Out of the Dark
December 20, 2017
And, slowly moving into the light. The Winter Solstice on December 21 marks the shortest day of the year in terms of daylight and the official start of Winter. A depressing thought to be sure until the realization hits that from this point forward we gain a bit of extra daylight each day until Spring. While the ancients celebrated by decking the halls in evergreens and building roaring fires, us moderns might go for a little candlelight and white flowers, a simple reminder of the Spring to come. White tulips of any variety are my favorites on this, my most favorite day of the year, but anything white will do. Forced Paperwhite bulbs or bracts of cut white Poinsettias displayed in simple glass vases will be welcome additions that will last right through Christmas.
Paperwhite and Ponsettia photos via https://www.gardenista.com/posts/poinsettias-rethinking-traditional-christmas-flower/
Top three photos: gp
Really?
December 18, 2017
Inventive and imaginative, dramatically provocative and thoughtful…that’s how the Pantone Color Institute describes its selection for the Color of the Year 2018. Wax poetic if you must, at the end of the day, it’s purple.
Image: https://www.pantone.com/color-of-the-year-2018
Getting Started
December 7, 2017
Like it or not, it’s the holidays. Get out that pen and pad and start that list. Committing to paper will organize and simplify the tasks of shopping, decorating, cooking and entertaining, while every slash through an item accomplished will bring you that much closer to a Merry Christmas. Start with your personal traditions, add or subtract as you go, and keep your eyes and ears open for new inspiration and simple solutions. Three weeks to go…better get started.
From the top:
You can’t beat free. The last of my yard clean- up yielded perfect white pine cones to fill up a bowl or adorn a wrapped package. An added bonus…several birds nests to add to the mix.
Quince. A pot of Quince Paste simmering on the stove while decorating the house…a little holiday multi tasking. https://simplequietmodern.com/2012/12/14/small-plates/
An edited selection of vintage tree ornaments sets the color story. Have I mentioned I’m still into pink? The addition of more pink…flowers, wrapping or even the blush of a champagne cocktail can only help with an additional rosy glow.
If they were put away neatly you wouldn’t have a tangled mess. That said, a few lights are in order.
The addition of loose woven cotton metallic ribbon, also in pink, or maybe a simple spattered spritz of rose gold paint will elevate the simplequietmodern wrapping of newsprint or kraft paper. Ribbon photo: https://www.shopangelaliguori.com/products/metallic-loose-weave-wood-spool
A few more ideas can be found here: https://simplequietmodern.com/2014/12/09/low-cost-no-cost/
photos (except where noted): gp
No Time To Waste
November 9, 2017
With Christmas near upon us there is no time like now to get those Amaryllis potted up if you plan on incorporating them into your holiday decorating. If you enjoy giving them as gifts, presenting them now will ensure the receiver will be enjoying them during rather than after the holidays. The clock is ticking.
These selections from Terrain include classic white as well as more modern chartreuse and exotic varieties.
photos: https://www.shopterrain.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.enhancedResults&searchString=Amaryllis
Falling For Pink
October 16, 2017
As the leaves start their slow turn from green to gold to brown I can’t help being drawn to anything in pink. From the remnants of summer annuals in pale pink to late summer stragglers in a more shocking shade I can’t get enough. Even the earliest changes in my sumac and sassafras foliage have a pink edge to their vibrant red. Maybe it’s the way these deep rich pinks play off of October’s golds and browns that help extend the feeling of Summer just a bit.
Photos: gp
Modern meadow photo http://www.oudolf.com/piet-oudolf
Cooling Greens
August 20, 2017
This August heat has inspired me to reach for anything green from the season’s bounty, switching up my weekly shopping trip which seems zeroed in on auto-pilot. Let’s see what this exercise has produced.
From the top:
It started with this green spider orchid from Trader Joe’s inspiring the rest of my selections.
Locally grown Honeydew melons are just the break I needed from Watermelon.
These Green Zebra heirloom tomatoes will switch up that Summertime BLT or Caprese.
Local fresh herbs…it doesn’t get better. Basil for a Pesto Pizza on the grill or maybe a Pesto Potato Salad…Parsley and Mint for a Chimichurri to compliment anything grilled.
Zucchini have gotten a bad rap by showing up on your desk or doorstep by the bagful. Take full advantage by grilling them up with some onions, peppers and tomatoes or knocking out a batch of Zucchini Muffins.
Photo: gp
White Hot
August 2, 2017
You can’t beat a white hot deal like a bunch of locally grown Summer gladiolus at $4. Especially in simplequietmodern white. Less than a ” cold brew” and they’ll last the entire week.
Photo: gp
Just in Time
June 30, 2017
The Gardens Of The a Highline: Elevating The Nature Of The Modern Landscape is now available, just in time for a little Summer reading. This chronicle of the transformation of the abandoned elevated tracks on Manhattans West Side, in garden designer Piet Oudolf’s own words and captured in the images of photographer Rick Darke, is sure to inspire.
Photos via Oudolf.com
Pick One…Any One
March 30, 2017
Easter and Passover are just around the corner and nothing makes a simplequietmodern statement than a classic glass cylinder vase filled with flowering branches. From your own yard, a friends garden or a trip to the market, this exercise is simple…pick a single type, fill your vase with water, grab your secateurs and give each branch a fresh clean cut. Done.
Top to bottom:
Pussy Willow,Forsythia,Yellow Twig Dogwood,Lichen Covered Branches,Quince,Tulip Magnolia
all photos: http://www.shopterrain.com/fresh-faux-flowers/?cm_sp=Homepage-_-week032717-_-Branches
Finally,
March 22, 2017
Spring.
Photos: gp
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