Ya gotta start somewhere.
November 30, 2022
Today I’m starting with an armload of yellow twig dogwood and white pine boughs. This should fill out my large midcentury concrete bowls at my front door nicely. A few lights and done. Moving indoors I’ve selected pics from the last ten years that can take you from simplequietmodern and natural, to vintage shiny holiday combinations. Plus a few new floral ideas to compliment a modern mood and Christmas tree alternatives that offer a great bang for the buck. The holidays are upon us, so better get on this before the supplies run out. Maybe a smart cocktail and a visit to the simplequietmodern archives for the months of November and December will help kick start a fresh holiday tradition for you.
all photos except 3,6,7,10,13,15, 19 by gp.
Credits given in respective post accessed through the archives.
In all things…
November 23, 2022
give thanks.*
As I look through the last 10 years of simplequietmodern I think of some of my favorite holiday posts.
Top to bottom:
Free for the taking, perfect dried oak leaves to gather and scatter across your Thanksgiving table or attach later to adorn a holiday gift.
Locally grown and pressed apple cider. There is nothing like it. And, I like it even better with a shot of bourbon.
The best gathering table ever as seen on Gardenista.
My favorite Thanksgiving table … rusty Bosch pears, gathered oak leaves and assorted nuts in their shells.
So much better than pumpkin pie, this roasted Hubbard squash pie. Trust me, it’s worth the added effort.
Cooking up a storm for the holidays needs the right equipment. The perfect start is this linen apron from Fog Linen.
Pink in the Fall? Yes, yes and yes. The perfect compliment to all of your assorted naturals and browns.
A step up from an apple cider and bourbon cocktail…the classic old fashioned.
Besides holding a warming Chai Latte, the Heath Ceramics Tall modern cup makes the perfect receptacle for a cluster of fragrant garden roses, like these Polo.
Pilgrim Modern anyone? Yes.
Leftovers almost better the second time around. Assorted roasted vegetables topped with poached eggs hit the spot on the long holiday weekend.
What a simple weekend getaway for any of the winter holidays.
Elf has got to be playing or streaming somewhere. Wrap yourself up and settle in for the night. The guests have gone.
*Thessalonians 5:18
Just a touch,
November 7, 2022
and your Wick is lit, literally. Wick, a modern spin on nimble Jack’s classic candlestick, requires only a quick charge to provide you with just the right amount of warm, portable LED illumination. And, now that the clocks have turned back and sunset occurs before most of us have closed up shop for the day, we can all use that little extra bit of light. Available singly and in multiples, in black, brass, graphite or white finishes. Try a couple for yourself and I can see them migrating to the top of your Holiday Gift list.
Photos: Graypants
The Near Perfect October
October 26, 2022
Aside from the obvious sad notes, I can’t remember a Fall, an October, as beautiful as this. Just what we need to take our mind off of the madness that we have all been living through…shocks of intense color set against a bright blue sky or a dark and brooding one. Even if your don’t like Fall you can’t deny that the large swaths of reds, oranges and yellows, found around every turn, have lifted your spirit. And, the best part? The show is free. So my suggestion is slow down and take it all in while it lasts.
You can’t argue with free can you? So, fall color aside, imagine my surprise when I found this Bittersweet ” volunteer” winding it’s way through a crabapple in the yard. A few minutes of untangling and trimming and it was ready to be put to good use indoors.
Before the deer got to the last remaining Hostas, I managed to keep this going in a vase indoors until it dried to this sculptural perfection.
While I generally love a Hubbard Squash for a non-orange twist on a classic Pumpkin, a trip to the cider mill has shaken things up. Not only for the perfect midday break, but fresh cider, a few apples and some artisan heirloom Pumpkins that will eventually be recycled into a pie or Fall soup.
I’m constantly preaching about the necessity of a simple modern glass cylinder and here’s why. No fuss, no muss. Just a few cuttings from the yard dropped in. Boom! Done. This will most definitely take me through till Thanksgiving.
Photos: gp
Into The Darkness
October 10, 2022
As we move into Fall the shadows grow longer and the days get shorter. Preparing for the long descent into Winter I find myself thinking about things I can’t do without. And, when there is a choice to be made, I most always go to black. Ticks all the right boxes. Done and done.
Top to bottom:
My ” go to”…any day or everyday… a black cashmere crew neck. photo: Naadam
Looking ahead to next Spring when a new paintjob on the house is in order. While it’s already dark, I think I’d go even darker. Photo via Remash Tumblr
I can’t get this table by Chiara Ferrari outta my head. Perfect. If you know who took this pic let me know.
Celebrating his tenth year just like simplequietmodern, Baby Hambone Jaxon 3000. The best assistant ever. photo: gp
My first generation Aeron chair just got a tune up and is ready to take me forward in absolute comfort. Photo: Herman Miller
Just what you need to take you through a long cold Winter of soups and stews, this Crane cast iron Dutch oven. Photo: Heath Ceramics
Keeping everyone in barefoot comfort well after Labor Day has passed, Gobi II. The perfect take on my favorite Chukka. Photo: Vivobarefoot
My first flatware purchase was Ward Bennett’s GAP pattern in stainless, and I’ve been using it for longer than I’d care to say. If I do move onto something new, this will be it. Photo: Heath
With the holidays approaching I might suggest this upgrade to your apron wardrobe. You can’t go wrong with black linen. And, if you’re carrying in, dust it with a pinch of flour and hide the takeout containers.
Anyone who knows me can tell you that this Saarinen table is my favorite table ever. Any size , and until now, always in white. This recent introduction in black has a firm grip on me though. Equally stunning, the two In my mind are running neck and neck. Photo: Knoll
Just a little somethin’…
August 24, 2022
for punctuation. As we start moving back indoors this Fall our surroundings might just need a little hit of visual MSG. I know, we carefully pull together an environment that’s beautifully cozy. But, after these last 2 tumultuous years, where we have been home more than ever, we find that even our living spaces need a shot in the arm. It doesn’t take much…a beautiful pillow or two could do the trick. You can go bold with a sharp stab of color or pattern or keep it quiet yet fresh with a complimentary texture. Either way there’s a staggering assortment of textiles, shapes and sizes all ” ready to ship”. Now’s the time to head on over to Knoll and pull that trigger.
photos: Knoll
Parentesi 50
March 7, 2022
It’s hard to believe that it’s time to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Parentesi light. Designed by Italian designers Achille Castiglioni and Piu Monzu for Flos in 1971, the Parentesi became an immediate classic of modern architectural lighting. When I first saw a Parentesi in application I knew I had to have it…or better yet a pair. The simplicity of the light source held in place on a taught steel cable made this piece of lighting the definition of simplequietmodern. And, versatile. Singly, in pairs, with flood, spot or even frosted tube bulbs, I’ve put mine through the paces, each will stunning result. While the original incarnation was black, three additional color choices, red, nickel and white soon followed. And now, in celebration of it’s 50th year, the Parentesi 50 is available in orange and turquoise. A Little shot of color might be exactly what’s needed these days.
photos: Flos USA
If it’s March,
February 28, 2022
then it’s time for Daffodils. There is no better way to pull us through to Spring than with a bunch or two of the most perfect yellow ever. Their familiar cheerful faces and gentle fragrance just can’t help to lift us up, especially now. Rising prices, foreign invasions, the continuing pandemic and the near end of a brutal Winter have us in need of a little something something. A bunch or two of daffodils are just the ticket even if the price is double what is was last year. While you’re at it, it would be a lovely gesture to pick up a few extra bunches and pass the sunshine around. The rewards are sure to come back to you ten fold. If you’d like to use the Daffodil as inspiration, you might try a few from the selections below from the simplequietmodern archives.
Bunches of cut Daffs. If it’s March that means that January and February are in the rear view mirror.
This particular Knoll pattern features three colors familiar to March… the yellow, gray and white.
Even lunch and dinner can feature a little sunshine. This pickled blend of cauliflower, onions and yellow bell peppers will certainly liven things up with very little effort.
Maybe a permanent swath of yellow twig dogwood to enjoy from every window, especially when rising from a blanket of snow.
Bright second fiddle, a bunch or two of forced Forsythia branches, sourced locally, online or free from a neighbors yard.
Bright ceramic field tile will have you waking up to sunshine every day, no matter what.
daffodil photo: gp
American Modern,
February 16, 2022
now in black and white. Russel Wright’s American Modern dinnerware, a midcentury modern classic, is now available in matte black and matte white. The American Modern line has been gracing America’s homes since its introduction in 1939, in all of the mixed colors we’ve come to recognize and love. Everyone had their favorite in the offerings of coral, brown, gray, blue and chartreuse. But, somehow this re-issue of selected pieces in black and white brings to each a new level of sophistication. The 3 piece dining sets, assorted serving bowls, plates and platters are now available to mix and match with your vintage pieces or use on their own. I’m thinking all black…or, all white. Time for a coin toss.
photos: Food52.com
Shifting Focus
February 2, 2022
From biting bitter cold to major snowstorms, we are sure to be glad that January is behind us. Now’s a good time to shift our focus to other beautiful forms of Winter White that aren’t as challenging. From a simple vase of forced spring branches to dreaming about a a coveted new addition to your home, a little distraction isn’t out of order as we try to keep warm until the thaw.
Top to bottom:
For me, a fresh dump of snow is pretty for about 10 minutes. That’s it.
A bunch of white fringed tulips generally take the edge off all of that cold white stuff.
Planning ahead certainly guarantees some additional garden interest. This Blonde Ambition grass is certainly holding it’s own.
What do you mean you haven’t potted up that Amaryllis you received as a Christmas Gift? Get on it.
I know. Put it on your want list now. One large Saarinen dining table…six Saarinen Executive Chairs. You can’t go wrong with white on white, tone on tone. Photo: Knoll
Check that pantry and you might find the few ingredients needed to whip up a batch of this no-churn Bourbon Ice Cream.
Poke around the yard (or neighborhood)with a pair of pruners in your pocket. You could come home with a few flowering branches to force into bloom.
Too afraid to add that dining table to your want list? How ’bout a more do-able side table? photo: Knoll
I can never have enough white tulips to pull me through Winter. This white Parrot variety is a particular favorite.
If you’re going to be stuck inside bingeing movies, how great would it be to do it stretched out on this classic Florence Knoll sofa dressed in creamy upholstery?
Shoveling is horrible. Period. But, a hot soak or scrub down afterword with some Birch scented bath salts? Lovely.
Winter White Cashmere. Now, that’ll keep you cozy till spring. Photo: Naadam
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