They say…
November 8, 2021
that the best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago.* The second best time is today. So that’s exactly what’s happening here, to fill in some of the gaps left by last Summer’s surprise twister. A couple of Eastern White Pine will do nicely…fast growing and fragrant with the added bonus of lovely cones and pine straw. And, to whoever occupies this property in the years to come? You’re welcome.
*Chinese proverb
photos: gp
Finally
October 15, 2021
I know. Sometimes getting some things done for yourself gets pushed to the back burner while you put out someone else’s fire. That has been the case here with this vintage midcentury table by Brit designer T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings. While I have collected a nice group of pieces from those manufactured by Witticomb by this designer, they all came in pretty much pristine condition (for their age). This table, not so much. While I knew the issue was primarily the drying and flaking of the original varnish, it wasn’t something I wanted to tackle. So, as a treat to myself, I finally took it in for a little facelift. The end result was just what I had hoped for after a light sand, minimal color correction and new finish. If I’m lucky enough to find a mate for this table, trust me, I won’t be waiting nearly as long to put it’s best face forward.
photos: gp
Pull Up A Seat
October 8, 2021
I have never been a fan of barstools. At least tall barstools. I’ve always felt more comfortable in a chair. However, more often than not , I slip off to my office to check an email or pay a bill while I’m in the middle of preparing dinner only to come back to the stove to disaster. This could have been easily averted had I chosen to not only use a mobile device, but, if I had a counter height stool on which to perch….one eye on the pot. I’ve got no excuse to finding a counter height stool that meets my design sensibility as there are now countless modern options available…be they new introductions or adjustments to their original midcentury incarnations. Below are five of my simplequietmodern favorites.
from the top:
A midcentury classic. The Saarinen Executive chair realized in a counter height, available in Knoll Textile or leather cover. photo: https://www.knoll.com/product/saarinen-executive-stool-counter-height
The perfect modern take on a three legged stool, this tall stool in ebonized black walnut by Sawkille Furniture photo: https://www.sawkille.com/seating-/drink-stool
This is a jewel indeed. Ethan Allen’s Jewel Counter Stool available in both textile and leather with the base in oil rubbed bronze or brass. photo: https://www.ethanallen.com/en_US/shop-furniture-dining-room-bar-counter-stools/jewel-metal-base-counter-stool/132513.html
Another midcentury classic, the Bertoia counter height stool, this time in a full leather cover. photo: https://www.knoll.com/product/bertoia-leather-covered-barstool
An early 50’s modern take on the classic 3 legged stool, this time from midcentury Danish master Arne Jacobsen, produced by Fritz Hansen. Photo: https://hivemodern.com/pages/product13015/high-dot-stool-arne-jacobsen-fritz-hansen
And, just like that…
October 4, 2021
it’s feeling like Fall. Bright foliage changes to lift our mood set against unpredictable gray skies. Lot’s of inspiration to be had around every corner as we prepare again to move indoors. I recently wove a box of manzanita wood into this sizable assembly that would be as striking in the garden as over this vintage Florence Knoll credenza from 1948. Or, it could be used in place of a large painting or photograph, hung on a wall covered in Grasscloth for additional drama and texture. I’m loving it so much I may just need to spend some time gathering branching for another.
from the top: first 2 photos: gp, Credenza photo: via https://plastolux.tumblr.com/ Grasscloth photo: https://www.yorkwallcoverings.com/collections/grasscloth-wallpaper/products/ywd-b65-multi-grass-wallpape
Brilliant
September 26, 2021
How much fun would it be to come home and finding this planted in your yard? While it was just what was needed last Fall to distract us from the pandemic, the election and whatever else was assaulting us daily, I’m thinking it has not outlived it’s usefulness. In the midst of the madness there was something oddly comforting about it. Was it the simplicity…the quiet beauty? Or, was it the mystery? Whatever it was, it caught our attention and gave us pause. To the responsible parties…Thank You. And, coincidently, I happen to have the perfect spot should it need a permanent home. Just sayin.
The Utah Monolith Photo: Utah Department of Public Safety/AP via Art News
Wait! Go Back
September 19, 2021
I was recently returning to the city from a quick day trip to Northern Michigan scoping out a new project, Traveling down US-23 along Lake Huron I spotted, out of the corner of my eye, what I thought was a dining table designed by T.H. Robbsjohn-Gibbings. But, what would a beautiful table like that be doing along the side of the road? A quick U-Turn had me heading back to find out. Pulling onto the shoulder I quickly realized that is wasn’t the classic modern piece that I thought, but maybe something better… a vintage rustic picnic table AND a pair of benches, all with the signature X base. Bonus detail…drop leaf extensions on the table as well. It was as if I had found the original table’s long lost country cousins. Sold.
Top photo: Unknown lower photo: gp
More Black
September 16, 2021
And, more inspiration to pull you though to the weekend. Reducing a dwelling to it’s basic shape, black is shown here in a variety of sizes, styles and locations. Hard to pick a favorite isn’t it?
top photo http://www.rocioromero.com/planLV.html
other photos via https://remash.tumblr.com/
Take a deep breath,
September 13, 2021
pull the trigger and make a statement. If we love a black fence, what’s not to love about a black house? Complete the study with some egg rock, a simple mass planting and boom! You’re done. Large or small, city residence or an upstate cottage, it’s a simplequietmodern look that’s hard to beat.
top to bottom:
My candidate for new paint. Nearly there now in it’s current coat of deep charcoal. Hopefully this Fall. photo: gp
Behr SC-102 Slate photo: Behr.com
Black…the perfect backdrop for mass plantings of a perennial grass like the Blue Gamma ” Blonde Ambition” Photo: High Country Gardens
Or, Blue Dune Grass Photo:gp
No other foundation plantings needed…just a deep border of egg rock. photo:gp
Now that that’s done, have a seat, kick back and relax. Loll Designs reissue of the classic Westport Adirondack chair. Photo: Loll designs
Twenty Years
September 11, 2021
The ultimate in simplequietmodern. I loved these two towers. The simplicity, the pairing, the scale. Even as a kid I knew that their presence would shape my design sensibility…and they did. Today in their footprint are the memorial fountains…a different simplequietmodern. Who could ever have known? I remember that morning in 2001 as if it were yesterday…sunny, clear, crisp. Now, I will never forget all of those lives lost…in NY, PA and DC. Take a moment today to remember them… and this place.
top photo: Andrea Alassio, bottom photo: gp
Variations on a Theme
August 30, 2021
I’ve always loved the Harry Bertoia Wire Side Chair with the full upholstered cover. While the wire grid frame has interest, the full cover reduces the seat and back to pure sculpture. The 1952 original is always handsome in the appropriate Knoll textiles, but recent additions showcase this chair’s iconic form differently. A full leather cover is tightly applied over a molded shell seat for added lux and the molded seat and back of fiber reinforced nylon is available unadorned, for ease of maintenance indoors or out, in a selection of colors. Mix and match the leather, upholstery or nylon top with black, white or chrome base to your taste….the possibilities are endless. And, if the variety wasn’t enough, the Knoll Annual Sale starts tomorrow. Perfect timing if you’re still working from home and your space needs a little lift, or you’re anticipating a few guests for the holidays and a stack of additional seats could come in stylishly handy.
A counter stool is now available as well which looks particularly swanky in Diva, colorway: Coal.
https://www.knoll.com/shop/classics/harry-bertoia-collection
photos: knoll
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