Ya gotta start somewhere.
November 30, 2022
Today I’m starting with an armload of yellow twig dogwood and white pine boughs. This should fill out my large midcentury concrete bowls at my front door nicely. A few lights and done. Moving indoors I’ve selected pics from the last ten years that can take you from simplequietmodern and natural, to vintage shiny holiday combinations. Plus a few new floral ideas to compliment a modern mood and Christmas tree alternatives that offer a great bang for the buck. The holidays are upon us, so better get on this before the supplies run out. Maybe a smart cocktail and a visit to the simplequietmodern archives for the months of November and December will help kick start a fresh holiday tradition for you.
all photos except 3,6,7,10,13,15, 19 by gp.
Credits given in respective post accessed through the archives.
Deck Those Halls
December 15, 2021
Even if you’re still keeping a low profile during our second Covid Christmas, it’s important for our over all well being to keep those holiday traditions alive. Now’s the time to deck those halls and get into the spirit in earnest. Whatever direction you choose, do something…a string of lights…a vase of seasonal branches…a bowl of ornaments. The simplest modern touch can still say Merry Christmas.
Top to bottom:
A sheet of plywood, a string of lights and a few screws. Boom! My absolute favorite Christmas tree alternative. If you don’t have the space for a fresh tree, then this is the simplequietmodern next best thing. Photo: https://apairandasparediy.com/2015/12/diy-string-light-christmas-tree/
This wreath of simply assorted cones makes a lovely modern yet natural statement that could take you from Thanksgiving to the Spring thaw. photo: https://www.shopterrain.com/
Gettin’ groovy with a modern Christmas color scheme? These brightly colored glass ornaments can help inspire a vintage Christmas look be it the 50’s , 60’s or 70’s. https://www.shopterrain.com/
A quick edit from a box of vintage mid-century ornaments will add some nostalgic modern charm. photo: gp
Like a Bertoia sculpture fabricated on a dime. These large 60’s looking stars are simply a handful of bamboo skewers stuck into a Styrofoam ball with the quickest spritz of gold paint. You could knock out a dozen of them and make a simplequitmodern holiday statement for just a few bucks. photo: gp
Nothing says simple and Christmas like an unadorned Magnolia wreath. https://www.shopterrain.com/
If you have vases to fill, fill them simply and lavishly with the selection of one simple material. In this case, Ilex. These striking branches studded with bright red berries arranged in clear glass cylinders will certainly inject Christmas cheer into any modern interior. Photo: gp
More holiday color play, this time in a 60’s blue-green direction. I remember as a kid thinking this look was pretty swanky. More solid color glass ornaments from https://www.shopterrain.com/ , the assorted vintage ornaments photo: gp
Look around. A big box of beautiful pine cones can be had for free if you know where to look. In my case it’s right outside my door. And, if the holidays have me running behind, a quick forage will fill multiple bowls, providing a simple natural beauty that only Mother Nature can provide. photo: gp
Deconstructing the Tree
December 18, 2015
This year, a vase full of white pine boughs, another of frosted cones and a pile of lights. Separate elements, yet still giving you the modern equivalent of a fully decorated tree. A few minutes to set up…a few to take down when the festivities are over. That simplifies things doesn’t it?
Photos: gp
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