simplequiet…poof!
April 16, 2012
And, decidedly modern. Like magic. As if something was there and then POOF!…it’s gone. Or, perhaps something otherworldly is about to emerge from the colored mist. Mesmerizing. In any case it is hard to ignore the beauty and genius of these photographs. Armed with a camera and homemade smoke bombs, Filippo Minelli created these visions in various locations throughout the European countryside. http://www.filippominelli.com/silenceshapes/
Branching out
April 14, 2012
No matter where you are in the country there should be copious amounts of flowering branches available…if not in your own yard maybe a kindly neighbor or friend? A small armload of judiciously pruned branches~ be they cherry, quince, forsythia or peach~can make quite a statement when brought indoors. Pull out your glass cylinder vase, pound those woody stems and let them arrange themselves. 
Five Easy Pieces
April 12, 2012
OK…this is where you start. An empty room…and add five easy pieces. In this case; 1. a sofa 2. a lounge chair 3. a coffee table 4 . an end table & 5. an occassional chair or two. This will kick things off with plenty of places to sit for you and your guests as well as a place to set your coffee or cocktail. Whether it’s a group of classic mid-century designs as illustrated or assorted hand-me-downs of various degrees of style or vintage this formula establishes a strong base to which you can add and embellish…or keep it simple and modern.
If today were my birthday…
April 9, 2012
I would like a little pate’, a little champagne and a big ‘ol piece of this cake! It’s just too great! Like a big 60’s milner’s confection for someone like Liz Taylor. Simple combination of fluffy white frosting on dark chocolate cake, modern presentation…and oh,yeah….quiet. Fork please.
Yellow or Pink?
April 1, 2012
I can’t decide. Maybe both. This year just seems like a pink and yellow Easter…maybe it was the early spring and the blasts of pink and yellow blossoms around every corner…maybe I just like the way pink and yellow make a modern statement when placed in a neutral setting. These artful ovoids were easy enough. A literal drop of old school food coloring in a cup of HOT water with a splash of vinegar. Partially submerge your hard-boiled eggs…remove carefully. Done. 
From this…
March 28, 2012
to this. Who knew a pile of discarded tires could be repurposed as the top on this simple and striking coffee table? That’s some modern thinking… with a simple and quiet result. Perfect. And, at 60″ w 14″ d 17″ h this stunner can do double duty as an ample bench. Singly or in pairs “Retread” is ready to enhance your design statement while reducing your carbon footprint. How ’bout that?
http://shop.manorfinewares.com/FNcffetbleretrd.html
table photo: Jake M Richardson http://www.jakemrichardson.com/
Rocky start, breezy finish
March 19, 2012
Once I got used to the idea of knitting an eyelash with dental floss my GRAPHITE scarf was like “knitting yoga”…an almost Zen experience. Using HABU silk wrapped stainless steel knit together with their root sizing silk ( http://habutextiles.com/N-6B) and a triangular scarf pattern for inspiration ( http://www.pickles.no/simple-luxury-scarf/ ) I was deep into it…and more than once. The result was as interesting as I had imagined…light, airy and sophisticated. Over a turtleneck, with a white shirt or to fill in the neckline of a blazer or jacket…Graphite is an accessory scarf to transition to the warmer months ahead. And, as always…the best in simple, quiet and modern.
Naturally green
March 15, 2012
If you look a little closer you may find tucked behind the buckets of hideously dyed green carnations, that seem to be everywhere for St. Patrick’s Day, a small yet natural surprise…miniature carnations in natural green. A simpler, softer green…a fresh green. For a couple of dollars you can take home a bunch to salute your Irish kin and still have them around to usher you into April while enjoying their spicy fragrance. Simply cut them short and mass them in a glass of fresh water. 
It’s not what goes in-
March 14, 2012
to a design that makes it good…it’s what’s left out.
” The camel is a horse made by committee” * is a maxim that can be applied to any creative endeavor you may undertake, from a complete re-design of your environment to getting dressed in the morning. Stop, take a deep breath, reel it in…then remove something. Now you’re on your way to a result that is simple and quiet…and that makes it modern.
*Vogue 1956
White’s the new Black
March 11, 2012
With the change of time to Daylight Savings, it’s a great opportunity to shed some new light on things at home. While most people agree that a shot of black in an interior is simply great punctuation, I can’t help myself from shaking it up. Do a 180 and you land at white, the color that your eyes recognize first. White accessories bring a new freshness home while presenting everyday items in an elegant new way. White will highlight both the simplicity of the design as well as the most complex detail. My favorite whites can be matte, satin or high gloss on everything from picture frames to pottery. As you set the clocks ahead use the opportunity to see where something white could breathe new life into your space. 
http://www.heathceramics.com/go/heath/ for these simple cups and the Neutra house numbers.
simplequietmodern 