Guess who’s 2
August 26, 2014
“If only…
August 21, 2014
…you could design just one good chair in your life… But you simply cannot”. Apparently, when Hans Wegner spoke those words in 1952 he was right, designing over 500 chairs in the course of his lifetime. We are all familiar with some, as they have become icons of mid twentieth century Danish design. Others never got past the prototype stage, until now. In celebration of his 100th birthday, PP Mobler has re-issued a collection of Mr. Wegner’s best known designs, as well as a few that were never produced. You could base an entire project around these two.
Top: The Chair 1949 Bottom: Tub Chair 1954 Photos via Dezeen
Better like this?
August 17, 2014
When an unexpected package shows up on your doorstep…well, it’s just the greatest. Intended to cure my homesickness for the West Coast, this “care package” contained some items found by friends on a trip to the desert…a program book from Modernism West, a bit of vintage modern Hawaiiana and a pile of wool yarn that I’m sure was gathered at one of their regular ” picking ” haunts. I could feel the hot desert air the minute I broke open the box. I laughed out loud thinking how much fun we would’ve had if we had all taken that trip together…then laughed some more as I imagined them guessing what would become of these skeins whose palette was clearly…umm…challenging. Well, challenge accepted.

Who knew that a little fuchsia dye and a kettle of hot water would turn that Robin Hood green into this? Yep, better like this.
Or, that the intense green/blue/purple self-striping yarn would turn into this rich charcoal black when cooked up in a bath of dark brown? Oh yeah, now we’re talking. You’ll have to check back to see what happens next.
Separated at Birth
August 11, 2014
Is it me or are these two products related? What is the likelihood of seeing such similar characteristics in totally unrelated materials like this mens Hermes scarf and this box of packing material used by Heath ceramics? I’m also seeing a little of Picasso’s Guernica in the mix as well…anyone else?
Top photo: Hermes http://usa.hermes.com/man/tie-fre/scarves-140-for-men/imprimeur-fou/configurable-product-scarves-imprimeur-fou-47978.html
Bottom photo: gp
Quinoa, Kale and Pear Salad
August 6, 2014
How can you not be inspired when you spot a pear like this at the market? And, with that you have the start of a 5 ingredient / 5 minute salad, barely needs a recipe. Crunchy, protein packed, phytonutrient rich, slightly sweet and a little bit salty. The simplequietmodern way to pack a lunch. OK…who’s hungry?
I’ve tried to re-create here a similar salad that I love from Simply Good Kitchen. This is so good and so simple that I might just be dragging this into the Fall by adjusting it a bit. Adding a touch of walnut oil to the vinaigrette and swapping out the pistachios for toasted walnuts could be the ticket. A bit of blue cheese couldn’t hurt either.
Mid-Summer at…
July 31, 2014
Gray Gardens. If you would have followed my lead you would be relaxing in a modern garden space that is surprisingly cooling in the heat of Mid-Summer. Anchored by the soft crunch of weed discouraging pea gravel or bluestone paving, the simplequietmodern plant selections play their shades and textures against the tight architectural placement to optimum effect. Not missing those geraniums now, are ya?
top to bottom: photo 1 & 2, Foras Studio via Gardenista…photo 3, GP…last photo, Deborah Nevins via Gardenista
Shhhhhhhhhh…
July 27, 2014
I’m praying. Praying that I might absorb every bit of creative inspiration that I can from this amazing space. Stone, wood, air, light, quiet…what else is needed? The Atelier Brancusi in Paris as photographed by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic. And, if the opportunity to visit wasn’t enough…admission is free. Can I hear an Amen?
All photos courtesy of Heather Clawson. You can continue her tour here http://habituallychic.blogspot.com/2014/07/chic-in-paris-atelier-brancusi.html
Sidetracked
July 24, 2014
I thought I was zeroing in on the beginning of something big when I was sidetracked taking a shortcut through the garden center at Home Depot. Could a simple ball of sisal twine slam on the creative breaks and start me turning in another direction. Apparently it can…I’m a sucker for any type of natural cord. You name it…jute, sisal, hemp…I like them all. It wasn’t long before a test swatch was produced and then another…first on its own, then knit together with my homespun newsprint yarn. Stay tuned.


































