Everyday flowers…
May 7, 2012
continued. Well, another day of bargains in the Kroger floral department. Glorious yellow pincushion protea ( which I think were already a good value at their regular price of $4) marked down to $.99 each. Wha ???? Plus the added bonus of some bear greass with each. So, here we go… simply drop them both in a taller cylindrical vase ( pottery/ glass/Pringles can) or lop off their heads and place them in the bottom of a simple on-the-rocks glass ( to be used anywhere you might have 4 square inches that needs a chic little lift, singly or in multiples…..end table, night stand, powder room, on top of a stack of books on the coffee table, your desk). It’s no simplequietmodern secret that you can live so well on so little.
There is a Chinese proverb that is applicable here that says ” If you have only two pennies left in the world, buy a loaf of bread with one and a lily with the other.”
Move over Chuck…
May 6, 2012
you’ve been benched. Spring is the time to review the condition of my classic optic white Chuck Taylor’s and set out to pick up a new pair or two to carry me through…ever a key component of my summer “uniform”. Always classic, always fun and always a good value is what I loved about my Chucks. But, sadly things have changed ( you may have noticed them as well) and it’s time for me to make some changes too. Stepping up as this season’s replacement are these classic Bass Oxfords, to pair up with literally every summer outfit for every summer situation. I’m guessing I’m going to need two pair, one to knock the crap out of and another as a tidier back up. http://needsupply.com/mens/shoes/brockton-in-ice.html
Nesting Instinct
April 30, 2012
Whether it’s a Cardinal locking his sights on a large shrub in your yard or a friend scoping out the perfect tree on a bluff overlooking Lake Huron…everyone is looking up this spring for the ideal location. Built of gathered grasses,twigs and bark or construction cast offs and recycled product, each of these tree houses possess a simplicity and modernity that can’t be denied…both the result of design instinct and hard work. If you’re feathering your nest to welcome a new family or looking for a place of quietude from the family you have, start with an inspired plan and you too can enjoy rewards such as these. 
April showers…
April 26, 2012
make everything wet…like tree bark. Mother Nature doing it again, providing the perfect inspiration for this all season blanket I call Bark. Berroco’s Remix is my yarn of choice for this…I love it’s rich ” wet bark” color as well as the recycled mix of fibers. While you’re waiting for May’s flowers, this might be a project to wind you down after a day of spreading mulch.
Plywood,concrete…
April 18, 2012
where do I sign? I L O V E this space. Maybe becuse it is not only simple, quiet and modern…but it is constructed of my all- time favorite materials; plywood and concrete. I could move in immediately…what else is there to say?
http://www.narukuma.com/main.html
Until then maybe I could be happy with one of these concrete pendant lights. I already have the plywood floors.
simplequiet…poof!
April 16, 2012
And, decidedly modern. Like magic. As if something was there and then POOF!…it’s gone. Or, perhaps something otherworldly is about to emerge from the colored mist. Mesmerizing. In any case it is hard to ignore the beauty and genius of these photographs. Armed with a camera and homemade smoke bombs, Filippo Minelli created these visions in various locations throughout the European countryside. http://www.filippominelli.com/silenceshapes/
Branching out
April 14, 2012
No matter where you are in the country there should be copious amounts of flowering branches available…if not in your own yard maybe a kindly neighbor or friend? A small armload of judiciously pruned branches~ be they cherry, quince, forsythia or peach~can make quite a statement when brought indoors. Pull out your glass cylinder vase, pound those woody stems and let them arrange themselves. 
Five Easy Pieces
April 12, 2012
OK…this is where you start. An empty room…and add five easy pieces. In this case; 1. a sofa 2. a lounge chair 3. a coffee table 4 . an end table & 5. an occassional chair or two. This will kick things off with plenty of places to sit for you and your guests as well as a place to set your coffee or cocktail. Whether it’s a group of classic mid-century designs as illustrated or assorted hand-me-downs of various degrees of style or vintage this formula establishes a strong base to which you can add and embellish…or keep it simple and modern.
Yellow or Pink?
April 1, 2012
I can’t decide. Maybe both. This year just seems like a pink and yellow Easter…maybe it was the early spring and the blasts of pink and yellow blossoms around every corner…maybe I just like the way pink and yellow make a modern statement when placed in a neutral setting. These artful ovoids were easy enough. A literal drop of old school food coloring in a cup of HOT water with a splash of vinegar. Partially submerge your hard-boiled eggs…remove carefully. Done. 
Shifting gears
March 30, 2012
As the days get longer and the temperature rises it’s time to look into that transition to Spring. Trade in the snow shovel for a rake and ice melt for fertilizer…assess the damage done by Mother Nature ( or the deer ) and get to work on a game plan. I’ve learned to keep things simple to maximize the enjoyment yard work can bring , which includes gathering my favorite tools to get the job done. I’d be lost without my leather gloves( http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100561415/h_d2/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10053&langId=-1&keyword=leather , my wheelbarrow and my burn permit. First up…cut back all the blue dune grass, gather the fallen branches and light ’em up.
simplequietmodern 