It's a cover-up

Bloggers Tours Event in our Inspiration Store

Nine lovely bloggers from the Bloggers Tour 2014 visited our Inspiration Store in Stockholm. We had some nibbles and drinks and the bloggers got to create their very own cushion covers. 

We supplied them with Bemz cushion covers, paint, pencils, studs, sequins, fabric, fringes and much more and let their imaginations run wild. They created lots of creative, beautiful and fun contributions. 

At Bemz we are all about personalisation and DIY-projects. And it is easy and fun to create your own, one-of-a-kind cushion cover, why don't you try it? 

Elena Gardin working on her cushion cover with the help of scotch tape and white paint. Visit her blog here. 

Design by Elena Gardin. Visit her blog here. 

Design by Allan Torp with black, white and gold textile pens. Visit his blog here.

Dramatic design with running, white paint by Emma Fexeus. Visit her blog here. 

Anna Gustafsson designed this stunning cushion cover by cutting out crosses from patterned fabrics. Visit Annas blog here. 

Design by Desiree Groenendal. Desiree used black and white fabric samples from Bemz to create this stylish cushion cover. Visit her blog here. 

This creative design by Igor Josifovic is created with paint, pencil and fabric samples from Bemz. Visit his blog here. 

Lovely cushion cover designed by Linda Elmin with studs and fabric samples from Bemz. Visit her blog here.  

This cushion cover dedicated to Dolly Parton was designed by Gerard McGuickin, with fringes, fabric samples from Bemz, and butterflies. Read his blog here. 

Riikka Kantinkoski created this modern and minimalistic cushion cover with paint and fabric samples from Bemz. Read Riikkas blog here.

A big thank you to all the lovely bloggers that visited us! 

Guest blogger: Design it yourself

Today we have a guest blogger who writes for us, her name is Agnes and she runs the lovely, inspiring blog hejregina. At Bemz we love do-it-yourself projects and are all about personalisation, which is why we asked Agnes to tell us about how she gave a second-hand Karlanda sofa a completally new look, thanks to a cover from Bemz and some clever diy-ing.

Hi!

My name is Agnes and I'm running the blog hejregina (Regina is my middle name).

When my boyfriend and I moved to a bigger apartment, we also needed a bigger sofa. We wanted a sofa that not everyone else had, but that we could afford.

We looked at the Swedish flea market site Blocket and found a sofa from IKEA for 400SEK. It was in a drab, brown fabric so we started by ordering a new sofa cover in Zink Grey from Bemz.

We changed the original legs from IKEA to new ones from PrettyPegs. The new legs fit better to the new colour and to the apartment overall.

To make the sofa even more personal, we put buttons in the cushions. You can cut out a piece of fabric behind the cushions where you can't see or select buttons in a totally different fabric. I used a big needle that last through the entire cushion to get the buttons in place. 

The result - a completely unique, not too expensive, one of a kind sofa!

Thank you Agnes for your very inspiring post. Visit Agnes blog here and follow her on Instagram @agnesregina. 

From moodboard to reality

How to make your sofa unique? How to personalise your Nils stool? And how to create a headboard in 45 minutes?

Love The Princess and the Pea? See Bemz's new mattress covers for a Nordic version

Design-it-yourself buffs found out the answers to these and other DIY questions at workshops held by Bemz and Lillebricole at the Créations & Savoire Faire show in Paris that we posted about last week.

Our workshops were held in The Loft, one of the central and most popular features of the fair, where interior decorator Fabienne Spahn spun her magic making dreams come true with a mix of affordable textile products for the home.

One popular workshop was on colour matching, at which participants learnt how to colour match Bemz fabrics with paint.

Another was on headboards as a key finishing touch to any bedroom. As DIY-ers at the Loft found out, making your own headboard has never been so easy. All you need is a large piece of wood and felt, and 2.5 metres of fabric and a few staples...

Here Duck Egg Brera Lino from Designers Guild from the Bemz Designer Collection was used to create a DIY designer headboard.

Special thanks to Fabienne, Marie Davideau, Lillebricole's CEO, and all the team at The Loft for treating the DIY-ers to a whole lot of creativity and fun.

Credits:
Inspiration photo: Créations & Savoire Faire

Bemz loves DIY: Créations & Savoir-Faire in Paris

Bemz recently participated in the annual Créations & Savoir-Faire trade show in Paris - a must for DIY addicts - which took place in mid-November this year. And our textile products were selected to be part of a central animation called The Loft, where we collaborated with the French company Lilibricole hosting popular DIY workshops for fair goers.

Stylish bedding from Bemz

In case you couldn’t make it, here are a few photos from our exhibit (can you spot the cat?), demonstrating how easy it is to personalise your home and create a space is a reflection of you using designer slipcovers from Bemz.

The themes this year were: Trends, Sewing and customising; Paper, scrapbooking and Colours; Creative Home and Tasty ideas: Needles and tradition.

As in past, the 2013 show was both a trendsetter and showcase for exceptional crafting.

Over 60,000 passionate DIYers got together to discover the latest crafting innovations and find everything they need to hone their creative skills.

Visit us next week for a DIY special based on The Loft workshops held at Créations & Savoir-Faire, including how to make a designer headboard in 45 minutes!

Credits: Photos: Créations & savoir faire, Slipcovers:Bemz, Sofa Legs: Prettypegs

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Übercool Klippan sofas in Switzerland

Design-it-yourself: 1 chest of drawers, 3 ways

We did a design-it-yourself chest of drawers a while back but came across this little number from the folks at Style at Home and thought it was too fab not to share.

Plus, who doesn't have an old piece of furniture looking for a facelift? If you don't, pick one up at a flea market. This idea can be applied to any piece of furniture really.

Style at Home asked three design editors to to upcycle Ikea's versatile Tarva dresser - the perfect blank slate. The first was inspired by the luscious twirls of pink icing on a cake, going from the palest petal through to blush and cerise.

This take on the Tarva involved painting the three drawer fronts in an ombre effect, moving from pale pink on the top drawer to a rich raspberry on the bottom. Glass knobs complete the simple, refined look.

Vintage Hollywood and a tuxedo chest were the jumping off points for the second Tarva makeover.

And the result, this Tarva, kitted out with oversized rosette pulls and trim that the designer gold-leafed (not a technique for the faint of heart!) more than holds its own in this high-style sitting room vignette.

From jars of paint to rustic fibres to weathered surfaces, the unrefined, rough-edged beauty of the images in Swedish stylist Hans Blomquist’s book The Natural Home fired the imagination for the third Tarva makeover.

Part Scandi-chic and part raw refinement, the designer went for a spare, graphic look by distressing the dresser’s edges, stencilling numbers on the drawer fronts and adding casters for a locker room-style laundry area with practical punch.

Don't you just love the way Style at Home go from mood board to results. If you like this idea and would like to see more, then check out the full article at styleathome.com.

Credits: All photos and text inspiration from styleathome.com

Design-it-yourself: Budget beautiful bedrooms

Decorating your bedroom with treasures that you find, make or design can be both fun and satisfying. Here are some creative DIY projects that will bring a chic designer look to your bedroom without the designer price tag.

Bemz cover for Florö bed frame cover in Soft White Belgian Linen Blend

Headboards can make a big statement piece in your bedroom, but they usually set you back a small fortune.

So, don't be afraid to think outside the box when it comes to headboards: Old doors, windows and other unexpected items can all make fantastic backdrops for your bed.

Another thrifty and effective design tweak is to upcycle a less expensive bed frame or headboard with a new slipcover, for example the Vanvik bed frame or the Albevär and Bådalen headboards from Ikea, creating a designer piece without breaking your budget.

The Vanvik bed frame cover from Bemz is available in three sizes, 140 cm, 160 cm and 180 cm and with or without a bed skirt


Bemz cover for Abelvär headboard in Blue & White Kokeshi topped off with a selection of Bemz Artist Series cushion covers

Bemz cover for Florö bed frame in Dusty Rose Hounds Tooth

Yet, another absolutely key aspect of a bedroom is lighting. Creating different moods in the space makes for a calming and relaxing atmosphere.

There's no denying our love for string lights. They radiate warmth and sparkle day or night, adding a romantic touch. Use them above the bed, decorate the ceiling and mirrors.

Still on lighting, you can create some budget friendly pendants from stuff you just have laying around your home: terracotta pots, cardboard, wire baskets, hanging planters, pretty paper.

This clever DIY idea by Robin Horton of Urban gardens brings the outside in to your bedroom

Follow the tutorial for this fabulous egg carton light pendant at Addicted to Decorating

Get the low down on how to make this exquisite piece at 3R's blog, Reduce, Reuse, Redecorate


Bemz cover for Grimen bed frame in Grey Frescati Plaid

Rugs are always a welcome accent in any bedroom, adding softness, warmth and texture. In fact, nothing cosies up a room like a rug. Don't want to fork out for a new one? Then make your own.

This unique DIY rug from Free People will add colour and comfort to any home and making it is relatively straightforward. Just follow the artist's tutorial

Typography authority Jessica Hische played around with this digital doodle and then applied the image to some FLOR tiles with a utility knife. And hey, presto a unique rug for your bedroom

This recycled sweater rug from Home Workshop is pure genius

Bemz Artist Series cushion covers in Brown Kvarter, Silver Grey Vallsta, Orange Fiskis, Pink Fiskis, Orange Kvarter

Another way to give an instant lift to any bedroom is to add a pile of decorative pillows, a bed skirt or curl up into new bedding.

Bemz Bed skirt with frills in Rosendal Pure Washed Soft White, cushions in Pale Turquoise New Baroque and Gustavian Flowers by Katarina Wiklund from the Bemz Designer Collection

Bemz daybed cover in Soft White, with Bemz cushion covers in Deep Navy Blue Stockholm Stripe, Dark Denim Blue Piper Twill, Soft White Panama Cotton and more

Nothing says crisp and clean like fresh new bedding and sheets. Check out Bemz's new bedroom range as well as bed skirts in new heights and lengths for those extra long beds.

Bemz bedspread. Loose Fit, in Medium Grey Rosendal Pure Washed Linen

Bemz bedspread, Regular fit, in Unbleached Belgian Linen Blend

If you would like to see more ideas along this vein, visit Apartment Therapy.

Credit: Apartment Therapy.
All non-Bemz photos via Apartment Therapy and Design Kastle

Design-it-yourself: A blackboard wall

A blackboard wall is fun, striking and handy - whether as a practical noticeboard in the kitchen or common areas, or a more creative statement in other parts of your home. It’s also very easy to make – just buy a pot of blackboard paint and choose an appropriate wall or surface. Here are masses of photos to inspire you on how to introduce a blackboard wall into your home.

Trendy in matt black, a splash back is easy to keep clean and simple to update.

Think big - paint a whole wall including the door, creating a moodboard for the entire family.

A blackboard wall is a low maintenance update to a child's or teenager's room - or any room for that matter, which can be modified constantly, keeping kids of all ages creative.

Isn't this a fabulous idea for a closet door?

Not willing to commit to a whole wall? Make a stand-alone structure or paint part of a piece of furniture.

Let the kids doodle while you cook. The perfect height for toddlers!

Create a blackboard at the back of your desk. Rather than the oodles of post it notes and to do lists littering your desk this is a simple and highly organised way to keep track of your to-dos.

Credit: Elle Decoration,October 2012.
Photos: Hover over each photo to see source.

 

DIY: interactive inspiration from the new Ikea catalogue

At Bemz, we’re all about personalisation and regularly feature fab Design-It-Yourself tips we come across for inspiration. This time around we’re featuring the new Ikea catalogue, chock full of super ideas. What’s more, this year’s catalogue is literally alive, with Ikea taking inspiration one interactive step further!

Us die-hard Ikea fans can now revel in additional features through an interactive “extra content” symbol  on many pages, which brings the page to life, unlocking films, interactive experiences, photo galleries and more.

One example is page 75 of the catalogue, featuring the Tarva chest of drawers. Clicking on the blue "extra content" button on the top right hand of the page takes to you a photo gallery of fun ways to tag up this this rather plain Jane piece of furniture into unique statement piece.

All you need is a bit of paint and your own special brand of creativity.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Have fun!

Design-It-Yourself: Under US$20

Do you sometimes have an idea in your head and can't quite find the right product within your budget? That's where our Design-It-Yourself series comes in! At Bemz, we're all about personalisation and often post DIY ideas we find in fave blogs or magazines. I came across these great DIY tips AGES ago and picked out my favourites. Each of them sure to cost you less than $20 and very little of your time.

From Dabble Magazine

The first is faux panelling from creative folks at Dabble Magazine. This is the perfect way to add glamour and architectural interest to an otherwise plain Jane room.

From Dabble Magazine

Start by making a simple box outline with some masking tape and change it up with an "X" detail using skinnier masking tape stretched from corner to corner. Imagine it behind a headboard. Keep lines crisp and neat with a metal ruler and a standard level. This is a non-permanent wall treatment so you can get imaginative!

From Dollar Store Crafts

The next one comes from Dollar Store Crafts. Armed with a little TLC and some blue paint, you can upcycle your boring old beige filing cabinet into a storage-savvy statement piece that feels like it walked right off an architect’s blueprint. Achieve the end result by using a paint pen to hand draw the white lines on the final piece.

Via Apartment Therapy

This fab DIY I picked up from Apartment Therapy. Using a pile of old leather belts they created a copy of designer Blake Sloane’s wonderful Belted Chair from The Haymaker Shop.

Via Apartment Therapy

A sturdy old wooden chair with a broken cane seat is ideal. Remove the cane and attach 12 belts of different widths using a screw and washer as shown in the image above. Seems easy enough right!

From Whatever

This wonderful happy idea comes from the adorable blog Whatever. It’s the perfect project in the run up to back to school. Take a box of 64 crayons and remove the blacks and browns. Glue the crayons to the top of a canvas, and blast them with a hair dryer. Watch as the colours bleed down the canvas, creating a beautiful, colourful mess. The result dries really quickly too. Hang it in your child's room - happiness guaranteed!

If you want to see more ideas along this vein, visit Apartment Therapy.

Credit: Apartment Therapy

Design-It-Yourself: 508 Chair Makeover

Today's post comes to you directly from the lovely and very talented Sarah of fave blog fiveoeight. I featured one of their previous creations back in March and their stunning reclaimed wood headboard ranks in the top 10 of most popular pins from our Pinterest page. I was thrilled when Sarah decided to include a Bemz fabric in one of her creations which she shares here, step-by-step - an exclusive to It's a Cover Up! You may not be surprised to find out that Sarah's genes are part Swedish. Oh the talent! Over to Sarah:

Hello...this is Sarah over at fiveoeight! I recently had the pleasure of using some of Bemz incredible fabrics to do a quick make-over on this chair. Chairs like this are super easy and are low-risk if you have never painted. I am sure a lot of these steps seem basic, but you never know how your process differs from others...these steps are specific to getting that chippy look with your paint. I snapped some shots along the way so you can do it too! Hope this inspires!

TOOLS:

• 150-220 grit flat sanding sheets, cut for whatever size you need* {508 uses: 3M Sandblaster or Norton 3X}
• electric sander (if you have it) & sanding sheets that fit
• fine grit sanding sponges, 220-320 {508 uses: 3M}
• furniture wax {508 uses: Fiddes}
• a few lint free rags
• paint, satin finish {508 uses: Benjamin Moore or Behr}
• paint brush {508 uses: 2.5” Angled Purdy Brush}
• flathead screwdriver
• wire cutters
• fabric of your choice {Bemz - Baronessa Pink by Lisa Bengtsson}
• staple gun & staples
• some type of backing or dustcover for the underside of your seat

 

1: DISASSEMBLE
Unscrew the seat. Loosen staples with flathead screwdriver & twist them out with wire cutters.

2: SAND
Go with the grain! Start with a medium grit sandpaper {150} using an electric sander {if you have it} for flat areas & flat sheets or sanding sponges for edges & corners. Finish sanding with a fine grit {220-320}.

Don’t go crazy- you just want the bulk of that existing finish off or ruffed up. If the finish is really gummy, use a solvent/remover first.

3: PRE-WAX
To get the chippy look, apply furniture wax BEFORE you paint. Wipe on the areas that you want the paint to chip off during the distressing stage. I like this method because it gives a similar look to Milk Paint, but you have more control. For this chair, I applied the wax all over quickly- not really caring how thick or thin. This made most of the paint come off in the end, which was what I was going for. Be creative with your piece!

4: PAINT
I only needed one 7oz paint sample for this chair. Using a GOOD brush, apply one coat of paint. I only brushed one coat on this chair because I knew I was going to heavily distress. The 7oz paint samples are still plenty to do 2 coats on a chair if you prefer. Let dry overnight.

5. DISTRESS
Using your finer grit sanding sponge or sanding sheet, begin distressing. You will see how quickly the paint comes off in the areas you have applied wax underneath. Again, go with the grain and move quickly. If it is not chipping or pealing off, MOVE ON.  When you are pleased with your look, thoroughly clean entire piece with damp rag.

>> Note: After the chair was clean, I applied a top protective coat of clear furniture wax with a lint free rag, buffing it after 30 min. << 

There are plenty of “how-tos” on recovering your basic chair seat- it is pretty simple. But here is the basics of how I do it- quick and easy. Here are the steps {continued...}

6. CUT FABRIC
If the original fabric isn’t too torn up after you have taken it off, use it to trace your new fabric piece! This ensures that you don’t cut too much extra fabric- or worse, too little! Often, people cut cotton batting to put between the foam and the fabric…in this case, I didn’t want it to look over-stuffed so I left the batting out.

7.  STAPLE
I mostly use an Easyshot gun, which isn’t the most powerful out there, but with a heavier duty staple it does just fine for most jobs. If you are stapling into a denser wood, you may want a more powerful staple gun.

Basically, I just line up the fabric, staple one side and then continue pulling tight and stapling each flat side first. Then, I work on neatly folding or bunching each corner tightly, stapling the corners in place one by one.

8. BACKING/DUSTCOVER {optional}
Because I tend to “over staple”, I like to lightly staple a white backing/dustcover on the underside of the seat to clean it all up. Especially because in some cases, the seat overhangs from the chair, exposing all those ugly staples and could snag your fingers while moving it around.

 

Now all you need to do is reassemble your chair and enjoy!