Brilliant
September 26, 2021
How much fun would it be to come home and finding this planted in your yard? While it was just what was needed last Fall to distract us from the pandemic, the election and whatever else was assaulting us daily, I’m thinking it has not outlived it’s usefulness. In the midst of the madness there was something oddly comforting about it. Was it the simplicity…the quiet beauty? Or, was it the mystery? Whatever it was, it caught our attention and gave us pause. To the responsible parties…Thank You. And, coincidently, I happen to have the perfect spot should it need a permanent home. Just sayin.
The Utah Monolith Photo: Utah Department of Public Safety/AP via Art News
It’s three o’clock…
September 22, 2021
and you need a little somethin somethin to hold you over till dinner. This is it. Apricot, Date and Cashew Snack Balls. You know how we love a simplequietmodern recipe…few ingredients and even fewer steps with the best possible result. Simply gather your ingredients, pulse them up in the processor, roll them into balls. Really…that’s it. Since finding this recipe by Gena Hamshaw on Food 52 I’ve made a batch every week. I’ve also modified the ingredients like adding a few toasted hazelnuts to the mix or subbing in some raisins for a few of the apricots. Each change is as good as the original. Now go get your healthy snack on.
From the top, photo: gp
second photo: Alpha Smoot via Food 52
For recipe: https://food52.com/recipes/30743-apricot-date-and-cashew-snack-balls
Wait! Go Back
September 19, 2021
I was recently returning to the city from a quick day trip to Northern Michigan scoping out a new project, Traveling down US-23 along Lake Huron I spotted, out of the corner of my eye, what I thought was a dining table designed by T.H. Robbsjohn-Gibbings. But, what would a beautiful table like that be doing along the side of the road? A quick U-Turn had me heading back to find out. Pulling onto the shoulder I quickly realized that is wasn’t the classic modern piece that I thought, but maybe something better… a vintage rustic picnic table AND a pair of benches, all with the signature X base. Bonus detail…drop leaf extensions on the table as well. It was as if I had found the original table’s long lost country cousins. Sold.
Top photo: Unknown lower photo: gp
More Black
September 16, 2021
And, more inspiration to pull you though to the weekend. Reducing a dwelling to it’s basic shape, black is shown here in a variety of sizes, styles and locations. Hard to pick a favorite isn’t it?
top photo http://www.rocioromero.com/planLV.html
other photos via https://remash.tumblr.com/
Take a deep breath,
September 13, 2021
pull the trigger and make a statement. If we love a black fence, what’s not to love about a black house? Complete the study with some egg rock, a simple mass planting and boom! You’re done. Large or small, city residence or an upstate cottage, it’s a simplequietmodern look that’s hard to beat.
top to bottom:
My candidate for new paint. Nearly there now in it’s current coat of deep charcoal. Hopefully this Fall. photo: gp
Behr SC-102 Slate photo: Behr.com
Black…the perfect backdrop for mass plantings of a perennial grass like the Blue Gamma ” Blonde Ambition” Photo: High Country Gardens
Or, Blue Dune Grass Photo:gp
No other foundation plantings needed…just a deep border of egg rock. photo:gp
Now that that’s done, have a seat, kick back and relax. Loll Designs reissue of the classic Westport Adirondack chair. Photo: Loll designs
Twenty Years
September 11, 2021
The ultimate in simplequietmodern. I loved these two towers. The simplicity, the pairing, the scale. Even as a kid I knew that their presence would shape my design sensibility…and they did. Today in their footprint are the memorial fountains…a different simplequietmodern. Who could ever have known? I remember that morning in 2001 as if it were yesterday…sunny, clear, crisp. Now, I will never forget all of those lives lost…in NY, PA and DC. Take a moment today to remember them… and this place.
top photo: Andrea Alassio, bottom photo: gp
Get the Grill On
September 6, 2021
While I’ve never warmed up to the idea of grilled Romaine, I have on occasion enjoyed the severely grilled hot dog. When I saw this “Big Little Recipe” from Food 52 I started rethinking things. Grilled Romaine with Hot Dog Crispies and Pickle Mustard Vinaigrette seemed to tick all the right boxes; simple, short list of ingredients, easily adjusted for one or two to a larger group. And, what better time to take this for a test run than Labor Day. The grill is already going, right?
Photo: https://food52.com/recipes/83773-grilled-romaine-hot-dog-crispies-pickle-mustard-vinaigrette
Ok, this “Cremator” from Rutt’s Hutt in Clifton, NJ might need to be on my bucket list. I’m thinking it may have been the inspiration for the salad’s hot dog ” crispies”.photo: Barstool Sports
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