Ikea improved - meet Bemz and Prettypegs

Last time I promised to write about another Scandinavian brand, but well, it´s not completely true. Or rather, it is true only in part.

By now I am sure you have realised how much I like Ikea. Not necessarily and at least not nearly always because of their products or the design thereof, but because of the fantastic job they are doing branding themselves.

So the people want quirky, limited edition stuff - they give them just that with their limited edition collections. Which is so intelligent, because then they can keep their normal range as it is (admittedly, quite generic) and even improve sales by adding that extra cushion which pretty much nails the entire feel of the era.

A couple of years back, before the launch of their new catalogue, Ikea photographed people in their setting. For free, of course. Then you received a receipt for the photo and could claim your very own, personalised catalogue from the store on the given dates. Obviously, with you on the cover of the catalogue. Ingenious.

Luckily, there are other ways to feel that Ikea is personified and not just the mega store selling the same goodies all over the world to millions of people. Which also brings me to the subject of interior decor personified. I do not know if it is a global trend, but at least in Finland the repetitive interiors featured on blogs is more than daunting. It is actually frightening. We all are different, in so many ways. I have always thought that your home should represent you (and that is why professionally I find interior design of homes to be a concept that is in big need of improvement), not the trends you see at the blogs, magazines or stores.

I realise it is not easy to find something that is not trendy. At least if you do not want to invest in a Design Product - which then again also can create that generic feeling.

Anyway, enough of the rambling (for now ), see this cool way to pick the things you like, trendy or not, and add the personal touch at the same time.

First in line, Bemz. Another ingenious brand selling custom designed covers for Ikea sofas and chairs.
http://www.bemz.com/en/


The covers not only allow you to have a different look, but they are also good ecologically. You don´t necessarily have to buy a new couch, a couch cover might be all you need.

Last spring they started working with Littlephant, another favourite of mine (and also Swedish).



They do not stock many of the Littlephant fabrics, but they also have a wide range of other fabrics from plains to Marimekko and Designers Guild.

All photos from bemz.com




And then there is Prettypegs. Not only for Ikea furniture, but others too, they sell furniture legs for beds, chairs, storage and tables.


I love this shape and the colour. And - they ship free worldwide.

So pretty.



All photos from Prettypegs
http://www.prettypegs.com/sv/

Ikea Christmas 2014

Today it is only (?) 3 months until Christmas - what better excuse to introduce the Swedish take on this year´s Christmas?

So please, have a look at the Ikea Christmas of 2014. From what I hear, it is already showcased in the stores, too.

Nice, big golden star. Really like the smaller stars, too. Maybe those are just cut from golden paper? Not sure. Should go to Ikea and check out what they actually have!
Anyway, looks like this Christmas is golden, at least according to Ikea.




This really captures the Scandinavian winter light at its best. You can almost see the snow outside.



Christmas stockings, too. I predict these will run out fast. Get yours now if this is something you have been looking for.

Happy Movember. This cookie cutter set has to be purchased before November, I am sure. Looks like these shapes will be nice to garnish.





All photos from ikea.com

Ikea Ryssby, a new limited edition collection for October 2014!

I would have so many great gluten-free stories to write, but those will have to wait for now as there´s NEWS FROM IKEA! ;)
(I will get back to the gluten-free tips soonest, promise!)


Ikea will launch another limited edition collection in October 2014. The series is called Ryssby and as it´s name suggests, it has it´s design roots in Russia.

Photos from IKEA.

I especially like the fabrics and the pillows. Also the candle holder looks nice and classic.

Not quite sure about the mirror. It seems the series will have furniture, too.

Dishes, too! These I like. The tea pot reminds me greatly of a Russian samovar my mom had. It is probably meant to create just that thought, but nonetheless - I cannot wait to serve mulled wine (glögi in Finnish) during Christmas from that. Something good to look forward to now that summer is saying goodbye to us Finns. :)

Love this chair!

Photos are press photos of IKEA, via http://blogg.skonahem.com/addsimplicity/2014/08/06/ikeas-nya-serie-ryssby/

The series will also include bedding and even a quilted bed spread from the looks of it. Quite nice, again! Ikea amazes me time after time. Last autumn the paper shop was such a refreshment to the Ikea range; last spring the Bråkig collection and now this. I like!

Rainy day chores

Rainy day today. So we cleaned. And since the light from outside was so pretty due to the rain, all soft and nice, I took some photos of my girl´s room.

The cardboard boxes are from H&M home, the Beagle Boys poster (in an Ikea Ribba frame) is my husband´s and dates back to the 80´s I would think.

The curtain fabric is from Marimekko (Karkuteillä), that and the cushions I sew myself. The fabrics of the cushions are from Ikea. And Puppy, erecting his/hers tail.

Bunting from Maileg.

Another Maileg bunting, which was set across our "library room". Later on, a lot of other stuff was hanging on the same thread, but this illusion was kept for a solid (maybe) 3 minutes.

Enjoy it while you can!