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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Month: September 2016

John Derian Picture Book
Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Gifts, Interior design

John Derian Picture Book

If ever there was a person who has built a hugely successful and much imitated business based on a very… Read More

Sneak Peek Fall 2016 New York Tabletop Show
Entertaining, Gifts, Style, Tabletop

Sneak Peek Fall 2016 New York Tabletop Show

In the midst of the very busy early fall season, yesterday marked the opening of the Fall 2016 New York… Read More

Wanderlust by Michelle Nussbaumer
Art & Antiques, Books, Interior design

Wanderlust by Michelle Nussbaumer

While many designers glean inspiration from their travels, Michelle Nussbaumer takes her love of worldly cultures and treasures to another… Read More

Animalia at the San Francisco Fall Art & Antiques Show
Art & Antiques, Interior design

Animalia at the San Francisco Fall Art & Antiques Show

Next month the 35th edition of the San Francisco Fall Art & Antiques Show will bring together sixty top dealers… Read More

What’s New What’s Next with Windsor Smith and Arteriors
Design, Interior design

What’s New What’s Next with Windsor Smith and Arteriors

This Thursday the eighth annual What’s New What’s Next kicks off the fall design season with their popular venue at… Read More

At Home With Susanna Salk and Brian McCarthy
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Garden, Interior design

At Home With Susanna Salk and Brian McCarthy

At the venerable Parish-Hadley firm, interior designer Brian McCarthy learned from the best of the best. An Architectural Digest AD100 and… Read More

Beautiful by Mark D. Sikes
Books, Interior design

Beautiful by Mark D. Sikes

Anyone who follows Mark D. Sikes on his popular blog is familiar with his love of  “chic people, glamorous places… Read More

2016 Biennale des Antiquaires and Robert de Balkany at Sotheby’s
Art & Antiques, Interior design, Jewelry, Travel

2016 Biennale des Antiquaires and Robert de Balkany at Sotheby’s

This week and next are going to be a very busy couple of weeks in Paris for the world of… Read More

Design Leadership Summit 2016 Preview
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design, Travel

Design Leadership Summit 2016 Preview

One of the highlights of last year’s design calendar was the Design Leadership Summit in Los Angeles. Celebrating ten years… Read More

Introducing Soane Fall 2016
Design, Interior design

Introducing Soane Fall 2016

I have written about Soane on many occasions in the past as they represent all that I love in the world… Read More

Happy Labor Day
Style

Happy Labor Day

As we bid goodbye to summer and usher in the unofficial beginning of fall, I wish you all a very… Read More

Friday Five Favorite Finds X Part II
Fashion, Gifts, Jewelry, Nantucket, Travel

Friday Five Favorite Finds X Part II

As summer winds down and flip flops and straw hats segue into less casual attire, thoughts turn to fashion for fall…. Read More

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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
Very excited to be returning to @eleishvanbreems o Very excited to be returning to @eleishvanbreems on Nantucket for a 2 day trunk show next Thursday and Friday! If on island, do stop by! There will be many new introductions you will be the first to see!!
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