Blend, Dark Denim Blue Piper Twill

Use neutral architectural accents in the same way as a classic white tee - to break up multiple blue hues.

Bemz bed skirt in Loose Fit Urban Style

Give a contemporary twist to timeless elements.

Bemz cover for Klappsta armchair in Dark Denim Blue Piper Twill

If the cosmopolitan-inspired Urban Living design is more your thing, combine denim with different shades of black, dark brown, charcoal and granite. Then break it up with accents of subtle pattern, like classic check.

Credit: Living Etc. November 2012
Photos: Bemz, Ralph Lauren Home,  Design Indoor and Sogos

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Prêt-à-porter: Home updates for the savvy fashionista

Just like fashion, home décor trends are constantly evolving. And just like your wardrobe, your home may need an occasional update to keep it looking fresh and inviting. Spring 2013 is no exception.

So, listen up all you savvy fashionistas out there – you’ll be happy to hear that it doesn't take an entire room makeover to brighten up your place. In fact, bringing the catwalk into your home is as easy as going from flats to heels. The most cost effective way of staying on-trend – without sacrificing your wardrobe budget – is by varying the textiles in your home.

Which of the following hot trends for 2013 gets you going?

1) Bright accents: Love super bright accessories in bold orange or canary yellow such as a cheeky yellow clutch by Kate Spade from her Spring 2013 collection? Then pack a punch with a dash of Sun Yellow or Mandarin Orange with a cover from Bemz on a daybed or cushion.

Daybed in Black&White Coconut Grove by Designers Guild from the Bemz Designer Collection.
Cushions in Sun Yellow and Soft White also from Bemz.

2) Neon: Do you light up at the thought of Kurt Geiger’s neon Starheel and the Supers collection? Then make your home glow with a Fiskis cushion in neon orange, pink or yellow from the Bemz Artist Series cushion series.

Bemz Artist Series cushion covers in Orange Fiskis, Pink Fiskis, and Orange Kvarter. 

Bemz Artist Series cushion covers in Pink Fiskis, Orange Kvarter and Brown Kvarter

3) Floral prints: Want to flaunt floral with Charlotte Ronson's Floral Print dress? Then your home will bloom with a sofa or armchair cover in floral prints by Lisa Bengtsson for the Bemz Designer collection. Or how about big & bright blooms by Designers Guild from Bemz?

Bemz cover for Barkaby armchair in Green Baronessa by Lisa Bengtsson.

Klippan sofa in Fuchsia Flamingo Park by Designers Guild from the Bemz Designer Collection

4) Landscapes: Digital prints of flora and fauna are turning heads this season and similar photo fracture prints were spotted at Fashion Week Spring Summer 2013. Cultivate your wild side with Rose Dellen or Silver Grey Vallsta digitally printed cushions from Bemz.

Bemz Artist Series Cushion covers - Rose Dellenand Silver Grey Valsta

5) Black & white geometric and optical plays: are making statements on everything from rags to bags. Express this on a chair or bed with a cover from Bemz.

Klappsta armchair in a Dusty Rose Houndstooth cover from Bemz

6) Simply chic:If you love a sleek fitted jacquard suit from Burburry Prorsum. Then cover a chair or footstool in Viola Gråsten’s Kaleido print from Bemz.

Nils Chair cover from Bemz in Viola Gråsten Kaleido BrownPlum

For more information on how you can bring the hottest fashion trends into your home, visit www.bemz.com.

Photo credits: All photos featuring sofa and slipcovers from Bemz. Other photo credits in order of appearance: Vogue, Swide, Wardrobe Trends Fashion, Vintage Traffic, Red Carpet Fashion Awards,Vogue UK, The Fuji Files, WSGN, Louis Vuitton, Harper's Bazaar Australia.

Books to inspire: The New Artisans by Olivier Dupon

With the DIY crafting trend gaining momentum worldwide, The New Artisans by is Olivier Dupon is a timely, must-have for all arts-and-crafts buffs out there looking for inspiration or for people who simply love beautifully made objects. What a treat!

Adeptly capturing the new mood - a return to the unique and the artisanal - Dupon showcases designers and makers who use craft techniques rather than mass-production methods to create unique, covetable objects.

Some pieces have been created from scratch, some are old things put together in novel ways, and others are upcycled from the growing mountain of abandoned objects out there, a consequence of today's throwaway culture.

In itself, the book is beautiful, a massive lush tome of 300 pages that is a pleasure to pick up and leaf through. Featuring 75 designers from all over the world whose products are available online – you’ll be sure to find a few favourites yourself.

It is also an excellent reference guide for your own crafting, including an invaluable directory of products, divided into categories: art, ceramics, furniture, glasswork, jewellery, lighting, metalwork, paper and woodwork, stationery, tableware, and textiles.

More than 800 colour photographs illustrate the huge variety of design work available — knitted scarves, handblown chandeliers, wooden table lamps, delicate paper flowers, handthrown pots and jugs, beaded necklaces, embroideries, and more.

Enjoy!

The New Artisans sells online from Amazon and Thames & Hudson.

Pictures c/o Amazon,Thames & Hudson,Cool Hunting and Hi Arts

Trend alert: What’s hot for the year ahead?

What trends can we expect to see for the coming year design-wise, you ask? The next 12 months promise to be exciting ones of clever contrasts and sustainable choices. The focus is on useful, long-lasting and upcycled. Old juxtaposed with new. And while the pragmatic rules – things are never, ever boring.

Bemz cover for Jennylund armchair in Aubergine and cushion cover in Dusty Rose Gustavian Flowers by Katarina Wiklund from the Bemz Designer Collection

Cosy cocooning
Coming home should feel like one big lovely hug, with comfort and warmth surrounding you on all sides. Indeed, creating a harmonious haven to snuggle up into is an innate human need and one we should embrace.

Henriksdal chair and Nils armchair in Loose Fit Urban style covers in Medium Grey Rosendal Pure Washed Linen

Sincere and sustainable
Designers today are ditching costly materials that deplete natural resources or pollute in favour of more honest and affordable alternatives. Think sustainable wood with a raw hewn finish and clever utilisation of recyclables like cork, paper and cardboard. Today eco-design means good design.

Tomelilla sofa in a Bemz Basiq cover in Unbleached Basiq cotton

Back of Bemz Basiq cover with ties

Faceted forms
The modern minimalist’s dream. Folded, faceted forms are all the rage. Pleated covers attached with Velcro or ties, not stitching, so you can change it whenever you want.

Karlanda bench in Black Classic Ruta

Revamping old icons
This trend isn’t about finding reissues of old favourites. It’s about searching out and revamping neglected pieces.

Cushion covers in Cloud Grey Woven Whimsy and Mocha Chenille

Graceful greys
Without a doubt, this is the must-have colour for the year ahead. Graphite Grey, A Paler Shade of Grey, Zinc Grey and Silver Grey – the palette is endless. Calm and cosy, mix grey fabrics in various tones and textures on snug upholstered sofas, chairs and beds. A pop of Dijon Yellow or Cinnabar Red adds interest.

Ekeskog sofa in Black/White Salamander by Bantie and cushion covers in Teal Blue Tegnér Melange and Graphite Grey Chenille

Monochrome magic
Whether on their own or together, these two contrasting colours make a bold statement. Black and white geometric prints are a major theme in collections for the coming year.

Barkarby armchair in Strong Pink Josephine by Göta Trägårdh

Contemporary romance
Feminine no longer has to mean sickly sweet. This trend is about using soft shades of Grass Green, Dusty Rose and Caffe Latte and adding layers of interest with romantic floral fabrics. Imagine old-fashioned rose-print cushions on a modern sofa or a vintage burgundy vase with a Moss Green sofa.

Right: Klippan sofa in Woven Whimsey Graphite Grey and cushion covers in Mandarin Orange and Cinnabar Red Chenille. Left: Henriksdal chair in Burnt Orange Tegnér Melange

Offbeat orange
We’ve seen orange come and go over the past few years. But we’ve never seen it like this. Yes it’s that 1970s burnt orange and old-school terracotta. Mix things up with a cool grey or brighter tangerine for a cheerful yet classy combination.

Daybed cover in Black/White Salamander by Bantie and cushion covers in Cloud Brera Quadretto by Designers Guild, Straw Yellow, Silver Grey Gotland Stripe, Mandarin Orange Gotland Stripe, and Skruvsta swivel Chair in Mandarin Orange

Compact living conundrum
This trend is a must for the space-challenged. Designs that make your interior puzzle come together. Interlocking furniture, storage-savvy units, modern furniture that slots together to serve different purposes.

Kivik sofa in Loose fit Urban style, cover in Medium Grey Rosendal Pure Washed Linen

Mixing it up
Not sure on what material to go with? Wicker or wood? Metal or marble? Overall looks or individual pieces combining more than one material are on-trend. Seek out the most unusual contrasts you can find. Translucent and opaque, vintage and modern, soft and hard, industrial and romantic.

Credit: Elle Decoration, September 2011

Trend alert: Floral flair

It's summer and everything's coming up roses (and peonies and sweetpeas). Yes, flowers are all the rage right now - and we love it!

Via Decor Illumina

We also love the fact that accessing the floral trend is as easy as picking a bouquet of wildflowers. Flowers are a simple and inexpensive way to add colour and cheer to your life and bring nature into your home.

Henriksdal chair in a Panama Cotton Caffe Latte True Rose cover from Bemz.

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

Living with flowers provides a boost of energy, happiness and enthusiasm and chases away the blues.

Daybed cover in Pale Turquoise New Baroque from Bemz.

Fresh flowers instantly brighten up any room. Transform and uplift a neutral table setting by mixing wild flowers and foliage with bought varieties adding shape and texture to your bouquet.

Via Country Living

Via The Flower Farm

Experiment with different surfaces and vessels for flowers. For example, instead of hiding long elegant stalks in vases, display them in vintage bottles on the floor.

Via Country Living

Layer pattern and texture in a room by placing a wildly enchanting arrangement against floral wallpaper. Choose flowers that contrast with the surroundings in similar tones to heighten impact.

From Designers Guild

There's an abundance of floral prints at flea markets and charity shops, lending a soft vintage feeling to any setting.

Photo from Domino Mag

Tomelilla in Fandango Red by Marimekko from the Bemz Designer Collection.

Make flowers a focal point in your home and place them where you will see and enjoy them the most. Combine your bouquet with cherished objects, creating a unique still life that will change with every new arrangement you make.

Photo via Apartments i Like

If splurging on freshly cut flowers isn't for you, put together an arrangement of floral still lifes using dried or silk flowers that will bring you joy everyday.

Embrace the floral trend. Bring on summer!

Credit: Elle Decoration, May and June 2012 issues

Behind the scenes: Bemz photoshoots

We often get asked about accessories and design details readers see in our photos - which is great. That's proof positive that our designers clearly know what they are doing. Not that I ever doubted them...

Sometimes the items can be purchased at source, other times not. Most recently, Bemz design duo Lisbeth and Katarina worked with Swedish Norrgården on the Industrial Vintage photoshoot - and here are some fab items they have on offer. 

The girls at Norrgården are a dab hand at spotting great old finds and sprucing them up as well as selling lovely new things too. 

You can see why it was an ideal location for the Industrial Vintage theme! If you like what you see, read more about this trend here, here and here. Also, check out our Loose Fit - Urban covers that suit this style to a 'T'.

Trend alert: Crocheted granny squares

Who would ever have thought that the old granny squares crocheted blanket could ever become cool again? Assuming they were they ever cool... I've been seeing them everywhere and I've got to come clean. I want one! Some of these afghans even suit a modern interior.

By Atelier Abigail Ahern via Livingetc

By Chandlers via Country Homes

By Emma Lamb

Via All the Luck in the World

Via H is for Home's photostream

Via Nesting Blog

Via Where your heart is

Via Posie rosy little things

Via Fuck Yeah Granny Square

Via whereyourheartis' photostream

Via the Victory Garden

Via Design*Sponge

C'mon! Who's with me now?

Design Spotlight: Royal Copenhagen

Design Spotlight is a new series I am starting this year in the hopes that it becomes a regular. The aim is to look at all those classic, iconic as well as up-and-coming pieces, we covet. I want to uncover how they influenced design today as well as the designers behind them. Plus, it's always nice to have something pretty to look at!

To start us off I thought I would first turn to the Bemz team and ask what design items sit on their wish list. And who better to start off with than our very own design expert Lisbeth!

Lisbeth picked Blue Fluted Mega Dinnerware from design icon Royal Copenhagen. This is a modern take on a classic Danish design from a 1775 dinnerware service and was lovingly achieved by artist Karen Kjældgaard-Larsen, at the ripe old age of 26.

These hand painted gems incorporate a selection of fragments from the original Blue Fluted decoration which were then enlarged to highlight the stylised chrysanthemum and its beautiful sweeping lines. They are stunning, timeless and classic. The blue and white are so very Scandinavian as well. Nice choice Lisbeth.

Did you know Royal Copenhagen offer a 24-month breakage guarantee where they will replace broken items?

Design-It-Yourself: Christmas gifts

I heard it said somewhere that the best gifts are either made or found and it has always stuck with me. Gift-giving is not about how much it cost but rather about how much effort and thought has gone into the process and that is exactly why Design-It-Yourself gifts are perfect! Not to mention the fact that they often are easier on the wallet...

Here are a variety of ideas from other blogs. Follow the link if you like what you see and want to give it a go.

This is great for someone who follows trends in interior design. Mounts are spot on trend and these ones are animal friendly too!

Do you know someone who is handy with the knitting needles?

These simple white ceramic pieces were transformed with a simply yet lovely botanical pattern.

A wood cutting board is ideal for foodies.

This is a great way of introducing a bit of retro style into the plethora of today's list of modern gadgets: it is a vintage book cover for an e-reader or tablet. Clever. 

And here's a really personal gift - a piece of art made specifically for the intended recipient: their astrological sign! this one comes from a blog dedicated to personalisation, P.S. I made this... Like!

These are only a few of the ideas floating around out there, the ones I liked the best. Check out the whole list at Design*Sponge for more ideas. Let us know how yours turned out! Mail us on blog[at]bemz.com or upload it to our Facebook page. 

Credit: Design*Sponge