50 years apart
January 11, 2015
From the colorful velvet by Wolf Bauer, produced by Knoll Textiles in 1966, to the Alexander McQueen inspired sprayed and scrunched velvet in the Knoll Luxe Collection, it’s clear that great design inspiration can come from anywhere. The streets, fashion and art always play a part. The Bauer pattern might remind you of a tissue paper collage you attempted as a child. The McQueen inspired textile was extracted right from the runway…where robotic arms sprayed the garment while on the moving model. Genius on both levels. And, both can make a statement and hold their own whether keeping it neutral or popping up the brights.
An anchoring “palate cleanser” of neutral texture like Knoll Textiles North Island (shown in Wind) http://www.knoll.com/knolltextileproductdetail/North+Island ,complement both the vintage and the new patterns perfectly.
Mc Queen inspired Arezzo ( shown in Squid Ink ): photos: Knoll http://www.knoll.com/knolltextileproductdetail/Arezzo
Wolf Bauer velvet photo: gp
What’s a floppy?
January 8, 2015
It was cutting edge at the time and I splurged to get this, the higher end of the two models introduced…a Sony Mavica digital camera. And, it shot stills and video directly onto floppy disc (stop laughing). I’ve been using it right along and it has carried me through years of design projects and now this site. It might now be a modern dinosaur of technology but I love it. As I look forward to what will need capturing in this new year I can’t help thinking it might be a good time to step it up a bit. Enter the Sony Smartphone Partner. So small, it’s like a picture-taking monocle for your smart phone. What to do. One hand reminds me that if ” it ain’t broke”…while the other says “go for it”. While I try to decide, I wouldn’t say no if Sony offered one up for a test drive and review.
From the top down, Sony Mavica and floppy pic: gp
Sony Smartphone Partner photos: http://store.sony.com/smartphone-partner/cat-27-catid-All-Cyber-shot-Q-Series-Cameras;pgid=miN.qHJHECFSRpjhGcG.2zob0000h1yHsa0Z;sid=ullqe-l0OnZWe73ZiOMLf9l-djpUmCUXhLr6NkGt
It goes without saying…
January 5, 2015
there’s gonna be cake.What celebration would be complete without it? And today, on the occasion of simplequietmodern completing its third year, this Walnut Variation, found on Food 52, seems to be the perfect combination of cake and dacquoise. A toast to you today as well…my readers, followers and friends…who take the time to stop by, get inspired, leave a comment and inspire me. I’m always surprised by what articles or photographs have been the most popular and favored by you each year. In 2014 it looks like you’ve surprised me again with black fences, quinoa kale and pear salad and baby Jaxon. So with a pop of the cork let’s see what year four has in store.
Walnut Variation: A Cake : photo and recipe via Food52 http://food52.com/recipes/28118-the-walnut-variation-a-cake
Black Fences photo: via Gardenista. revisit the post here:https://simplequietmodern.com/?s=black+fences
Quinoa , Kale and Pear Salad photo: gp Revisit the recipe here:https://simplequietmodern.com/?s=pear+and+quinoa+salad
baby Jaxon photo: gp
Black and White…
January 2, 2015
or bright, bright, bright? Whatever palette your simplequietmodern style is anchored in you could easily add a splash of bold winter checks with one of these. Architect and designer Alexander Girard designed these blankets in 1956 as part of a complete style and brand overhaul for Braniff Airlines. Those were the days when modern air travel was not only convenient, but stylish. Reissued by Herman Miller and made by Pendleton in virgin wool and cotton, they’re ready to add that lost panache to your next jaunt…whether a cross-country flight or weekend road trip.
http://hivemodern.com/pages/product8085/alexander-girard-throw-herman-miller
Get Your Sled On
December 27, 2014
Ward Bennett’s 1966 Sled Chair will have you sitting comfortably as you wait for the next good snowfall. In this seasons absence of the white stuff I might find it a good place to sit and give quiet thanks for the 40 degree temps.
photos:http://hivemodern.com/pages/product6735/mattiazzi-ward-bennett-geiger-sled-chair
Like an Early Gift
December 21, 2014
Today marks the Winter Solstice…the longest night of the year. And, in the morning, the rebirth of the sun. Each day grows lighter, guiding us through Winter with the promise of Spring. Definitely a reason to celebrate by decking the halls, building a roaring fire inside or a bonfire out and enjoying a little reminder of what’s to come.
Marsala ( a swing and a miss )
December 18, 2014
I’ll take a lump of coal over Pantone’s color of the year for 2015 any day. Marsala. Really? If they would have called it what it looks like, raw liver, my guess is that the people at Pantone would have gone in a different direction entirely. Picture receiving a cashmere sweater or scarf in this color next Christmas…after a year of this showing up on everything from coffee mugs to automobiles ( if their forecast is correct ). Ugh. Or, is it just me?
Where’s that list?
December 12, 2014
I find it’s easy to refer back to gifts that I have received and have enjoyed when trying to come up with a gift idea for someone else. While most of them could easily fall into that “stocking stuffer” category budget wise, you’ll hear down the road that their impact was greater than something more extravagant. Really…it’s the small things that make the difference, don’t you think?
A journal or sketch book…always a clean sheet at hand. The perfect place to record a thought, a plan, a sketch, a dream.
Ras el Hanout…Mix up a batch of this Moroccan spice blend from the recipe found here.http://www.sbs.com.au/food/recipes/ras-el-hanout While great in meat, vegetable and cous cous recipes, you might include this recipe for Roasted Cauliflower soup to get things started. http://www.kirstenjohnstone.com/2012/10/roast-cauliflower-soup/
Heath holiday tall modern cups…ruby red inside, red suede outside. Peppermint hot chocolate will feel right at home, as would coffee, tea or a fistful of tulips or winterberry. You’ll be thought of with every use.
Clementines, cloves and snow…really. “Winter” fragrance 3 wick candle at Bath and Body Works.
Deerskin gardening gloves…indispensible. Protection for your hands when gardening or to keep in the car in the event you make an unplanned stop at the nursery. I’m never without a pair…or two.
Luxurious yarn in a gift card from Purl Soho, Jimmy Beans Wool or Yarn.com. Who wouldn’t be excited with a gift of cashmere, merino wool or alpaca? And, for the fiber freak…it’s all about the picking. It’s almost like two gifts.
The mini wisk. I received this one as a gift years ago and it’s still in my top 5 favorite utensils.
The “Ropey”…who’s special kid wouldn’t love a new one?
Modern cup photo: Heath Ceramics. All other photos: gp
low cost / no cost
December 9, 2014
As you start stockpiling your gift purchases also start giving some thought to your gift wrap while a treasure of free materials is staring you in the face. The crisp white tissue, softly rumpled newsprint and” green” packing materials are a great place to start getting creative. And, at no cost. The addition of a $2 ball of sisal twine and a few found objects…twigs, leaves, cones…will have you presenting gifts that will be almost too pretty to open.
Top to bottom:
Softly rumpled newsprint bound with sisal twine says simplequietmodern Christmas to me.
Maple and Oak leaves, free in nearly every yard if you want a little something extra.
The graphic black and white images of Korean comics are fun tied up with smooth white crochet cotton…just pennies at an Asian market.
Whisper thin red pine veneer from Habu Textiles makes an unforgettable impression when complimented with a simple tie of raffia and a hand marbled note. http://habutextiles.com/NK-6
If you’re looking for an extra bit of “holiday” in your presentation…give your completed packages a quick shot of gold paint. Psst…done. And gorgeous.
all photos: gp
Ducks in a Row
December 6, 2014
I’m not quite ready to start decorating for the holidays but it’s the perfect time to get those ducks in a row. While I generally sort and display my vintage ornaments by color, I always play them against white flowers…preferably white tulips of any variety. The time is now to get them ordered and start setting out the white Amaryllis and Paperwhites if I want them in bloom for Christmas or New Years Eve. I might even add to my collection of ornaments this great box of assorted miniatures from Terrain. The colors are amazing… and, any random combination of 9 creates for you a great vintage modern Christmas palette. Picture it…LA in the sixties… a big ‘ol flocked tree in cotton candy pink or peacock dressed in any of the combinations found in this little box of magic. Maybe use one box as is on the coffee table as an accessory, or even a group of them running down the Christmas dinner table for a mod Christmas interpretation. A lot of simplequietmodern fun for a 20 dollar bill.
Photos of balls by Terrain and available here: http://www.shopterrain.com/holiday-tree-ornaments/miniature-bulb-set Tulip and vintage ornament photos: gp
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