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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Month: January 2013

Bertoia Bush Sculpture at Lost City Arts
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Young Collectors Night at the Winter Antiques Show

Young Collectors Night at the Winter Antiques Show focusses on a new generation of art and design enthusiasts. It was… Read More

Hyde Park Antiques regency sofa table detail
Art & Antiques, Design, Gifts, Interior design, Jewelry

1stDibs Designers Preview at the Winter Antiques Show

Before the throngs arrived on opening morning at the Winter Antiques Show, I was delighted to attend the Designers’ Preview… Read More

Pierre Frey 1920 print
Design, Interior design, Travel

Pierre Frey Paris | Part 2

Continuing our look at the beautiful new Pierre Frey Paris collections, I thought you might enjoy seeing a bit more… Read More

Video thumbnail for youtube video 5xtm1pwzcys
Design, Interior design, Travel

BEHIND THE Q | Pierre Frey at Paris Deco Off

In this era of corporate consolidation and luxury conglomerates, Pierre Frey is a breath of fresh air. While I have… Read More

Champagne toast
Interior design, Travel

Thank you Currey and Company

Taking a break from Paris, I’d like to revisit Atlanta briefly to thank Currey & Company, who hosted me for… Read More

fornasetti Teatro in linen and aqua
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design, Travel

Cole and Son Fornasetti II at Maison et Objet

Cole and Son has long been one of my favorite wallpaper lines so I was delighted to see their booth… Read More

Gaston y Daniela Jaen
Design, Interior design, Travel

A Taste of Paris Deco Off

In this fourth edition of Paris Deco Off, over 70 houses have participated in presenting their latest collections throughout the… Read More

Paris Collage
Style

Hello from Maison et Objet and Paris Deco Off

A quick bonjour to all of you from Paris as I write from my charming hotel room. It’s been a… Read More

Mr. Brown horn boxes and tray
Design, Gifts, Interior design

New Atlanta Digs for Mr. Brown

Several spaces at AmericasMart were celebrating expanded showrooms, including the always charming Mr. Brown. The stylish younger sibling of the… Read More

Girl’s bedroom with blue toile
Interior design

Suzanne Kasler in Buckhead

Although I am on my way to Paris, I wanted to fill you in a bit on my trip last… Read More

SFERRA Lose Count
Interior design

SFERRA | The Luxury of Quality, Values and Style

If luxury is determined by value, quality and craftsmanship and the sign of true authenticity is a vision that has… Read More

DBC-HOF-Logo-150×150
Design, Interior design

Thank You Design Bloggers Conference

A big thank you to those who nominated me for the Design Bloggers Conference Hall of Fame Awards. I am… Read More

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A magical retreat on Paros. There’s something so c A magical retreat on Paros. There’s something so compelling about the home of an artist and collector and @toddmarshard’s is as distinctive and personal as his work @Marshard.Paros . The ceramic artist has filled his stunning home with art and collections gathered over a lifetime. Our latest At Home With is now live - LINK IN PROFILE

Architecture: ALONI | Architects — Elena Terzi @iaveria & Dimitris Popotas
Nantucket baskets are suddenly everywhere this sum Nantucket baskets are suddenly everywhere this summer — filling Instagram feeds, appearing in the pages of The New York Times and garnering attention in publications around the world. Coveted by collectors and a whole new generation of enthusiasts, these iconic baskets are having an undeniable moment. Yet behind all the current excitement is a fascinating story of history, tradition, ingenuity and exceptional craftsmanship.

Five years ago, I had the privilege of making this film with @Mary_emery_design, Director of Heritage Craft for the @nantuckethistoricalassociation , exploring the history and evolution of Nantucket lightship baskets through the people who know them best. We visited master basket makers Karl and Susan Ottison, Tim Parsons and Nap Plank, and heard about legendary maker José Reyes from his son-in-law, Maurice Gibbs. We also spent time with Nantucket scrimshander Michael Vienneau, whose work illustrates another chapter in the continuing evolution of the basket.

The film was made at the time the Nantucket Lightship Basket Museum became affiliated with the Nantucket Historical Association, bringing its extraordinary collection — and the stories and traditions it represents — into the care of the NHA.

With Nantucket baskets now capturing the attention of an entirely new audience, it seemed the perfect time to revisit the film and celebrate the remarkable makers, history and craftsmanship behind this enduring Nantucket tradition.

Watch the full film at the link in bio.
August, stay a while. August, stay a while.
Charleston has a way of drawing people back again Charleston has a way of drawing people back again and again—and homes like this remind us why.
Tag along as designer @michaelmitchelldesigner welcomes us inside his gracious home, where layers of history, thoughtful collecting, and a deeply personal approach to design make every room a reflection of both its owner and the city itself.
LINK IN PROFILE.
One of my favorite things about setting a table is One of my favorite things about setting a table is that it never has to begin from scratch.

The most beautiful tables are collected over time—mixing old favorites with new discoveries, heirlooms with contemporary pieces, and the things you’ve loved for years with something that brings fresh perspective.

For this table, I’ve paired PeterDunham + Hudson Grace’s (@peterdunhamdesign @hudsongracesf ) beautiful salad and bread plates and napkins with Blue Carnation dinner plates, table linens, glassware, and flatware from my shop, alongside a few favorite pieces from my personal collection.

I hope this table is a reminder that you don’t need everything to match—or come from one place. The magic is in the mix. Every new piece should make you fall in love with the pieces you already own all over again.

That’s the joy of collecting—and the beauty of a table that reflects your own story.

Shop the table through link in profile
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