It's a cover-up

Top tips: How to bring that posh hotel suite home

Stepping into a boutique hotel is about as luxurious as it gets. If only you could create that same experience in your own bedroom, right?

The Standard Hotel High Line, NYC

Whether you long for a sleek, streamlined design or something more rich and elegant, follow these easy tips from Bemz in-house designer, Katarina Wiklund, to give your bedroom the 5-star treatment.

Bemz bedspread in Grey Frescati Plaid, Bemz cover for Abelvär headboard and Bemz bed skirt with box pleats both in Zinc Grey Raffia Textured Cotton

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

Katarina says that transforming your bedroom into a stylish, sophisticated haven is as simple as sticking to a monochromatic scheme - choosing neutral colours like creams, beiges, and plenty of greys and boosting interest with splashes of colour.

Bemz bedspread, Loose Fit, Bemz cover for Abelvär headboard, Bemz Loose fit Urban bed skirt, all in Medium Grey Rosendal Pure Washed Linen

The bed is the focal point of your room so make it a showstopper.

Bemz bed skirt with box pleats in Bayshore Magenta by Designers Guild from the Bemz Designer Collection and a Bemz cover for Ikea's Bådalen headboard also in Bayshore Magenta.

Bemz bedspread in Loose fit style, Bemz cover for Abelvär headboard and Bemz Loose fit Urban bed skirt, all in Absolute White Rosendal Pure Washed Linen

Outfit it with a crisp white duvet and sheets, then heighten character and texture with a luxurious 100% linen bedspread, a matching bed skirt and extra pillow covers in the same or contrasting colour. This will make the room look and feel heavenly. A complete look like this can be created with the Bemz bedroom collection.


Bemz bedspread, Regular fit, in Unbleached Belgian Linen Blend

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

If space allows, give the room a whisper of opulence by introducing a chair, bench or ottoman then give it the designer treatment with a coordinating Bemz cover.

Bemz cover for Lillberg armchair in Graphite Grey Belgian Linen and Bemz cover for Karlanda bench

Other tips from Katarina include matching curtains to your walls for a calm, cosy feeling or to your bedding for an elegant touch. For extra drama, she suggests keeping the curtains longer than the length of the window so excess fabric can bunch on the floor.

Bemz bed skirt with pleats in Mocha Belgian Linen Blend and Bemz cover for Bådalen headboard also in Mocha linen

Straight bed skirt in Soft White Belgian Linen Blend from Bemz

Conceal your television and electronics as well as your clothing and accessories in an armoire or cupboard for a grand and serene look, not to mention a more restful sleep! Then keep it polished and sophisticated with nightstands and dressers free of clutter.

Made-to-order bedspread in White and Grey Japan from Bemz

Your choice of lighting will create the ambiance: lamps either side of the bed for reading and symmetry, while a chandelier, crystal lamp or wall sconce for a touch of grace.

Bemz cover for Florö bed frame in Dusty Rose Hounds Tooth

Finally, a vase of fresh cut flowers on your nightstand or table will pretty up the room and add a hint of romance.

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


Bemz bed skirt with frills in Lavender Rosendal Pure Washed Linen

Photo credits: All photos from Bemz except the first, which is from The Standard, High Line, NYC

Designer sofa at a third of the price

We recently noticed that Habitat has introduced the Miller sofa, a sleek and contemporary grey three-seater with a removable linen cover that comes with five scatter cushions in assorted colours.

Reminiscent of Italian designer pieces, it is molto favoloso, no doubt about it. Unfortunately, so is the £1,700 price tag that comes with it. Sigh. Wouldn't it be wonderful to be able to bring that kind of designer wow into your home at a slightly more affordable price?

Enter Bemz. With a sofa cover from Bemz you can get this look for a fraction of the price. It's as easy as choosing a contemporary number from our favourite Swedish furniture giant, say a Klippan sofa, which will set you back about £150, if you're buying brand new.

Then order your Medium Grey Rosendal Pure Washed Linen cover from Bemz (£309), plus cushions in Burnt Orange Tegnér Melange (£25), Crimson Red Raffia (£25), and Bamboo Green Panama Cotton (£15), that'll bring you up to a total of £524 (including shipping). The same look for less than a third of the price!

Bemz cover for Klippan sofa in Charcoal Grey Woven Whimsy by Katarina Wiklund from the Bemz Designer Collection

Nice to know is that Bemz offers more than 180 colours and patterns, with our wide range of greys currently being the most popular for sofa covers, and Absolute White, Teal Blue and Bamboo Green growing in popularity. Also nice to know is that all Bemz covers are 100% machine washable. Happy shopping!

Designer armchair without the designer pricetag

We recently read in Livingetc that the UK based furniture company Multiyork has introduced new easy living “linen-effect” slipcovers for their sofas and armchairs that look just like the real deal.

Currently on sale, the Multiyork Vouvray chair and "linen-effect" cover pictured below can be yours for a total of £645.

Now, wouldn’t it be wonderful to get the same look at less than half the price with real linen to boot! Enter Bemz. This sweet number: a Karlstad armchair from Ikea with a Loose Fit Urban style cover in Soft White Rosendal Pure Washed Linen from Bemz will set you back just £130 for the chair and £189 for the cover.

I can think of quite a few things to do with that extra £326. And the beauty of this solution, you don’t have to buy the chair – just cover the one you already have (but if you do buy the chair, you might want to know that you can buy it without the Ikea slipcover and save a few bills there too.) What's more, our lovely Rosendal Pure Linen comes in 13 lovely colours and patterns including some by Designers Guild from the Bemz Designer Collection.

Karlstad not the armchair model you have? No worries. There are over 20 different armchair styles and models to choose from at Bemz.

If your a regular reader of It's a cover up you'll know that we do this kind of comparison quite often. Check out two other thrifty designer furniture alternatives here and here. Or you may also be interested in playing our which of these is more expensive game! Check it out here.

Trend alert: Monochrome magic + 10% off solid greys

One of the hottest trends right now in interior design is the monochromatic look, being true to one colour, such as white, truffle, beige or this season’s must have colour, grey.

Söderhamn modular furniture grouping in Silver Grey Panama Cotton covers from Bemz. Cushion covers in Yellow Fiskis and Orange Fiskis from the Bemz Artists Series cushion cover collection. .

Grey feels balanced and Zen-like, with something very sincere and down-to-earth about it, which helps us relax and escape from our often stressful lives. A peaceful colour that's clean and simple and yet amazingly sophisticated.

Nils chairs in Silver Grey from Bemz

The palette extends beyond furnishings and textiles to the walls and the rest of the room, creating a feeling of harmony that turns any space into a stylish haven. Choose one nuance of grey and stay as close as possible to that particular hue.

Göteborg modular furniture grouping in Silver Grey covers from Bemz.Brown Kvarter and Silver Grey Vallsta and more from the Bemz Artist Series Cushion Covers.

In the living room, the furniture is large and square, easily rearranged to suit any occasion. Modular sofas, angular armchairs and cushions artfully piled on the floor convey a lounge feeling. The bedroom is a monochrome oasis, with an unusual, much loved object bringing the look together.

Bed skirt with box pleats in Silver Grey cover from Bemz

By mixing fabrics in the same colour but with different textures you will create movement and variation in your décor. And it’s texture that plays a starring role in a monochromatic room. So be sure to inject a mix of materials whenever you have the opportunity.

Bemz Artist Series Cushion covers - Yellow Fiskis

Use Zinc Grey Belgian Linen Blend, Silver Grey Tegnér Melange, A Paler Shade of Grey Panama Cotton, or Graphite Grey Chenille to achieve a calm, cosy look that exudes easy elegance. Avoid patterns, both bolder and smaller versions.

Read more about the Monochromatic Trend on the Bemz website - plus get 10% off solid greys at Bemz until Thursday, October 18, 2012.

Trend alert: Nordic Blue - with 10% off

Nikkala sofa with a cover in Stockholm Stripe Deep Navy Blue/Sand Beige from Bemz

Blue has been a Top Trend for a while now, and gaining momentum in the run up to summer. Anything can be a catalyst for a great interior but at this time of year, nature and the seaside will provide the kind of breezy elegance our bodies yearn for.

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

Bed skirt in Loose Fit Urban style, 100% prewashed linen Cobalt Brera Rigato designed by Designers Guild, from the Bemz Designer Collection

It takes just a few cool accents on a restrained palette to create the overall effect of a blue room. Washed out greys, greige, alabaster, putty and pebbles on the beach are the inspiration, while blues are the nucleus.

Nikkala sofa with a Bemz cover in Unbleached Belgian Linen Blend

Depth and character are added by mixing textures from the translucent sheer curtains to the weighty stone floors and rough-hewn woods. Splashes of simple pattern, especially blue on blues, from the azure seas to the lighter, wispy skies, create an ideal summer interior scheme.

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

Straight bed skirt from Bemz in Absolute White Panama cotton

Read more about the Nordic Blue trend on the Bemz website - plus get 10% off the ten most popular blue fabrics chez Bemz until May 15, 2012.

Henriksdal chairs with covers from Bemz: left, Medium length skirt in Absolute White Rosendal Pure Washed Linen Loose Fit Urban style; and right, Long skirt in Bolster Stripe Eggshell Blue cotton

Now that that's settled, you can start focusing on more important things like what you are going to eat, drink and listen to on those long, warm, lazy summer evenings. Roll on summer!

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.

Go large or go home? Designer furniture you can afford

Let's be honest - there's plenty we covet. In my book, a lot of it is designer labeled. But coughing up the cash isn't that easy. Mostly because there is no cash... The beauty with Bemz is the proverbial can't have your cake and eat it too does not apply here. Yay! See below...

Check out this gorgeous armchair I just saw featured in the March 2012 issue of Livingetc: the Norton armchair in Marimekko's Unikko fabric. The ideal springtime boost for a white space, they write. Couldn't agree more. Except this one will set you back a clean £1800 (US$2820).

Or how about this sweet number: a Karlstad armchair from Ikea with Marimekko's Unikko fabric in red from Bemz. This baby, all said and done, will set you back £279 (US$440). I can think of a few things I could do with that extra £1500 (US$2300)... And the beauty of this solution? You don't have to buy the chair - just cover the one you already have (but if you do buy the chair, you might want to know that you can buy it without the Ikea slipcover and save a few bills there too). Karlstad not the chair you have? No worries. There are over 20 different styles and models to choose from at Bemz.

By the way, this is not the first time I've made this kind of comparison. And, if you found this insightful, you may also be interested in playing our which of these is more expensive game! Check it out here.

Top tips: How to decorate your bedroom

Bedrooms offer up rest for not just our bodies but for our minds and souls too. Check out our bedroom special full of lovely photos put together by the amazing Bemz design team for tips and inspiration before tackling your own room. But first, here's a synopsis, based on five styles. Which one is yours?

Florö bed frame from Ikea in Moss Green Belgian Linen from Bemz. Ikea Karlstad footstools in Bubbel Brown by designer Bantie at Bemz

Bohemian Chic: The relaxed, yet sophisticated Bohemian Chic Lifestyle is characterized by a hand picked mix of modern iconic designs and antique classics. The bedroom is a peaceful refuge from the day’s stresses. Although a variety of solid-coloured, patterned and embroidered cushions are used, there is no feeling of clutter.

Bed skirt with frills in Rosendal Pure Washed Linen Lavender from Bemz

A sense of personal luxury is created with a subtly wrinkled linen bed skirt. Don’t be afraid to mix colours and textures, these are exciting clashes that will enhance that bohemian look! Read more about Bohemian Chic.

Straight Bed Skirt in Soft White Belgian Linen Blend from Bemz

Simple Life: This is a style that sits as one with nature, taking root in rugged coastal scenery. The typical Simple Life bedroom is discriminating and uncomplicated with a focus on function. A washed linen bed skirt brings a balance of elegance and natural simplicity.

Bed skirt with frills in Rosendal Pure Washed Medium Grey

Various light coloured textiles reinforce the fresh and simple look of this nature-inspired decor. Consider mixing natural textiles with different textures, like linen and cotton, to add character and depth. Read more about Simple Life.

Bemz Bed skirt with frills in Rosendal Pure Washed Soft White

Scandinavian Country: This an interpretation of a romantic past. Create a cosy, romantic, vintage-inspired bedroom using whites and light pastels, ideally in crisp linens. A pleated bed skirt or upholstered headboard paired with cushions and throws underline the tranquil and harmonious vibe. A simple chandelier accentuates the contrasting mix of elegance and rustic warmth.

Florö bed frame cover in Soft White Belgian Linen Blend

Character and cosiness are added through quintessential florals, informal stripes and checks, emphasising the rural expression. Read more about Scandinavian Country.

Florö bed frame cover in Tégner Mélange Ink Blue. Cushion covers in Silver Grey and Tégner Mélange Ink Blue

Urban Living: This evokes a self-confident attitude and a singular character with a chic and functional feel. The Urban Living styled bedroom takes inspiration from hotel rooms. Its function as the perfect retreat from the daily stresses of city living is fulfilled via a coherent colour scheme. Carefully selected designer cushions are lined up while a stylish throw sits at the foot of the bed. An upholstered headboard and a straight bed skirt with box pleats contribute to the sense of serene luxury.

Grimen bed frame cover in Frescati Plaid Grey

The colour scheme is monochromatic, based on either a dark industrial–chic style palette or a lighter modern and elegant palette. Read more about Urban Living.

Florö bed frame cover in Stockholm Stripe Jet Black

Playground: As the name suggests, Playground is all about playfulness. Happy colours and daring patterns mix with Scandinavian design classics and modern favourites. A graphic black and white upholstered bed frame adorned with large patterned cushions in lime, grass green and yellow are lively against white walls.

Fuchsia daybed with scatter cushions in orange, pink and lime from Bemz

The guest room’s fuchsia daybed pops when scattered with pattern-rich cushions in orange, pink and lime. Combine sturdy Panama Cotton from Bemz with Designers Guild and Marimekko to strike the right balance. Read more about Playground.

Sweet dreams!

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'.

Karlanda in Urban Tapestry makes the papers

Not too long ago, there was a feature article in Swedish Newspaper SvD's magazine on Form for Everyday Life, which proffered a tour around designer Daniel Svahn's and interior designer Nicole Morel's home in Stockholm, Sweden. 

Needless to say, design sits at the heart of this home where every piece has been carefully selected or designed by this duo.

Karlanda in Urban Tapestry - Jet Black from Bemz

Well weren't feeling like the cat's meow when we spotted their sofa: a Karlanda with an Urban Tapestry - Jet Black cover from Bemz. 

Here are five decorating tips from this design duo:

• Don't chicken out of crazy decorating ideas! It's your home so do what you want. But try to have a clear plan in place.
• Lighting is important. Ensure you have a variety of light sources in every room to help create ambiance.
• Decorate using personal accessories that mean something to you.
• Don't be afraid to use colour. It provides wonderful contrast and livens up a room.
• Redecorate yourself. Almost everything can be made more personal with some paint and fabric, both old and new.