Holding My Breath
August 5, 2017
I’ve been watching this house in my neighborhood for years, trying to get a glimpse of what I thought it might be through the decades of overgrown trees and shrubs. One day as I drove past, much of the overgrowth had been cut back exposing a Frank Lloyd Wright inspired ranch tucked into a heavily treed lot. A little research provided a bit more information…lived in by the original owner, the architect that designed and built it in the early 1950’s…three bedrooms, one and a half baths…a fireplace…all packed into a simplequietmodern low slung 1700 square feet. Lovely. Then a “for sale” sign went up and as quickly came down. Sold? Simply removed from the market? Hard to say. I’m holding my breath waiting for the bulldozer that is more likely to arrive to level it making way for yet another Mc Mansion.
Photo: Trulia.com
White Hot
August 2, 2017
You can’t beat a white hot deal like a bunch of locally grown Summer gladiolus at $4. Especially in simplequietmodern white. Less than a ” cold brew” and they’ll last the entire week.
Photo: gp
Still Celebrating
July 31, 2017
As the celebration of the 100th birthday of Florence Knoll continues, let’s explore the new Relax group that Knoll has introduced in Honor of her 100th year. Based on her classic three seat sofa released in 1954, this new seating features a deeper seat and a more relaxed sit…with four legs rather than the six found on the original Florence Knoll sofa. Like the original group, the new Relax collection offers a two seat sofa and lounge chair, all available in approved Knoll textiles and Spinneybeck Leather. While the original three seater has always been my hands down favorite, I can’t help thinking this new take on the classic might just be the perfect spot to indulge in a little Netflix ” bingeing” this Winter.
photos: http://www.knoll-int.com/home/by-designer/classic-designers/florence-knoll/florence-knoll-collection-relax
Not too big…
May 25, 2017
not too small. But, just right. Garden shed, studio or just a little place to hide out, the Muji Hut is any and all of those. At just under 100 square feet it features a covered porch, sliding glass door, an additional small window for cross ventilation and a wood burning stove. The surface materials of plywood and concrete with the exterior of charred cedar are the perfect complement to the simple shape with its sloped shed roof. While Muji is not currently offering the Hut outside Japan, you might start scoping out the yard for the perfect location should that change or they decide to offer plans only. A little something to inspire if you’re not taking off for the holiday weekend.
photos: https://www.muji.com/jp/mujihut/en.html
A Good Place to Start
May 22, 2017
It doesn’t take much to create a little something special. Keeping things simplequietmodern is key, as is careful editing of design and material. Let’s start with materials, shall we? My absolute favorites…raw plywood, concrete…and the addition of charred cedar. Stay tuned.
photos: Muji.com
Don’t Fight It
May 4, 2017
Like so many May flowers, sale signs are popping up everywhere now that it’s Spring. Yard sales, garage sales, rummage sales….you name it. My advice? Follow your gut. If you have an inclination to stop…stop. You might just come across a find like this early Florence Knoll table. The base is solid stainless bar stock and the top, walnut. While the surface had a large chunk taken out of the edge, for an initial investment of under $20 it was worth having a new top fabricated. That’s right, under $20. Boom.
photo: gp
Dining Out
April 11, 2017
Outside, out of the house, on the patio, in the yard…any which way but indoors. Two great modern classics from Knoll’s iconic 1966 Group of outdoor furniture by Charles Schultz, ready to be set for dinner. I’m torn between the 60″x 60″ square and the 90″ x 38″ rectangle. Both will easily accomodate 8, the later even up to 10 guests. The original white finish is now joined by a striking black, either being a great place to start, especially when taking advantage of the Knoll Outdoor Furniture Sale which starts on April 13th.
Photos: https://www.knoll.com/product/1966-dining-table-60×60
