Power breakfast
May 30, 2013
There is no better way to start a summer morning than with this simplequietmodern power breakfast. And, it couldn’t be easier. Hard boiled egg whites and avocado cut into chunks…some coarse black pepper, coarse salt and a squeeze of lemon juice. Really, that’s it. If you’d still rather have a donut with your morning Joe, then offset it with this as a healthy lunch. One Hass avocado and two hard-boiled eggs will serve two with no cholesterol and monounsaturated good fat that may actually lower your blood cholesterol levels. Powerful stuff, huh?
Stop whatever you’re doing
May 27, 2013
at 3:00 PM * today and take part in honoring our fallen troops in a National Moment of Remembrance. 
* local time.
3500 yards
May 24, 2013
That’s a lot of yarn…a lot of knitting. Before the heat of summer rolls in it might be a good time to re-start the sweater I had begun to think about last Summer for last Winter. My intentions were good but, you know, life happens and some things just need to be put on hold. A birthday gift of the materials required for this project is just what was needed to get things kick-started. On your mark…get set…
It was worth the wait.
May 21, 2013
Muscari. Grape Hyacinths. Tiny floral jewels popping up in the spring soon after the crocus. But, this year? What happened? It might have been Spring’s late start or the rollercoaster of low to high temperatures every other day that held them off. Whatever it was, they’re here now…in waves of violet-blue against the chalky white of the birch…the fresh green of new grass. Time to grab a handful to bring indoors before the lawn crew comes and ….well, you know, that’ll be the end of that. And, what a perfect container in this Mid-Century piece of Murano glass. My favorite vase shape, a cylinder, allows the hyacinths to arrange themselves when simply dropped in. I usually only pull this out to showcase Spring’s first daffodils, but when I noticed the similarity of the Muscari florets to the broken canes captured in this ” end of day” mix, well…it was a no-brainer.
Field of Dreams
May 18, 2013
Well, my tile dreams at least. Maybe yours as well if you are looking for a surface material that is just right for your simplequietmodern project. It might be a bath or powder room application, exterior detail or focal point on your classic modern residence or a simple back splash in the kitchen renovation you have been waiting too long for. The place to start is Heath Ceramics…then go directly to their classic field tiles. The selection seems endless between the tile shapes and sizes and then the numerous glazes. Even for the smallest project this might be the time to seek the help of an interior design professional to help you wade through and skillfully edit the selections to what would be most suitable for your application. The simplequietmodern choice is any of the classic oblongs tiles stacked vertically or horizontally, narrowest grout lines possible with a matte glaze in any of the stoney neutrals, the new double glaze in the gun metal /chalk combination or the classic mid-century modern white. When you go with a product that has been turning heads and winning awards since the middle of the last century you can be sure that your gorgeous result will bring that aesthetic history home well into the next.
In another lifetime,
May 15, 2013
I must have been a monk. What else but familiarity with a monastic life would explain my constant attraction to the simplest of plank tables? A few long unfinished wooden boards and you have a gathering spot for eating, playing games, working out the details of a project or planning your future. A quick wipe with a damp cloth when you’re done and before you know it a patina has developed giving just a hint of the history that took place there. Nothing fancy, a bit organic, but definitely simplequietmodern.
If you are lucky enough to find a table with as much age and character as the one here seen on http://blackeiffel.blogspot.com/ , a few Bertoia dining chairs will complement it nicely.
http://hivemodern.com/pages/product474/knoll-harry-bertoia-side-chair-with-seat-cushion
Thanks Mom
May 12, 2013
Even after they’re spent she keeps them around… a reminder of the special connection you have. It’s a Mom thing. 
mmmm…cake
May 7, 2013
Crazy Chocolate Cake to be more accurate. About the only crazy thing I recognize , other than there are no eggs in this cake, is the fact that I have never had a can of cocoa powder in my kitchen… ever. I have never cooked or baked with it but decided that I needed to give it a try when I saw this recipe ( and several others that were near identicle) and read the raves. In true simplequietmodern fashion it went together quickly with a bowl and a wooden spoon…no power appliances needed. Who’s going to argue with a deep rich chocolate cake made from scratch? The frosting? What do you think? Something white and fluffy like a Seven Minute Frosting or more chocolate like a Sour Cream Ganache? For now I think I’ll go with a little whipped cream and some berries.
For the recipe go here: http://veganconnection.com/recipes/crazy.htm and if you’d like to trick it out for a special occasion go here:http://www.thehungrymouse.com/2010/04/07/mocha-layer-cake-with-sour-cream-ganache/
You’d be so nice…
May 4, 2013
to come home to. Really, what’s not to love? A low modern residence set in the central California coastal wine region. Constructed of humble yet grounding materials of masonry block and cor-ten…deep overhangs to protect from the sun and expanses of glass to take in every breathtaking view…right down to the exterior living space and simple slice of a pool…it’s like a little piece of the perfect dream. All nestled into the rural agricultural landscape with just a touch of xeriscaping to punctuate while keeping things ” green” and easy to maintain. Right up my simplequietmodern aesthetic.
This residence was designed by Aidlin Darling Design. More photos of this and other projects can be found here: http://www.aidlindarlingdesign.com/.
Indoors or out…
May 1, 2013
you are sure to find the perfect spot for these low saucer-shaped planters. My favorite planter shape, the shallow bowl, reminds me of the vintage concrete pieces that were popular in the 50’s and 60’s. And, like those earlier containers it was all about the scale…really low and really wide. These new incarnations are constructed of UV and weather resistant plastic and measure an impressive 24″ and 36″ diameter. A dark leaden finish keeps the look modern, ready to be filled with a single variety of annuals, a pile of egg rock and mosses or a treatment of simple decorative grasses. Used indoors they could be the perfect receptacle for a cluster of blooming orchids, stacks of gardening magazines or the greatest yarn bowl ever.
Available at Terrain
simplequietmodern 