…always in bloom.
April 22, 2013
Well, that was the thinking of Richard Schultz when he designed the Petal Table in 1966. As a request by Florence Knoll to fill the void for quality outdoor furniture, the Petal series was created to compliment the chairs of another Knoll luminary, Harry Bertoia. Looking as if they were inspired by the daisy, a strong 60’s iconic image, these tables were actually inspired by the Queen Anne’s Lace that spotted the Pennsylvania countryside near Schultz’s home. Still available after near 50 years the Petal table is available in a dining, cocktail and occasional version and finishes are all white or a white base with teak petals. So, as you start thinking about your Spring planting you might consider adding one of these perennials to the mix.
http://hivemodern.com/pages/product5306/knoll-richard-schultz-petal-dining
A little on the side
March 5, 2013
Occasionally there arises a need for, um….an occasional table. Something that is sized perfectly to place beside a chair or sofa, with just enough room to accommodate a cocktail, a cup of coffee or a book. A table that can be placed in a variety of places depending on the need while still feeling at home in each spot, as if it were its permanent home. With its 18″ height and near 16″ diameter, this classic by Warren Platner could be the perfect choice. The sculptural steel rod frame with its varied available surface options has been gracing the most sophisticated interiors since 1966. Deciding if this piece is right for you is the easy part. Pairing the nickel or bronze finished base with any of the wood, marble or glass tops…well, that might take a while. The good news is there is simply no bad choice.
http://hivemodern.com/pages/product2485/knoll-warren-platner-bronze-side-table
The apple doesn’t fall…
February 17, 2013
too far from the tree, which is pretty apparent in this Eero Saarinen Armchair. Designed in 1957 at the same time the design and construction was taking place on the iconic TWA Flight Center at New York’s Idywild Airport, the influences between the two are unmistakable. Originally designed as an executive office chair, this groundbreaking seating , with its use of a fully upholstered flexible fiberglass frame, offers comfort that is equally at home in any residential setting requiring a modern note. As time has passed, Idylwild was renamed JFK International, TWA has ceased to exist, and the simplequietmodern days of early elegant air travel has given way to…well, you know. The good news is that this chair is still available, in multiple variations, to satisfy your need for comfortable seating with a light touch… and, this magnificent building has undergone a recent multi-million dollar renovation and is now a National Landmark.
http://nyc-architecture.com/BKN/BKN002.htm
Bowled Over
January 22, 2013
I was recently put to the task of finding for a client something made of wood for the center of their Saarinen dining table. In keeping with the classic mid-century aesthetic of the home I immediately thought of a Dansk bowl or tray of some type because of the classic modern lines that Dansk produced in wood…particulary in the 60’s and 70’s. I thought I knew exactly what I was going to find until I stumbled upon this piece…I had never seen it before. In this beautiful pale finish it would complement the pale wood veneered walls of the dining area as well as the Calacatta marble top on the table, with its pale tan and gray variegation. The softly sculpted sloping shoulder on the thick wall of the bowl created an object that was elevated far above “salad bowl” status while mimicking the shape of the George Nelson Bubble Lamp hanging above it. Even though it was designed and produced to serve up a mean Caesar, I love the way it looks empty.That was simple.
Mother Nature…Modernist
January 19, 2013
A fallen tree, a single river rock worn smooth by the passage of time and rushing water, both modern minimalist inspiration found in nature. A quick walk through the yard or a relaxed meander through the woods or shore can ignite a creative spark that can’t be found sitting at the desk. Muted tones to bright colorations that only she can produce…materials, form and texture that seem impossible get those creative juices flowing. Is it your garden or your interior you need to rework? A room in your garden or a room in your home can both benefit from a leisurely stroll with both eyes wide open. Leave your iPhone behind, open the door, take a deep breath and head out. This exercise is not only simplequietmodern…it’s free. You might be surpised where it takes you.
Visit artist Jaehyo Lee ( work pictured above) here:http://www.leeart.name
This Bryan Nash Gill woodblock print can be found here:http://www.shopterrain.com/art-accents/cookie-woodcut-print/searchString/gill
Time…
January 1, 2013
it has a way of creeping up on you, doesn’t it? Or, is it time “marching on” that’s the problem. In any case, what better way to keep track of those fleeting moments than with this 1947 design by George Nelson…his Tripod Desk Clock ( we should all still look this good at 66). As we close the door on 2012 and look forward to every joyful second of the New Year 2013, an occasional glance at this modern gem on your desk or your nightstand should keep you right on schedule. Happy New Year! 
http://hivemodern.com/pages/product624/vitra-george-nelson-tripod-clock
Really, is this the look
October 24, 2012
you’re going for? Thanksgiving will be here before you know it and you will be entertaining family and friends with 2 bare wires sticking out of your dining room ceiling… still. Pretty. Why is making this decision so hard when there is a simple solution…a George Nelson Bubble Lamp. Classic, simplequietmodern (since it’s introduction in 1947) …and available in enough shapes and sizes to be the perfect lighting selection for a dining room of any size or style direction. Get the scale right and the quiet statement will be deafening. So there you have it, decision made.
http://hivemodern.com/pages/product951/modernica-nelson-bubble-xl-bell
Commitment issues?
October 9, 2012
No need…even if the seasonal forecast is eye-popping. When planning a living space keep it simple by choosing pieces you love and working the “givens” in such a way as to amplify their appeal. This floor for instance…classic walnut herringbone. Old, worn, patinaed…a perfect backdrop for the classic Eames shell chairs around a simple planked table lit with another mid-century classic, the PH4/3 designed in 1966 by Poul Henningsen. Important here is the selection of finishes…pale, clean, neutral…whites and mixed tonal woods…just waiting to be punctuated with a selection from the Pantone Fashion colors for Fall 2012. Add any one shade for a time…in the form of accessory. A bowl of gold ornaments and large brown pinecones, some lavender glassware…maybe a hot pink runner or napkins…all can add the fashion spark temporarily and cost-effectively…freeing you from any expensive long-term color commitment. When I see this pink it brings to mind the words of fashion icon Diana Vreelend. ” I love this pink. It’s the navy blue of India.” Which of these ten colors will you be adding…and how?
http://hivemodern.com/pages/product3603/herman-miller-eames-dsw
http://www.youaretheriver.com/
And,there was light…
September 27, 2012
and another light and another..and yes…another. While I can appreciate the trend of multiple pendants over a kitchen work surface I have to wonder how these trends continue. Sure, the repetition can be pleasing to the eye,but fixtures that are hung this low over your prep area are only workable if your kitchen posts a warning, ” Must be under 5 feet tall to work at this counter”. I love most everything about this kitchen; the simplicity, the material and finish selections, the 1955 Arne Jacobsen stools in warm tan belting leather and the restraint in accessories. At 6’4″ I would, however, have to make a change and replace the assembled drops with something like my simplequietmodern staple; the white porcelain socket. Add the bulb of your choice and you will have provided adequate illumination of quiet style without the obvious obstruction. What a great space to pull up a stool, pour yourself a cup and check some e-mail…or….do I smell pie?
http://charmingtrinity.com/2012/08/page/2/
http://hivemodern.com/pages/product1634/fritz-hansen-series-7-stool
simplequietmodern 