Let’s Review
January 3, 2018
Another year has passed, and with it, another year of simplequietmodern. As I prepare for year seven, I’m excited to see what held your interest over the last twelve months. The MidCentury seating of Van Keppel Green, modern black fences, the “folded” plywood works of Harry Roseman, factory inspired windows and a cozy white Christmas topped the list. Thank you for your continued interest, for stopping and sharing your kind words, for your friendship…for indulging me.
We can’t celebrate without cake, can we? I’m thinking a Burnt Almond Torte from Prantl’s Bakery in Pittsburgh might be in order. And of course, some flowers.
Top to bottom: links to each of your favorite posts:
torte photo: https://www.goldbely.com/prantls-bakery/15395-burnt-almond-torte
White Christmas
December 24, 2017
Snow, snow and more snow… a Bourbon Egg Nog Cocktail…a favorite place to relax and put your feet up…a cracking fire. Perfect. Merry Christmas.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=eZgHTVh2hoc#
Photos: gp
Womb chair photo: https://www.knoll.com/product/womb-chair
Virtual Yule Log: http://www.swiss-miss.com/2017/12/friday-link-pack-263.html
Really?
December 18, 2017
Inventive and imaginative, dramatically provocative and thoughtful…that’s how the Pantone Color Institute describes its selection for the Color of the Year 2018. Wax poetic if you must, at the end of the day, it’s purple.
Image: https://www.pantone.com/color-of-the-year-2018
Just Starting That List
December 13, 2017
or, tying things up? Either way a few gift suggestions couldn’t hurt. Smaller personal gifts seem to really hit the mark, even more so if that gift was made by you. So, I’ve included some DIY ideas as well.
A homemade hand cream would be welcome by anyone who works with their hands or is feeling the effects of Winter already. Simply blending a base of beeswax and olive oil with essential oils of peppermint, eucalyptus and wintergreen… your gifts will be ready to give in no time. Photo: gp https://simplequietmodern.com/?s=Salve
Perfect for getting into all of those nooks and crannies. What gardener wouldn’t love this hand rake? Photo:https://www.shopterrain.com/fall%2Dcleanup/sneeboer%2Dhand%2Dleaf%2Ddebris%2Drake/searchString/Hand%20rake
Pom Pom or not, everybody loves a cap. A quick knit project like this could have you completing several before the 25 th. Photo: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2016/10/17/basic-hats-for-everyone-in-new-colors/
A simple modern knit, this Elementary Wrap from Purl Soho might just be the project to take the edge off all of the holiday stress. And, the end result will find you not only relaxed, but with another gift checked off of that list. Photo: http://www.purlsoho.com/create/2017/10/20/elementary-wrap/
For the design obsessed, it doesn’t get any more simplequietmodern than the work of icon Eero Saarinen. photo: http://needsupply.com/saarinen.html
Easily broken down into three separate gifts or two gifts and one for you…this trio of bud vases from Heath Ceramics in their Winter Seasonal glazes of Arctic, Shell White and Sequoia Fair warning, when they’re gone they’re gone. photo: http://www.heathceramics.com/winter-seasonal/bud-vase-set-12
Irresistible, and so simple. Cayenne Maple Glazed Walnuts…a little sweet, a little heat.. Photo: gp https://simplequietmodern.com/2013/11/30/mmmm-maplely/
You can gild that lily by presenting those walnuts in this Heath Ceramic Deep Serving Bowl. There won’t be any re-gifting here. Photo: http://www.heathceramics.com/cook-dine/bowls/deep-serving-bowl-110
What girl wouldn’t love the simplicity of semi- precious gemstone beads lovingly strung into this assortment of necklaces? Each Gemstone & Knots kit from Purl Soho makes 4 necklaces in the designs shown, and is available in nine color ways. Photo: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2017/11/29/gemstones-knots-necklaces/
I received this mysterious blend of cypress wood and incense years ago and it’s been my signature fragrance ever since. Even Jaxon enjoys a spritz to start his day. L’Occitane Eau des Baux. Photo: gp https://usa.loccitane.com/eau-des-baux-eau-de-toilette,82,1,66807,262187.htm#descriptionSection
Getting Started
December 7, 2017
Like it or not, it’s the holidays. Get out that pen and pad and start that list. Committing to paper will organize and simplify the tasks of shopping, decorating, cooking and entertaining, while every slash through an item accomplished will bring you that much closer to a Merry Christmas. Start with your personal traditions, add or subtract as you go, and keep your eyes and ears open for new inspiration and simple solutions. Three weeks to go…better get started.
From the top:
You can’t beat free. The last of my yard clean- up yielded perfect white pine cones to fill up a bowl or adorn a wrapped package. An added bonus…several birds nests to add to the mix.
Quince. A pot of Quince Paste simmering on the stove while decorating the house…a little holiday multi tasking. https://simplequietmodern.com/2012/12/14/small-plates/
An edited selection of vintage tree ornaments sets the color story. Have I mentioned I’m still into pink? The addition of more pink…flowers, wrapping or even the blush of a champagne cocktail can only help with an additional rosy glow.
If they were put away neatly you wouldn’t have a tangled mess. That said, a few lights are in order.
The addition of loose woven cotton metallic ribbon, also in pink, or maybe a simple spattered spritz of rose gold paint will elevate the simplequietmodern wrapping of newsprint or kraft paper. Ribbon photo: https://www.shopangelaliguori.com/products/metallic-loose-weave-wood-spool
A few more ideas can be found here: https://simplequietmodern.com/2014/12/09/low-cost-no-cost/
photos (except where noted): gp
Over the River
November 26, 2017
What better way to spend Thanksgiving weekend than to be cozied up in a simplequietmodern cabin in the woods? Picture it. You pull up to this simple shape clad in black corrugated, walk into the perfect interior combination of concrete and ply, toss a log on the fire and fall into the view. You’ve just gone from 60 to 0 in an instant, ready to sit back, relax and give some thought to Christmas and the month ahead.
Photos: Felix Michaud via http://remash.tumblr.com/post/167786260574/chalet-grand-pic-appareil-architecture-photos
Setting the Table
November 18, 2017
And, what a table! In any configuration. As we are about to celebrate Thanksgiving let’s also continue to celebrate the design genius of Florence Knoll. Specifically the dining table group designed in 1961. Simple and elegant in proportion, these tables include shapes, sizes and finishes to perfectly anchor any space and satisfy every taste. Round, square, rectangular or oval…surfaces in laminate, wood or stone, sizing to seat four to ten…the options seem endless. What Thanksgiving feast wouldn’t look even better on any one of them?
Photos: https://www.knoll.com/shop/by-designer/florence-knoll
Chop Chop
November 12, 2017
Whether it’s prepping Thanksgiving dinner or simply assembling a turkey sandwich the next day there’ll be plenty of slicing and dicing going on. Why not pair your favorite chefs knife with this solid walnut Greenware cutting board by Jose’ Reguerio. Having the right tools makes any undertaking easier. Having beautiful tools simply elevates the experience to a new level.
Also available in solid Maple. Photos: http://joseregueiro.com/greenware/
No Time To Waste
November 9, 2017
With Christmas near upon us there is no time like now to get those Amaryllis potted up if you plan on incorporating them into your holiday decorating. If you enjoy giving them as gifts, presenting them now will ensure the receiver will be enjoying them during rather than after the holidays. The clock is ticking.
These selections from Terrain include classic white as well as more modern chartreuse and exotic varieties.
photos: https://www.shopterrain.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.enhancedResults&searchString=Amaryllis
Falling For Pink
October 16, 2017
As the leaves start their slow turn from green to gold to brown I can’t help being drawn to anything in pink. From the remnants of summer annuals in pale pink to late summer stragglers in a more shocking shade I can’t get enough. Even the earliest changes in my sumac and sassafras foliage have a pink edge to their vibrant red. Maybe it’s the way these deep rich pinks play off of October’s golds and browns that help extend the feeling of Summer just a bit.
Photos: gp
Modern meadow photo http://www.oudolf.com/piet-oudolf
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