Ya gotta start somewhere.
November 30, 2022
Today I’m starting with an armload of yellow twig dogwood and white pine boughs. This should fill out my large midcentury concrete bowls at my front door nicely. A few lights and done. Moving indoors I’ve selected pics from the last ten years that can take you from simplequietmodern and natural, to vintage shiny holiday combinations. Plus a few new floral ideas to compliment a modern mood and Christmas tree alternatives that offer a great bang for the buck. The holidays are upon us, so better get on this before the supplies run out. Maybe a smart cocktail and a visit to the simplequietmodern archives for the months of November and December will help kick start a fresh holiday tradition for you.
all photos except 3,6,7,10,13,15, 19 by gp.
Credits given in respective post accessed through the archives.
Just a touch,
November 7, 2022
and your Wick is lit, literally. Wick, a modern spin on nimble Jack’s classic candlestick, requires only a quick charge to provide you with just the right amount of warm, portable LED illumination. And, now that the clocks have turned back and sunset occurs before most of us have closed up shop for the day, we can all use that little extra bit of light. Available singly and in multiples, in black, brass, graphite or white finishes. Try a couple for yourself and I can see them migrating to the top of your Holiday Gift list.
Photos: Graypants
The Near Perfect October
October 26, 2022
Aside from the obvious sad notes, I can’t remember a Fall, an October, as beautiful as this. Just what we need to take our mind off of the madness that we have all been living through…shocks of intense color set against a bright blue sky or a dark and brooding one. Even if your don’t like Fall you can’t deny that the large swaths of reds, oranges and yellows, found around every turn, have lifted your spirit. And, the best part? The show is free. So my suggestion is slow down and take it all in while it lasts.
You can’t argue with free can you? So, fall color aside, imagine my surprise when I found this Bittersweet ” volunteer” winding it’s way through a crabapple in the yard. A few minutes of untangling and trimming and it was ready to be put to good use indoors.
Before the deer got to the last remaining Hostas, I managed to keep this going in a vase indoors until it dried to this sculptural perfection.
While I generally love a Hubbard Squash for a non-orange twist on a classic Pumpkin, a trip to the cider mill has shaken things up. Not only for the perfect midday break, but fresh cider, a few apples and some artisan heirloom Pumpkins that will eventually be recycled into a pie or Fall soup.
I’m constantly preaching about the necessity of a simple modern glass cylinder and here’s why. No fuss, no muss. Just a few cuttings from the yard dropped in. Boom! Done. This will most definitely take me through till Thanksgiving.
Photos: gp
Too Hot to Eat
August 2, 2022
Sometimes it’s even too hot to cook. But, you have to eat, right? When I ran across this recipe it ticked all the right boxes… simple, fresh and summery. While a hot August night calls for something refreshing, this New Potato Salad with Soft Green Herbs fit the bill. Add a bit of grilled protein and finish with some cool seasonal fruit and your done. All that’s left is to sit back, relax and count the Fireflies.
A pound and a half of boiled new potatoes and 2 cups of assorted soft green herbs ( I used mint, dill, chives and parsley ) is the start. Blitz up a dressing of green onion, the juice and zest of a lemon, a splash of olive oil and a little salt and pepper. Toss it all together gently. It’s that simple.
photos: gp
Nothing Like An Original
June 20, 2022
While most of the country is heating up I can’t help but think about a quiet place to sit and catch a cool breeze. And where better than Loll Design’s reintroduction of Thomas Lee’s Westport Chair.? Attributes such as being constructed of sustainable materials based on recycled milk jugs, durability making it suitable for all seasons and all weather, availability in your choice of 8 colors and being made in America make this choice a no brainer. The original modern outdoor seating. All you need now is a pair of shades, a good book and a refreshing beverage.
chair photos: Loll Designs remaining photos: gp
Shifting Focus
February 2, 2022
From biting bitter cold to major snowstorms, we are sure to be glad that January is behind us. Now’s a good time to shift our focus to other beautiful forms of Winter White that aren’t as challenging. From a simple vase of forced spring branches to dreaming about a a coveted new addition to your home, a little distraction isn’t out of order as we try to keep warm until the thaw.
Top to bottom:
For me, a fresh dump of snow is pretty for about 10 minutes. That’s it.
A bunch of white fringed tulips generally take the edge off all of that cold white stuff.
Planning ahead certainly guarantees some additional garden interest. This Blonde Ambition grass is certainly holding it’s own.
What do you mean you haven’t potted up that Amaryllis you received as a Christmas Gift? Get on it.
I know. Put it on your want list now. One large Saarinen dining table…six Saarinen Executive Chairs. You can’t go wrong with white on white, tone on tone. Photo: Knoll
Check that pantry and you might find the few ingredients needed to whip up a batch of this no-churn Bourbon Ice Cream.
Poke around the yard (or neighborhood)with a pair of pruners in your pocket. You could come home with a few flowering branches to force into bloom.
Too afraid to add that dining table to your want list? How ’bout a more do-able side table? photo: Knoll
I can never have enough white tulips to pull me through Winter. This white Parrot variety is a particular favorite.
If you’re going to be stuck inside bingeing movies, how great would it be to do it stretched out on this classic Florence Knoll sofa dressed in creamy upholstery?
Shoveling is horrible. Period. But, a hot soak or scrub down afterword with some Birch scented bath salts? Lovely.
Winter White Cashmere. Now, that’ll keep you cozy till spring. Photo: Naadam
Takin’ a minute…
January 13, 2022
on this cold, gray day to do a bit of daydreaming and sort through some inspiration for upcoming projects.
Top to bottom:
Vintage midcentury Italian fixture by Stilnovo photo via Plastolux
Modern landscaping photo via: Remash Tumblr
Vintage modern Paul McCobb Planners group desk photo via Plastolux
Simple concrete courtyard photo: Remash Tumblr
Public art installation at the London Fruit and Wool Exchange photo via Plastolux
Vladimir Kagan Korduda Sofa photo via Plastolux
A gorgeous heart oak cube…perfect. photo via Plastolux
Vintage 60’s Platner Lounge Chair reimagined in Zebra. Photo via Plastolux
Minimalist Palm Springs residence by the Kaplan Group photo via Plastolux
They say…
November 8, 2021
that the best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago.* The second best time is today. So that’s exactly what’s happening here, to fill in some of the gaps left by last Summer’s surprise twister. A couple of Eastern White Pine will do nicely…fast growing and fragrant with the added bonus of lovely cones and pine straw. And, to whoever occupies this property in the years to come? You’re welcome.
*Chinese proverb
photos: gp
And, just like that…
October 4, 2021
it’s feeling like Fall. Bright foliage changes to lift our mood set against unpredictable gray skies. Lot’s of inspiration to be had around every corner as we prepare again to move indoors. I recently wove a box of manzanita wood into this sizable assembly that would be as striking in the garden as over this vintage Florence Knoll credenza from 1948. Or, it could be used in place of a large painting or photograph, hung on a wall covered in Grasscloth for additional drama and texture. I’m loving it so much I may just need to spend some time gathering branching for another.
from the top: first 2 photos: gp, Credenza photo: via https://plastolux.tumblr.com/ Grasscloth photo: https://www.yorkwallcoverings.com/collections/grasscloth-wallpaper/products/ywd-b65-multi-grass-wallpape
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
simplequietmodern 