We’ll See
February 9, 2020
We go through this often…the prediction of an early Spring followed immediately by snow, cold and yes, more snow. It’s Winter. In reality, the official start of Spring is still weeks away…plenty of time to prepare for it’s arrival, get inspired or simply switch things up to ward off cabin fever.
top to bottom:
Last year’s garden addition under this years last “dusting”
Forcing an armful of flowering branches definitely speaks to the promise of Spring.
Get super proactive and start now to plan a trip to the New Mexican desert next Winter and paying a visit to the Georgia O’Keefe residence and museum in Abiquiu. photo: https://www.okeeffemuseum.org/
Get on it and shake things up with this Alexander McQueen inspired velvet from Knoll Textiles. If not a chair then perhaps just a pillow will do the trick. Photo: https://www.knoll.com/knolltextileproductdetail/Arezzo
You could always spend more quality time with your favorite sidekick. Yes, even knee deep snow can be fun with this guy.
Now is a great time to revisit, reconsider and actually finish a stalled project. While these balls of newsprint yarn were created during snow days of Winters past, they still sit waiting to be transformed. Now’s as good a time as any.
Pull out that Sharpie and a clean pad. Start sketching and editing and committing some new ideas for your Spring garden projects to paper for when the weather finally breaks.
A little sustenance. The simplest recipe ever…Labneh. This Mediterranean dip and spread is basically Greek yogurt with a good pinch of salt and squeeze of lemon stirred in, placed into a cheesecloth lined strainer and left to drain out the whey over 24 hours. Serve up with a drizzle of good olive oil and a healthy dusting of Za’atar to spread on a variety of breads and vegetables.
Photos except where noted: gp
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
Down To The Wire
December 24, 2019
Is it just me or has this holiday season seemed like a “drive by”? I know, with all good intentions of getting your shopping completed early, you find yourself feeling totally behind the eight ball with the clock ticking down fast. Enter the gift card. A quick trip the the grocery store will have you leaving with a pocketful or simpler yet, an hour or so online will have you checking off that list with lightning speed. In no time…in a word…DONE. From cookies to cashmere, wine to winter coats there isn’t anything that isn’t available with a gift card and what recipient wouldn’t love one? Selecting exactly what they’d like beats having to make a return or exchange by a long shot. Santa has already started his trip on the other side of the world, so if you still have gifts to buy you better get on it.
photo: gp
Hard to believe,
December 17, 2019
but I am actually enjoying a Poinsettia moment. Really. Like Truman Capote in Jay Presson Allen’s Tru, I too felt that “Poinsettias are the Bob Goulet of Botany”. Decades of over-saturation in the seasonal marketplace have rendered this bright red holiday staple cliche’, cheesy and hopelessly out of date. It was spotting this new variety, Envy, with it’s bright chartreuse coloring that made me stop and rethink it’s potential. While I generally indulge in white Tulips, Amaryllis and Helebore from the Winter Solstice through till Christmas and the New Year, I couldn’t help but think how well this fresh new addition would play with the others, both in the pot and as a cut specimen.
Photos: gp with the exception of the Amaryllis photo via https://www.shopterrain.com/categories/blooming-gifts and the last photo via: https://www.gardenista.com/posts/poinsettias-rethinking-traditional-christmas-flower/
Apparently, It’s On
November 17, 2019
Just into November and most of the country has been dumped on or been hit with an Arctic Blast. Is it just that Mother nature has a warped sense of humor or was it the early release of Heath Ceramic’s 2019 Winter Seasonal Collection that got things rolling? There’s no holding back now, the Holidays are here. Unofficially to be sure, but, they’re here. Might as well start bringing out the lights, developing a decorative plan for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and the rest of the Winter Holidays and start testing out a new recipe or two. And, shopping? Let’s start that list as well…perhaps with the Heath Ceramics Winter Seasonal Collection of limited edition offerings and finishes. New glazes like Zinc, Penny Green and Sand and Sea seem to mimic nature and have been applied to classic Heath favorites like the Bud vase, Tall Modern Cup, Plaza Trays and the Deep Salad Bowl making easy work of selecting a gift for yourself, someone special or serving up something tasty to family and friends.
This sampling and more simplequietmodern favorites available at https://www.heathceramics.com/collections/winter-seasonal-2019 photos by Heath
Snow Photos: gp
Fall Back….Look Forward
November 7, 2019
Straight from the Netherlands, a surprising and welcome gift of flowering bulbs. Now, as the days are growing shorter, I can try to ward off any Seasonal Affective Disorder by planting the Giant Allium and Parrot Tulips, take a deep breath and anticipate the arrival of their dramatic blooms come Spring. It’s always great to have something to look forward to so, before the snow flies, you might want to to plant some yourself.
photos:gp
Boo
October 30, 2019
Crossing over to the dark side while I try to avoid most things Halloween and prepare for the annual “fall back” into darkness. Here are just a few simplequietmodern points of inspiration.
Top to bottom:
Cy Twombly, Untitled 1970 Photo: MoMA
My favorite Bertoia Side Chair now available covered in leather. Photo: https://www.knoll.com/product/bertoia-leather-covered-side-chair
From Lostine…barn brooms. Or, is it a Coven parking lot? photo: https://lostine.com/collections/kitchen/products/barn-brooms
Always inspirational…the fall burn pile.
Dig in! Heath’s Muir Flatware now available in Onyx. Photo: https://www.heathceramics.com/collections/winter-seasonal-2019/products/muir-flatware-onyx-5-piece-setting-w19
Off the sticks just in time. Purl Soho’s Elementary Wrap Knit up in their Linen Quill in Kettle Black. https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2017/10/20/elementary-wrap/
Always my favorite container for a few gorgeous blooms, the Tall Modern Cup by Heath Ceramics. Photo: https://www.heathceramics.com/products/tall-modern-cup-sand-penny-green-w19?_pos=1&_sid=d7fb13c87&_ss=r
A Knoll Textiles classic, Diva… in Coal. Hmmm, what needs reupholstering? Photo: https://www.knoll.com/knolltextileproductdetail/Diva
OK…here’s just a little Halloween for ya.
Photos by GP unless where noted.
Indispensable
June 10, 2019
Make short work of your gardening projects with what will soon become your favorite tool. This expanding and telescoping garden rake will handle larger jobs like full clean- up to detailing your beds and borders. The expanding tines can be narrowed to accommodate tight spaces or used fully spread for gathering leaves and debris. And, the handle length adjustment? Your back will thank you.
Photos: https://www.shopterrain.com/products/expanding-telescopic-rake?via=Z2lkOi8vdXJibi9Xb3JrYXJlYTo6Q2F0YWxvZzo6Q2F0ZWdvcnkvRkI2OTYyQjI
Before you do anything else
May 12, 2019
this Sunday, call your Mother.
photo: gp
April showers bring May flowers,
April 23, 2019
and, the unexpected early release of Heath Ceramics Summer Seasonal Collection. In Spring greens ranging from bright speckled Canary to glossy vibrant emerald, you’ll be sure to find just the right piece to jump-start the season. I’m always partial to the trio of bud vases and the tall modern cup, but the Coupe Serving Platter, Dessert and Vegetable Bowls and Plaza Tray Set in this collection look like they’re ready to step into service now, serving up the best offerings of Spring and Summer.
All photos via Heath. https://www.heathceramics.com/collections/summer-seasonal
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