Shifting Gears
October 11, 2018
Fall. Time to turn up the heat, spice things up, enjoy the seasons bounty and get ready to adjust our mindset before Winter and the holidays are upon us.
Some simple inspiration to make the seque, top to bottom.
Terra cotta petals with a cream backside… the Leonidas rose. Picture perfect as Mother Nature changes everything around us.
Exotic spice blends like Zaatar and Ras el Hanout bring a little something special and exotic to everyday eats.
The perfect fiber blend to bridge all of the seasons, Purl Soho’s Flax Down… Baby Alpaca, superfine Merino and Linen, worked together with their Linen Quill in True Turquoise. https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2018/09/05/swath-wrap/
Flor samples for consideration for a pending Winter project. Neutrals are great but a plaid underfoot might just be fun. https://www.flor.com
On a weekend night of binge watching, a Texican dinner of Chili Verde will transport you to the southwest and warm you up. https://simplequietmodern.com/2015/10/27/a-little-needed-comfort/
Locally.grown and processed apples and apple cider…the Fall possibilities are endless and not to be missed. What’s your pleasure? A cocktail of Bourbon and cider or apple pie for breakfast?
Photos: gp
Then and Now
October 7, 2018
Continuing the celebration of Florence Knoll’s 100th year, let’s focus on some new additions to her 1954 Lounge Group. What she originally considered a “fill in” piece, the Florence Knoll Bench has been impressively resized, elevating it to a “statement” piece. Whether you select the small, medium or large, and put it to use as a bench, ottoman or coffee table, the clean geometric profile of this modern classic is available in a dizzying selection of approve Knoll textiles and leathers. Wow!
Photos: https://www.knoll.com
Changing Colors
October 1, 2018
Heath Ceramics started producing its first dinnerware line, Coupe, in their factory in Sausalito in 1948. Seventy years later, this iconic collection of plates, bowls, cups and accessory pieces, designed by Edith Heath, is still being produced in the original factory. To mark this milestone, Heath is refreshing the Coupe line with new colors and glazes while archiving and retiring others. It’s a great time to pick up on those before they are gone or to experiment by mixing some of the new palette into your existing collection. Some of the fresh modern neutrals include rosemary, salt/shadow and zinc… with brighter shades like moonstone, yuzu/fawn and persimmon/ pumpkin adding a little simplequietmodern punctuation if your feeling so inclined.
Photos: https://www.heathceramics.com
Wipe Your Feet
September 24, 2018
It’s Fall. We’ll be reluctantly moving our lives back indoors, dragging along any and all types of dirt, dust or yard debris. To the rescue is a simplequietmodern favorite, a no border, plain woven cocoa fiber doormat. This dense woven fiber with its natural mold and mildew resistant properties, will trap and hold dirt and debris below the surface of its deep pile. Most commonly used in commercial settings, cocoa fiber mats are a perfect choice for the most heavily trafficked areas at home, indoors and out.
Mats are available in standard sizes from 2×3′ to 6×12′, as well as custom sizing. Classic natural cocoa fiber tan, as well as six additional colors, all have the 3/4″ woven fibers secured in a heavy-duty vinyl backing. I’ve decided that the charcoal, both at the front door and in front of the kitchen sink, should keep things tidy enough.
photos: https://www.americanfloormats.com/cocoa-mats
I Didn’t Know Jack
September 17, 2018
Jackfruit. I had no idea that this Asian superfood is an everyday staple in South and Southest Asia. Used in both its green and ripe forms, from savory dishes to desserts, Jackfruit is a great source of protein, potassium, calcium and iron. Benefits of eating JackFruit include improved energy, regulated blood pressure and better cardiovascular health, improved digestion, cancer prevention and enhanced vision. That said, I thought it was time to try to integrate some Jackfruit into my Meatless Monday rotation. My early simple plan was to cook it up in barbecue sauce as a pork-less pulled pork. Then I got sidetracked by a suggestion from one of the guys at my local Trader Joe’s to use it in place of crab in crab cakes. That did it, I was off and running. Starting with the crab cakes, I offered the first couple of test batches to friends. Their response was unanimous …” Wow, these are fantastic”. Who’s going to argue with that?
Then I went back to my original thought and whipped up a little faux “pulled pork” using Trader Joe’s recipe and their Brown Sugar Barbecue Sauce and Marinade. Could not have been simpler. Piled on a brioche bun topped with some slaw and chopped onion? Another meatless Monday winner. See for yourself. Looks just like pulled pork, doesn’t it? Recipe here: https://www.traderjoes.com/recipes/lunch/pulled-jackfruit-sandwich
Photos:gp
Yeah, Baby
September 14, 2018
Nothing like a good sale, right? Now that it’s Fall and we’re all starting to move back inside it’s the perfect opportunity to get inspired and save a little in the process.
The Knoll Annual Sale runs from September 14-25 offering 15% off and free delivery on all furniture. A great opportunity to treat yourself to a classic, like the Saarinen Executive Arm or Side Chair, or explore some of their new textile introductions like Double Agent shown in Vocabulary (top) and Embassy (bottom). I’m thinking this large scaled 60’s inspired plaid might be just what’s needed to take the chill off.
photos: https://www.knoll.com
The country came together then…
September 11, 2018
so it might be a good idea, to honor those lost that day, for the country to come together now. Just a thought.
9/11 Never forget.
photo: gp
Like A Blur
September 10, 2018
One minute it was the 4th of July and the next it’s nearly the middle of September. I know it was Summer because it was plenty hot, but it came and went like a steamy blur. I guess a heavy schedule had me focusing daily on the seasons simplest pleasures, squeezing some Summer fun into every day. And, now that Fall is growing closer, I’m glad I did.
Top to bottom:
The best peach ever tossed to me one day at lunch. Does it get any better or simply scream Summer than a big ripe juicy peach?
A little maintenance on the climbing Hydrangea and hedges, and the addition of some new annual material had the yard pulled together in no time.
Visiting the farmers markets regularly for local Midwest Gladiolus and vegetables. The glads make a simple modern statement for 2-3 bucks and will last all week. The locally grown produce, when transformed into G’s Chow Chow, will carry that Summer brightness right into Fall.
For the recipe…https://simplequietmodern.com/2014/06/16/quite-the-pickle/
A little daydreaming on a summer afternoon never hurt. I seemed to frequently drift to visions of a small Modern house in the desert. This one looks just right. Photo: https://www.thrillist.com/home/gorgeous-prefab-homes-and-cheapest-land-for-sale-in-every-state-for-building
Six years old…Baby Hambone Jaxon 3000. While he was treated to his favorite mixed berry treats, cake for his friends and fans is definitely in order. And what could be more fitting of the Puli personality and sense of humor than a modern naked take on a confetti cake from Milk Bar? Photo: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/momofuku-milk-bars-birthday-layer-cake
Linen in Summer, wool for Fall. The best qualities of both can be found in Flax Down and Linen Quill Yarn from Purl Soho. These three skeins in Kettle Black will produce their Swath Wrap, the perfect transition to Fall and Winter. Photo: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2018/09/05/swath-wrap/
photos: gp (unless otherwise noted)
A simple setting…
July 9, 2018
for the entire summer. A spacious table with coordinated bench seating that satisfies my minimalist taste. Steel construction finished in matte black powder-coat make it equally at home outside or in. The Supermetal Table and benches, by Chiara Ferrari, is currently only available for delivery in Southern California. That won’t stop me from adding it to my wish list just in case that changes sometime soon. Besides sitting down to burgers and potato salad outdoors all Summer, how great would this be indoors come Thanksgiving?
Photos: http://www.betterlivingthroughdesign.com/furnishings/supermetal-table-by-chiara-ferrari/
Cool…Sweet…Creamy
June 18, 2018
and no special equipment needed. Nothing could be simpler than this No Churn Vanilla Ice Cream from the kitchens at Everyday Food. Four ingredients and a 10 minute prep produce a quart and a half of what is sure to be a Summertime “go to”. Start by combining a 14oz. can of sweetened condensed milk, 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of bourbon. In a separate bowl beat 2 cups of chilled heavy cream to stiff peaks. Using a rubber spatula gently fold the whipped cream into the condensed milk mixture until thoroughly combined. Pour into a standard 4 1/2″ x 8 1/2 ” loaf pan, cover with waxed paper or plastic wrap and freeze until firm, approximately 6 hours. That’s it. Done and done. A rich silky vanilla ice cream ready to serve on its own, doused with some chilled espresso as an Affogato, accompanying a Summer berry shortcake, “floating” in a tall glass of ginger or root beer or maybe hitting that sweet/salty note with a handful of roasted salted cashews.
Recipe: https://www.marthastewart.com/355960/no-churn-vanilla-ice-cream
photos:gp
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