Over? Not yet
August 31, 2014
The afternoon shadows may be longer and more pronounced, but summer my friends is not over yet. While Labor Day may mark the “unofficial” end of summer I’m taking full advantage until Fall steps in on September 24…and, that’s a month away. Whether your’re staying in town or getting away for the long weekend, I recommend you do the same.
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We should all be so lucky to have a summertime courtyard space like the Brody house in LA photo via:http://midcenturia.tumblr.com/
What more is there to say? Local farmstand produce…get some, support your local farmers. photo: gp
Large body or small, being near the water on a holiday weekend just makes it more special. From a tiny cabin view -photo gp- to a broader shoreline view -photo via http://remash.tumblr.com/, try to get yourself some.
If you haven’t yet made this salad with your local summer corn you are missing something special. http://food52.com/recipes/17913-charred-corn-and-avocado-salad-with-lime-chili-and-tomato
A simplequietmodern nap could be good. Photo via: http://www.improvisedlife.com/
While I always prefer white, an armload of locally grown color will brighten things up should the clouds roll in. And, what could compliment those peaches better than these dahlias and celosia? iPhone snap: gp
Guess who’s 2
August 26, 2014
Baby (Hambone) Jaxon. Cannoli for everyone! And, his favorite mixed berry treats for him.
“If only…
August 21, 2014
…you could design just one good chair in your life… But you simply cannot”. Apparently, when Hans Wegner spoke those words in 1952 he was right, designing over 500 chairs in the course of his lifetime. We are all familiar with some, as they have become icons of mid twentieth century Danish design. Others never got past the prototype stage, until now. In celebration of his 100th birthday, PP Mobler has re-issued a collection of Mr. Wegner’s best known designs, as well as a few that were never produced. You could base an entire project around these two.
Top: The Chair 1949 Bottom: Tub Chair 1954 Photos via Dezeen
Shhhhhhhhhh…
July 27, 2014
I’m praying. Praying that I might absorb every bit of creative inspiration that I can from this amazing space. Stone, wood, air, light, quiet…what else is needed? The Atelier Brancusi in Paris as photographed by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic. And, if the opportunity to visit wasn’t enough…admission is free. Can I hear an Amen?
All photos courtesy of Heather Clawson. You can continue her tour here http://habituallychic.blogspot.com/2014/07/chic-in-paris-atelier-brancusi.html
Mc Wha?
July 19, 2014
OK…Maybe a Mc “don’t ask don’t tell”. It’s one way to dress my Black Bean and Quinoa burger. A homemade veggie patty never tasted this good. Some mushrooms, red pepper, a little cooked quinoa and black beans are the base with an egg, a little bread crumb and some parm…spooned into patties and sautéed in some olive oil. Add some “special” sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onion and a sesame seed bun and you’ve gone Mc Meatless.
“…that among these are
July 4, 2014
Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” *
*the Declaration of Independence 1776
No need to choose,
July 1, 2014
because you’ll need them all. Rasperries, strawberries,blackberries and blueberries…what would a Summer Pudding be without them? Add a loaf of white bread and some sugar and you are on your way to an impressive ending to any summer meal. The hardest part to this seasonal classic is waiting for it to rest overnight, so plan accordingly.
I used this simple recipe from Merrill Stubbs at Food52. As recipes go it could not have been more simplequietmodern. http://food52.com/recipes/13392-berry-summer-pudding
Some sun,
June 28, 2014
a little water, a great view. What else could you want from a holiday weekend get-a-way? Key…check. Duffle…check. Provisions…check. Jaxon…check. All set to roll. Where are you spending the 4th?
cabin photos via:http://remash.tumblr.com/
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.
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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.
Even happily ever after….
June 19, 2014
has its moments when only a boatload of peanut M&M’s …a quart of quacamole…or simply a big ‘ol mess of smashed potatoes will do. And, ready to hold the solutions to all life has to dish up, the Heath Large Serving Bowl, from the Chez Panisse Line. simplequietmodern…especially in opaque white…even when empty. If you’re needing a gift for a wedding, birthday or any other special occasion this summer, you might consider this.
http://www.heathceramics.com/catalog/product/view/id/962/s/large-serving-bowl-16/category/3/#p149
simplequietmodern 