One Short List
February 8, 2026
and one quick stop during the week and you’ve got the makings of a perfect quiet Valentine’s evening. It’s nice also that it works out if you’re celebrating alone, the two of you or a small group. Start the evening building a fire and and a little prep and you’ll be celebrating in no time.
There needs to be something sparkling, so name your poison….Champagne, Prosecco or a mocktail of sparkling soda and pomegranate juice.
If your one stop happens to be Traders, make sure pick up a couple small bags of these heart shaped jelly beans,
While tulips are my go-to favorites, I can’t pass on this shade of pink carnation. Classic.
Easiest appetizer ever, assorted olives marinated with herbs and lemon peel.
Dressing a simple Winter salad of Frisee with olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper is the perfect compliment to your entree.
Cacio e pepe, probably the perfect pasta dish around. What’s not to love? I love to make it in the Winter with Bucatini and a healthy handful of coarse toasted breadcrumbs.
Looks fancy but it couldn’t be simpler. Put raspberries in a ramekin, spread with sour cream and top with light brown sugar. That’s it! Prepare ahead and torch them off or broil when you’re ready to serve. I hope this points you into the direction of a lovely evening. Happy Valentine’s Day.
photos: gp
On Love
February 14, 2025
With love one is fearless. With moderation one is abundant. With humility one can fill the highest position. Now if one is fearless but has no love, abundant but has no moderation, rises up but has no humility, surely he is doomed.*
photo: gp
*Lao Tzu
Just a Little Something
February 14, 2019
A grand gesture isn’t always necessary when it comes to Valentines Day. Simple quiet expressions of your affections are equally appreciated, especially when the holiday falls mid-week and you would prefer to spend the evening in. Here are just a few suggestions that are sure to be well received should you be drawing a blank.
Top to bottom:
A chilled bottle of Brut Rose or Prosecco waiting for you at the end of the day. What’s not to love?
Just a few perfect fragrant blooms makes the perfect simplequietmodern statement.
Get a quick Pesto Pizza going while you’re queuing up Netflix. https://simplequietmodern.com/2017/10/06/pizza-night/
It wouldn’t be Valentines Day without a little chocolate. How about these Chocolate Raspberry Champagne Truffles. https://simplequietmodern.com/2018/02/11/everyone-loves/
Photos: gp
If your Valentine is feeling generous….
February 12, 2017
you might ask to forgo the chocolates…the expensive evening out…the case of Veuve and wait a few more days for the annual Knoll sale. An investment in something from the Knoll Classics collection is sure to make your heart skip a beat or two. If you’re lucky enough to have a vintage piece in need of a recover, you might consider a few yards from their extensive textile collection.
It’s the little things.
February 9, 2017
Simple gestures are those that mean the most and are not quickly forgotten. One Valentines Day, many years ago, a single purple anemone wrapped in a cone of cellophane…tacked to my door. Such an unexpected surprise at the end of a long day, in the midst of a crazy work week. To this day I have no idea who left it but I remember the experience clearly, like it was yesterday. Go ahead. Spread some love.
Photo: gp
All you need is love
February 8, 2015
Valentines Day on the 14th will have you seeing red all week. Not such a bad thing considering most of the country is up to their eyeballs in white.
A few of my simplequietmodern favorites that just happen to work their magic beautifully in red.
top to bottom:
A pair of Heath budvases in red suede and ruby. photo:http://www.heathceramics.com/
Classic: Florence Knoll 1954 three seat sofa…still the best. photo:Hive http://hivemodern.com/pages/product1164/knoll-florence-knoll-sofa
Always simple quiet and modern…the Elsa Peretti redlacquer “donut” bangle for Tiffany & Co. photo: http://www.tiffany.com
Luxurious handspun wool, “Cast Away” in Strawberry Sparkle from Knit Collage Yarn. Thick and thin saturated color with a thread of metallic for a mid-60’s vibe. A blanket for the arm of that FK sofa perhaps? photo: http://www.nobleknits.com/knit-collage-cast-away-yarn/
Making a statement since its introduction in 1961, Cato from Knoll Textiles. Wool and rayon never looked sexier than it does here in Fire Red. photo:http://www.knoll.com/knolltextileproductdetail/Cato
“Firecracker” jatropha curcas. What can I say? Not your garden variety Valentine offering. photo:gp
One, two, four or more…the Executive Side Chair with metal legs designed by Eero Saarinen in 1957. Produced by Knoll in the USA. photo: http://hivemodern.com/pages/product1265/knoll-eero-saarinen-executive-side-chair-metal/
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