A quick glance up…

September 11, 2017

and you immediately had your bearings. No matter how turned around one would get running around Manhattan, they were always there to set your course straight. I’m remembering that today. That, and all of those lost on 9/11…in New York, Washington and Shanksville.

Photo: via Pinterest. If you can help me identify the author of this photo,thank you.

 

One Bowl…

September 7, 2017

a few pantry staples and a wooden spoon. That’s all that’s needed to put the abundance of Summer zucchini to good use. I adjusted the already simple recipe from SimplyRecipes.com to include butter and olive oil and the result was 14 moist and gently spiced Zucchini Muffins packed with raisins and walnuts in just 45 minutes, start to finish.

http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/zucchini_muffins/

Or, you can use this recipe to create two loaves of satisfying Zucchini Bread instead. http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/zucchini_bread/

 

photos: gp

 

 

Eeny, meeny, miney, moe…

September 3, 2017

I suppose it’s as good a method as any in trying to whittle down my choices when reupholstering  this vintage Knoll Saarinen Executive Chair.

Typically I would go right to my favorite textural solids from the Knoll classics:

Classic Boucle in Neutral, North Island in Wind, Tweed Frieze in Silver Bell or  Diva in Coal.

Then I consider the statement a textile inspired by fashion greats Proenza Schouler or Alexander McQueen would make. Enter Sandis in Tobacco or Arezzo in Squid Ink just to stir things up.

I guess it’s time to order some memo samples and start the edit.

Chair photo: gp

Textile photos: https://www.knoll.com/shop/knolltextiles/upholstery/knoll-luxe-upholstery

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Guess Who’s Five ?

August 28, 2017

It seems only fitting that for Baby Hambone Jaxon 3000’s fifth birthday we’d all celebrate with his favorite…cookies. There will be mixed berry treats from Nutro for him and big festive sprinkled cookies from my local Latin market for everyone else. Simple.

Photos: gp

 

 

Take It Outside

August 25, 2017

Starting the day with your morning cup and a little solitude, breaking midday for a little lunch or gathering a group for an impromptu Summer supper, this table and bench seating would accommodate beautifully. If it’s only seating you need the benches alone offer up some great inspiration for an impressive DIY project. Hmmmm…there’s plenty of summer left…

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

Holding My Breath

August 5, 2017

I’ve been watching this house in my neighborhood for years, trying to get a glimpse of what I thought it might be through the decades of overgrown trees and shrubs. One day as I drove past, much of the overgrowth had been cut back exposing a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired ranch tucked into a heavily treed lot. A little research provided a bit more information…lived in by the original owner, the architect that designed and built it in the early 1950’s…three bedrooms, one and a half baths…a fireplace…all packed into a simplequietmodern low slung 1700 square feet. Lovely. Then a “for sale” sign went up and as quickly came down. Sold? Simply removed from the market? Hard to say. I’m holding my breath waiting for the bulldozer that is more likely to arrive to level it making way for yet another Mc Mansion.

 

Photo: Trulia.com

 

 

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

 

Still Celebrating

July 31, 2017

As the celebration of the 100th birthday of Florence Knoll continues, let’s explore the new Relax group that Knoll has introduced in Honor of her 100th year. Based on her classic three seat sofa released in 1954, this new seating features a deeper seat and a more relaxed sit…with four legs rather than the six found on the original Florence Knoll sofa. Like the original group, the new Relax collection offers a two seat sofa and lounge chair, all available in approved Knoll textiles and Spinneybeck Leather. While the original three seater has always been my hands down favorite, I can’t help thinking this new take on the classic might just be the perfect spot to indulge in a little  Netflix ” bingeing” this Winter.

 

 

photos: http://www.knoll-int.com/home/by-designer/classic-designers/florence-knoll/florence-knoll-collection-relax

 

 

 

 

Going Long

July 3, 2017

What better way to kick off the 4th of July than with an extended holiday weekend? Plenty of time for some DIY projects, maybe a local road trip, enjoying some seasonal favorites and simply kicking back. On your mark…get set…where’s that hammock?

From the top:

First things first…get that flag up.

Add in a new plant material and see how it performs the rest of the summer.photo: http://www.highcountrygardens.com/bouteloua-gracilis-blonde-ambition

How much fun could a tree swing be?  Photo: https://www.schoolhouse.com/collections/all-new/products/wood-rope-tree-swing

After a bit of work a rewarding lunch near the water could be a good idea.

Cold watermelon and an 80 degree day…perfect.

A bag of marshmallows, a box of sparklers and a yard full of fireflies should finish the holiday off nicely.

photos: gp, except where noted.