Put it in neutral
October 25, 2015
I’ve owned a pair of vintage Womb chairs in a sunflower yellow with black frames and then a single in royal purple with a chrome frame, each a nod to the time in which they were produced…first the fifties, then the seventies. The first pair was acquired during an impromptu stop at a Beverly Hills yard sale and the latter from a similar unplanned stop in the mid-west. Now I’m feeling the urge to buy back my simplequietmodern favorites that have been long gone to new homes. Lucky for me this classic is still in production. And, bonus, Knoll has re-issued the Saarinen Womb settee. Hmmmm, what to do. In any case, the textile selection for me is a no brainer….the classic wool boucle is always my first choice. And, as if it could get any simpler… the color is aptly named “Neutral”. Hard to make a mistake here, especially when combined with the black frame. That settled, it’s on to choosing a chair and ottoman, a chair and settee. a pair of chairs or the settee alone. Good to know that there are no bad choices here.
photos:http://www.knoll.com/shop
multi-faceted
July 29, 2013
What do you get when you place a salvaged cedar log in the hands of an artist/designer like Riley Mc Ferrin? Well, simple…you get Little Gem. Looking more like a crystalline mineral formation plucked from the interior of a geode than the tree it started it’s life as, this hand shaped and finished end table could be just the needed punctuation in your simplequietmodern interior. I can’t think of a better choice for placing next to your favorite lounge chair, be it Eames or Saarinen, with just enough space to accommodate a book, your beverage of choice and possibly the remote. And, like the interior space you’ve created specifically for you, no two Little Gems are alike…insured by Mother Nature and Riley’s deft hand.
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
Five Easy Pieces
April 12, 2012
OK…this is where you start. An empty room…and add five easy pieces. In this case; 1. a sofa 2. a lounge chair 3. a coffee table 4 . an end table & 5. an occassional chair or two. This will kick things off with plenty of places to sit for you and your guests as well as a place to set your coffee or cocktail. Whether it’s a group of classic mid-century designs as illustrated or assorted hand-me-downs of various degrees of style or vintage this formula establishes a strong base to which you can add and embellish…or keep it simple and modern.
Well…it ain’t beige
February 20, 2012
Pantone’s 2012 Color of the Year…Tangerine Tango. If a dose of this injected into your neutral interior doesn’t shake things up, well…it’s time to start checking pulses. Don’t know where to start? Should the tangy Womb chair and ottoman ( Eero Saarinen 1948)at http://hivemodern.com/ make too much of a statement then maybe a Tangerine Tango Journal http://www.pantone.com/pages/products/product.aspx?pid=1270&ca=33 is just the ticket. Me, I’ll take one of each please.
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