A Perfect Setting at the Antiques & Design Show of Nantucket

Posted on August 1, 2014 by quintessence   •   Leave a comment

A Perfect Setting at the Antiques & Design Show of Nantucket

The first week of August is a busy time on Nantucket and one of the highlights is always the Nantucket Historical Association‘s Antiques & Design Show of Nantucket.

Ana Ericksen, who chairs this year’s show with husband Michael, brainstormed a new addition to the event. Inviting local designers and shop owners to create tabletops in the entry of the tent, “A Perfect Setting” is a welcome element to an already stellar venue. Designer Trudy Dujardin, with offices on Nantucket and in Connecticut, is known for her eco-elegant interiors. Focussing on a nautical theme, she started with an indoor/outdoor navy linen,

embroidered with waves and the firm’s logo of a chambered nautilus on the hem, also appearing on the napkin.…

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Celebrity Pets

Posted on July 29, 2014 by quintessence   •   3 Comments

Celebrity Pets

Anyone who has a pet in their life knows all about the unconditional love they provide. Perhaps that’s why even the most curmudgeonly human can turn sentimental with regards to their beloved animal companion. We’ve shared before the compelling connection between designers and their dogs. And now teNeues, the international publishing powerhouse, brings us Celebrity Pets, due out next month.

Mix up a stylish cocktail of celebrated photojournalist Edward Quinn’s work with glamorous celebrities, the vintage mid-century allure of the French Riviera, et voila -  a delicious must-have romp, perfect for holiday gifting or a home library treat.…

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Verdura 75th Anniversary Collection

Posted on July 27, 2014 by quintessence   •   9 Comments

Verdura 75th Anniversary Collection

This fall, the launch of the Verdura 75th Anniversary Collection will celebrate three quarters of a century of the iconic jeweler’s legendary style. Focussing on his early years, owners Ward and Nico Landrigan searched the archives for inspiration that would showcase Fulco di Verdura’s unique and pioneering talents. His use of yellow gold for day to evening wear, bold mixing of precious and semi-precious stones with his “pressed in” settings and nature influenced pieces set him apart at the time. Reflecting his childhood on the Sicilian coast, his use of shells has influenced generations of designs.  The incredible Lion’s Paw Shell brooch, with cabochon sapphires and diamonds below, originally designed for Millicent Rogers, will be reproduced for the collection.…

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At Home in the Hamptons with Susanna Salk and Alex Papachristidis

Posted on July 23, 2014 by quintessence   •   9 Comments

At Home in the Hamptons with Susanna Salk and Alex Papachristidis

It’s impossible to visit Alex Papachristidis at his country home without wanting to move in. And you wouldn’t be alone. His large family is close and inseparable. So inseparable in fact that eight of them all share their impossibly chic residence in the Hamptons, which Susanna Salk and I were delighted to recently visit. Tag along while we take a peek at stylish summer life with the designer in his family digs.

Originally a spec house, bought under expedited circumstances to accommodate the extended family (one family member’s house had been destroyed in a storm and another’s was being sold), Alex has transformed it into a sophisticated yet welcoming home inside and out.…

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Lindsey Coral Harper at Lee Jofa

Posted on July 22, 2014 by quintessence   •   4 Comments

Lindsey Coral Harper at Lee Jofa

Several times a year, Lee Jofa redesigns the front room in their NYC D&D showroom to celebrate a new collection, up and coming designer or both. I was delighted last week to visit the unveiling of their latest incarnation by designer Lindsey Coral Harper. Raised in Georgia and an alumna of fellow southerner Richard Keith Langham‘s firm, Lindsey infuses her designs with a modern, colorful and gracious twist on tradition. You may remember her amazing tabletops I have covered at the Lenox Hill Gala in the past and in this year’s video of the event.

Taking her cue from the fabulous Cole & Son Versailles Grand wallpaper that debuted earlier this year at Paris Deco Off, she created a garden room of classic pieces in fresh and vibrant colors.…

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Shopping the Taigan Marketplace

Posted on July 20, 2014 by quintessence   •   3 Comments

Shopping the Taigan Marketplace

As you readers know, I am a long time fan of the Taigan Marketplace, an online shopping site featuring a hand selected collection of a wide range of lifestyle products. I especially like that they focus on small companies, emerging designers and hand crafted artisanal products. Last week, Taigan came to NYC and I had the opportunity to see some of their gift ideas in person. Many are already available so whether you have an upcoming occasion or are starting lists for the holiday season, here are a few suggestions.

For the stylish gentleman in your life, Brackish feather bow ties are a dapper addition. …

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Christmas in July

Posted on July 18, 2014 by quintessence   •   4 Comments

Christmas in July

While this week wasn’t exactly Christmas in July, it was certainly a week of major treats and peeks. Wednesday, I was delighted to have breakfast at The Modern, the elegant restaurant at the Museum of Modern Art to officially welcome Pilar Viladas as the new Architecture & Design Editor at Town and Country. The adjoining sculpture garden was clean and serene after the night’s rain. 

I was then energized for more fall preview shopping, as I traveled downtown for a morning of fashion inspiration. In 2007, Kilian Hennessy, of the French cognac family, launched his eponymous perfume brand, Kilian, that has since become a cult favorite.…

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Fall Product Previews

Posted on July 16, 2014 by quintessence   •   5 Comments

Fall Product Previews

Although the last couple days have felt like monsoon season here, fall is looming on the horizon, at least according to the many companies holding fall product previews this week. While I’m sure I will be revisiting some of these favorites later in the year, I thought a little peek might be helpful to keep these in mind as projects or gift lists start to accumulate. Studio Four is a designer favorite for all things woven and printed for the home. A haven for an artisanal mix of rugs, fabrics and wall coverings, the studio’s young family is expanding in more ways than one.…

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Welcome Privet Lives

Posted on July 13, 2014 by quintessence   •   4 Comments

Welcome Privet Lives

As if the New Preston, CT outpost of Richard Lambertson’s and Suzanne Cassano’s chic shop Privet House wasn’t tempting enough already, this weekend marked the opening of Privet Lives (so clever) in the charmingly diminutive space next door.

A rotating concept shop featuring “highly covetable brands, designers, artisans and artists,” Privet Lives debuted with the gorgeous textile creations of Madeline Weinrib. From rugs and pillows to clothing, tabletop and more, the shop was brimming with colorful creativity.

In the clean and well lit space, it was easy (and tempting) to peruse the well edited version of Madeline’s beautiful creations

in color coordinated displays.…

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At Home Video with Susanna Salk and Marian McEvoy

Posted on July 9, 2014 by quintessence   •   17 Comments

At Home Video with Susanna Salk and Marian McEvoy

Whoever coined the phrase “it’s all in the mix,” must have had the creative and effervescent Marian McEvoy in mind. With a fearless style and steady hand, she takes do-it-yourself crafting to an entirely new level of sophistication. Susanna and I were thrilled to visit Marian in her über charming Hudson River Valley home. Tag along and learn the real power of a glue gun.

With a distinguished early career in fashion, Marian McEvoy was Paris fashion editor for WWD by her early 20′s. The city of lights agreed with her and she remained for 17 years as both an editor and writer, cavorting with everyone from a young Karl Lagerfeld

to fashion mentor Yves Saint Laurent, shown here with Marian in Morocco,

clearly the inspiration for her own back yard, below.…

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