That was easy.
December 3, 2014
You showed me your “ugly” and, well…boo hoo for you. All of the pics I received looked pretty good. And, trust me, I’ve seen some”ugly”. The random entry I’ll be addressing here is lovely. Even though the homeowner sees this space as a “catch-all” after a cross-country move, it is full of beautiful furnishings, art and comforting neutrals. The one item that seemed out-of-place to me was the rug. While seagrass is a great choice, the size is not … it’s too small. Here’s an opportunity to play off the graphic placement of the framed pieces with a bold anchoring base. Enter Flor. A larger area rug made of tiles in their Modern Mix recycled carpet could just be the thing to breathe new life into this familiar collection. Continuing to keep things neutral with the gray or taupe mix is one safe direction…but choosing a bold sweep of color, like the red , will most definitely ring in the holidays with style. Complimenting the bowl of glass orbs with a single large sphere of spicy carnations will add some unexpected panache. By ordering online you’ll be laying this down in plenty of time for your holiday entertaining. That was easy… so, who’s mixing up the Brandy Stingers?
If the modern check isn’t a fit, perhaps bold hoizontal stripes in an oyster white and espresso brown? All available options can be seen here.http://www.flor.com/splitsearch/index?order=relevance&dir=desc&q=modern+mix&search_submit=Search
Red too traditional for you? This orb of carnation heads would be simple quiet and modern if done in snowy white.
Top two photos: the homeowner, bottom two photos:gp
Pilgrim Modern
November 21, 2014
What a perfect setting for Thanksgiving dinner, followed by an evening around a roaring fire. The large gathering space and minimal yet ample kitchen bridged by a simplequietmodern favorite, the planked table. You can almost smell the aromas, hear the logs crackle. It’s inspiration like this that reminds me…there is always something to be thankful for.
photos: http://remash.tumblr.com/
Night Shift
November 7, 2014
Still adjusting to “falling back” with the Autumn shift to Daylight Savings Time? It’s hard to believe how dark it is once you arrive home after a full day. And yet, there is still a lot of evening left, and plenty to do before hitting the hay. You’re halfway there if you can tackle some reading, work up some holiday to-do lists or do a little online shopping while propped comfortably in bed. Add the perfect over the shoulder bedside lighting and you are good to go. My pick ?…either of these beautiful mid-century pieces by master of lighting design, Serge Mouille.
Top photo: http://www.sergemouilleusa.com/Serge-Mouille-One-Arm-Double-Swivel-Sconce.php
Bottom photo: http://cabbagerose.tumblr.com/page/9
It’s a wrap.
October 11, 2014
Well, actually, it’s a poncho…which is a type of wrap, isn’t it? And, just in time to ward off the Autumn chill. When I realized that I didn’t have enough wool to create a blanket or a throw, this was the simplequietmodern solution… a modified and color blocked version of the Easy Folded Poncho from Churchmouse Yarns and Teas. There you have it. Challenge accepted…challenge completed.
Go here https://simplequietmodern.com/2014/08/17/better-like-this-2/and here
https://simplequietmodern.com/2014/09/19/creative-block/ to get the back story.
The original pattern is available here: http://www.churchmouseyarns.com/
Now that it’s Fall…
October 5, 2014
what’s inspiring you?
top to bottom:
The scale of this burlap weave gives some indication of how tiny this found nest actually is. What might you discover on a walk around your yard or neighborhood? And, if you have an idea as to what small bird called this home, let me know.
The local farm stands are loaded with the seasons bounty. Skip the crowds at the cider mill and pick up an armload of beets, take ’em home and roast ’em up or turn them into a soup for the week ahead.
A chill in the air calls for wool…maybe a cap…maybe in hand dyed Autumn reds.
Starting to collect and recycle packaging materials now will save you from picking up a few tacky rolls of gift wrap closer to the holidays. I’m thinking this expanded kraft paper is going to be the perfect addition to my classic crisp white tissue. It’s looking pretty modern to me.
This Lingham stone always seems to move to a more visible location in the Fall so that I can better enjoy it’s unique natural colorations. A quick spin and edit of your interior accessories will have everything looking new as you start to spend more time inside.
A Coffee Break rose, left to dry to a new kind of beautiful, will continue to add interest throughout the Fall, into Thanksgiving…possibly even Christmas. Start by enjoying then drying them now and they’ll be ready to put into service again when the time comes.
all photos: gp
Gettin’ Cozy
September 28, 2014
Now that Fall has arrived we find ourselves moving back inside and scoping out our cozy corner…that perfect spot to hang out, warm up or just relax with a book for the next few months. Bernhardt Designs Code sofa , by Jang Won Yoon, could be just that spot. Modern, tight seat and back upholstery surrounded by a fully upholstered privacy wall create an envirnment that is nearly a room within a room. That’s one way to manipulate that open floorplan. This three seater, a couple of chairs and a coffee table or large ottoman will give you a place that you’ll either never want to leave or, you’ll be so pleased with, you’ll be inviting friends over to show them what you’ve been up to.
These Bernhardt Design Apel ottomans, by Jessica Pell are a perfect complement. Now, all of your simplequietmodern basics are covered and ready for the addition of your personality pieces… from American traditional to Mid Century Modern…and everything in between.
They said…
September 22, 2014
it wouldn’t last. It’s been two weeks now and this vase of Rhoadsidiana is still going strong…looking good from every angle. Clearly the secret to long lasting flowers is an impeccably clean container and a fresh cut to every stem. You might try this yourself during your next walk. Gather an assortment of seasonal grasses, twigs, pods or berries and create a pleasing arrangement right there in your hand. Secure it all by tying it together with a piece of twine, trim all of the stems to the appropriate length and drop immediately into your chosen vessel. There you have it…a little simplequietmodern seasonal DIY to gently segue into Fall.
Brand Spankin’ New
September 10, 2014
And, they were something. The rest of the story we know too well. Remember this place and all of the people there, in Shanksville and the Pentagon with a moment of silence, a kind word, a random act of beauty. At the very least, raise the flag…never forget.
These 1970 photos by Andrea DiCastro from http://www.stardustmoderndesign.com/2012/11/new-york-city.html#!/2012/11/new-york-city.html
Illuminating
September 4, 2014
I was trying hard to warm up to the LED as a lightsource but it was a slow go. The initial offerings had color so bad that the CFL seemed tolerable by contrast. Remember the white miniature LED Christmas lights of a few years back? How blue were they? The thought of illuminating your interior with that option drove many to gather the last of the incandescents left on the shelves. Finally, we are not only finding LEDs with the warm white light we are used to, we are seeing amazing new designs in lighting and fixtures like never before. One of my favorites is THIN, designed by Peter Bristol and Juniper Design. As task lighting, Thin comes pretty close to simplequietmodern perfection with its minimal profile, full articulation and integrated dimmer. Now that it’s time to get “back to school”, this might just make hunkering down with that pile of homework something to look forward to.
Photos via: http://www.juniper-design.com/products/thin
All Set
August 24, 2014
And, ready for anything. Soups, pastas, salads…coffee, chai latte or warm cider. What more do you need? One large simple shallow bowl and an accomodating cup will take you from breakfast to dinner and back again. Add a handknit linen lapkin and you are ready to strap on that simplequietmodern feedbag. Think of how many cupboards you’ve emptied by bringing your dining experience back to what’s absolutely essential.
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