Like A Blur
September 10, 2018
One minute it was the 4th of July and the next it’s nearly the middle of September. I know it was Summer because it was plenty hot, but it came and went like a steamy blur. I guess a heavy schedule had me focusing daily on the seasons simplest pleasures, squeezing some Summer fun into every day. And, now that Fall is growing closer, I’m glad I did.
Top to bottom:
The best peach ever tossed to me one day at lunch. Does it get any better or simply scream Summer than a big ripe juicy peach?
A little maintenance on the climbing Hydrangea and hedges, and the addition of some new annual material had the yard pulled together in no time.
Visiting the farmers markets regularly for local Midwest Gladiolus and vegetables. The glads make a simple modern statement for 2-3 bucks and will last all week. The locally grown produce, when transformed into G’s Chow Chow, will carry that Summer brightness right into Fall.
For the recipe…https://simplequietmodern.com/2014/06/16/quite-the-pickle/
A little daydreaming on a summer afternoon never hurt. I seemed to frequently drift to visions of a small Modern house in the desert. This one looks just right. Photo: https://www.thrillist.com/home/gorgeous-prefab-homes-and-cheapest-land-for-sale-in-every-state-for-building
Six years old…Baby Hambone Jaxon 3000. While he was treated to his favorite mixed berry treats, cake for his friends and fans is definitely in order. And what could be more fitting of the Puli personality and sense of humor than a modern naked take on a confetti cake from Milk Bar? Photo: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/momofuku-milk-bars-birthday-layer-cake
Linen in Summer, wool for Fall. The best qualities of both can be found in Flax Down and Linen Quill Yarn from Purl Soho. These three skeins in Kettle Black will produce their Swath Wrap, the perfect transition to Fall and Winter. Photo: https://www.purlsoho.com/create/2018/09/05/swath-wrap/
photos: gp (unless otherwise noted)
Less is …
January 25, 2016
more difficult than it looks. The classic quote ” Less is more” is often attributed to modernist architect Ludwig Mies Van der Rohe who knew a little something about materials, the qualities of distillation of design and the elimination of all unnecessary and confusing detail. The residence here, by i29 Interior Architects, illustrates these principles beautifully while incorporating and elevating one of my favorite materials, plywood.
photos via http://plastolux.com/?s=plywood+in+a+modern+home
New Year…New Inspiration
January 7, 2016
It can come from anywhere. Take OSB…Oriented Strand Board. An engineered wood particle board formed by adding adhesives to layers of wood flakes and then compressing them. Used in construction in an unsung supporting role for years, OSB’s good looks provide a modern, natural feel when used front and center as a flooring or wall treatment alternative. And, it’s more cost-effective than plywood, so it might be worth considering on your next project. You might just save enough to pick up a little treat like this vintage 1969 Eames Executive Chair.
top photo: gp , bottom photo via http://plastolux.tumblr.com/
Pilgrim Modern
November 21, 2014
What a perfect setting for Thanksgiving dinner, followed by an evening around a roaring fire. The large gathering space and minimal yet ample kitchen bridged by a simplequietmodern favorite, the planked table. You can almost smell the aromas, hear the logs crackle. It’s inspiration like this that reminds me…there is always something to be thankful for.
photos: http://remash.tumblr.com/
Gettin’ Cozy
September 28, 2014
Now that Fall has arrived we find ourselves moving back inside and scoping out our cozy corner…that perfect spot to hang out, warm up or just relax with a book for the next few months. Bernhardt Designs Code sofa , by Jang Won Yoon, could be just that spot. Modern, tight seat and back upholstery surrounded by a fully upholstered privacy wall create an envirnment that is nearly a room within a room. That’s one way to manipulate that open floorplan. This three seater, a couple of chairs and a coffee table or large ottoman will give you a place that you’ll either never want to leave or, you’ll be so pleased with, you’ll be inviting friends over to show them what you’ve been up to.
These Bernhardt Design Apel ottomans, by Jessica Pell are a perfect complement. Now, all of your simplequietmodern basics are covered and ready for the addition of your personality pieces… from American traditional to Mid Century Modern…and everything in between.
April Showers…
May 15, 2014
bring May…OK, more showers. While we’re waiting for the May flowers to grace us, there is the Chiara Chair to consider. Designed in 2013 by French designer Noe Duchaufour-Lawrance it has a decidedly 60’s appeal…ready to complement your growing collection of modern classics or infuse a more traditional space with a little punch. The generous flower petal inspired shape and self-returning swivel base provide the perfect perch to lounge, relax and wait.
Photos via :http://hivemodern.com/pages/product6578/bernhardt-design-noe-duchaufour-lawrance-chiara-lounge-chair
Another year over…
January 1, 2014
and a new one just begun.* The perfect time to be grateful for the good of the last year and set forth on a new and creative path for the next twelve months. Not one prone to the making and breaking of resolutions, I have always found that committing things to paper…notes, bits of inspiration, plans for upcoming projects, events or personal goals…can not only organize your thoughts, but gives you a resource to refer back to and evaluate your progress. A hardbound sketchbook or journal is always my simplequietmodern must have, although a designated project pad can do the trick. Keep it handy to jot down a thought, tuck in a bit of inspiration or flip back to enjoy each progressive step. The clock for 2014 has started ticking. On your mark….get set….
top to bottom
The classic Braun travel alarm clock ,now in gray, will help keep track of those fleeting minutes at home or away. http://needsupply.com/mens/new/classic-bnc002-clock-in-grey.html
What could have been a disaster rose from the ashes of a failed project to become Koishi one… one big, thick and richly textured linen blanket.
This sculpture greets and inspires me daily. Created completely of recycled LA Times newsprint, it brings home the idea that the great beauty can be found in the most humble material.
The found nests in my yard pale in comparison to this Australian example captured by my friend Kirsten Johnstone. It’s easy to see how it’s texture, form and structure caught her architects eye. http://www.kirstenjohnstone.com/blog/
The best part of my everyday…the “Hambone” Jaxon. The full-out belly laughs he induces daily are the best gift one could hope to receive.
Staring me down from a basket on the corner of my desk, these two yarns in gray and olive seemed to want to work together. Looking good so far.
The beginnings of a great Winter salad of Farro, roasted red grapes and red onions. I’ll post the simplified Martha recipe soon to help you get back on track after the holidays.
Classic. Black Minnetonka moccasins. They help me keep my focus on the warmer months to come.
Raw wood. You can almost smell it can’t you? The simplicity of the design and use of a single material in this space says it all. http://remash.tumblr.com/
A glass of your favorite sparkler for toasting to your perfect health, success and happiness in this New Year 2014
*So This Is Christmas, John Lennon
Nature Scatters…
October 6, 2013
…man gathers. And, in this case the man is artist/designer Riley McFerrin. From the shores near his home in the Pacific Northwest he gathers ocean washed limbs and sets forth to transform them into light fixtures of natural abstraction. Using pegs and tenons you would normally expect to see in fine furniture construction the result is like a floating three dimensional “sketch”. Modernist…yes. Naturalist…yes. And, impressively scaled at 24″ to 32 ” around, I can’t think of a better way to yank the outside in and shed some light wherever you might need it.
http://hinterlanddesign.com/collection/scattergather-pendant-light
Five Easy Pieces II
September 30, 2013
Again, a simplequietmodern interior starting with five easy pieces…the armless sofa, 2 armchairs, 1 pair of raffia cubes for a coffee table and the folding screen. A base of pale neutrals anchored with rich peacock-blue, this room could be equally stunning if the blue were switched out for another rich color (aubergine, copper) or pulled back completely with a smoky charcoal. The selection of the French armchairs, the classic shape of the white lamp set on a simple geometric base and the white armless sofa are reminiscent of the elegant interiors the late David Hicks created for the jet-set in the 1960’s. Even in an intimately scaled setting like this , it’s possible to achieve great style and seating for eight with the right selections and a little judicious editing. If you’re lovin’ the “cocktail stools” pictured you might try a pair of these raffia cubes from oomph!
While everyone’s outside…
June 14, 2013
this summer you might take advantage of the lightened flow of traffic and get some things done inside… things that are more easily accomplished with a little extra elbow room and a minimum of interruptions. Hanging wall coverings is just one of those things. When you tell folks you’re wallpapering they won’t believe their eyes when they experience the simplequietmodern statement of this collection by NLXL. Designed by Piet Boon, this amazing collection of concrete wallpaper is almost better than the real thing. Being able to install the subtle and sophisticated tones and textures of poured concrete at a fraction of the cost ? Sign me up.
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