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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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    • Books that I have collaborated on, as photographer, with design author Susanna Salk
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    • At Home with Dogs and Their Designers: Sharing a Stylish Life
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    • Making a House a Home: Designing Your Interiors from the Floor Up
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Stacey Bewkes

A New Year’s Salute to our Four Legged Friends
Interior design

A New Year’s Salute to our Four Legged Friends

We had a recent scare with our dog Charlie, who I am happy to report is fine. But it was… Read More

New Year’s Movies
Holiday

New Year’s Movies

Welcome to 2015! Whether out and about or celebrating at home, I hope you all ushered in the new year with style…. Read More

Quintessential Guide to Champagne 2014
Food and drink, Holiday

Quintessential Guide to Champagne 2014

While I am a proponent of drinking champagne throughout the year, there is certainly no more traditional time to celebrate with a… Read More

More Additions for Your Design Library
Books, Interior design

More Additions for Your Design Library

Since there is never enough time to catch up on all the new fall design titles, I thought this week,… Read More

Holiday Movies
Holiday

Holiday Movies

For those who celebrated, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas. Ours was filled with family frenzy and fun…. Read More

Christmas Eve Tidings
Holiday

Christmas Eve Tidings

Every year Christmas Eve somehow sneaks up on me, reminding me somehow of Carl Sandburg’s fog. And this year, it has… Read More

Interior Design Books for Holiday Giving
Books, Holiday, Interior design

Interior Design Books for Holiday Giving

Interior design books are always high on the holiday gifting list in these parts and while we’re in the home… Read More

Walton Park a Dollhouse Dream
Gifts, Holiday, Interior design

Walton Park a Dollhouse Dream

While Nina Campbell‘s granddaughter may be the distinguished designer’s youngest client, her dollhouse, featured in our recent video, may have set her grandmother on a new… Read More

Nina Campbell Shops Christmas in Connecticut
Holiday, Interior design

Nina Campbell Shops Christmas in Connecticut

With an international following and commissions around the world, Nina Campbell is one of the industry’s most well known and… Read More

Verdura Accessories for Affordable Gift Glamour
Design, Gifts, Holiday, Interior design, Style

Verdura Accessories for Affordable Gift Glamour

Less than 10 days remain to see the wonderful Verdura at 75 exhibit. I encourage any of you within the… Read More

The Intricate World of Saint-Louis Paperweights
Art & Antiques, Design

The Intricate World of Saint-Louis Paperweights

While you may know crystal maker Saint-Louis  primarily for their elegant glassware and lighting, throughout their distinguished history they have also produced… Read More

Austria in the Air and Other Online Gallavanting
Fashion, Gifts, Style, Travel

Austria in the Air and Other Online Gallavanting

You may remember last year at this time I suggested a visit to the Neue Galerie Gift Shop as all things… Read More

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Some people never seem to run out of ideas. Design Some people never seem to run out of ideas. Designer @maxsinsteden is one of them!

Tag along with me and @susannasalk as we visit Max at his wonderfully inventive Rhode Island cottage.
From clever custom details and ingenious decorating solutions to extraordinary collections and plenty of personality, Max has created a house that’s as elegant as it is relaxed. And he’s wonderfully generous about sharing the thinking behind it all.

Trust me, there are plenty of ideas worth stealing!
Watch the full episode on Quintessence and YouTube. LINK IN PROFILE.
Bridging the seasons with soft pink and amber, a b Bridging the seasons with soft pink and amber, a bevy of dahlias and beautiful hand blown Brume de Verre glasses from @ascherparis
40 years ❤️ 40 years ❤️
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.
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