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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

Château de Villette
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Interior design

Château de Villette

With design attributed to François Mansart (architect to Louis XIV) and gardens inspired by, if not actually designed by Le… Read More

At Home in Los Angeles with Richard Shapiro
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Garden, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in Los Angeles with Richard Shapiro

Enter Richard Shapiro‘s extraordinary home and it’s difficult to believe you are in the center of Los Angeles. Created with… Read More

Nantucket Friday Favorites – Oldest House Reimagined
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Nantucket Friday Favorites – Oldest House Reimagined

For the third year, as part of Nantucket by Design, NYSID students were invited to reimagine the front rooms of… Read More

Nantucket Friday Favorites – Greater Light
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Nantucket Friday Favorites – Greater Light

I’m woefully late for last week’s Friday favorite from here on Nantucket. All I can say is that island time… Read More

At Home on Nantucket with Gary McBournie
Art & Antiques, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel, Video

At Home on Nantucket with Gary McBournie

Drive up to designer Gary McBournie‘s charming Nantucket home and you are greeted by an enormous green privet hedge punctuated… Read More

In Auction News – Pierre Bergé at Sotheby’s
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

In Auction News – Pierre Bergé at Sotheby’s

This year has seen some amazing auctions unfold and the action will continue this October in Paris as Sotheby’s just… Read More

At Home in New York City with Frank de Biasi
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design, Video

At Home in New York City with Frank de Biasi

In a bland box of a lower Park Avenue pre-war, designer Frank de Biasi and partner, fashion and textile designer… Read More

72 Hours in France!
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Garden, Interior design, Travel

72 Hours in France!

As mentioned in my last post, I spent 72 hours in France this week with Susanna Salk, filming two new… Read More

Catching Up Out and About
Art & Antiques, Interior design

Catching Up Out and About

The last few weeks have been a whirlwind and while I am just about on my way to Paris (more… Read More

At Home and at RW Guild with Roman and Williams
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design, Video

At Home and at RW Guild with Roman and Williams

It’s challenging to describe the style of Robin Standefer and Stephen Alesch – the celebrated design duo behind Roman and… Read More

Final Look – 2018 Kips Bay Show House
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Final Look – 2018 Kips Bay Show House

Today we start our final look at the 2018 Kips Bay Show House on the fourth floor with Alexa Hampton‘s… Read More

Kips Bay Decorator Show House 2018 – Part II
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Kips Bay Decorator Show House 2018 – Part II

Walk up to the second floor of the Kips Bay Decorator Show House 2018 edition and you are met with… 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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