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
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
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
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.
What? It’s Nearly the End of May?
May 22, 2020
Is it me or is everyone having a difficult time keeping track of what month it is…what day it is? It seems like during the entirety of this Corona lock down the weather has kept us thinking it’s more like Fall than Spring and the sun has taken a back seat to the gray and rainy skies. A little inspiration seems to be in order to get us through the next few weeks to be sure. While the upcoming holiday weekend and unofficial start of Summer will be different than we know it, a little inspiration may ease the discomfort of continued shelter in place and social distancing orders. The simplest of things can bring new joy and freshness to a stale situation or outlook so look around with new eyes and see what happens. I’ve selected a few items from the simplequietmodern archives that might help get you started.
Top to bottom:
Sheltering in place might have you contemplating a second place to get away to once we’re able to move around freely. And, while working from home may become the new normal for some, a simplequietmodern cabin with WIFI may be a neccesity. Photo: Leonardo Finotti via Remash Tumblr
A comfortable place to kick back, either tucked away in the yard or on the front porch for those all important breaks between Zoom meetings. This reissue of the originalWestport Adirondack Chair design comes to mind immediately. Photo:Loll Designs
A simple spring dinner of steamed artichokes takes advantage of the season and satisfies while keeping time in the kitchen to a minimum. Photo: gp
If you need something to keep your hands busy and out of that bag of chips, this Elementary Wrap by Purl Soho is it. A modern hand-knit using their Linen Quill yarn results in a lovely seasonal project that will take care of that spring chill or tick off a special gift completed for the upcoming holidays. photo: gp https://simplequietmodern.com/2018/05/02/elementary/
The garden centers are open again. A quick stroll through might just tempt you to make a modification to your present landscaping. This Sunjoy Gold Pillar Barberry will add a little brightness even on those days the sun stays hidden. photo: gp
Why wait for the September running of the Kentucky Derby? This perfectly modern julep works for me any day . http://gardenandgun.com/media/mint-julep photo: gp
Cabin Fever? Get out of the house and take a look at your place from a new perspective. Take a few phone pics from different approaches and try to view things as your neighbors or passersby do. You might be surprised to find that things are looking pretty good. photo: gp
Who doesn’t like ice cream? My recipe for Pistachio Semifreddo will have you amazed that yes, you made it yourself. photo: gp https://simplequietmodern.com/2015/05/24/whip-it-fold-it-freeze-it/
River rocks…or landscapers egg rock… can add that little touch of zen when used used in the landscape. As long as you’re home you might as well start another project to keep you outside. photo: gp
Not all potato salads are created equal. While I can often get a craving for potato salad like Mom made, I most often opt for this salad from Martha Stewart’s Everyday Food…Potatoes Vinaigrette. Photo: gp https://simplequietmodern.com/2014/05/04/a-simple-lighter-spin/
Memorial Day weekend is when those pots get planted. But, with what? I’m not into annuals…too bright. And last year’s planting of lily grass and Blonde Ambition Blue Grama grass while beautiful, did not winter over as I had expected. Now, I guess it’s back to my original choice…Blue Dune Grass. Fast grower, simple modern statement and, the deer won’t eat them. Check, check and check. photo: gp
Staycation
April 26, 2020
While we are all itchin’ to get back to work and life as we knew it, that might still be a while off. As the country moves into a “soft” reopening of the economy there might be an even softer release on travel restrictions keeping us closer to home. Upgrading your outdoor spaces might ease things a bit, making your own backyard into a vacation destination you’ll actually enjoy. The Swell Group of classic modern outdoor seating, designed by Richard Schultz for Knoll, will have you feeling like you’ve just landed in Palm Springs or Miami Beach. Based on his original 1966 group, these new pieces are generously proportioned and still, like the originals, need no cushions to provide maximum comfort. The cost of plane tickets and hotel rooms translated into a modern outdoor living statement will easily keep you sitting pretty for years.
photos: https://hivemodern.com/pages/product6407/knoll-richard-schultz-swell-single-seat-club-chair
Thank You
April 23, 2020
One short month ago the Getty Museum issued a challenge to all who were coping with isolation, quarantine and social distancing during this Coronavirus pandemic. The Challenge was simple; 1) choose your favorite artwork 2) find three things lying around your house 3) Recreate that artwork with those items…and share them with the museum. I’m not sure the Getty was ready for the response or the calibre of the recreations. I for one was not. I’ve assembled the sampling below from the Getty on Twitter for those who hadn’t yet seem them. All that’s left to be said is thank you. Thank you to the Getty for getting this started….thank you for all who participated. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Photos: Getty on Twitter
No More Puzzles, Please
April 14, 2020
You’ve assembled your last jigsaw puzzle. I hear you. I’ve never been a jigsaw puzzle fan either. Still, sheltering in place may have you looking for a project that will keep your hands busy and take your mind somewhere other the ever changing news. It might be time to learn a new skill or revisit and old one. This Heel Stitch Hand Towel from Purl Soho might be just what you need to occupy some quiet time and end up with an elegant end result. Even if you’re a beginning knitter this project is not near as complicated as you’d think…it’s a simple combination of the basic purl and knit stitches. The pattern by Jake Canton for Purl Soho is free, and the yarn is available online so there is no reason to go out. Just 2 skeins of Purl’s Field Linen and some #3 sticks will produce an absorbent textile of heirloom quality that will add a little luxury to the task of washing your hands. So, if you needed a good reason to put down that bag of chips…this might be it.
Photos: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2019/08/12/heel-stitch-hand-towel/
Working from home?
April 1, 2020
It might be time to think about upgrading that kitchen chair. Even if you are pulling it up to a makeshift desk or dining room table, a new work chair can make all the difference in your productivity if not your mood. Until April 6, Hive Modern is having a “Herman Miller Work From Home Sale” where all Herman Miller Executive and Task seating is 15% off with free delivery. The Eames Aluminum Group designed in 1958 includes an assortment of executive, management or task seating and their Aeron Chair, originally released in 1994, is an ergonomic modern classic. Or, you might find something from the Saarinen group of executive seating from Knoll more to your liking, with arms or without. We’ll be sheltering in place and working from home for the near future but nobody said it had to be uncomfortable.
Eames and Aeron chair photos: https://store.hermanmiller.com/office/office-chairs?lang=en_US&hpn=12
Saarinen Chair PhotoS: https://www.knoll.com/shop/by-category/seating/work-chairs
