Three Day Weekend
July 23, 2012
That’s what I need, a three-day weekend. At this cabin. Perfect. I’m not a fan of a steeply pitched roof, but somehow it works here, the simple comforting and welcoming shape of a Monopoly board game piece. A simple little summer house…with a surround of simple terraced decks and gravel paving. And, the genius touch of the storm shutters securing the doors and windows. Brilliant. I could grab a quilt and my pillow, throw Buddy in the car and hit the road…well, soon. Gladly it’s still only July. There are many summer weekends left.
There’s linen…
July 20, 2012
then there’s linen. All from flax fiber, but distinctly different. Thick, thin, crisp or rumpled, there is nothing else like it. This Shimmer drapery fabric and paperbacked wallcovering from Donghia Textiles takes linen for a fresh modern spin. In silver or soft gold fused to the linen itself, the effect is like the sun reflected off the ripples on a lake, either in the cool of the morning or the warmth of the light at sunset. I can’t think of a better backdrop for your collection of classic mid-century treasures. Wrap a room in it and, well…..simplequietstunning.
Skipping Stones
July 17, 2012
Up North…Up State…The Shore. Where ever you find yourself week-ending this summer you are bound to come back to the house with a pocket full of beach finds. You can take those smooth beach pebbles or wave sanded bits of glass…add a bit of Habu Silk wrapped stainless and black linen…knit them all together while relaxing with a tall cool beverage on the porch listening to the softly lapping waves. In less than an hour you have created ” Skipping Stones”, a great summer necklace that you will wear well into the fall. Beats the gimp lanyard of your youth, doesn’t it?
Stack em up
July 14, 2012
Every now and again you find yourself in need of additional seating at the table. You know, an impromptu birthday bash, your dinner guests had guests in from out-of-town ( do you mind if?) , or…heaven forbid…you’re hosting THANKSGIVING. Time to bring in the reinforcements and the Bellini Chair by Kartel fits the bill perfectly. Lightweight, stackable and most importantly comfortable, these stackable Italian wonders work as beautifully with your collection of modern furnishings as they do complimenting your more traditional pieces. No need to feel guilty about or assaulting your aesthetic sensibilities pulling out those folding chairs that have literally been a pain in the a** for decades. ( You know which ones. ) As a matter of fact, you might find these so appealing that you keep them out all year long, as pull-ups, home office task seating or an extra in the bedroom. Then, when the doorbell rings you’ll be well prepared to have your guests pull up a stylish seat.
Again, Plato knew.
July 11, 2012
” Beauty of style and harmony and grace and good rhythm depend on simplicity.” Plato
Branching Out
July 2, 2012
What a simplequietmodern way to display a good handful of Rhoadsidiana ~grasses, wildflowers, seed pods~ picked on a relaxing walk around the lake. You are week-ending in the country aren’t you? Modeled from an actual tree limb by ceramist extraordinaire PaulaValentim ,Tree Branch maintains the shape, texture and detail of the real thing. Produced in porcelain clay, this vessel is glazed on the inside to hold water, yet is quietly matte in its exterior finish. Just like arranging flowers in one of your glass cylinder vases (you must have one by now), putting this to great use could not be simpler. Give all of your selected material a fresh cut, fill the container with clear clean water and drop in…letting everything arrange itself. Done.
All swatched up…
June 26, 2012
and waiting to cast on. I liked the result of the yarn and fiber combination of my California Dreamin blanket so much I’m moving on to California Dreamin 2. While the palette on the first was reminiscent of the sandy beaches or the desert, this combination brings to mind a nighttime drive in the hills around Mulholland Drive… hundreds of points of colored light scattered in the charcoal darkness above Los Angeles and the Valley. Berocco Boboli is responsible for the color and two neutral colorways of Remix add to the dry hand with their recycled blend of fiber. Combined with an assortment of espresso browns, charcoals and black…in yarns of linen, merino, silk, cotton and cashmere, this new blanket will possess same the woven appeal of first. 
https://simplequietmodern.wordpress.com/2012/03/04/and-the-skies-are-gray/
It’s not art…
June 23, 2012
it’s a T.V. Come on people…enough already. What’s with hanging the flat panel television over the fireplace? It’s not a painting. It’s ill-placed for comfortable viewing. So what’s the draw? Unless you like sitting in the first row at the movie theatre I can’t imagine you sitting on your sofa, grabbing your remote and focusing your sights on a picture centered 7o” off the floor. 
Exhibit A…ouch! ( Let’s leave it at the television placement for now.) A better idea is to leave the area above your mantle empty and save yourself a few trips to the chiropractor.
http://misscheekychic.blogspot.com/2011/10/age-old-decorating-question-fireplace.html
Ready…set…
June 17, 2012
summer! Yard cleaned and planted? Check. Furniture pulled out of storage? Check. Grill in working order? Check. Good. Now that all of the outdoor spring chores are done and you have set up the appropriate areas for outdoor dining, entertaining and relaxing take a good look around. Scope it out. Your spot…to read, plan a menu, have a drink or have a nap. We wait for this all winter, now…enjoy.The sights, the sounds, the tastes…summer.
Les Spaghettis aux herbes et ail
June 10, 2012
My business partner and I represented American artist Rico Zermeno (of Nice, France) at our Taylor~Gratzer Gallery in Los Angeles. During one of his summer visits to LA, Rico shared his recipe for this pasta that I quickly named Les Spaghettis aux herbes et ail… ( his being from France after all). This is the easiest, most forgiving recipe ever and never fails to please. It has been the “go to” spring/summer recipe for me and at the time had filled the bellies of any and all types of Hollywood’s movie/TV stars, artists, agents, designers and aspiring whatevers. It’s is just good…by itself with some red wine and a nice baguette or with the addition of some grilled meat, sausages or fish. Try it …like it…love it. 
http:/
/www.lavenderandlovage.com/herbs-on-saturday
http://bangermashchat.wordpress.com/2012/07/01/july-herbs-on-saturday/
simplequietmodern 