Hard to believe,
December 17, 2019
but I am actually enjoying a Poinsettia moment. Really. Like Truman Capote in Jay Presson Allen’s Tru, I too felt that “Poinsettias are the Bob Goulet of Botany”. Decades of over-saturation in the seasonal marketplace have rendered this bright red holiday staple cliche’, cheesy and hopelessly out of date. It was spotting this new variety, Envy, with it’s bright chartreuse coloring that made me stop and rethink it’s potential. While I generally indulge in white Tulips, Amaryllis and Helebore from the Winter Solstice through till Christmas and the New Year, I couldn’t help but think how well this fresh new addition would play with the others, both in the pot and as a cut specimen.
Photos: gp with the exception of the Amaryllis photo via https://www.shopterrain.com/categories/blooming-gifts and the last photo via: https://www.gardenista.com/posts/poinsettias-rethinking-traditional-christmas-flower/
If you like blue,
December 11, 2019
then 2020 is going to be your year. The Pantone Color Institute has announced that 19-4052, Classic Blue, is their choice for Color of the Year for 2020. The good news is that it might see greater acceptance than past selections of the last several years…Living Coral, Ultra Violet, Greenery and ( who could forget this flop? ) Marsala. The bad news? Unless a blue is the darkest navy, l’m generally not a fan.
Image: https://www.pantone.com/color-intelligence/color-of-the-year/color-of-the-year-2020
Making the Cut
December 6, 2019
Keep them hidden in your desk drawer and you’ll never be cut short again. These 10″ black Kevlar shears will have you cutting through everything from tape, gift wrap, card stock or fabric with ease. Made of Xylan coated hot forged carbon steel, a little gentle care after each use will have you at the ready no matter what your cutting needs are. I see some gift wrapping in your future, it might be a good time to pick up a pair for yourself and maybe another as a thoughtful gift.
photos: https://www.bestmadeco.com/products/ten-inch-kevlar-shears
Still Gorgeous at Seventy
December 2, 2019
An Icon of modern Danish design, the Chieftain Chair is celebrating it’s seventieth birthday and looking as good as ever. Originally designed by Finn Juhl in 1949 the Chieftain chair was reissued in 2002 and produced as originally specified in walnut and leather. Now, a Chieftain Sofa and Footstool are also available as well as an optional oak frame. Could be a good use of that Christmas bonus, right?
Photos: https://finnjuhl.com/collection/chieftain-chair
Tie One On
November 24, 2019
Thanksgiving dinner.The recipes, the lists, the shopping. You’ve got everything covered but you. Enter Fog Linen’s Garcon Apron in black or natural Lithuanian linen…protecting you from prep to presentation to clean- up in simplequietmodern style. On your mark, get set…
photos: https://needsupply.com/linen-garcon-apron/1025980.html?lang=en_US
Apparently, It’s On
November 17, 2019
Just into November and most of the country has been dumped on or been hit with an Arctic Blast. Is it just that Mother nature has a warped sense of humor or was it the early release of Heath Ceramic’s 2019 Winter Seasonal Collection that got things rolling? There’s no holding back now, the Holidays are here. Unofficially to be sure, but, they’re here. Might as well start bringing out the lights, developing a decorative plan for Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah and the rest of the Winter Holidays and start testing out a new recipe or two. And, shopping? Let’s start that list as well…perhaps with the Heath Ceramics Winter Seasonal Collection of limited edition offerings and finishes. New glazes like Zinc, Penny Green and Sand and Sea seem to mimic nature and have been applied to classic Heath favorites like the Bud vase, Tall Modern Cup, Plaza Trays and the Deep Salad Bowl making easy work of selecting a gift for yourself, someone special or serving up something tasty to family and friends.
This sampling and more simplequietmodern favorites available at https://www.heathceramics.com/collections/winter-seasonal-2019 photos by Heath
Snow Photos: gp
Lathered Up
November 11, 2019
From the farm to you, the luxurious whipped creaminess of goat milk soap by Beekman 1802. It’s true, what’s old is new again. The addition of vitamin rich goat milk to their triple milled vegetal soap not only cleans but moisturizes with an unbelievably luxurious lather. My two favorites are the clarifying Activated Charcoal Shampoo Bar and the generous 9 oz. face and body bar in Oak Moss…a clean woody scent with Vetiver, Oak Moss and Amber. What a great way to prepare for a busy day or scrub off what the day’s thrown at you at the end of it.
Photos: gp
Fall Back….Look Forward
November 7, 2019
Straight from the Netherlands, a surprising and welcome gift of flowering bulbs. Now, as the days are growing shorter, I can try to ward off any Seasonal Affective Disorder by planting the Giant Allium and Parrot Tulips, take a deep breath and anticipate the arrival of their dramatic blooms come Spring. It’s always great to have something to look forward to so, before the snow flies, you might want to to plant some yourself.
photos:gp
Boo
October 30, 2019
Crossing over to the dark side while I try to avoid most things Halloween and prepare for the annual “fall back” into darkness. Here are just a few simplequietmodern points of inspiration.
Top to bottom:
Cy Twombly, Untitled 1970 Photo: MoMA
My favorite Bertoia Side Chair now available covered in leather. Photo: https://www.knoll.com/product/bertoia-leather-covered-side-chair
From Lostine…barn brooms. Or, is it a Coven parking lot? photo: https://lostine.com/collections/kitchen/products/barn-brooms
Always inspirational…the fall burn pile.
Dig in! Heath’s Muir Flatware now available in Onyx. Photo: https://www.heathceramics.com/collections/winter-seasonal-2019/products/muir-flatware-onyx-5-piece-setting-w19
Off the sticks just in time. Purl Soho’s Elementary Wrap Knit up in their Linen Quill in Kettle Black. https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2017/10/20/elementary-wrap/
Always my favorite container for a few gorgeous blooms, the Tall Modern Cup by Heath Ceramics. Photo: https://www.heathceramics.com/products/tall-modern-cup-sand-penny-green-w19?_pos=1&_sid=d7fb13c87&_ss=r
A Knoll Textiles classic, Diva… in Coal. Hmmm, what needs reupholstering? Photo: https://www.knoll.com/knolltextileproductdetail/Diva
OK…here’s just a little Halloween for ya.
Photos by GP unless where noted.
If big is good…
July 7, 2019
then bigger is better. From a quick spin around town to your next long weekend, these canvas totes from James Perse will have you bringing home the ingredients for tonight’s dinner to packing all you’ll need for a few days away. Made in the USA of Italian heavy duty cotton/linen canvas, the small Tote measures 24″ w x 13″ h and the large tote comes in at 29″ w x 21″ h, both with an interior pocket and a 7-8″ shoulder strap drop. Of the dozen neutral shades available the Asphalt shown is my simplequietmodern selection that will work as well now as it will Fall, Winter or Spring. Makes me want to start packing for my next extended road trip.
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