It's a cover-up

Guaranteed sweet dreams

Grimen bed frame cover in Unbleached Belgian Linen Blend from Bemz

With the launch of our brand new bedroom collection, and the promise of more to come, we felt the need to focus on how to slumber in style. Here's your style-guide to bedroom must-haves and the latest in bedroom trends, and, of course, the requisite pretty pictures to inspire!

First thing's first, we have to get ourselves ready: with a beautiful dressing gown to go over our silk pyjamas.

Don't forget slippers and eye mask...

 

Photo: Ben Anders

Up the luxury-factor when getting cozy by choosing tactile options like this velvet hot water bottle and cashmere bed socks.

 

Now let's get into the details that will make your bedroom truly yours.

Photo: House to home

There's a plethora of rugs out there to choose from and they're a wonderful way to help define the style of your room.

A nightstand can be traditional or you can think out of the box to really add your own personal touch. This Tolix stool would make a beautiful nightstand and if that's too contemporary, you could always go for something a little softer. Or put your hand at making your own.

Bedside lamps are a great way to add style without sacrificing on function. I love Original BTC lamps but there's always a budget option.

And you will need a clock - why not go retro modern? And a water carafe - whether for you or for your flowers.

What about bedding?

Bed skirt with pleats and Bådalen headboard cover in Mocha Belgian Linen from Bemz

There are lovely headboard covers and bedframe covers available in about 150 fabric choices from Bemz. If you don't have an Ikea bed, there's always the option of a bedskirt which will fit any manufacturer's bed.

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

There are designer sheets, I especially love the ones from Pip Studio, and quilts.

You will need a mirror...

An upscale scented oval to hang in your closet or throw in a drawer and requisite candles add atmosphere.

 

Photo: Ben Anders

And of course, no bedroom would be complete without plenty of throw cushions to ensure comfort and style.

Left: Florö bed frame cover in Stockholm Stripe Jet Black and cushions in Grass Green, Sun Yellow, Daquiri Green, Soft White and Gotland Stripe Silver Grey. Right: Florö bed frame cover in Lisa Bengtsson Sir Harald and cushions in Stockholm Stripe Candy Pink, Stockholm Stripe Jet Black, Vanilla Yellow in Belgian Linen Blend, Panama Cotton Candy Pink. All from Bemz.

Photo: Ben Anders

What bedroom buys have we missed that you feel are essential to ensure a stylish slumber?

Credit: Livingetc November 2011 issue 

Trend alert: Nomadic Central Asia

If you decorate your home with mementos from your travels and love the moody Bohemian look, then this trend is right up your alley. It is one that captures the romance of the nomadic life with a spotlight on Central Asian influence. 

Kaftan rug by Top Floor Rugs

This is a style that embraces colour, deep warm hues, with patterns and embroidery providing depth, texture, and vibrancy.

Suzani Print Bath Button from Graham & Green

Suzani prints, as seen above, were traditionally an embroidered textile, used as part of dowries and are integral to this nomadic Central Asian look. 

Spice pots from Niki Jones

Kramfors sofa from IKEA with a Espanola Way Cobalt cover from Designers Guild at Bemz

Vibrant yarns in all their flamboyant glory capture the romance and the mood of look and introduce a wonderful vivid array of colours to a room.

Marakanda from Quirico

To get this look without going over-the-top use them as accents in a modern interior or layer them to create that lovely Bohemian look.

Credit: Livingetc, June 2011 issue

Trend alert: Foliage

Lush tropical foliage is all the rage right now - and we love it! We are talking banana leaves, palm fronds and ferns, evoking images of poolside relaxation, holidays in exotic places and drinks with those tiny umbrellas. Yes please!

This Green Palm Chest by Woodpop is an upcycled item. You could probably whip one up yourself with a flea market find and a great wallpaper.

From high end bubble bath, by Tokyo Milk, to high end clothes by Just Cavalli.

Kramfors sofa in Flamingo Park Natural  and Kivik seat in Coconut Grove Black and White

Karlstad armchair in Barcelona Crocus

Introduce this lush tropical look with covers from the Designers Guild collections at Bemz.

Credit: Livingetc July 2011 issue

More on pastels: a beautiful example

While perusing the web, I came across these photos. They are from a real home that is available for photoshoots in London and a great follow-up to our recent posts on modern vintage design. 

The owners have done a wonderful job of encapsulating that modern vintage look; a little bit 'house in the French countryside', a dash of shabby chic, injections of contemporary and very, very sophisticated.

There's always room for an iconic piece or two - straddling eras is a wonderful way to make the modern vintage look work.

That looks like a Swedish antique grandfather clock! And what a striking entrance area, not to mention great use of the space.

Completely different window dressings but each as beautiful as the other.

We've covered the importance of pastels in a number of posts recently, both how trendy they are right now as well as the new line of pastels at Bemz. They've done a superb job of using just the right amount in the bedroom above.

EVen the outdoors is breathtaking.

Have you seen a home that inspired you? Send me the link!

Top tips: how to mix modern with vintage

Today's interior often embraces a number of styles: an eclectic collection of furniture amassed over the years, souvenirs of travels and pieces one can't be without, whether for practical or emotional reasons. Eclectic is cool - no worries there, but how can you be sure the overall effect works?

Here are 10 ways to get the balance right when mixing modern and vintage, so that the end result is neither fuddy-duddy nor soulless and cold:

Make clutter look chic: use unexpected pairings of modern and vintage accessories to get that 'modern vintage' look. If you have any design classics, they'll straddle the two eras and make the old and new cohesive. Or pick a theme and collect similar pieces to create your own display.

Harness the power of textiles: Fabrics add warmth, color and interest, and can be used anywhere in the home. Textiles can soften hard-edged modern and conversely add a splash of contemporary to the more traditional homes. Let's face it: textiles transform a house into a home: quilts, thick blankets, piles of cushions and flowing curtains add character for sure, but also add coziness.

Give me room: Both modern and vintage pieces that can wow should be given the space to bask in the limelight they so rightly deserve.

Opposites attract: By the very fact that the things in your home are yours, chances are they reflect your taste so they will work together. Embrace the contrast of some of the things you have picked up along the way: pair modern with vintage, traditional with contemporary. To achieve visual harmony in this, look for a shared design ethic to pull it together.

Source from the high street: Many of the chic-retro reproductions hailed on the high street will help highlight your vintage finds.

Personalise: If you like something but it needs tweaking, don't be afraid to change it to meet your needs. You'd be amazed at what a new coat of paint or a new slipcover can do! Check out our Design-It-Yourself series for ideas and inspiration. If that's a step further than you are willing to go, pair heavy, dark vintage pieces with chrome or galvanized steel to get that urban cool look.

Find new uses for old things: You may have some pieces that have been around a while. Look at them with new eyes: can they be used for something other than they were intended? I recently decided that an old antique Asian cabinet that used to house glasses would store my shoes!

Books and nooks: Instead of settling on the predictable shelf, pile books on the floor or intersperse them with ornaments and other decorations. Quirky, difficult nooks and crannies are ideal for this. And embrace any other ready-made curiosities in your home, such as exposed brick, old peeling wallpaper and paint (very hot right now thanks to the King's Speech!). Balance the old with the new for the right modern vintage decor.

The power of light: Create symmetry by pairing opposites - chrome lights with floral shaded side lamps, industrial with retro. When the different details come together they just work!

Color me beautiful: By picking a color theme that features or matches both your modern and vintage details can hold the whole look together.

Credit: Elle Decoration, May 2011 Issue; Adapted & photos from Modern Vintage Style  by Emily Chalmers; Photos also from Bemz

 

Material gains

Bemz fabrics: Cinnabar Red Belgian Linen, Aubergine Panama Cotton, Chenille Plum; at the Bemz Inspiration Store

Fabric can be used virtually everywhere in your home. There are the obvious choices, like sofas, cushions, tablecloths and bedding, but the way you use textiles can be stretched so much further. What about lampshades? Ok, maybe not so out there but had you thought of it? And what about walls (why not!)?

Take some inspiration from these beautiful photos, shot by Damian Russell, and get those fabrics to work!

For instant impact, choose a single print in a few different colorways as covers for cushions or even a series of pendant shades. And see how a variety of fabrics were sewn together to create a unique and stunning tablecloth?

Daybed covers in Fuchsia Panama Cotton and Paler Shade of Grey, and an assortment of cushions, all from Bemz

Create a low-level daybed by covering a piece of foam in a patchwork of fabrics, then add mismatched cushions for comfort and personality. You can also achieve this look by getting a made-to-measure daybed cover for an unused mattress and adorn with cushions to personalise.

Cover different size panels in a variety of fabrics then group them together to create an original piece of artwork.

Make a unique patchwork table runner from co-ordinating fabric remnants, off-cuts and swatches.

Textiles really are the most user-friendly, versatile home-decorating tool and with such a vast array of textures, patterns and colors to choose from, you will have no trouble creating a truly unique and personal interior.

Credit: Elle Decoration UK, Photos: Damian Russell and Bemz

Trend alert: Six key trends for 2011

Whether you are wondering what's big for this year or just happy to see that you are spot on trend, here are six trends that we are sure to see more of in 2011.

1. Art

White Chair (left) by Simon Wright and Sky of Chandeliers by Delphine Lebourgeois

The ultimate personal statement, art has become more accessible with online galleries as well as an increasing acceptance of what constitutes art, from original pieces to printed artworks to photography.

2. Blues, greens and greys

Klippan sofa (left) in Tegner Melange Zinc Grey with cushions in Tegner Melange Bamboo Green and Tegner Melange Ink Blue; Karlanda sofa (right) in Tegner Melange Teal Blue, all from Bemz

This is the color spectrum du jour: blues for optimism and greens for longevity, with a touch of sobering grey to keep the whole thing grounded. But this doesn't mean it has to be boring: textured shades and loose patterns are very on trend.

3. Pretty

Kramfors sofa in Flamingo Park Natural and Kivik 1-seat section in Coconut Grove Black and White, both from Designers Guild collection at Bemz. Cushions in Gotland Stripe - Silver Grey, Coconut Grove Acacia and Stockholm Stripe - Jet Black.

Anything with soft edges is in: flowers, sprigs, blooms and nature florals. Think pretty. Yes! Read more about this trend here.

4. Wood

Henriksdal chairs in Loose Fit - Country Style slipcovers with box pleats in Rosendal Pure Washed Linen - Soft White from Bemz paired with a heavy solid wood dining table

Again, we see nature edging its way into our lives but this one provides the tougher side of it. This one is all about real, solid wood. Yes again!

5. Craft

Japanese bowls

The craft is cool trend has been ongoing for some time, but it's ceramics and clay taking centre stage now. This is a theme that sits close to our hearts at Bemz as it embodies individuality by virtue of not being mass-produced but instead is unique, bearing the mark of the maker. Ceramics from the East and South Asia are particularly hot.

6. Individuality

Upcycled furniture from Think Contemporary

Last but first in our books is that home decor should reflect the home owners personality. One very on trend way of introducing something original reflecting your individual taste is by investing in upcycled pieces: unique yet still functional. Or better yet, why not have a go at upcycling yourself? Check out our Design-It-Yourself series for some inspiration and ideas.

Credit: Elle Decoration UK, April 2011

 

House tour - Stockholm, Sweden

Recently CasaSugar, a favorite blog of ours, featured a house tour of an apartment in Stockholm which used a variety of slipcovers from Bemz. We were of course, very pleased with the feature but then I thought: hey, why don't we have the house tour on our blog too? So here it is.

As Elka pointed out in CasaSugar, an element that's often missing for visitors to the Bemz website is the way that the various patterns and covers can coexist in the same apartment. That's what we hope you can take from this house tour: how to use a variety of Bemz slipcovers to make a great impact and a beautiful home.

This loft-style apartment is open plan so using a variety of styles and colors helps delineate the various areas of the room giving each its own definition and style. In the kitchen, they've chosen vibrant, larger-than-life patterned Henriksdal bar stools in Sagrada Lime by Designers Guild for Bemz which work beautifully with the warm dark wood counter tops and clean white walls. The dining-room seen just off the kitchen is clearly delineated with an altogether different style even though it shares the same floor space.

The dining area sees a wonderfully eclectic mix of styles: the classic and timeless Hans Wegner Wishbone chair updated in a modern British Racing Green paired with Henriksdal chairs in 100% linen shabby-chic'esk loose fit slipcovers with feminine detailing such as box pleats and bows, which in turn provide spectacular contrast with the industrial pendant lights over the imposing wood table.

The living area is vibrant, colorful and eternally cool with a bohemian mix of fabrics adorning the focal point, the modular Tylösand sofa. The sofa is made of of numerous sectionals, each wearing its own mix and match blend of fabrics. If ever there was the opportunity to see how Bemz fabrics work together this is it!

Everything from classic New Baroque to modern Stockholm Stripe to simple textured cottons and solids and even designer fabrics all work beautifully together as various sections and accessories of this impressive piece. Laying rugs also helps define the area. 

A more serene reading corner is created using simple clean whites with subtle accents that work with the rest of the room while still maintaining an independent space. 

It's hard to believe all those well defined yet differing styles share the same space. But they do and do so in beautiful harmony. It works because the owner tackled each section to a certain extent independent of the others while maintaining a suitably simple backdrop (white walls and solid woods - beams and furniture) to showcase the fabrics.

Trend alert: Patterns

With the economy still high on the agenda, we inevitably seek security, comfort in the familiar. Bright colors suddenly seem too shouty and brash, while rigid geometrics come across as cold and unforgiving. We're subconsciously seeking the design equivalent of a warm hug, a role that nature with its curves, flowers and foliage fulfils beautifully. Here are some of the ones we feel fit the bill, in the colors that best suit the mood for spring 2011: blues, greens and greys.

Blues

Blues are associated with optimism, a sentiment in demand in hard economic times.

Breathtaking Chinoiserie handpainted wallpaper from De Gournay and Vivienne Westwoods Squiggle wallpaper are very different yet both tick the box for this season.

Subtle balinese inspired fabrics or more vibrant florals like this one, Willow's Garden hit the right note.

At Bemz, you have the pick of the bunch with Marimekko's instantly recognizable Unikko flower in blue, or the more subtle yet modern pixilated flowers of True Rose.

The organic shapes Bantie uses in Salamander and Korall provide geometry without the hard edges keeping the look interesting yet soft.

Classic Herbarium by Stig Lindberg is timeless, beautiful and inherently Scandi-chic.

Greens

From green veg to green tea, green has always been associated with longevity.

This stunning wallpaper by Miriam Ocariz (below left) embodies the look for spring with its florals, soft edges and various hues of green. If you're after something a little more vibrant then we love this gorgeous Richmond Park paper (right).

Animals also work: as in Lady of the Manor and Owls of the British Isles.

This velvet looks like a water color but if you need something more controlled Ace and Groovy may do the trick.

Cover your Ikea furniture in beautiful designer fabrics like Designers Guild and Marimekko or a more classic Urban Tapestry (below).

Greys

As sobering as grey may be it needn't be boring. Instead of flat color blocking have a look at theses textured shades which suggest a looser, more artistic feel.

Go romantic with this Mirage wallpaper - I even love the name - or equally charming Hampstead.

Or from Bemz, Designer Göta Trägårdh's Josephine in Graphite Grey has the perfect organically soft shapes most sought after this spring. Also try, Fandango, Praliini and Pirput Parput from the Marimekko collection or Frescati Plaid.

Credit: Elle Decoration, April 2011

 

Trend alert: Tailoring

From catwalks to interiors, the tailored look is cropping up more and more. Although slightly more edgy than conservative, we are seeing traditional patterns and fabrics being used in less conventional ways from tea sets to wallpapers. 

Left: Drummond houndstooth Blue wallpaper by Ralph Lauren Home; Right: Westminster cup and saucer by Paul Smith

Left: Tomelilla sofa with Mix & Match slipcover in Palette Lanzhou, cushions in Classic Ruta - Black and Soft White; Right: Klappsta armchair in Hounds Tooth - Dusty Rose, all from Bemz

Gents fabrics are key to this trend: pinstripes, herringbone and houndstooth are classics which are being reinvented as backdrops for colorful, exciting pieces.

Left: Scissor wool rug by Kiki Van Eijk; Right: the Karlanda armchair in Frescati Plaid Grey by Bemz

If you are looking to introduce this trend into your home, there is plenty of choice - from simple accessories to main pieces of furniture.

It all hints at tradition and nostalgia but maintains a modern note. Tres chic!

Credit: Livingetc, March 2011 issue.