When all is said and done…
February 19, 2012
tulips have got to be my hands down favorite. Parrots, fringed, Dutch or French…there is nothing that compares in the floral world. The range of colors is unbelieveable, white being my absolute first choice if given one. The blast of the coming season they provide is always welcome ( readily available and easily affordable). It is no wonder they were more valuable than property or gold and prized by earlier Asian and European nobility.
Pull out your glass cylinder,add water, a quick fresh cut and literally drop in a bunch or two. Simple. 
V Day Dinner…
February 9, 2012
…as easy as 1 2 3. Never again will you be able to pull off with such little effort such an impressive result. For starts, something Brut and sparkling…everyone has their favorite and it’s probably already chilled. Next, a simple appetizer: assorted olives marinated with herbs, garlic and lemon peel. Now dinner. Who doesn’t L O V E a bowl of pasta? So simple and you probably have all of these ingredients in the pantry as well. This classic dish ( I always use Perciatelli) with butter, pepper and cheese is my new go-to ,http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2011/05/cacio-e-pepe. I top this with a palmfull of dry toasted breadcrumbs … an amazing textural contrast… really,don’t skip this addition. Finish things off with more sparkling wine, a little lemon sorbet splashed with Limoncello and candied lemon peel with dark chocolate. What else is there to say? Done and done. Happy Valentines Day.
OMG…
February 3, 2012
will surely be the reaction upon opening this amazing Valentine gift. An air plant, almost no maintenance is required…a mist of water every now and again will keep it’s sculptural beauty thriving. Beautifully presented in it’s white box this specimen Tillandsia from Flora Grubb Garden makes quite the modern statement. Me?…I’d love to recieve this. Wall mounted and multiples? I’d love it even more. http://shop.floragrubb.com/spectacular-xerographica-gift-box/
Plato knew…
February 1, 2012
it needed to be said.
“The wise speak when they have something to say. Fools speak when they need to say something.”
Even 2500 years ago the message was simple. If you don’t have anything constructive to add to the dialogue, shhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Rock that roving
January 29, 2012
In no time you can have a stunning result from a tangled mess of Paton’s Wool Roving and some DPN’s. A little adjustment here and there to the WEE PODS pattern you’ll find on Ravely.com… the addition of some smooth river pebbles…and a quiet Sunday will result in this beautiful sculptural grouping of stacked stones. I had never felted a project before this..simple, simple, simple…and the result, quite modern. What a quiet and creative way to spend a cold January day.
How’d that work out for ya?
January 22, 2012
Did you go with the color matched stone or the kraft paper bag for your wall color? In this interior the stone was the way to go, a perfect compliment to the plywood floors and existing linen textiles on the upholstery. The addition of ANY color for accessories or flowers will work here when desired…white, however, continues to keep it simple, quiet and modern.
Better late than later.
January 20, 2012
California Dreamin, continued. OK, I finally got some time to cast this on and see where it takes me. It’s going quickly, even with a yarn change at every row. Already 10 % in…unbelieveable.
I can’t hold out…
January 16, 2012
any longer. I was gifted this holiday with a HUGE basket of homemade preserves, salsas and sauces, each one looking like a jewel as the sun shot through each jar. These are not your grandma’s canned goods…no way. Modern combinations like Blueberry Lime Jam, Raspberry Mango Jam …and my personal favorite…Ginger Pear Marmalade, will have you running for a spoon.
With goat cheese on an artisan bread, spread over pancakes or eaten directly from the jar…all are winners. I’m a lucky lucky boy. Thanks L.
The recipes were extracted from the Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving…it can’t get more simple and classic than that. 
Here’s the answer…
January 16, 2012
to my most asked question. “What color should I use to paint my______room?”. Well, my go to inspiration that works every time…for any room…in any style…in any part of the country… is a simple kraft paper bag. That’s it. Simple. Have it color matched at your favorite paint supplier in your choice of finish and it will transform your space magically. I know it will work for you and I haven’t even seen your space…this solution is THAT good. Deep enough to be dramatic yet not so deep as to be viewed as ” too dark”, and the perfect neutral to compliment ANY color on the color wheel. Any.
Looking for a neutral that might be more modern? Pick up a stone, drop it in that bag and take that to the paint store for a color match. Bingo! Another successful choice.
Add a great textured linen (see the neutral thing happening here?) like Calvin Fabrics ECO Linen #8384 and you my friend are on your way.
Seasonal Affective Disorder?
January 14, 2012
Not a chance. Nothing will take you through the gray winter months like a trip to Fiji! No time? No money? Here’s a simple solution that will radiate like the sun until the first blooms of spring peak up though the snow. Orchids. Available everywhere, cost effective and a snap to maintain. Nothing so simple, fresh and elegant could strike such a modern note in any interior… this “Los Robles” variety of Oncidium is a great example with it’s bright warm color. Drop it in a simple container and ride out the rest of January and February with ease.
simplequietmodern 