Breezy
March 26, 2018
It’s back. Russell Woodard’s breezy Sculptura collection of Midcentury modern outdoor seating. Many have seen and coveted the originals of 1956, but until their recent re-issue one had to rely on some good garage sale Karma or being heir to some generous relative’s estate. If you’re still willing to be patient and do a little hunting you can find some great vintage pieces like this lounge chair and ottoman listed on Chairish. If you need it now, the occasional chair, bench and ottoman shown here are new releases available at Design Within Reach. The new group includes this occasional chair, bench and ottoman constructed of the iconic iron mesh with a powder coat finish in black, white, gray and orange-red. Seat cushions in black or white are optional.
Top photo: https://www.chairish.com/product/1004762/mid-century-woodard-sculptura-garden-lounge-chair-ottoman-a-pair
Chair, Bench and Ottoman photos: http://www.dwr.com/search?q=Sculptura&lang=en_US
Mix ‘Em Up
March 12, 2018
Or, stick to a solid in neutrals or brights. Even though the weather has been too inclement to entertain the thought of a Spring picnic, you can start planning ahead. And, if not a picnic, why not elevate a simple working lunch at your desk? These recycled bamboo place settings will add a bit of simplequietmodern style to either scenario and have you ditching the plastic serve ware and utensils at the same time. Light weight, stack-able, dishwasher safe and made of recycled sustainable bamboo a single place setting could fit neatly in your desks snack drawer or several would take up little space in a packed hamper once the weather breaks.
Photos: https://food52.com/shop/products/4476-recycled-bamboo-4-piece-place-setting#
Give a Bunch…
March 1, 2018
keep a bunch. How about spreading a little joy while waiting for Spring to officially arrive on March 20th? Nothing heralds the advent of Spring quite like Daffodils. Their bright sunny yellow and gentle fragrance are like nothing else. And, at just a couple of bucks a bunch nearly everywhere, you can afford to treat yourself as well as a friend or two. It’s been said that presenting a bunch of Daffodils to another will ensure happiness and good fortune. Who’s going to argue with that kind of return?
Photos: gp
Little Helper
February 26, 2018
From the design collaborative MENU, a simplequietmodern solution to an everyday task. Designed by Jan Kochanski, Sweeper and Funnel brings a little style and elegance to sweeping out the fireplace or cleaning up after a few stray coffee grounds.The hole in the handle acts as the funnel while seating the ash sweeper handle when not in use. Just a little something pretty to take the edge off your upcoming Spring cleaning.
photos: https://menu.as/en/accessories/sweeper-and-funnel/
50 Shades
February 21, 2018
Well, at least three not counting the other 47 shades of Winter gray outside. It’s hard to decide…organic linen chambray in charcoal, organic crinkled cotton percale in pewter or organic cotton percale in carbon. You could leave it to a coin toss to narrow the field or examine the choices by subtle detail. Coyuchi offers the linen in a great minimalist set consisting of a flat sheet, pillowcases and a duvet cover…eliminating the top sheet. Their crinkled percale is a lighter shade but lures you in with the crisp rumple that percale promises. The deep carbon of the organic percale from CB2 , well it doesn’t get more modern than that. A combination of all three might just be the right solution as we tick away the last four weeks until Spring.
top 2 photos: https://www.coyuchi.com/
bottom photo: https://www.cb2.com/organic-carbon-organic-cotton-percale-sheet-sets/f14581
Have a Seat
February 18, 2018
As we continue to celebrate Florence Knoll let’s take a look at a piece that she simply referred to as a ” fill in”. The influence of her mentor, Mies van der Rohe, is evident in its spare geometric profile. Still Florence made it her own, blending it seamlessly into the rest of her furniture collection. Originally designed in 1954 the Florence Knoll Bench is available in a 2 or 3 seat version upholstered in leather or any of the approved Knoll Textiles. Suitable for any situation where a little extra place to sit is needed… in an entry, at the foot of the bed, even as a cocktail table alternative… this bench was designed to ” fill in” beautifully.
Photos: https://www.knoll.com/product/florence-knoll-bench
Six Weeks
February 7, 2018
The remaining month and a half of Winter is plenty of time to get in gear…get motivated…get inspired. You could organize your junk drawer for starts or ponder the simplequietmodern beauty of work such as this. Rock on Top of Another Rock, 2010/2013 by Peter Fischli and David Weiss, Serpentine Galleries, London.
Photo: http://www.serpentinegalleries.org/exhibitions-events/fischli/weiss-rock-top-another-rock
To Wrap or Not
January 7, 2018
While the jury is still out on the efficacy of protecting the garden by wrapping it in burlap, the practice continues, primarily among the affluent due to its significant cost. There are two schools of thought as to the application; one more closely wrapped, draped and sewn into place, the other, attached to a wooden framework leaving a bit of breathing room between the “protection” and the plant itself. Both add a Cristo-like quality to the landscape …one minimalist and architectural, the other more like garden couture. While my preference is the minimalist architectural approach, especially given the neutral quality of the jute fabric itself, I can’t help imagining that burlap in color against the dismal winter landscape. A singular pop of hot pink, orange or chartreuse might be the visual spark needed to get us through the next couple of months. Couldn’t hurt.
All photos: David La Spina for The New York Times
Let’s Review
January 3, 2018
Another year has passed, and with it, another year of simplequietmodern. As I prepare for year seven, I’m excited to see what held your interest over the last twelve months. The MidCentury seating of Van Keppel Green, modern black fences, the “folded” plywood works of Harry Roseman, factory inspired windows and a cozy white Christmas topped the list. Thank you for your continued interest, for stopping and sharing your kind words, for your friendship…for indulging me.
We can’t celebrate without cake, can we? I’m thinking a Burnt Almond Torte from Prantl’s Bakery in Pittsburgh might be in order. And of course, some flowers.
Top to bottom: links to each of your favorite posts:
torte photo: https://www.goldbely.com/prantls-bakery/15395-burnt-almond-torte
5…4…3…2
December 31, 2017
Happy New Year! What better way to ring in the New Year than with a classic Champagne Cocktail? Simple enough…a sugar cube soaked in bitters topped off wth Champagne or sparkling wine and garnished with a twist of citrus. And, what better way to serve it up than in a simplequietmodern cylinder flute? That’s it…pop, drop, pour, clink.
https://www.cb2.com/set-of-8-cylinder-champagne-flutes/s422283
simplequietmodern 