Partnership. The most popular room in our home at this time of the year has to be our sitting room. It's where we chill out, watch TV (yes, there is one hiding in this room somewhere, can you guess where?!), play games and chat into the early hours all winter long.
In my childhood home, my Mother insisted on two antique chesterfields which looked stunning - but didn't move an inch when you sat down - do you know the type?! God forbid if you were to sit on one of the arms (there'd be an almighty cracking sound!)! In our sitting room we might not benefit from the history that comes with antique sofas - but boy is our IKEA Söderhamn 3-seater, armchair and chaise longues comfy!
We can also update the furniture whenever it starts to look tired thanks to
Bemz (who create custom covers and legs for IKEA furniture in hundreds of high end fabrics that are made to order in Europe (LOVE THAT!). I tried out a few different looks in my sitting room to suss out which cover (and layout) works best for the chilly winter months ahead.
I'd love to know which of the three you like the most!
Look One: Lovely Linen
The Design
For the first look I wanted to create something that felt soft, floaty and snug. The Brera Lino linen in Dusk is a soft, middle blue with a very slight green tint to it (Per insists it
is green... but then again, he also thinks pink is red
sooo....). I liked the idea of combining it with Brera Lino Pebble and brown accents.
The Look
I've been a fan of the Bemz Loose Fit style cover ever since re-arranging
my living room in 2017 (remember that look? I've since been through a few more styles including
this one last autumn!) - you know me! I love the floaty, relaxed look and the contemporary seams, is this your kind of style too? This time I opted for a
Bemz Loose Fit sofa cover in Dusk Brera Lino linen for the IKEA Söderhamn sofa. It was one of those instant matches with with my coffee table (an old workman's bench which I've had for years). I love it when a plan comes together!
I've always loved the way linen catches the light - and also how it looks equally fine creased as it does flat ironed - perfect for a messy (or maybe I should say, very relaxed?) family like mine!
The sitting room doubles up as a thoroughfare to our back garden which makes it kind of tricky to furnish! It was the first time I've tried a chaise longues in this position (it was
Genevieve Jorn's idea) and it just seem to slot into place. Per might wonder where his bar cart has gone, along with the Hendricks - but the girls and I love it in this position! What do you think?
When it comes to rugs, I say the fluffier the better at this time of the year, don't you? This Beni Spezial is from from the family-run company
Natur Pur in Austria.
There are so many details in my living room - some of which are fairly new, and others I've had for years. Here's a quick low down:
Get The Look
1. Z1
Cotton Lamp
2.
Paris Print by Anna Johansson
3. Bemz
Single Curtain panel in Belgian Linen Blend, Unbleached
4.
Söderhamn 3 seater in Loose Fit Dusk
5.
Colour Print by Maria Leinonen
6. Granit
Wool & Mohair Blanket
7. Antique
Chinese Bench
8.
Söderhamn chaise longue in Pebble
9.
Blue Print by Berit Mogensen Lopez
10. Bemz
Cushion Cover in Belgian Linen Blend, Unbleached
Look two: Luxurious Velvet
The Design
While the Dusk look is ever so slightly darker than my previous cover, I felt I wanted to go even darker and create a seating area with a really luxurious feel.
My Mother's infamous (and very lovely, I must say) antique sofas have always been upholstered in dark blue velvet - a look that never fails to make me feel nostalgic. In my own sitting room I wanted to incorporate this and explore a blend of Indigo, camel and soft grey.
The Look
I used to have sheer white linen curtains in the sitting room (you can catch a glimpse of them
here) - for these two looks I swapped the white linen out for
Curtain Panels in Unbleached Belgian Linen. It's a slightly thicker fabric and immediately made the room feel more cosy - it's funny how that can happen, don't you think?
I have to say, this look was so popular with my family (mainly because the sofa is so soft!). I also sent over a few pictures to my Mum and she absolutely loved it too!
Here's a quick round-up of some of the pieces:
Get The Look
Did I miss something? If so, please give me a shout in the comment section below and I'll do my best to help!
Look Three - The Reading Corner
If you're looking for me this weekend you might just find me here.
Or should I keep the velvet look. Or maybe the dusk linen? Hmmm. What to do?! Do you have a favourite?
If you've got any questions about anything, please do ask away in the comment section below!
In the meantime, I might just go and snuggle up in my new sitting room!
Have a wonderful weekend!
Niki
Photography: Niki Brantmark - My Scandinavian Home
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