January…a good time to
January 13, 2014
clean out, edit, get rid of the old…create a place for the new. It might even help ease some physical congestion if you release some congestion within your home or work environment. My mantra is simple; If you haven’t used (or even looked at) something in the last year…it’s time to let it go. In the process, you might even find a gift card or two that you had put away for safe keeping but had gotten lost in all of the clutter. In the end of this exercise you’ll have space…room to breathe..maybe a few extra bucks. Not to mention a stack of empty corrugated boxes to recycle or ? Now inhale…hold it…
Photos via/http://remash.tumblr.com/post/72574685385/papkasse-vaeg-06-nana-rosen-m-holland-bastrup#notes
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.
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
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.
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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
Deck The Halls
December 7, 2013
It’s now or never. With less than three weeks until Christmas now’s the time to get the place festivized. A simplequietmodern formula of selecting fewer elements and concentrating their application will provide the most effective outcome with the least amount of stress. First pick a foliage…say fir, magnolia or boxwood and add a secondary material…like winterberry, cones or moss and you are on your way. If you are going to be entertaining, the simple addition of some fresh blooms or flowering bulbs to your “base” will punch things up. Remember…keep it simple, keep it quiet, keep it modern.
From the top:
A simple Fir wreath from Trader Joes is a fragrant welcome for under 10 bucks.
The best deal around could be this three to four foot Frazier fir…with a stand AND a galvanized container. I think I’d use the stand as an anchor and place the tree in a large glass cylinder with some natural river rocks and repurpose the bucket for chilling something sparkling. http://www.shopterrain.com/holiday-preview/tabletop-fraser-fir/productOptionIDs/ac1a6025-a441-4932-8c10-4160e950e55b
Bright soft mounds of preserved reindeer moss could fill low bowls or baskets for an interesting bit color. http://www.shopterrain.com/new-arrivals-garden-plants/preserved-reindeer-moss-bright/productOptionIDs/df8906bb-f3d4-4414-b906-24d41d95e04c
Cones, cones and more cones. If you had the foresight to be gathering these along the way, their rich brown texture would be a freebee.
Even the most traditional door could use a modern application like this simple boxwood wreath hung with a length of jute cord as spotted on Habitually Chic. http://habituallychic.blogspot.com/
White tulips at Christmas have become my signature , but a couple of stems of long-lasting white Cymbidium orchids will take you from Christmas Eve to New Years Eve.
Winterberry by the armful…now, that’s a statement.
A modern spin on a simple white Amaryllis could be this new entry in bright Chartreuse. I think I’d like these best combined with bowls of brown cones and the brown sueded finish of cut magnolia. http://www.shopterrain.com/holiday-preview/potted-amaryllis-kit-lemon/productOptionIDs/bd0459cc-8958-45c4-b120-330bd8a8856a
These arrangements spotted in Chanel illustrate perfectly a simplequietmodern combination of simplicity and textural contrast. These driftwood-like boxes filled with the mossy Dianthus, Cedar and a bit of glossy Camellia foliage will last through a month of holiday festivities. Photo by Habitually Chic
He’s makin’ a list…checkin it twice
December 4, 2013
Now’s a good time to start on your list as well. And, to help you along I’ve pulled together a few simplequietmodern ideas to get you going…mostly simple… that are thoughtful, inspired and won’t break the bank. If they aren’t a fit for someone on your list there is no harm in treating yourself to a little gift is there?
From top to bottom:
Who wouldn’t love this festive serving bowl from Heath in their holiday ruby and red suede glaze …extra special when filled with some spicy Maple Cayenne Glazed Walnuts. http://www.heathceramics.com/catalog/product/view/id/1538/s/bowl-ruby-red-suede-red/category/3/
You have plenty of time left to knit someone special this basic cap in Purl Soho’s new Merino Worsted Twist yarn. I have one near identical in cotton that I wear constantly so I know this’ll be a hit. Yarn, pattern and supplies needed are available through Purl.http://www.purlbee.com/the-purl-bee/2013/10/10/purl-soho-basic-hats-for-everyone.html
This iPad Mini sleeve in charcoal suede from Need Supply Co. will add some simplequietmodern protection to our favorite new mobile device. http://needsupply.com/ipad-mini-sleeve.html
It doesn’t get any better than homemade marshmallows covered in chocolate unless you’ve received a gift of these…Jenna’s Peppermint Sticks from Simply Good Kitchen in Birmingham, Michigan. Thick dark chocolate over homemade marshmallow bars with just the perfect dusting of finely crushed peppermint sticks. You better get some for yourself while you’re at it. http://www.simplygoodkitchen.com/default.htm
These faceted balancing blocks of white-painted wood from Need Supply Company would definitely keep one happily occupied while on stuck on “hold”. http://needsupply.com/mens/new/balancing-blocks.html
Oaktown Spice Shop’s Everything Bagel Spice Blend takes one of our favorite flavor combinations and makes it easily applicable to almost anything. http://food52.com/provisions/products/37-oaktown-spice-shop-the-better-than-everything-bagel
Merry Christmas from pig heaven. Who wouldn’t love the a pound or two of thick cut bacon from Whole Foods Market. It could easily turn a vegetarian into a flexetarian. I’m just sayin’.
If it’s a gift for a gardener that has you stumped perhaps this galvanized weeder will fit the bill. I’m thinking a stroll through the garden won’t be complete without one. http://www.shopterrain.com/new-arrivals-garden-plants/galvanized-utility-weeder/productOptionIDs/bd0459cc-8958-45c4-b120-330bd8a8856a
simplequietmodern 