It's a cover-up

Top tips: How to colour clash à la Creative Bohemian

Take a preemptive strike against autumn drab with interior fab by incorporating the latest colour clash trend à la Creative Bohemian into your home.

Bemz cover for Stockholm sofa in Rose Tegnér Melange

It’s all about mixing and matching funky fabrics in a clash of colour, patterns and textures with eclectic furniture styles, homespun art and vintage favourites.

Bemz designer cover for Jennylund armchair in Moss Green Prisma Stripe by Katarina Wiklund

Plunge into clashing colour like never before. Mix reds with pinks and greens with browns – colour combos that used to be no-go's but that are right on-trend today.

Bemz covers for Henriksdal chairs in Rose Tegnér Melange, Nils chair in Black Classic Ruta, Klappsta armchairs in Silver Grey Tegnér Melange and Rose Tegnér Melange

Bemz cover for Stockholm sofa in Zinc Grey Tegnér Melange. Bemz cushion covers in Rose
Tegnér Melange, Chocolate Brown New Baroque and Silver Grey Tegnér Melange

Although this trend is all about breaking classic colour code rules, there are still certain things to consider in order to achieve the right look. For maximum impact choose your ‘colour clash’ palette carefully to reflect the desired mood of the room and keep the space visually balanced.

Bemz cover for Karlstad armchair small in Crocus Barcelona by Designers Guild

Bemz cover for Barkaby armchair in Green Baronessa by Lisa Bengtsson

The palette can either be light or dark but on the softer side. The lighter palette features warm colours like Soft White, Burnt Orange, Dusty Rose and Cinnabar Red. The darker palette includes hues like Moss Green and Chocolate Brown teamed with Ink Blue. Use a shared palette to inject movement and interest.

Bemz covers for Stockholm easy chairs in Lavender Belgian Linen Blend, Bamboo Green Tegnér Melange. Stockholm sofa in Chocolate Brown New Baroque. Long skirt cover for Karlanda sofa in Sand Beige Tegnér Melange

Mix and match a myriad of different textiles and designs in your cushions, throws, tapestries, area rugs and window treatments. Layer lush textures - linens, chenilles and textured cottons - and pattern clashes in a rich rhapsody of colour that truly represents you.

Bemz cover for Henriksdal chair in Blossom Sagrada by Designers Guild

Trawl garage sales and thrift shops for interesting eclectic accessories and vintage furniture in quirky colours and finishes. Furniture with a patina or slightly worn edges is perfect for adding a bohemian element to any room.

Bemz cover for Stockholm Easy chair in Dusty Rose Panama Cotton

Incorporate a vintage chandelier or colourful light, adding a spectacular focal point to any Creative Bohemian space. Hued candles in vivid vintage coloured glass bottles or jars will also cast a ambient boho glow throughout the room.

Bemz cushion covers in  Brown/Plum Kaleido by Viola Gråsten and Strong Pink Josephine by Göta Trägårdh

Bemz cushion covers in Blue/Blue Kaleido, Brown/Plum Kaleido and Ash Brown Bulbous by Stig Lindberg

And don't forget to use cushions, cushions and more cushions in all colours and patterns for a colour clash décor à la Creative Bohemian with maximum visual appeal.

Credit: Living etc., July 2012

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

Books to Inspire: The Perfectly Imperfect Home

This is a book written by Deborah Needleman, former founding editor of Domino magazine. With beautiful sketchy watercolours of decorators' own homes by Canadian artist Virginia Johnson and great advice on how to make your house your home - what's not to love!

Needleman's starting point is that great homes breathe signs of life, rather than a perfect, impersonal and unlived-in look crafted by a decorator. In each chapter she takes readers through the basic steps for creating a comfortable, stylish, and relaxing home.

I love her philosophy of embracing the imperfect and quirky — and having faith in your individual sense of style.

Simple tips show you how to put it all together - for example how to style a beautifully made bed, an inviting reading nook, or an effortlessly chic display of pictures.

Original watercolour illustrations by celebrated artist Virginia Johnson bring inspiring rooms of world-famous tastemakers to vibrant life.

Again, what's not to love!

Besides writing interior décor books, Deborah is the editor in chief of WSJ Magazine and creator of the Off Duty section of The Wall Street Journal. You can read an interview with Deborah chez CasaSugar. The perfectly imperfect home is available to buy here.

Photos c/o Amazon

 

House tour: Harry chair & nautical flair in Canada

A Bemz cover was recently featured in a house tour on Samantha Pynn's popular Summer Home show on our fave Canadian TV channel HGTV. Needless to say we were thrilled! The amazing transformation of the lower level of this cottage, done by Samantha and her team, featured a Harry chair in a nautical-inspired Deep Navy Blue Stockholm Stripe cover from Bemz - an ideal fabric for summer.

Looking at the before and after pictures it's hard to believe this is the same space!

The owners spent time and money creating their dream space on the main floor and long dreamed of doing the same to the lower level "catch all."

Sam and her team transformed this raw basement wasteland into a shipshape haven that underpins the spectacular ‘walkout’ view to the lake. This nautical-inspired space feels fresh and summery in a classic palette of red, white and blue, with maritime touches such as striped fabrics, signal artwork and boating memorabilia. The vintage wooden water skis are a lovely touch. So is the Harry chair in a crisp new 100% cotton cover from Bemz, which shouts out seaside and summer loud and clear.

 

If you enjoyed this house tour, then why not take a tour of another summer cottage revamp from HGTV by Sam that we shared recently here on It's a cover up or check out Bemz founder and CEO Lesley's home featured in France’s Journal Des Femmes.

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

Covergirl: Loose Fit Urban Karlstad!

Bemz slipcovers recently graced the cover of popular Swedish interior décor magazine Sköna Hem. Needless to say, we were thrilled!

The focus of the feature was a new take on white. Karlstad Loose Fit Urban sofa and armchair covers in Absolute White Rosendal Pure Washed Linen from Bemz were on the cover as well as feautred in the cover story. With the white trend as prominent as ever, Sköna Hem takes a look at white in a new way, beyond ‘bright and fresh,’ embracing warm white – a marriage of worn light beige charm and crisp white new design.

The Bemz covers featured here fit right in with this relaxed, stylish look. Casual yet elegant, these on-trend loose fit linen covers in warm white add a touch of understated luxury, lending movement and texture to the monochrome room.

Top tips: make the most of your space with a daybed

Daybeds with their perfect combination of form and function add style and versatility to any room. Ideal for making the most of dorm rooms, studio apartments or homes with space issues, the daybed functions as a stylish sofa by day and a comfortable bed by night, adding extra punch to your décor – compact living or not.

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

In the run up to back-to-school, the daybed is a practical piece for budget-conscious students starting college or university looking to add some style to their living quarters. Transform a dorm room from bedroom basic to stylish pad by adding a daybed in a colourful fabric piled high with cushions. Daybeds are also great for studio apartments, where there may not be room for a sofa and a bed.

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

Loop Bed from Hay.

A daybed enables you to make better use of extra space in your home such as large landings, basements, porches. By adding a daybed you can create a cosy reading nook or relaxation zone, which doubles as up as extra sleeping quarters when needed.

Day Bed One from Another Country. Photo from Another Country.

Designed for more than sitting or sleeping, the daybed is the ultimate piece of cocooning furniture.

Hyder daybed. Photo via Tumblr.

A daybed will also transform that seldom-used guest room into a versatile space for year-round use.

Cushions in Pale Turquoise New Baroque, Silver Grey/Absolute White Gotland Stripe and Caffe Latte True Rose on a Soft White Belgian Linen slipcover from Bemz.

In the kids’ room, a daybed will transform the space into a place for your child to entertain. Depending on which model you choose it can also be used for storage.

Photo via The Perfectly Imperfect life.

Now a smart tool in today's design lexicon, the daybed adds life and style to any room. Inject colour with decorative cushions in different sizes and shapes, complemented with collections of framed photos and fabric bunting.

Daybed cover in Fuchsia and scatter cushions in Fuchsia Static Stripe and Daquiri/Teal Blue Stockholm Stripe, Mandarin Orange, Fuchsia and Mandarin Orange/Soft White Gotland Stripe from Bemz

Daybed cover in Soft White Rosendal Pure Washed Linen from Bemz. Photo from Bemz customer Francesca of Italy.

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

Top tips: How to bring nature into your home

Summer's officially here! And many of us waste no time in moving our lives outdoors, enjoying strawberries and cream on lazy summer days, dining al fresco on warm summer nights. Connecting with nature has a calming effect and keeps us balanced - body and soul.

With the summer house feel in mind, we came across these five easy steps to help you welcome summer and bring nature into your home. Follow them to cultivate the power of nature indoors - all year long!

Step one: Working with nature is a simple as showcasing cherished mementos like old black and white photos, a collection of ceramic pots or found treasures, such as shells, fossils and stones.

Step two: Generate good green energy by adding lots of plants and foliage, which are a must for bringing interiors to life. A bunch of wild summer flowers adds a pretty splash of colour to any room. Incorporate natural designs such as decorative leaves and twigs.

Step three: Use a natural palette for a calming effect when it comes to your home’s colour scheme: Wind swept whites, stone, washed beiges and sea worn greys - with a touch of ocean-inspired blue.

Step four: Revel in the textures and patinas of natural materials to add depth, interest and richness. Mix rough-hewn woods, bare stone, leather, sheepskin and metal worn by the elements.

Step five: Layering fabrics is one of the easiest ways to introduce a variety of textures into an interior. Use natural textiles such as on-trend whites in pure linen and cotton to add softness and warmth in every room. Summery loose fit covers on chairs and sofas piled high with cushions, cosy woollen blankets and faded washed denim. Stick to neutral colours such as Sand Beige, mixed with with darker shades like Zinc Grey, Mocha Brown and faded Ink Blue.

Casual yet elegant linen slipcovers for your sofas, armchairs, dining room chairs and daybeds are a clever and inexpensive solution for an instant summery look.

If you like what you see check out Bemz wide selection of covers as well as our Simple Life lifestyle and Industrial Vintage trend for more inspiration.

Credit: Elle Decoration, May 2012; Photos: All from Bemz

Trend alert: It's the white way

Following our recent customer feature on whites, we wanted to take a look at other styles that can be achieved with the all-white look.

Many of us are drawn to the innocence and purity of white. Others see it as the ultimate in chic. However you label your love of white, one thing’s for sure, white suits all tastes and styles, whether yours is modern, traditional, vintage or all of the above.

Via Livingetc

There are endless shades of white, from cooler brights, to warmer hues along with restful shades of cream. Warm whites soften and are comforting. Bright, cooler whites give spaces a crisp, sophisticated edge.

A Nikkala sofa with a Loose Fit Country style cover in Rosendal Pure Washed Linen Absolute White, via Bemz

In this monochrome room a white linen sofa adds understated elegance. Personal mementos and handcrafted pieces placed alongside antiques and chic retro reproductions create a casual and harmonious look.

Via Livingetc

The variety of textures introduced in this modern eclectic room give it depth and character. The use of leather, sheepskin and linen contrasted with glass, metals and mirrors gives this simple palette's mix of traditional and modern a sophisticated and inviting feel.

Daybeds covers in Unbleached Belgian Linen Blend and Sand Beige with a variety of cushion covers from Bemz

Sybary Charcoal Grey and Toronto Ticking Khaki Beige cushion covers from Bemz

Straight bed skirt in Soft White Belgian Linen Blend from Bemz

Nature and its landscape are ideal inspiration for a beautiful palette. A mix of warm whites, fresh creams, unadulterated linens and sunbleached timbers create the perfect beachcomber feel.

Interior by Samantha Pynn via HGTV Canada

Removing the ceiling of A-framed homes and exposing the rafters gives a sense of greater space, coupled with a chic beachy feel. See more of this cottage featured in our recent house tour.

Via Style at Home

Glossy surfaces, clean angles and injections of vibrant colours is the modern interpretation of the white palette.

Via Ideal Home

For a seamless effect with a modern edge use flooring that’s the same colour as the walls.

Via Livingetc

For more beautiful photos, and great tips and ideas to get you started visit the Bemz Simple Life Lifestyle. If all this white is giving you the blues, get more inspiration from the earlier summer trend alerts on blues. 

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