Black Fences

March 31, 2014

If  “good fences make good neighbors” * what would Robert Frost have written about black fences?  Chic neighbors? There is no denying the sophisticated good looks of these black fences or how they elevate the green elements around them to a new level entirely. Picture them running down a property with their long horzontal lines… can you see the forced perspective? Even the simple picket has more appeal when given a modern facelift of a beefier profile and black finish. With an injection of a little drama like this you might even be able to skip using color at all in your garden this year. Just a thought.

black-fence-roundup-allworth-design_gardenista

silva_timber_western-red-cedar-primed

BlkPickt_espalier%20bougainvilleaCrpt

cotton-jones-debora-carl-black-fencecrpt

photos via http://www.gardenista.com/posts/trend-alert-black-fences

* “Mending Wall” by Robert Frost

 

Time Flies

January 12, 2020

Well, it just does. There is no other explanation for the fact that simplequietmodern has just celebrated it’s eighth anniversary. At this time each year I am always interested in what subjects, products or photos you’ve been drawn to most. Black fences seems to have shot to the top of the list again along with a few of my favorites from Heath Ceramics…their new Muir flatware, classic field tiles and the updated Coupe line of Edith Heath’s iconic dinnerware. The simplicity of Spring flowering bulbs rounds out the top 5. Nice. So, thank you for faithfully checking in and checking things out…for indulging me in inspiring you and for your continued support and friendship.

 

 

 

 

photos:

Black fence: https://www.gardenista.com/posts/trend-alert-black-fences/

Muir flatware, Coupe Line and Heath Field Tile: https://www.heathceramics.com/

Tulips: gp

 

Lucky 7

January 4, 2019

Seven years shot by like a bullet. Yep, simplequietmodern is celebrating its seventh anniversary. And, as usual, I like to reflect on the last year by looking at what you, the readers, were drawn to most. Black fences, concrete walls, black steel windows and doors and the Winter gardens of Piet Oudolf topped the list. Now, let’s see what will inspire us in year eight.

 

 

Could it really be a celebration without cake?

Top to bottom: links to the original posts

Black Fences…https://simplequietmodern.com/2014/03/31/black-fences/

Steel windows and doors…https://simplequietmodern.com/2016/03/10/let-the-sun-shine-let-the-sun-shine-in/

Concrete Wallcovering…https://simplequietmodern.com/2013/06/14/while-everyones-outside/

Piet Oudolf Winter landscapes…https://simplequietmodern.com/2016/01/17/winter-garden/

Milkbar Birthday cake photo: BonAppetite…https://shop.milkbarstore.com/collections/cakes/products/birthday-cake-six-inch

A simplequietmodern favorite when white tulips aren’t around. photo: gp

 

Let’s Review

January 3, 2018

Another year has passed, and with it, another year of  simplequietmodern. As I prepare for year seven, I’m  excited to see what held your interest over the last twelve months. The MidCentury seating of Van Keppel Green, modern black fences, the “folded” plywood works of Harry Roseman, factory inspired windows and a cozy white Christmas topped the list. Thank you for your continued interest, for stopping and sharing your kind words, for your friendship…for indulging me.

 

 

We can’t celebrate without cake, can we? I’m thinking a Burnt Almond Torte from Prantl’s Bakery in Pittsburgh might be in order. And of course, some flowers.

 

Top to bottom: links to each of your favorite posts:

case study: Van Keppel Green

Black Fences

A single sheet…

Let the sun shine…let the sun shine in

White Christmas

torte photo: https://www.goldbely.com/prantls-bakery/15395-burnt-almond-torte

 

 

 

 

 

In the blink of an eye,

January 26, 2017

five years has flown by. It’s hard for me to believe that simplequietmodern is celebrating another anniversary. As I look back I am always surprised that what interests me also interests you…and, keeps you coming back. The appeal of factory inspired windows and doors, black fences, the timeless work of Brancusi, simple landscape statements, and modern seating solutions topped the list. Thank you for regularly stopping by, for your comments, for your inspiration, your friendship.

img_1430

img_1431

img_1433

img_1435

img_1436

img_4885

Oh, you knew there’d be cake didn’t you?  This simple chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream can be found here. Perfect for a celebration like this or any day when a little cake is necessary. http://www.marthastewart.com/254376/busy-day-chocolate-cake

Now on to year six.

 

 

 

 

Crossing The Line

July 19, 2015

On many levels. As I wrote in an earlier post, if black fences make chic neighbors…what does an ugly fence make? You decide. Picture it. Finally, a gorgeous summer day and you’re seconds away from your idyllic wooded yard at the end of a long one…gentle breeze, birds singing…a hint of pine in the air and the gentle tumbling of the river. As you turn that last corner… B A M!  I nearly drove into the ditch. Drunken fence posts. Everywhere. WHITE PVC fence posts. It was like a punch in the face. Could it get any worse? You’ll see. Apparently nothing sets off a quiet natural setting of mature Austrian Pines, White Pines and Birch like a boatload of white plastic. My neighbors must have been binge watching the DIY network with a case of beer when they came up with this plan. And, the myopic installer must have been nursing a hangover himself while drilling the post holes, clearly crossing the property line and coming dangerously close to the gas main. As is often the case we are asked to ” suck it up” or file a lawsuit. Lovely. You mind your own business and live a simplequietmodern life and now youre sh*t outta luck? In one fell swoop some douche changes the entire complexion of a neighborhood…the aesthetics, the property values… and everyone else is supposed to roll over. Yeah….that’s not gonna happen. All that comes to mind is E-I-E-I-O ! In the meantime I need to focus on something else. Something simple, something quiet, something modern. That’s better…the Dresner House.

 

Fnc7_16_15crpt2

fncside_7-17-15

fenc7_17_15_trctr

 

 

dresnerres1crpt

 

dresnerres2crpt

Top three iPhone snaps: gp  Photos of the Dresner House via Plastolux

 

 

 

 

 

 

It goes without saying…

January 5, 2015

there’s gonna be cake.What celebration would be complete without it? And today, on the occasion of simplequietmodern completing its third year, this Walnut Variation, found on Food 52, seems to be the perfect combination of cake and dacquoise. A toast to you today as well…my readers, followers and friends…who take the time to stop by, get inspired, leave a comment and inspire me. I’m always surprised by what articles or photographs have been the most popular and favored by you each year. In 2014 it looks like you’ve surprised me again with black fences, quinoa kale and pear salad and baby Jaxon. So with a pop of the cork let’s see what year four has in store.

food52_2014-0520_finalist_walnut-variation-cake-189

black-fence-roundup-allworth-design_gardenista

pearsaladpourF

Aug 20_14Jxncrptadj

Walnut Variation: A Cake : photo and recipe via Food52 http://food52.com/recipes/28118-the-walnut-variation-a-cake

Black Fences photo: via Gardenista. revisit the post here:https://simplequietmodern.com/?s=black+fences

Quinoa , Kale and Pear Salad photo: gp Revisit the recipe here:https://simplequietmodern.com/?s=pear+and+quinoa+salad

baby Jaxon photo: gp