I might just keep ’em up.
January 8, 2014
Not the holiday lights, no, those are definitely down. But,these stars. I’m liking ’em enough to leave them up for a while. The simplest DIY project ever with the modern appeal of a Harry Bertoia Sunburst from 1960. Each impressively scaled at 25″ in diameter, a stacked cluster of three stood in nicely for a Christmas tree this year, with the added bonus of movement…each slowly revolving independently on the rooms air currents. A couple of packs of bamboo skewers, a few small styrofoam balls and shot of matte gold spray and you have got yourself a statement.
Round Three
January 5, 2014
Another year over, indeed, completing year two of simplequietmodern. I need to take a minute here to thank all of you who stop by and check things out and those of you that follow. The sheer number of you still amazes me each day, as does the worldwide reach, making it even easier to share what I see, what I do…what I have to say. I have enjoyed every comment, every email, your support, your friendship. As the world gets more complicated and our challenges seem to get more complex I look forward to writing every post, taking every photograph, testing every recipe, and creating every project to help us all enjoy a life that is moresimplemorequietmoremodern. So, moving on to a great year three I think it might be necessary to fortify our spirit with some cake! And yes, some flowers.
Mocha Chocolate Cake with Sour Cream Ganache from the Hungry Mouse…perfect. And, nothing can pull you through a nasty winter snowstorm like a simple vase of cut white hyacinths. ( cake photo: the Hungry Mouse )
http://www.thehungrymouse.com/2010/04/07/mocha-layer-cake-with-sour-cream-ganache/
Another year over…
January 1, 2014
and a new one just begun.* The perfect time to be grateful for the good of the last year and set forth on a new and creative path for the next twelve months. Not one prone to the making and breaking of resolutions, I have always found that committing things to paper…notes, bits of inspiration, plans for upcoming projects, events or personal goals…can not only organize your thoughts, but gives you a resource to refer back to and evaluate your progress. A hardbound sketchbook or journal is always my simplequietmodern must have, although a designated project pad can do the trick. Keep it handy to jot down a thought, tuck in a bit of inspiration or flip back to enjoy each progressive step. The clock for 2014 has started ticking. On your mark….get set….
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The classic Braun travel alarm clock ,now in gray, will help keep track of those fleeting minutes at home or away. http://needsupply.com/mens/new/classic-bnc002-clock-in-grey.html
What could have been a disaster rose from the ashes of a failed project to become Koishi one… one big, thick and richly textured linen blanket.
This sculpture greets and inspires me daily. Created completely of recycled LA Times newsprint, it brings home the idea that the great beauty can be found in the most humble material.
The found nests in my yard pale in comparison to this Australian example captured by my friend Kirsten Johnstone. It’s easy to see how it’s texture, form and structure caught her architects eye. http://www.kirstenjohnstone.com/blog/
The best part of my everyday…the “Hambone” Jaxon. The full-out belly laughs he induces daily are the best gift one could hope to receive.
Staring me down from a basket on the corner of my desk, these two yarns in gray and olive seemed to want to work together. Looking good so far.
The beginnings of a great Winter salad of Farro, roasted red grapes and red onions. I’ll post the simplified Martha recipe soon to help you get back on track after the holidays.
Classic. Black Minnetonka moccasins. They help me keep my focus on the warmer months to come.
Raw wood. You can almost smell it can’t you? The simplicity of the design and use of a single material in this space says it all. http://remash.tumblr.com/
A glass of your favorite sparkler for toasting to your perfect health, success and happiness in this New Year 2014
*So This Is Christmas, John Lennon
Jump-Start
December 27, 2013
This week could be a great time to jump-start the new year and prepare yourself for a little jolt of fresh color. Radiant Orchid is Pantone’s selection for color of the year for 2014. Yes, Orchid is the new Emerald…radiating joy, love and health while encouraging creativity and originality (according to the Pantone release) with its fuchsia, purple and pink undertones.. That’s a lot to expect from a single color isn’t it? So, why not start with small doses…a flowering plant or cut flowers injecting new life in a completely neutral interior or maybe an orchid square in the pocket of a charcoal suit.
The Stockings Were Hung
December 23, 2013
Well, I thought about passing Buddy’s Christmas stocking down to Jaxon but decided on a new direction. Something more fitting. A new Wigwam wool crew sock seemed the ticket. In charcoal wool…a simplequietmodern twist on the natural classic, an all time favorite of mine. So, he can nod off for the night…visions of sugarplums or liver treats dancing in his head…comfortably knowing that there’s a suitable receptacle for some treats from Santa.
Merry Christmas.
Oh Come, All Ye Faithful
December 20, 2013
If more churches looked like this there would be an end to the myriad excuses used to get out of attending midnight mass on Christmas Eve. The genius behind this renovation is British designer John Pawson. His collaboration with architect Jan Hobel, through their careful and deliberate refining and editing, has created in this 1,000 year old church near simplequietmodern perfection. You can almost hear the angels voices.
http://blog.thedpages.com/john-pawson-a-new-language-in-church-architecture
Change of Plan
December 18, 2013
Could there be a worse time for your oven to decide to act up than a week before Christmas? Well, better sooner than later, so there is still time to regroup. Instead of cookies, I think candy is going to be the treat of choice this season. As long as it’s homemade does it really matter? I don’t think there will be any disappointed faces when they dive into this…Candied Orange and Ginger Bark.
It’s as easy as gathering your ingredients and melting some chocolate. Make your candied oranges a day ahead and this is simple simple simple. You can find the Canadian Living tested recipe here:http://www.canadianliving.com/food/baking_and_desserts/candied_orange_and_ginger_bark.php
Snowflakes are like people…
December 15, 2013
each one different…one of a kind… each possessing its own unique character and beauty. Yet, en masse, both seem to lose their individual charm. That said, it’s no surprise that I’m not a fan of holiday crowds and even at Christmastime I’m not a fan of snow. The solitary snowflake captured by an artist can be a thing of beauty and a design inspiration in its own unique way. Too much of a good thing, however, and there are treacherous roadways, snarled traffic and shoveling. Give me little dusting on Christmas Eve and I’m good.
top to bottom:
This modern graphic was extracted from a box of Trader Joe’s holiday Pfeffernusse. Similar modern incarnations have graced everything from product packaging, gift wrap and greeting cards since the middle of the last century. And, it still looks good.
An amazing macro capture by artist/designer Edward Horsford makes you wonder how this single thing of natural beauty can, when multiplied, shut down and airport….or even a city.http://edwardhorsford.com/photography/macro/page2.htm
This gorgeous soft brass Lynlee chandelier looks snowflake inspired. Far and beyond any of the Sputnik chandeliers of the 1950’s and 60’s, I could warm up to this any time of the year.http://shop.thedpages.com/product-p/lynlee-chandelier.htm
George Nelson’s Ball Clock in natural beach has been a classic of modern design since it’s origins in 1947. It looks a lot like a snowflake to me.http://hivemodern.com/pages/product99/vitra-george-nelson-ball-clock-beech
When I was in early elementary school, we made some modern snowflake ornaments of round wooden toothpicks stuck into a small styrofoam ball and finished with spray snow and glitter. Mine was so cool I remember it like it was yesterday. What better time to revisit and resize with a few new creations made from a styrofoam ball, some bamboo skewers and a spritz of metallic paint? At 18 and 26″ in diameter I think I’ll do OK with no tree this year.
There’s still time…
December 12, 2013
to get that hand knit gift cast on, cast off and wrapped up before Christmas. Start with some giant sticks and some giant merino yarn from Loopy Mango, add the simplest knit or purl stitch and a couple of hours. Et voila….a little Christmas magic. Who on your list wouldn’t love a scarf , wrap or throw with this much style and panache? It’ll go so quickly you might want to knock one out for yourself as well.
yarn and blanket photos: Loopy Mango
Candy, Candy Canes…
December 10, 2013
candy corns…syrup*. Who knew that one of these…of Elf’s main food groups… could be so disarming? A pocketful of candy canes is just great to carry around, ready to hand out and diffuse some impending holiday meltdown. It could be the nasty person in line at Starbucks giving the barista a hard time or the weary sales clerk at any retail location, who just needs a smile and a break, that can benefit from this simple gesture. I started doing this years ago, begining my day armed and ready. And, I always returned home with an empty pocket, feeling good. Interesting how bringing a sweet unexpected smile to someone will always have one coming back to you.
* Elf
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