Never Forget
September 11, 2020
Whatever you are doing today, stop and take a moment to remember the victims and families of the terror attacks at the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. and those aboard Flight 93 that was brought down in Shanksville, PA. I remember the morning of September 11, 2001 so vividly it is hard to wrap my head around the fact that 19 years have passed.
1970 photo by Andrea Di Castro
Thanks, Jax
August 27, 2020
Thanks for keeping me laughing and taking care of me. It’s been some year so far, hasn’t it? And, with very little good news until today, your birthday. Eight years has shot by like a bullet. So let’s have a cozy celebration just you and me, a super fun day and plenty of treats.
photos:gp
Easy as 123
August 10, 2020
If it looks like you might be working from home a bit longer than you had anticipated, it might be time to rethink your set-up at the kitchen table. With three simple pieces from Muuto you can turn any corner into a workspace you’ll love to pull up to. Start with the 70/70 table designed by TAF Studio. So simple and elegant with it’s cast aluminum base and linoleum or laminate top with an exposed plywood edge. Add a fresh take on the classic shell chair with a Fiber Swivel Armchair on casters designed by Danish design duo Iskos/Berlin. Finally, shed a little light on the subject with Muuto’s Tip Task Lamp. There you have it. Three easy pieces that will have you feeling like your on your way to the corner office.
All pieces are available in additional finishes and options, are ready to ship in 1-3 days and the FedEx shipping is free. So, that said, where ya gonna set up shop?
All photos: https://www.knoll.com/shop/work-from-home
A bowl of cherries…
July 19, 2020
on a hot July afternoon sounded perfect. Turning them into a cocktail after another week of madness on every level…even better. For your consideration, the Cherry Bourbon Old Fashioned.
This couldn’t be easier. Pit 6-8 fresh cherries and add to your glass. Next 3 dashes Bitters, a tablespoon of maple syrup, a squeeze of lemon. Muddle to break the cherries and release their juice.
Continue with 2 oz. of Bourbon, a bit of ice and a quick stir. Done. Now, turn off the news, head outside to the yard and have a seat. You’re welcome.
photos: gp
Room To Spread Out
July 14, 2020
If you have to work from home you might as well treat yourself and go big. No cramped cubicle now, no way. Pulling your chair up to a work surface like this will have you feeling like you’ve just moved into the corner office. At the end of the day there is still room to cozy up with family or friends for dinner. There is something to be said for a big, simple, modern table. It’ll carry you through.
photo: https://remash.tumblr.com/
Open Auditions
July 9, 2020
While in lock down all Spring you would think I would have pulled the trigger on this upholstery project. Slowly anticipating the arrival of the Knoll Textile samples I pretty much thought my mind was made up…something neutral with a boucle’ or crepe texture. Then I started holding auditions. And now, with no bad choices really, I’m totally confused. While playing it safe is always a good move, this Corona thing has me rethinking the entire project. Maybe a little fun is needed now. Maybe some pattern. Hmmm. Could be. Or, then again, I might just take it back to… black. I’ll keep you posted.
top to bottom:
My vintage Saarinen Executive Armchair…ready for reupholstery.
Knoll Textiles Tweed Frisee’ in natural
Knoll Textiles Kaya in Inkwell
Knoll Luxe Sandis in Tobacco
Knoll Luxe Arezzo velvet in Squid Ink
photos:gp
Knoll KT Prairie Pebble Finished vinyl in Bison
Knoll Saarinen Executive armchair with wood leg in ebonized walnut upholstered in Presto Crepe color Black Tie
photos: Knoll
If you can still open a can…
June 15, 2020
you’ve got this. OK, a recent twister not only tore up the neighborhood, but the snapped poles and downed lines left us without power for several days. Still, ya gotta eat, right? And, without refrigeration you need something that will hold up pretty well. This simple Summer salad fits the bill. Have it by itself for lunch or pull out the grill and serve it alongside some grilled chicken sausages or burgers for dinner. In this particular case my Covid-19 pantry had all the usual suspects…green beans, kidney beans, garbanzos, green pepper and red onion. After draining, add the beans to a bowl with 1/2 cup of diced red onion and 1/2 of the green pepper diced. Toss with the simplest vinaigrette of lemon juice, olive oil, a crushed clove of garlic, a good pinch of kosher salt and freshly ground pepper. After a quick toss, cover until ready to serve and adjust the S & P if necessary. With tonight’s dinner covered all there is to do is wait.
photos:gp
It’s Time People
June 8, 2020
Time for little acts of kindness…simple acts of beauty. They won’t break the bank and the rewards will come back to you tenfold. For a friend, a neighbor or even to elevate your desk if you’re conducting Zoom meetings from home, these seasonal white peonies make quite the simplequietmodern statement. Their gentle fragrance? Well…like the little shot in the arm your actions will give to your local economy…an added bonus.
photos:gp
Enough
June 4, 2020
If it’s all getting to be too much, it might be time to edit, edit, edit. The last several months have been tough to be sure. The last week? Even tougher. If the social distancing, the masks, the stay in place “lock down” orders and night after night of endless bad news is taking it’s toll, it might be time to create a little quiet space of your own, a tranquil place to escape all of the noise for a moment. It might be a designated room to sleep or, if you’ve got the space, a spot to meditate and enjoy a simple moment of silence without distraction. This minimalist bedroom is just such a space.
photos via: https://remash.tumblr.com/
One tool…
May 29, 2020
for many tasks. I’m wondering how I did without one of these until now. Or, maybe I’m just tired of McGuyvering my way through the garden and decided I needed something new. From cutting through roots, digging up weeds or dividing mature plants, there isn’t a task that this Landscapers Hori Hori won’t be able to simplify. A cross between a knife, a trowel and a saw this indispensable tool is constructed of heat treated alloy steel for lightness, strength and durability… right here in the USA. With the entire Summer ahead of us it might just be a good idea to embrace it fully equipped.
