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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Art & Antiques

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Art & Antiques, Interior design

Working the Wakefield

Tucked away in an industrial park in Stamford, CT is a wonderful design resource. Last week I attended a fun… Read More

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Art & Antiques, Fashion

A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Couple

Photo: Lee Clower for The New York Times I had an entirely different post planned for today, but after reading this… Read More

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Art & Antiques, Jewelry

Set In Style Gallery Tour

As you know, I was entranced by the Cooper Hooper Set In Style Van Cleef show. (For any new visitors,… Read More

Singerie Chic
Art & Antiques, Books, Gifts, Jewelry

Singerie Chic

There is something about monkeys that people find irresistible. Have you ever noticed how often they appear in art, both… Read More

Video thumbnail for youtube video r9goqu1xrjk
Art & Antiques

Rembrandt Remembered

There are many museum exhibits in New York that I’m dying to see. One that just opened last week is… Read More

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Architecture, Art & Antiques

Miniature Mania

photo of Oregon State Beavers by Greg Keene Have you ever seen a photograph like this – where it looks… Read More

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Art & Antiques, Books, Entertainment, Food and drink, Gifts, Travel

Year of the Rabbit

As everyone now knows, this is the year of the rabbit, the 4th animal in the 12-year cycle of the… Read More

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Art & Antiques, Books

Dear Diary

Diary of Sophia Peabody Hawthorne (1809–1871), 1862. Gift of Lorenz Reich, Jr., 1980. Photo courtesy of The Morgan Library. I… Read More

the_wind_42
Art & Antiques, Fashion

Art & Commerce

photo by Bruno Gaget We’re starting to see a lot more of Marissa Webb, Head of Women’s Design at J…. Read More

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Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Entertainment

Lego Love

My daughter is lego obsessed. And I couldn’t be happier. What a wonderful creative outlet for kids. With all her… Read More

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Art & Antiques

Auction Update

Last weekend I wrote about the (then) upcoming auction at Doyle that I thought had many appealing and reasonably priced… Read More

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Art & Antiques

Thinking Outside the Box

I love how the Met is using items from their collection to create smaller accessible shows that, like their new… 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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