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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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Art & Antiques

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Art & Antiques, Fashion, Interior design

Stylish Shopping Video with Susanna Salk and Mary McDonald

Who wouldn’t want to spend the day with the stylish, vivacious and always entertaining Mary McDonald? With old fashioned style… Read More

Wild Chairy at the AD Home Design Show
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Favorite Finds from the AD Home Design Show

Wallpaper is a wonderful way of imbuing spaces with instant pattern appeal. Whether textural grounds, simple stripes or more elaborate… Read More

cire trudon matches
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Gifts, Interior design

First Look at the 2014 Architectural Digest Home Show

The 2014 Architectural Digest Home Show features fresh finds from old favorites as well as new design discoveries. In the… Read More

Frederick P. Victoria Hollywood Regency chair
Art & Antiques, Design, Food and drink, Garden, Interior design

See You at the 2014 Architectural Digest Home Design Show

Next week the world of design convenes for the 2014 Architectural Digest Home Design Show. Along with Architizer, Apartment Therapy… Read More

Video thumbnail for youtube video blk9e4vhs_y
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home with Timothy Corrigan at Chateau du Grand-Lucé

As the indomitable Ms. Vreeland taught us, the eye indeed has to travel, so today we are delighted to introduce… Read More

Gloria Vanderbilt  Lunar 2013 at 1stDibs
Art & Antiques

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… Read More

cartier chimera mystery clock
Art & Antiques, Jewelry, Travel

Cartier at the Grand Palais Paris

There is a reason the exhibit of Cartier at the Grand Palais in Paris is subtitled “Style and History.” While… Read More

furniture by Jacob at Champ de Bataille
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Garden, Interior design, Travel

Jacques Garcia’s Champ de Bataille

While his design career was launched with such contemporary projects as the Montparnasse Tower and the Meridien group of hotels,… Read More

Paris Adventures
Art & Antiques, Gifts, Interior design, Travel

Adventures in Paris

My apologies for leaving you readers so long without updates. I had fully intended to write from Paris but it… Read More

Wendell Castle’s library steps
Art & Antiques, Gifts

Young Collectors Night at the Winter Antiques Show

Next week marks the opening of the 60th Year Diamond Jubilee of the Winter Antiques Show at the Park Avenue Armory…. Read More

Pouenat
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design, Travel

The Art of Iron at Pouenat

Established in 1880 as a ferronnier, Pouenat has continued to stay relevant and thrive by embracing their heritage while collaborating… Read More

Marie Christophe, Guerlain and Cour des Senteurs
Art & Antiques, Beauty, Gifts, Interior design, Travel

Marie Christophe, Guerlain and Cour des Senteurs

As Paris is only two weeks away, I thought it was an opportune time to write about the amazing confluence… Read More

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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.
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.
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