Oh Come, All Ye Faithful
December 20, 2013
If more churches looked like this there would be an end to the myriad excuses used to get out of attending midnight mass on Christmas Eve. The genius behind this renovation is British designer John Pawson. His collaboration with architect Jan Hobel, through their careful and deliberate refining and editing, has created in this 1,000 year old church near simplequietmodern perfection. You can almost hear the angels voices.
http://blog.thedpages.com/john-pawson-a-new-language-in-church-architecture
Snowflakes are like people…
December 15, 2013
each one different…one of a kind… each possessing its own unique character and beauty. Yet, en masse, both seem to lose their individual charm. That said, it’s no surprise that I’m not a fan of holiday crowds and even at Christmastime I’m not a fan of snow. The solitary snowflake captured by an artist can be a thing of beauty and a design inspiration in its own unique way. Too much of a good thing, however, and there are treacherous roadways, snarled traffic and shoveling. Give me little dusting on Christmas Eve and I’m good.
top to bottom:
This modern graphic was extracted from a box of Trader Joe’s holiday Pfeffernusse. Similar modern incarnations have graced everything from product packaging, gift wrap and greeting cards since the middle of the last century. And, it still looks good.
An amazing macro capture by artist/designer Edward Horsford makes you wonder how this single thing of natural beauty can, when multiplied, shut down and airport….or even a city.http://edwardhorsford.com/photography/macro/page2.htm
This gorgeous soft brass Lynlee chandelier looks snowflake inspired. Far and beyond any of the Sputnik chandeliers of the 1950’s and 60’s, I could warm up to this any time of the year.http://shop.thedpages.com/product-p/lynlee-chandelier.htm
George Nelson’s Ball Clock in natural beach has been a classic of modern design since it’s origins in 1947. It looks a lot like a snowflake to me.http://hivemodern.com/pages/product99/vitra-george-nelson-ball-clock-beech
When I was in early elementary school, we made some modern snowflake ornaments of round wooden toothpicks stuck into a small styrofoam ball and finished with spray snow and glitter. Mine was so cool I remember it like it was yesterday. What better time to revisit and resize with a few new creations made from a styrofoam ball, some bamboo skewers and a spritz of metallic paint? At 18 and 26″ in diameter I think I’ll do OK with no tree this year.
There’s still time…
December 12, 2013
to get that hand knit gift cast on, cast off and wrapped up before Christmas. Start with some giant sticks and some giant merino yarn from Loopy Mango, add the simplest knit or purl stitch and a couple of hours. Et voila….a little Christmas magic. Who on your list wouldn’t love a scarf , wrap or throw with this much style and panache? It’ll go so quickly you might want to knock one out for yourself as well.
yarn and blanket photos: Loopy Mango
Deck The Halls
December 7, 2013
It’s now or never. With less than three weeks until Christmas now’s the time to get the place festivized. A simplequietmodern formula of selecting fewer elements and concentrating their application will provide the most effective outcome with the least amount of stress. First pick a foliage…say fir, magnolia or boxwood and add a secondary material…like winterberry, cones or moss and you are on your way. If you are going to be entertaining, the simple addition of some fresh blooms or flowering bulbs to your “base” will punch things up. Remember…keep it simple, keep it quiet, keep it modern.
From the top:
A simple Fir wreath from Trader Joes is a fragrant welcome for under 10 bucks.
The best deal around could be this three to four foot Frazier fir…with a stand AND a galvanized container. I think I’d use the stand as an anchor and place the tree in a large glass cylinder with some natural river rocks and repurpose the bucket for chilling something sparkling. http://www.shopterrain.com/holiday-preview/tabletop-fraser-fir/productOptionIDs/ac1a6025-a441-4932-8c10-4160e950e55b
Bright soft mounds of preserved reindeer moss could fill low bowls or baskets for an interesting bit color. http://www.shopterrain.com/new-arrivals-garden-plants/preserved-reindeer-moss-bright/productOptionIDs/df8906bb-f3d4-4414-b906-24d41d95e04c
Cones, cones and more cones. If you had the foresight to be gathering these along the way, their rich brown texture would be a freebee.
Even the most traditional door could use a modern application like this simple boxwood wreath hung with a length of jute cord as spotted on Habitually Chic. http://habituallychic.blogspot.com/
White tulips at Christmas have become my signature , but a couple of stems of long-lasting white Cymbidium orchids will take you from Christmas Eve to New Years Eve.
Winterberry by the armful…now, that’s a statement.
A modern spin on a simple white Amaryllis could be this new entry in bright Chartreuse. I think I’d like these best combined with bowls of brown cones and the brown sueded finish of cut magnolia. http://www.shopterrain.com/holiday-preview/potted-amaryllis-kit-lemon/productOptionIDs/bd0459cc-8958-45c4-b120-330bd8a8856a
These arrangements spotted in Chanel illustrate perfectly a simplequietmodern combination of simplicity and textural contrast. These driftwood-like boxes filled with the mossy Dianthus, Cedar and a bit of glossy Camellia foliage will last through a month of holiday festivities. Photo by Habitually Chic
You might see your glass…
November 26, 2013
half empty. I run into people daily who whine and complain about all of the gifts in their lives that, seriously, they have no reason to have but for the grace of God. Their glass is never quite full enough. Well, on this Thanksgiving it might do them well, particularly when there are so many with so little, to be thankful that they have a glass…and, that there is something in it. If you woke up this morning and took a breath…give thanks. If you have been blessed with wealth or excellent health, give thanks. If you have simply experienced beauty or kindness in the most unexpected place, give thanks.
Red. Most definitely red.
November 11, 2013
What other choice is there? When Santa is done with his marathon trip around the globe on Christmas Eve, he should be coming home to this…the Ch 410 Heritage Lounge Chair and Ottoman designed by Fritz Henningsen. And, in red mohair velvet from Donghia with walnut legs, this early Danish Modern design from 1930 will have Santa relaxing stylishly well into 2030. Maybe you need to add this to your Christmas wish list. Have you been this good?
chair photos: Hive
They Just Make Good Scents
November 8, 2013
A cracking fire, a fresh-cut tree or a festive blend of citrus and spices…all aromas we remember from season to season and crave as the holidays grow closer. You can help things along early as I do and burn one of these a few minutes in the morning and again for a few when returning at the end of the day…starting now. The Fireside Candle from Bath and Body Works is a favorite…warm and smoky without smelling like the living room is in flames or the Heath Ceramics Red Suede candle cup scented with evergreens. Their fragrances will not only relax you but quietly kick-start your Christmas spirit.
candle cup photo: Heath
http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/product/index.jsp?productId=24386456&cp=12586994.12936192.4147333
http://www.heathceramics.com/catalog/product/view/id/1308/s/classic-holiday-candle/category/3/
What a difference…
November 2, 2013
an hour can make. It’s time to turn the clock back tonight which will find you in the dark come 5 o’clock tomorrow afternoon. Coming home at the end of the day in the dark…to the dark…is a reminder of how long and dark Winter actually is. A simplequietmodern solution might come in a pendant light cord kit or two from Color Cord Company. Select from the amazing selection of cloth covered wire, plugs, line switches and sockets and add a bulb of your choice. Then, install your new fixture anywhere you might have the need for additional light. Add a shade or leave the bulb exposed…hardwire in or plug in and secure its location with a couple of screw hooks…this illuminating DIY will have things brightened up in no time. You can up the voltage on this project by making a cord selection of bright orange, red, hot pink or tourquoise or, stick to the classic neutrals of black, white, gray or brown. With 27 colors of cloth covered wire available by the foot, you might also be inspired to re-wire that vintage modern lamp you’ve just picked up.
Like a deep cleansing breath…
October 27, 2013
…the guest room. Isn’t that what it should be? A place to relax…regroup…recharge. If you are daunted by the idea of pulling together a space to house holiday visitors…well, relax. Take a simplequietmodern cue from the room illustrated. Simple furnishings…intentionally spare…warm relaxed color. A bed, a chair and side table are all the basics you’ll need and a weekend project provides a fresh coat of paint. Add a luxurious natural linen bed cover and pillowcases and, well, you are pretty much done. It’s important to remember that when keeping things this simple each piece needs to be the best it can be…make the investment in good linens and make the furniture selections something you would use or sit on yourself everyday. Now, while you’re waiting for those guests to arrive, take it for a test run … you know, just to exhale and celebrate a job well done.
From the top:
Photo via http://remash.tumblr.com/
Donghia Textiles Mummy’s Cloth, 100% linen weave
Another weekend adventure might produce a vintage Robsjohn-Gibbings walnut end table…which will be a stunner after a bit of finish attention. Nicely proportioned to use as a night table and easily moved for double duty next to a chair.
It all comes down to…
October 9, 2013
black. Every room needs a little punctuation and a stroke of black just simply does the trick. That said, it’s important to give it some carefull consideration for the maximum effect. Used sparingly yet scaled generously creates focus and a juxtaposition of styles shows every other piece in the room in a new light. So, if you’re looking to shake things up, you might consider what the exclamation point called black can do for your space.
Top to bottom:
The Charleston mirror by oomph , a great interpretation of a Chippendale classic, will boldly bridge that gap between traditional and modern. http://www.oomphonline.com/charleston-mirror.html
A large-scale painting can fill a wall…create a “view”. If something 2’x3′ seems large enough, take it to 4’x 6′ and see what you get. Really, it’s not that scary.
Beat Light Tall by Tom Dixon looks like it’s plucked directly from the middle of the last century. What could shed light on your newly found mid-century dining table than this? http://hivemodern.com/pages/product6185/tom-dixon-beat-light-tall
An artifact like this Etruscan handled cup strikes an impressive pose when used in a modern environment. After all, at the time, it was modern to them. This one produced in Deruta Italy.
The Eames lcm molded lounge chair provides a sculptural presence when presented in black on black. http://hivemodern.com/pages/product1431/herman-miller-eames-lcmGreat
Great art inspires. Can you imagine how your day would start being greeted by this Frank Girard sculpture spotted on Design Sponge? http://www.designsponge.com/2013/07/a-modern-chicago-home-made-personal-through-design.html
simplequietmodern 