Mr. Bazaar Is Off On An Adventure With...

...IKEA - For the next few days Mr.B is colour spotting in Sweden by indulging in all things IKEA-related. As always, I've packed my camera for this special trip, so just like the boat trip I took with them recently, you can expect a full round up of the adventure right here on Bright.Bazaar! While I'm away, I'll be sure to pop by the blog to ensure you still get your colour fix(!), and in the meantime I'll leave with these colourful and quintessentially IKEA spaces from their latest catalogue. Eeeep, I'm so excited!
// IKEA

Mr. Bazaar Goes On A Boat Trip With IKEA!

Whenever I talk to someone about IKEA they always have a special memory associated with the brand. Perhaps it was the joy of taking a friend to the store for the first time and seeing their amazement at the sheer vastness of it all, or maybe they remember the excitement of their trip to kit out their student digs or first home. Either way, I think it's true that many of us have some affiliation to IKEA; the expansion of their premium PS range - which features IKEA design classics from the last 60 years - can only lengthen this relationship.

Well, last week I was lucky enough to experience IKEA's temporary floating market which they created on boats along the Regent's Canal in London. After passing through a striking monochrome themed tent decked out with their latest fabric designs and Lappljung collection (you can see more of that collection here, if you like) I jumped onto a boat and I was off on my colour adventure. As we floated down the river and passed each colour themed boat, I learned that IKEA is placing a big emphasis on personalisation this season; whether it's mix and matching different coloured doors onto a storage unit, or painting a chest of drawers, they want people to feel inspired to make pieces their own. I tried to take some snaps as we went around but as we were floating and moving it was hard to get great shots, but I hope you feel you were able to join me in spirit on this fun event! Which boat catches your eye most, friends?
// Photography by Will Taylor | First & last shots by IKEA

Happy Weekend: A Ten Minute IKEA Hack

Welcome to the weekend, friends! Today I wanted to share this quick, easy and super fun DIY project by Paul from Design and Beyond. Paul is a student studying Interior Design and wanted to give the IKEA furniture in his rented digs a quick update. Taking inspiration from the colours and stripe pattern on his bedding, Paul decided to paint simple stripe details onto the drawer fronts of his MALM chest of drawers from IKEA. In a matter of minutes Paul was able to turn a very ordinary piece of furniture into something that expressed his personality and pulled his bedroom scheme together. It's simple decorating updates like these that I find so inspiring - graphic, colourful and simple. Bravo, Paul! What are your weekend plans, folks? During the week I had some new office furniture delivered so I'm going to be clearing out my office and getting my new shelves stocked and sorted. I'm also keeping fingers crossed for one last summer BBQ because London is going to be scorching for the next two days. Have a great one and thank you for your company this week.
// Project & photography by Paul Harrison

IKEA - New Rustic Style Inspired Pieces

This small collection of rustic style products from IKEA was inspired by public spaces and workspaces that date from the 1880’s to the 1920’s like farms, factories, and schools. The look is created by using materials and designs that are honest, long lasting and utilitarian. In fact, IKEA are saying this a style that's simple, imperfect, yet personal - pretty spot on, I think. They have created pieces using long-lasting materials like pine, clay, ceramics, natural fibres and lacquered metal, wool, cotton, sheepskin and linen. Then they've finished them with accent colours like faded red, turquoise, muted yellow and green – all still visibly popular in today’s houses that dot the Swedish landscape. You'll see how they've used textiles like cushions, rugs and throws that use visible stitching, coarse weaves and raw edges, creating an unrefined look. Personally, I like how they've shown how rustic style can be expressed differently across the home. In the living room they've shown how darker tones of blue and black and can combine with natural materials like rattan for a cosy atmosphere. Yet, in the bedroom, the rustic look becomes lighter and more industrial with strong metal pieces mixed with crisp, white linens. Which rustic style is for you, folks?
// IKEA | Products shown FJELL wardrobe and bedside table; BJÖRNLOKA cushion covers; BYHOLMA chair; LILLESAND bed frame; ODDVAR stool; SIBBARED picture - all should be instore from August 2012.

Instant Update: Bemz IKEA Furniture Covers

Since I graduated from university I've furnished the majority of my apartments with IKEA furniture. Granted, I like to save up and buy a few investment pieces into include in the mix (namely my Decker bookcase from Anthropologie) but the majority of my furniture is from the Swedish brand. As a renter it makes sense: the pieces are easy to move and often offer space-saving solutions. However, the real benefit that comes with IKEA pieces is the opportunity to personalise them, whether it be with paint, hardware or upholstery. One example of the latter is Bemz who offer a range of upholstery and fabric options for IKEA furniture. The shots here alone show how one can personalise their space with fabric updates in a variety of different styles. Gravitate towards a country style? The relaxed fit linen covers from Designers Guild are ideal for you. Or, perhaps you're more preppy in your approach? The fitted Stockholm Stripe in Candy Pink fits the bill perfectly. Do you own any IKEA pieces and would you update your pieces with Bemz upholstery?
// Bemz

IKEA's New Lappljung Textiles Collection

I'm sure it's not just Mr. Bazaar that feels IKEA have upped their game recently? First it was the divine True Blue collection that had Mr. B all inspired, and now it's their new Lappljung textile collection consisting of rugs, cushions, curtains and quilt covers. The textiles' styles draw from global influences, handmade traditions and graphic patterns, for example, some inspirations were taken from the Musée de l’Impression sur Étoffes in Mulhouse, France where textile patterns from different periods and places are collected and can be licensed for a limited time. Personally, I love the combination of striking prints with bold, bright hues and graphic black and white pairings - I can't wait for it to hit stores in August! What's catching your eye about IKEA's new Lappljung textiles collection, folks?
// Photography by IKEA

IKEA'S Limited Edition True Blue Collection

1. PAPPERS DEKORATION paper decor | 2. MATTA rug | 3. VAS STOR vase | 4. SKARMVAGG room divider | 5. BURGSVIK tray table

Our favourite folks over at IKEA have something blue up their sleeves for us: a limited edition collection of products inspired by the brand's travels to India, and a surge in the popularity of the colour blue not seen since the 1980s. Yet it's not all blues, there's a dash of glitter in the mix thanks to the BURGSVIK tray table made of hammered brass. There's even a rug (BJERREDE) that is made from recycled waste and is finished with a stamp in Hindi to show its origin. For me, the great thing about this collection is how easy it is to incorporate at least one of the pieces into your existing home. Take the patterned BURTRÄSK armchair cover as an example, it goes with the classic TULLSTA armchair and gives it an instant update. And, as good as these instant updates are, they're all the more worthwhile when you can discover the story behind them, like with the BLÅSKLÖVER cushion, which was inspired by the lively traffic in India’s cities. Or the BETYDANDE blue glass vase which was inspired by the vessels traditionally used by the Indian people for carrying water. The vessels were originally ceramic, but nowadays they are made from easy-to-carry plastic and can be seen everywhere in India. It's hard for me to pick a favourite but I do love the tray table and the hanging BESLUTANDE paper decorations are wonderfully festive! How fab would they be hung over a dinner table for a party statement? The collection is in UK stores now and will be in American stores from July. Do you decorate with blue? Anything catching your eye from these True Blue pieces?

Take Your Pick: Yellow or Green Bookcase?

IKEA via Livet Hemma

Hurrah! We've reached the middle of the week so a customary Happy Hump Day, folks! I stumbled upon these two bookcases from IKEA and knew in an instant that I liked them both. Clean, sleek and modern in their design and colourful in their execution they felt perfect for a Bright.Bazaar home. The only problem? Deciding which one I like better. The yellow finish provides an uplifting, vibrant and bold statement to the space, plus it pairs effortlessly with the black and white colour scheme. Whereas the green provides a more serene feeling, blending well space around it. I think I'm verging on preferring how the yellow option looks; it just feels a little more playful and graphic, but which would you pick?

IKEA'S Festive & Textural Living Room

Livet Hemma | Photography by Patric Johansson

Oh, be still, my beating heart! What a calm, cosy and refreshing living space this is from the folks over at IKEA. I'm inspired by their use of rugs as additional textiles for the sofa - such a great way to add extra layers of texture. The simple red runner used on the sofa lifts the pared-back scheme, as well as adding a dash of festivity. The reclaimed shipping palettes give the room an organic feel, echoed in the bud branch placed in a simple, glass jar - an ideal way to add gentle festivity to a space. What's inspiring you about this living room, folks?