Movin’ On Out
April 17, 2024
Before you know it these cooler Spring days will be warming up and there will be no stopping us from heading outdoors to spend the rest of the Summer. Furnish your outdoor space with any of the 9 Yard group of outdoor upholstery from Blu Dot and you might not want to return to the indoors come Fall. The Armless Sofa and Slipper Chairs in either the Sunbrella Stripe or Charcoal fabric will have you lounging in carefree style all season. And, if you have the space, the addition of varied corner and end pieces will have you creating a lounge area fit for a crowd. The clock is ticking. Only six weeks until the unofficial start of Summer.
photos: Bludot
Happy Easter
March 31, 2024
With gray skies on this early Easter, I’m feeling the need for some yellow and the simplest of decoration. Simple uncolored eggs in small patches of forced grass, handfuls of yellow Daffs and a mouthful of yellow Peeps should do nicely. Enjoy your holiday.
photos: gp
Bonus
March 6, 2024
Leap Day, a bonus day for everyone. How did you spend yours?
Me? I spent the day with my partner in crime, baby Buster Porkchop 3000. We made a quick stop at Traders for a few things,
including a couple of bunches of Daffodils to usher in March. Their gentle fragrance and unmatched color can slice through a gray winter day like nothing else.
Another stop and we picked up the ingredients for Baby Bok Choy with Oyster Sauce. I thought it was a good day to step out of my routine and try something new. While Asian food I quite leave to those better suited, this had the simplequietmodern bonus of just a few ingredients cooked up in very little time. I’ll give it a thumbs up.
After dinner a little online shopping was in order before I lost or misplaced again the gift cards. A simple white cashmere sweater seemed an appropriate twist to my signature black for Spring. photo: Naadam
We finished off the day with a little Apple TV + and an episode of The New Look, the dramatic series about Christian Dior. Period costumes and sets? Yes, please. photo: Apple TV+
All around it was the perfect ” day off” covering many bases. I hope yours was as well.
Timeless
February 22, 2024
The Klismos chair is quite simply a classic. With its origins going back as far as 5th century Greece, there have been many interpretations along the way. This new group designed by Italian architect Antonio Citterio draws on the original and spins it in a modern new way while echoing the original graceful form. His Klismos Collection for Knoll is available as a lounge chair, dining chair and bench. All are meticulously crafted for you in oak and tightly woven cotton cord in natural or black finishes and optional seat cushions. Handsome.
photos: Knoll
The heart wants what it wants.*
February 8, 2024
Your Valentine might be easier to please. With Valentine’s Day just a week away you better get on it. While flowers and candy are the standard, it doesn’t have to be all red roses and tacky heart shaped boxes of cheap drug store chocolate. I’ve assembled a few ideas that might just help get you started without falling into the usual clichés.
If your Valentine is putting in the hours working from home, this Saarinen Executive Chair will have them looking forward to logging in in the morning.
photo: Knoll
Who could say no to this John Hardy hinged Surf Cuff in sterling set with diamonds?
photo: John Hardy
At few dollars a bunch near everywhere now it would be an impressive romantic gesture to fill every vase, glass and jar and fill the house with an early Spring.
photo: gp
With Valentine’s Day mid-week, how bout staying in and making pizza at home, finishing things off with some chocolate mousse cake, berries and something sparkling that you picked up on the way home. photos: gp
Nothing like making a splash with red cashmere. And, better yet, this red cashmere from Naadam is the best value around.
Berries and roses as only Diptyque-Paris can blend them…Baies. Yes, the place will smell that good.
With the perfect small vase, you can extend your Valentine gift by filling it with a few lovely stems all year long. You just can’t go wrong with this Bud Vase from Heath Ceramics.
photo: Heath
If your Valentine is a fan of salted caramel you can push them over the edge with these handmade caramels from Bequet Caramels in Boseman, MT. There might not be any sharing, they are that good. Just saying. photo: gp
Even little Porkchop deserves a special treat. This tennis ball in fun turquoise should keep him busy. Well, at least until it looks like confetti.
And just a little something extra to add to any of the above or for just that little touch of a corny sugar rush… small bags of Jelly Bean Hearts from Trader Joe’s. Sweet.
photo: gp
*Emily Dickinson
Happy New Year
February 1, 2024
Better late than never as they say. While I was fighting off the latest of newly created viruses from Thanksgiving and into this new year, I was trying to decide on subject matter for my first post of 2024. While the options are as endless as my interests and creativity, it came to me like a punch in the face during a routine day of errands and shopping. Be Nice. That simple. Me. You. Everyone. When it occurred to me how prevalent general nastiness was at every level, every day and from so many different people I couldn’t help but wonder, ” To what purpose?” I guess it doesn’t matter. What does matter is that it might be a good time to rein it in. Easy as that, all of us. Even on the smallest level, imagine what a difference that could make in this chaotic world. Yesterday, as I stopped for a coffee in the middle of an unexpected snowstorm, the person ahead of me turned around and said ” I’d like to buy you that today”. I was speechless, grateful and it made my day. I decided right there that I was taking that cue with me into 2024. I hope you follow me. Happy New Year!
photo: gp
Saturday Cannot Come Soon Enough.
December 21, 2023
It seems like a little thing to most, but to me it’s huge. The Winter Solstice arrives tomorrow, December 22, which means starting Saturday we will enjoy a bit of extra daylight each day until Spring. It’s a good excuse to finish up your Christmas decorating with plenty of evergreens and white flowers, lots of candlelight, a roaring fire and a simple supper. I always pick flowers that remind me of the Spring to come and a simple dish that reminds me of Spring as well. Deb Perelman’s Rolled Spinach Omelet accompanied by a light salad is perfect and a bowl of Clementines will finish off the evening on a fresh note. That was simple.
All photos except for the omelet, gp . Omelet photo: Smitten Kitchen.
Peach Fuzz
December 14, 2023
Really? Well, here it is. Pantone’s selection for color of 2024. I’ll just wait and see, like all of you. Personally, I see it going nowhere. Remember Very Peri? Seems like that was a colossal “swing and a miss”. Am I not right?
Photos: Pantone Color Institute
Gettin’ Started
December 4, 2023
OK, Shake it off. Stop the daydreaming about Ghost Ranch and get with the program already. It’s full on December and time to get started with the decorations, the gift lists, the baking and the shopping. With the economy in the state that it’s in I plan to ease the frustration and take the simplest route possible, start early…like now, and recycle to the maximum effect. Here’s a few things I’ve found that get things off to a great start
I can’t help my mind from drifting to the hot, dry desert as the Mid-west Winter approaches. Photo: Ghost Rach
I have collected Vintage Christmas ornaments for years, and this was always one of my favorites… European, turn of the 20th century and light and as delicate as they come. I’m surprised it has managed to survive this long. Even if my decorations take a minimalistic bent, this little gem is likely to be found tucked in somewhere. Would not be Christmas without it. photo: gp
I’ve been getting in the habit of gifting consumables as of late. This Cube of solid maple sugar from Tonewood is a perfect gift.
Foraging the yard always keeps me up to my neck in pinecones. Deck out a wreath, fill up same simple baskets and bowls or tie on a gift. As always, the best part is they’re free. Photo:gp
A Christmas Tree from a sheet of plywood, a couple strings of lights and a handful of screws. A half an hour in and you are done and decorated. Doesn’t get more simple, quiet or modern than this.
Recycled newsprint, coir twine and a bit of foraged accent. This is simply my favorite Gift Wrap” go to” for any season, any reason.
If Elf has taught us anything, it’s that this is one of the basic food groups…Candy canes. And, it can’t hurt to start the day with a pocketful to spread a little Christmas cheer or diffuse an approaching Karen. photo: gp
You can’t go wrong with gifting Amaryllis for the holidays. White, red and apple blossom can usually be found everywhere. And, if you work a little harder you might score this beautiful Charteuse variety.
Some days I’m just not in the mood to bake. But, I have been known to knock out a few batches of Candied Orange and Ginger Bark for gifting without a complaint. It’s just that good. Photo: gp
If I do feel like baking I’m all about the Gougere. Using Ina’s recipe and freezing them means you are always prepared to entertain when the corks start popping! photo” gp
Regardless of your situation,
November 22, 2023
there is always something to be thankful for. Recognize it and give thanks for it, if even in the simplest of ways. As in Thessalonians 5:18, “in all things, give thanks”.
Happy Thanksgiving.
photo: gp
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