That Was Fast
January 12, 2025
Just how many photos can one take in the course of twelve years? Plenty! Almost too many. And, how many simplequietmodern topics can one cover? Well, let’s just say alot. In celebration of the 13th anniversary of simplequietmodern I thought I would simply present here of few of your favorite posts and pics and a few of mine. Starting with the obligatory champagne toast and ending with a celebratory slice of cake, what follows are just a few highlights of the last 12 years. Here’s to another year of living simple, quiet and modern. I thank you for your interest and your friendship.
photo: Portello Iron Doors
Photo: Gardenista
Photo: Leonardo Finotti via Remash Tumblr
Top to bottom
Well you know me well enough by now to know that if there is a celebration there has got to be something sparking.
Any opportunity for fresh tulips and I’m on it. Like any day of the week really. And, Parrot tulips are a particular favorite.
I love a landscape that ties perfectly with the architecture. Might take a little more thought outside the box but it’s worth the exercise.
Seems most of you can’t get enough of Portello iron door and window frames. Hard not to love, right?
My newest partner in crime is all of your favorite, Buster Porkchop. Looking exactly like his brother Jaxon.
A perfect specimen from a quiet walk just spoke to me.
In Winter, this Blonde Ambition grass still has plenty of interest.
We definitely agree, the gardens of Piet Oudolf look as good in Winter as any other time of year.
I can’t help it. I love me some carnations. White is tied with this pale pink as my go-to.
I have never has a post as popular as the one featuring this gift wrap of recycled newsprint, jute twine and a birch stick foraged in the yard.
I have been collecting vintage Christmas ornaments forever it seems. This assortment in pink from the 40’s to the 60’s have come to be everyone’s favorite.
The Basalt glaze on this Heath Ceramics Tall Modern Cup is the perfect neutral. Seems that it’s in service more often as a vase than a coffee mug. Fine with me.
This 40″ inch diameter slice of fallen tree has been the centerpiece in my living space for over 20 years. It thinks it’s a coffee table. I agree.
The simplest Summertime pleasure, a batch of new dills in an heirloom crock.
Funny how many of you have holiday recollections of this cookie favorite baked up by your Mom, Grandma or a neighbor. Perfection.
Crazy right? An abundance of recycled newsprint and too much time being snowed in resulted in this homespun yarn knit up into a rather interesting swatch. Maybe this is the year it becomes something important.
Sometimes Easter needs a rest from all the cliche’ pastel shades and treatments. Sometimes a simple egg displayed simply is in order.
I’m clearly not the only one who spends time daydreaming about a small lovely modern black cabin in the woods.
Yards and yards of doubled black linen yarn salvaged from a project gone wrong and turned into the most luxurious textured blanket. Nap anyone?
No one needs an excuse for cake and this Crazy Chocolate Cake is perfect for this celebration. White frosting on that? Yes, please.
all photos except where noted: gp
Reset
April 6, 2020
It’s apparently going to be another long month of isolation and social distancing, daily briefings will bring more sad news than good news. I keep thinking that all of this corona madness might be a blessing in disguise of a sad sort. The challenges that we are all now facing might force us to hit the proverbial reset button. The threat of Covid-19 is bigger than any of us yet affects us all in profound ways. We interact differently, we work differently and for many we find ourselves with plenty of alone time…time to listen to that still small voice that comes from within. Thankfully those reports of knock down, drag outs over toilet paper are behind us. If you are like me you are witnessing a gentler, friendlier, less selfish and more thoughtful community. And, as long as we are all in this war against an invisible enemy, that’s a good thing. It’s always a good idea to teach by example, so there is no better time than now to be that good example. Check in on people from time to time. Sure, those that are spending a lot of time alone could benefit from a quick chat or text, but, what about those that are now home all day with their kids taking on the new job of teacher? They might even need the contact and kind word more. Thank those who are continuing to work for our benefit…at the grocers and drugstores, gas stations and especially the Doctors and healthcare workers. Thank as well the restaurants, from fast food to fine dining, who had to retool to providing drive-up and curb service in order that their employees could still enjoy a livelihood. Thank them with your support…order a pick-up or delivery order as often as you can over the next month. Finally, treat yourself. While out for provisions, picking up some flowers to brighten your environment can do wonders to ward off cabin fever. And, while you’re at it, pick up an extra bunch to treat a friend or neighbor. No need to have face to face contact, just leave by their door and text a message that a little surprise has been left. With any grace at all, the sacrifices we are forced to make now will be behind us in a month or so and, hopefully, we will all be better for the experience.
photo:gp
Reason to Celebrate
January 19, 2018
If I could be anywhere tomorrow for just the day it would Amsterdam, celebrating National Tulip Day. As Tulips are my absolute hands down favorite I’m already geared up to celebrate myself here at home. It doesn’t take much…a pristine glass cylinder vase filled with cool water and a bunch or five in any color…any variety.
Photos: gp
Finally,
March 22, 2017
Spring.
Photos: gp
For everything…
May 22, 2016
there is a season. Now that we’re nearing the end of May, the time for tulips is coming to a close. There could not have been a more perfect simplequietmodern finale than these Parrot tulips…my hands down favorite…in my favorite tulip color.
What’s moving in to take their place through the summer months will be equally simple…a single (maybe two ) Monstera dropped into a glass cylinder. Cost effective at less than ten dollars a piece, this one has been going strong for over a month. Fresh…modern…sculptural. I can see this being my “go to” until Fall.
Photos:gp
Boing!
March 21, 2016
It’s official…it’s Spring! While the threat of a Nor’easter is still possible and a chill remains in the air there is no looking back. It’s time to grab hold of some Spring and not let go until June. I’m not sure where I’m going to start but I’ve squirreled away some inspiration to help get me started . How ’bout you?
Top to bottom:
A fresh bottle of Simple Green and stack of clean cloths…on your mark, get set…clean.
A handful of parrot tulips will not only freshen things up, they might trigger reading The Tulip by Anna Pavord.
Now is the perfect time to add a new tool to your gardening arsenal. Maybe this hand rake to get into those tight spots. http://www.shopterrain.com/new-arrivals-garden-plants/sneeboer-hand-leaf-debris-rake
Asparagus…grilled as a side or maybe in a risotto.
Simple bowls of forced rye grass and undyed eggs…the simplequietmodern way to decorate for this weekends Easter brunch.
photos: gp
Worth the Wait
May 4, 2015
April showers bring May flowers…indeed. Looking like some sweet floral confection, these pink Parrot Tulips prove that Spring is definitely worth the wait.
photos:gp
It’s no wonder…
April 20, 2014
that they were once more valuable than property or gold. What man could even come close to producing anything near the tulip? Some simple…some exquisitely complex, each holds a special delicate beauty that is unrivaled. While white is typically my first choice, after months of gray all Winter long I am opting for a bit of color this Easter. And, lucky me…this bunch of parrots just seemed to evoke the very feeling I was looking for. The eggs? How about let’s leave ’em white?
Thanks Mom
May 12, 2013
Even after they’re spent she keeps them around… a reminder of the special connection you have. It’s a Mom thing. 
Sometimes, all you can do is…
April 15, 2013
wait . And, while Spring is taking it’s good ‘ol time getting here you might need to help things along. Some sunny yellow parrot tulips should do until the sun peaks out. Simple enough.
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