The heart wants what it wants.*
February 8, 2024
Your Valentine might be easier to please. With Valentine’s Day just a week away you better get on it. While flowers and candy are the standard, it doesn’t have to be all red roses and tacky heart shaped boxes of cheap drug store chocolate. I’ve assembled a few ideas that might just help get you started without falling into the usual clichés.
If your Valentine is putting in the hours working from home, this Saarinen Executive Chair will have them looking forward to logging in in the morning.
photo: Knoll
Who could say no to this John Hardy hinged Surf Cuff in sterling set with diamonds?
photo: John Hardy
At few dollars a bunch near everywhere now it would be an impressive romantic gesture to fill every vase, glass and jar and fill the house with an early Spring.
photo: gp
With Valentine’s Day mid-week, how bout staying in and making pizza at home, finishing things off with some chocolate mousse cake, berries and something sparkling that you picked up on the way home. photos: gp
Nothing like making a splash with red cashmere. And, better yet, this red cashmere from Naadam is the best value around.
Berries and roses as only Diptyque-Paris can blend them…Baies. Yes, the place will smell that good.
With the perfect small vase, you can extend your Valentine gift by filling it with a few lovely stems all year long. You just can’t go wrong with this Bud Vase from Heath Ceramics.
photo: Heath
If your Valentine is a fan of salted caramel you can push them over the edge with these handmade caramels from Bequet Caramels in Boseman, MT. There might not be any sharing, they are that good. Just saying. photo: gp
Even little Porkchop deserves a special treat. This tennis ball in fun turquoise should keep him busy. Well, at least until it looks like confetti.
And just a little something extra to add to any of the above or for just that little touch of a corny sugar rush… small bags of Jelly Bean Hearts from Trader Joe’s. Sweet.
photo: gp
*Emily Dickinson
This Just In
October 5, 2023
Just in time for the move back indoors for the Winter, a reissue from Knoll. Florence Knoll’s Model 33 Sofa and Model 31 Lounge Chair, designed in 1954, are once again available. And, right up my simplequietmodern street. Simple tubular steel frame with a tailored tight seat and tight back. Classic. It doesn’t get better in my book. I better start making some room.
photos: Knoll
Instantly an icon
May 31, 2023
after it’s introduction in 1948 the Womb Chair, like all of Eero Saarinen’s designs for Knoll, is still made by hand and still going strong. I can’t help but hope that I look as good when I’m 75. Happy Birthday my friend.
photos: Knoll
Open Auditions
July 9, 2020
While in lock down all Spring you would think I would have pulled the trigger on this upholstery project. Slowly anticipating the arrival of the Knoll Textile samples I pretty much thought my mind was made up…something neutral with a boucle’ or crepe texture. Then I started holding auditions. And now, with no bad choices really, I’m totally confused. While playing it safe is always a good move, this Corona thing has me rethinking the entire project. Maybe a little fun is needed now. Maybe some pattern. Hmmm. Could be. Or, then again, I might just take it back to… black. I’ll keep you posted.
top to bottom:
My vintage Saarinen Executive Armchair…ready for reupholstery.
Knoll Textiles Tweed Frisee’ in natural
Knoll Textiles Kaya in Inkwell
Knoll Luxe Sandis in Tobacco
Knoll Luxe Arezzo velvet in Squid Ink
photos:gp
Knoll KT Prairie Pebble Finished vinyl in Bison
Knoll Saarinen Executive armchair with wood leg in ebonized walnut upholstered in Presto Crepe color Black Tie
photos: Knoll
Working from home?
April 1, 2020
It might be time to think about upgrading that kitchen chair. Even if you are pulling it up to a makeshift desk or dining room table, a new work chair can make all the difference in your productivity if not your mood. Until April 6, Hive Modern is having a “Herman Miller Work From Home Sale” where all Herman Miller Executive and Task seating is 15% off with free delivery. The Eames Aluminum Group designed in 1958 includes an assortment of executive, management or task seating and their Aeron Chair, originally released in 1994, is an ergonomic modern classic. Or, you might find something from the Saarinen group of executive seating from Knoll more to your liking, with arms or without. We’ll be sheltering in place and working from home for the near future but nobody said it had to be uncomfortable.
Eames and Aeron chair photos: https://store.hermanmiller.com/office/office-chairs?lang=en_US&hpn=12
Saarinen Chair PhotoS: https://www.knoll.com/shop/by-category/seating/work-chairs
New Year, New Decade
January 9, 2020
While hindsight might be 20/20, the New Year brings with it new vision, new possibilities, a new look at old favorites. Take the classic Saarinen Dining Table for example. As long as I can remember there were only two options for me…white base with a white laminate top or, if your wallet was feeling generous, the white base with the Calacatta marble top. simplequietmodern perfection. Then the recent introduction of a new size and new top finish had me rethinking things…re-examining the fluid lines and sculptural form. In it’s new incarnation, the Saarinen oval dining table at 96″ will seat eight. And, the black base finish with the matte black laminate top…well, it’s just too good. While I’m comfortable most days in head to toe black, it’s no wonder I’ve fallen so hard. Add into the mix the Saarinen Executive Armchair upholstered in Knoll’s Classic Boucle in Onyx and the 20’s are off to a very good start.
Photos: https://www.knoll.com/shop
Boo
October 30, 2019
Crossing over to the dark side while I try to avoid most things Halloween and prepare for the annual “fall back” into darkness. Here are just a few simplequietmodern points of inspiration.
Top to bottom:
Cy Twombly, Untitled 1970 Photo: MoMA
My favorite Bertoia Side Chair now available covered in leather. Photo: https://www.knoll.com/product/bertoia-leather-covered-side-chair
From Lostine…barn brooms. Or, is it a Coven parking lot? photo: https://lostine.com/collections/kitchen/products/barn-brooms
Always inspirational…the fall burn pile.
Dig in! Heath’s Muir Flatware now available in Onyx. Photo: https://www.heathceramics.com/collections/winter-seasonal-2019/products/muir-flatware-onyx-5-piece-setting-w19
Off the sticks just in time. Purl Soho’s Elementary Wrap Knit up in their Linen Quill in Kettle Black. https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2017/10/20/elementary-wrap/
Always my favorite container for a few gorgeous blooms, the Tall Modern Cup by Heath Ceramics. Photo: https://www.heathceramics.com/products/tall-modern-cup-sand-penny-green-w19?_pos=1&_sid=d7fb13c87&_ss=r
A Knoll Textiles classic, Diva… in Coal. Hmmm, what needs reupholstering? Photo: https://www.knoll.com/knolltextileproductdetail/Diva
OK…here’s just a little Halloween for ya.
Photos by GP unless where noted.
Start Small
February 18, 2019
While it’s been increasingly difficult to find that perfect piece of vintage classic Mid Century furniture you’ve been lusting after, now’s the perfect time to just cut to the chase. Take advantage of the annual Knoll Classics sale running until February 26th and buy yourself that perfect piece and save a little time and money in the process. You don’t have to go for broke…get your feet wet with a side table, stool or pull up chair and work your way up to something more grand. A small statement can speak volumes. And, who’s doesn’t love free delivery?
Top to bottom, some of my simplequietmodern favorites.
The Saarinen 20″ side table, the newly re-issued Bertoia Molded Side Chair, The Platner Side Table in Bronze, The Saarinen Tulip Stool, The Richard Schultz Petal Side Table in White and Teak, and finally, the Saarinen Executive Side Chair with Walnut legs. All Photos: https://www.knoll.com/shop/by-category/knoll-classics
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
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
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