International House Guest Video with Susanna Salk and Timothy Corrigan

Posted on March 6, 2014 by quintessence   •   13 Comments

International House Guest Video with Susanna Salk and Timothy Corrigan

As the indomitable Ms. Vreeland taught us, the eye indeed has to travel, so today we are delighted to introduce a new video series, International House Guest. Our first episode takes us to the Loire Valley where designer Timothy Corrigan has meticulously renovated Château du Grand-Lucé, transforming this estate of impressive stature and significance into his chic french home. Susanna and I were thrilled to pay Tim a visit in January and even the dreary winter weather couldn’t dampen our spirits as we settled into chateau life. Join us for a visit to this remarkable residence.

While Chateau du Grand-Lucé is a national landmark in France, representing one of the purest examples of 18th century architecture, comfort reigns supreme and it’s truly a testament to Tim’s talents that, at 40,000 square feet, it is also one of the coziest and welcoming abodes I have ever visited.…

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Posted in architecture, art, interior design, International House Guest, Stylish Shopping, travel | Tagged , , , , , | 13 Comments  

Thank you Design Bloggers Conference and Stay Tuned

Posted on March 5, 2014 by quintessence   •   9 Comments

Thank you Design Bloggers Conference and Stay Tuned

A big thank you to all who came to hear Susanna Salk and me speak at the Design Bloggers Conference in Atlanta yesterday. We were honored to be part of such a great line up. While it was wonderful to see so many friends and meet some new members of the blogosphere our special treat was running into Timothy Corrigan, who had spoken the day before, on our way to the airport.
 

And what a coincidence, since we will be debuting our new video series “International House Guest” based on our recent stay at Timothy Corrigan’s Chateau du Grand-Lucé  on Thursday (tomorrow).…

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NY Botanical Garden Orchid Dinner Continued

Posted on March 2, 2014 by quintessence   •   7 Comments

NY Botanical Garden Orchid Dinner Continued

For those of you who aren’t normally weekend readers, please take a moment to look back at the last post covering Gloria Vanderbilt’s new exhibition. It is a testament to the power of creativity and that age is merely a number not a limitation. Moving on, today we continue our look at this year’s beautiful tables at the Botanical Garden Orchid Dinner. One of the most creative arrangements was orchestrated by Aamir Khandwala for Robert Couturier in which a halo of orchids was suspended over the table. In a clever play on negative space, a hand sculpted metal ring by artist Roque Rey functions as the centerpiece, with the overhanging florals offering an embracing yet spacious surround.…

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Gloria Vanderbilt | The Left Hand is the Dreamer at 1stDibs

Posted on March 1, 2014 by quintessence   •   8 Comments

Gloria Vanderbilt | The Left Hand is the Dreamer at 1stDibs

Gloria Vanderbilt may not be left handed, but as her latest painting exhibit at 1stDibs, “The Left Hand is the Dreamer” references, she perhaps wishes she were. Alluding to mythology and palmistry, she explained the left ring finger, the only one on which she wears polish, is a direct conduit to the heart and her imagination, from which the new works emanate.
Seeing her the other evening at the opening for the show, above with 1stdibs editor Tony Freund, it was hard to imagine that she is 90 and that the 50 + paintings, mostly pastels, were all completed in the last year.…

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NYBG Orchid Dinner Tables

Posted on February 27, 2014 by quintessence   •   6 Comments

NYBG Orchid Dinner Tables

While perhaps challenging in its specificity, the Key West Modernism theme at the NYBG Orchid Dinner couldn’t have been more welcome in a city that has lately felt more like Siberia than Gotham. A great crowd assembled to celebrate the table designers’ creativity, perhaps purchase one of the coveted rare specimens for sale before dinner
and of course to support the New York Botanical Garden. In choosing the participating designers, Veranda Magazine brought together a group whose concepts of warm weather entertaining each expressed a separate and distinct vision.

Thomas Burak and Michael Devine (whose new entertaining book I recently reviewed) looking dapper below, created a whimsical confection of tropical hues, above.…

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Behind the Scenes Video at the New York Botanical Garden Orchid Dinner

Posted on February 25, 2014 by quintessence   •   9 Comments

Behind the Scenes Video at the New York Botanical Garden Orchid Dinner

Sometimes it indeed takes a village and this is often the case when the talented designers are creating tables for the annual New York Botanical Garden Orchid Dinner sponsored by Veranda Magazine. We were delighted to tag along with Philip Gorrivan for the day as his vision for his Key West Contemporary table came together. Follow Susanna Salk as she learns how he creates the fantasy along with some tips for fashioning fantastic tabletops at home.

From initial concept to final fruition, Philip’s table was a true creative collaboration. The dramatic centerpiece by Olivier Giugni and Ryan Reid Zoeller of l’Olivier Floral Atelier and the art-inspired tablecloth by decorative painter Sylvie Michel Bilger of Metamorfaux were integral elements in the overall design.…

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Veering Toward Velvet

Posted on February 23, 2014 by quintessence   •   9 Comments

Veering Toward Velvet

Many of the design developments from 2013 are still going strong for the coming year including a love of brass, blue, nature inspired pattern and print and the appealing tactile quality of velvet. And like the return of flowering fabrics, velvet offers a plethora of possibilities for updates on tradition. With some final picks from Paris Deco Off, here a few favorites spied in my all too brief visit to the showrooms. Dedar introduced a full line of opulent options. The star of the show was their spectacular Coup de Foudre cupro velvet.

A gorgeous hand woven jacquard inspired by Persian designs, the two toned pattern is available is five luscious colorways including the eye popping pink and orange above and a rich blue variation below.…

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New York Botanical Garden Orchid Dinner Preview

Posted on February 20, 2014 by quintessence   •   4 Comments

New York Botanical Garden Orchid Dinner Preview

One of my favorite events of the winter design scene is The New York Botanical Garden’s annual Orchid Dinner. Serving as a fundraising prelude to the annual Orchid Show, the Garden has continued its collaboration with Veranda in bringing together over 25 top NYC designers (see this year’s list below) to create spectacular orchid centerpieces and tabletops.
The theme of this year’s show, Key West Contemporary, opening March 1, should provide plenty of tropical inspiration.
Inspired by a modern garden originally designed by landscape architect Raymond Jungles for Susan Henshaw Jones, President of the Museum of the City of New York, and Judge Richard K.…

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An Invitation to the Garden from Michael Devine

Posted on February 18, 2014 by quintessence   •   11 Comments

An Invitation to the Garden from Michael Devine

With our recent Siberian-like weather, An Invitation to the Garden arrived at my door like a welcome breath of spring. Authored and photographed (with John Gruen) by multi talented friend Michael Devine, the volume transports you to his charming garden in upstate New York where he has created twelve enchanting seasonal events with 50 approachable recipes. An entertaining guide with both inspirational and practical information, Michael shares menu, floral and presentation tips that can be adapted to any  space. Whether you have an ample country garden or grow herbs on an apartment windowsill, you’ll be chomping at the bit to plan your next dinner party with all the creative ideas inside.…

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Posted in food and drink, garden, interior design | Tagged , , , , , | 11 Comments  

Updating Pretty in a Classic 1930s Revival

Posted on February 16, 2014 by quintessence   •   4 Comments

Updating Pretty in a Classic 1930s Revival

There was a time when pretty didn’t have such a positive connotation in the world of design. But no longer – pretty is most definitely back with a fresh new spin on tradition. And the upcoming March/April Veranda showcases a lovely example with designer Rob Southern’s timeless take on a classic 1930s revival gracing the cover of the issue.
While it may seem that Southern started with an embarrassment of riches – a light filled 6,000 square foot NYC pre-war apartment with river views – he was intent on restoring the space to its original 1930′s lines. So after raising the ceilings and staining the floorings a deep lustrous walnut, he then approached the task of creating an ageless interior that could grow with the owners and their young family.…

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Posted in architecture, art, interior design | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments