Let’s Review
January 3, 2018
Another year has passed, and with it, another year of simplequietmodern. As I prepare for year seven, I’m excited to see what held your interest over the last twelve months. The MidCentury seating of Van Keppel Green, modern black fences, the “folded” plywood works of Harry Roseman, factory inspired windows and a cozy white Christmas topped the list. Thank you for your continued interest, for stopping and sharing your kind words, for your friendship…for indulging me.
We can’t celebrate without cake, can we? I’m thinking a Burnt Almond Torte from Prantl’s Bakery in Pittsburgh might be in order. And of course, some flowers.
Top to bottom: links to each of your favorite posts:
https://simplequietmodern.com/2014/08/03/case-study-van-keppel-green/
https://simplequietmodern.com/2014/03/31/black-fences/
https://simplequietmodern.com/2014/02/19/a-single-sheet/
https://simplequietmodern.com/2016/03/10/let-the-sun-shine-let-the-sun-shine-in/
https://simplequietmodern.com/2017/12/24/white-christmas/
torte photo: https://www.goldbely.com/prantls-bakery/15395-burnt-almond-torte
In the blink of an eye,
January 26, 2017
five years has flown by. It’s hard for me to believe that simplequietmodern is celebrating another anniversary. As I look back I am always surprised that what interests me also interests you…and, keeps you coming back. The appeal of factory inspired windows and doors, black fences, the timeless work of Brancusi, simple landscape statements, and modern seating solutions topped the list. Thank you for regularly stopping by, for your comments, for your inspiration, your friendship.
Oh, you knew there’d be cake didn’t you? This simple chocolate cake with vanilla buttercream can be found here. Perfect for a celebration like this or any day when a little cake is necessary. http://www.marthastewart.com/254376/busy-day-chocolate-cake
Now on to year six.
Putting the plan to paper,
August 20, 2016
starts with a little inspiration. This garden by Australian designer Peter Fudge totally embraces the simplequietmodern aesthetic. A beautiful composition of clipped hedges and hardscaping against the softened edges of natural treeline and massed plantings of native grasses. Dappled sunlight and gentle sounds of moving water. The perfect place to spend a late summer day. I’d start here in the morning with coffee, break here midday with lunch, nap here in the afternoon and finish here with dinner or cocktails. Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Are you there yet?
Photos: http://peterfudgegardens.com.au/
Hedged In
April 25, 2016
Or, so I thought. The last several winter’s extremes have taken their toll on all of my boxwood hedges. Gone. Time of death? Officially April 11, 2016. Where they once served as sharply clipped extensions of the house itself sits blank space in need of attention. So now what? Replace them as they were or start fresh with a new direction…and new plant materials that will be able to take on the bitter winters and always hungry deer. Now’s the time to jot new ideas, review old inspiration and perhaps even move into uncharted territory plant-wise. While I loved things the way they were, I can’t help thinking change might be good.
Top to bottom:
You’ve got to love the modern use of clipped layered hedges of boxwood and yew in the masterful garden designs of Luciano Giubbilei. More of his genius can be found here: http://www.lucianogiubbilei.com/
Maybe my solution is not more boxwood at all, but horizontal fencing and drifts of native grass Bouteloua Gracilis, Blonde Ambition. Napa Landscape by Scott Lewis Photo: via Gardenista
After a black and white Winter perhaps yellow Magnolia tucked into the woods would be a welcome sight come Spring, like this Magnolia Yellow Bird. Photo: gp
Winter Garden
January 17, 2016
There is no better time than now to rethink the Winter garden. Keep the plan simple…implement it in the Spring…let it take root through the Summer and wait for the rewards come Fall and Winter. You might be inspired by the gardens of Dutch designer Piet Oudolf, with great drifts of native perennials and grasses, their varied color,texture and structure framed by clipped hedge rows or a distant borrowed vista. Maybe a simpler plan is more to your taste with the selection of a few species planted together in a sort of modern meadow. Simpler still, the work of San Franciscan landscape architect Scott Lewis might lead you to bold stokes of a single variety, neatly framed and punctuated with a mature specimen. The best part of this exercise is your reduced carbon footprint, time freed up this summer to spend doing anything but weeding and deadheading and a simplequietmodern new view through every window from October to the following March.
http://www.gardenista.com/posts/10-garden-ideas-to-steal-from-superstar-dutch-designer-piet-oudolf
It goes without saying…
January 5, 2015
there’s gonna be cake.What celebration would be complete without it? And today, on the occasion of simplequietmodern completing its third year, this Walnut Variation, found on Food 52, seems to be the perfect combination of cake and dacquoise. A toast to you today as well…my readers, followers and friends…who take the time to stop by, get inspired, leave a comment and inspire me. I’m always surprised by what articles or photographs have been the most popular and favored by you each year. In 2014 it looks like you’ve surprised me again with black fences, quinoa kale and pear salad and baby Jaxon. So with a pop of the cork let’s see what year four has in store.
Walnut Variation: A Cake : photo and recipe via Food52 http://food52.com/recipes/28118-the-walnut-variation-a-cake
Black Fences photo: via Gardenista. revisit the post here:https://simplequietmodern.com/?s=black+fences
Quinoa , Kale and Pear Salad photo: gp Revisit the recipe here:https://simplequietmodern.com/?s=pear+and+quinoa+salad
baby Jaxon photo: gp
Dog Days
July 10, 2014
The dog days are upon us and there is nothing like this kind of simplequietmodern reward after a productive day working in the yard…or, maybe just rinsing off a full day of Summer fun. Can it be that a bit of sun, a gentle breeze, some water and a bar of soap can be transformative? I think it can.
shower photo via:http://remash.tumblr.com/
Add in a bar of Neutrogena Original Formula Transparent and Trader Joe’s Ginger Almond Oatmeal Exfoliant and you’re covered head-to-toe.
Heads it’s black…
April 6, 2014
tails it’s white. You might have to flip a coin to make this decision. After fifty plus years as an icon of modern interior furnishings, the Saarinen table is now available for outdoor use. As the white top/white base configuration of the 1957 original has been my all time favorite, I can’t see changing things up now…or can I ?
photos via http://hivemodern.com/pages/product7267/eero-saarinen-outdoor-dining-table-knoll
Black Fences
March 31, 2014
If “good fences make good neighbors” * what would Robert Frost have written about black fences? Chic neighbors? There is no denying the sophisticated good looks of these black fences or how they elevate the green elements around them to a new level entirely. Picture them running down a property with their long horzontal lines… can you see the forced perspective? Even the simple picket has more appeal when given a modern facelift of a beefier profile and black finish. With an injection of a little drama like this you might even be able to skip using color at all in your garden this year. Just a thought.
photos via http://www.gardenista.com/posts/trend-alert-black-fences
* “Mending Wall” by Robert Frost
Either Way
February 2, 2014
It doesn’t matter to me if the groundhog sees his shadow this morning or not. Either way I have my sights locked on March 15th as the beginning of my Spring garden clean-up. Until then I’ll be happy making sure my tools are in good order and that any new projects, additions and subtractions are being studied and fine tuned. Six weeks are plenty of time to pull a plan together…maybe add a few surprises as well. I have just the spot for this heated concrete bench should Spring and Summer prove to be unseasonably chilly.
All photos via: http://www.galanterandjones.com/
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