Mid-Summer at…
July 31, 2014
Gray Gardens. If you would have followed my lead you would be relaxing in a modern garden space that is surprisingly cooling in the heat of Mid-Summer. Anchored by the soft crunch of weed discouraging pea gravel or bluestone paving, the simplequietmodern plant selections play their shades and textures against the tight architectural placement to optimum effect. Not missing those geraniums now, are ya?
top to bottom: photo 1 & 2, Foras Studio via Gardenista…photo 3, GP…last photo, Deborah Nevins via Gardenista
Dog Days
July 10, 2014
The dog days are upon us and there is nothing like this kind of simplequietmodern reward after a productive day working in the yard…or, maybe just rinsing off a full day of Summer fun. Can it be that a bit of sun, a gentle breeze, some water and a bar of soap can be transformative? I think it can.
shower photo via:http://remash.tumblr.com/
Add in a bar of Neutrogena Original Formula Transparent and Trader Joe’s Ginger Almond Oatmeal Exfoliant and you’re covered head-to-toe.
Blurring the Lines
July 6, 2014
With Summer here our natural inclination is to spend as much time as we can outdoors, bringing the indoors out with us for the duration of the season. In a slight reversal I like to blur the lines a little and bring some of what’s going on outside… in. Plucked straight from the pond, I float a few clusters of Water Hyacinths in large glass cylinder vases filled to the brim. Their other-worldly shapes and delicate roots show themselves off more as organic sculpture than water garden staple when presented in this simplequietmodern manner. If you’re lucky, with the right amount of light, they might even grace you with a bloom or two.
Gray Gardens
June 25, 2014
It’s a simplequietmodern fact that I am not a fan of annual flowering plants or the annual trek to garden centers large and small to search them out. Even when designed and installed by ” professionals “, most annual flowering plant combinations are the visual equivalent of nails on a blackboard. The selection tedious, the colors jarring and most combinations ill-conceived. I’m serious. Do you really expect me to subscribe to the idea that the orchidy blue-pink shade actually works with the mercurochrome orangey-red of the same Impatiens? Then add to the mix some red Geraniums and a shot of any of the many gaudy varieties of Marigold …then perhaps a little sprinkle of something in a lavender blue, like Ageratum. Congratulations. You have successfully convinced me that most people turn to Coney Island for their color inspiration. My suggestion…reel it in. Make a clean modern statement with a simply shaped pot filled with a single plant variety. If given a few minutes of thought and planning , you may not see a single bloom among them. A variety of perennial grasses can provide easy care texture and movement as well as continued interest come Fall and Winter…colorful groundcovers like Lysimachia can add a spot of texture and bright color. If blooms are a must, a judicious selection planted en masse will make a strong yet simple statement if you choose one…just one. As for containers, any of the following would be the perfect place to start.
top to bottom:
The simple modern shape of this Ibarra planter from Crate & Barrel is available in two sizes and one great concrete-like finish. http://www.crateandbarrel.com/ibarra-ficonstone-13-planter/s570443
The slick dark blades of Mondo grass would fill any of these containers with easy care drama. Photo via: Better Homes and Gardens
Bright Lysimachia gets even brighter in good sunny conditions. A pot filled simply with this one specimen with provide a modern splash a Chartreuse.
Again from Crate & Barrel, this Saabira low planter provides a simple modernist shape in coal-black Fiberstone.http://www.crateandbarrel.com/saabira-fiberstone-short-planter/s544752 Picture it filled with the large velvet gray of the non-blooming Lambs Ear below.
Stachys Byzantina ” Helena Von Stein” ” Big Ears”…a large non-flowering lambs ear that never fails with its silvery softness and easy care.
Mexican Feather Grass ” Pony Tails” will keep your containers animated with even the slightest Summer breeze. Photo via: ornamentalgrass.com.uk
Leymus arenarius, Blue Dune Grass, planted in vintage modern concrete bowls comes up faithfully year after year.
Just a little something
June 22, 2014
You can’t put your finger on it, but your environs this summer need just a little something. Does your weekend cottage need a little lift? It could be a place to perch, a place to put your feet up… a place to set your drink. Or, maybe you’re thinking you’d just like a little something new without making a major commitment. Here are just a few sun bleached possibilities.
Top to bottom:
Ample accommodations with the 24″ square crocheted Lexie pouf from Crate & Barrel. Great neutral color and texture…you couldn’t crochet one yourself for the price. http://www.crateandbarrel.com/lexie-pouf/s214515?
A modern take on faux bois from Terrain. A simple concrete-like fibreclay garden stool with great wood grain texture. http://www.shopterrain.com/outdoor-chairs/woodgrain-garden-stool/
Nothing says summer like a little weathered teak and this trestle bench, also from Terrain, is sure to earn its keep this season…and the next. http://www.shopterrain.com/outdoor-chairs/preserved-teak-trestle-bench/
Quite the Pickle
June 16, 2014
Let’s see. Some cauliflower and some cabbage, onions and yellow peppers. A little spice and a quick pickle and you’ve got Chow Chow. A relish of southern origin, I somehow remember it from my childhood in the Midwest, but with no Southern roots in sight. I tried to capture what my taste memory was holding on to but every recipe I saw looked like a miss even from the list of ingredients. Settling on this recipe, which started as my crock pickle brine with the addition of some sugar and turmeric, I think I hit a homer. And, it’s good for you… with the cruciferous vegetables providing vitamins, fiber and disease fighting phytochemicals, the natural fermentation promoting increased cardiovascular, digestive and immune health and the turmeric with its anti-inflamatory properties. Enjoy it on a sandwich, alongside some grilled meat or all by itself instead of a salad or coleslaw.
Isn’t it romantic?
June 4, 2014
OK guys…here’s a plan for ya. You’ve popped the question right? And, now you’re in the middle of a year long drama of planning your wedding celebration. I know. It’s seeming like a let down and you haven’t even selected the venue. One word for you…elope. You heard me right. Presenting the idea to your bride will go down a lot easier if it comes along with a gift for her to wear to city hall…like the best bridal shoe ever. And, a simplequietmodern bouquet that you’ve gathered and made yourself will put it over the top.
What could be more modern than this Betsey Johnson number in Black? http://www.betseyjohnson.com/Item.aspx?id=98536&np=ListSearch&sp=gown
A quick tied gathering of lily of the valley will provide a lifelong memory.
Then off to an elegant lunch and a glass of champagne as you start your new life together…and come up with a plan to break the good news.
Finally…
June 1, 2014
it’s seeming like we might have a Summer…maybe a little different than usual, but Summer just the same. So, what’s inspiring me now?
From the top:
Simple well-edited landscaping and a quiet well integrated water feature. via http://cabbagerose.tumblr.com/
The openwork and texture of my test knit of paper yarn. photo: gp
A great place to fall out and relax on a hot summer day. Does it get any better than affordable teak? Simple seat and back cushions in natural or charcoal duck and you are good to go. via: http://www.shopterrain.com/outdoor-furniture-preserved-teak/slatted-teak-sofa/productOptionIDs/bd0459cc-8958-45c4-b120-330bd8a8856a
It’ll still take me a while to shake the chill from the last two seasons, so, a little Summer cashmere from James Perse is on my “gotta have some” list. http://www.jamesperse.com/men/collections/summer-cashmere/lightweight-cashmere-v-neck/viewProduct.do?productId=prod1790117&categoryId=cat1230006
Tending to my Blue Dune grass…pretending I’m at the shore even in the middle of the week. photo:gp
And, if I’m lucky, taking off with Jaxon to the shore for a bit of sunny R & R. via: http://remash.tumblr.com/
Should it stay or should it go? Butterbur “volunteers” showing up in the aftermath of Winter’s brutal attack. I’ve promised some to friends, but I may leave a few to buffer the bare spots after the dead have been yanked and buried. photo: gp
The breezy organic shapes of Ruth Asawa’s crocheted wire sculptures. via: https://www.lamodern.com/tag/ruth-asawa/
Festival Season
May 29, 2014
Nothing kicks off the festival season quite like The Artichoke Festival in Castroville, CA… artichoke capital of the world. Castroville…all artichokes all the time. While it’s peak season and they are being shipped to a green grocer near you, celebrate with Castroville and cook yourself up a simplequietmodern lunch of artichokes this weekend. Trim, boil and dip. It couldn’t be any more simple than that.
While the artichokes are cooking make a quick dip of melted butter, mayonnaise and lemon juice. It’s the perfect accompaniment.
If you’ve got it…
May 26, 2014
fly it. If you don’t have one…get one. Honor our nations fallen with the simple gesture of displaying the flag today, half staff until noon…full staff from noon to sunset.
For correct flag presentation and etiquette: http://www.usflag.org/flagetiquette.html
simplequietmodern 