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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

The Spirit of Christmas at John Derian
Art & Antiques, Design, Gifts, Holiday

The Spirit of Christmas at John Derian

Few places in New York City evoke the holiday spirit quite like Christmas at John Derian‘s enchanting east village shop…. Read More

Highlights from Christie’s Sale of The Collection of Peggy and David Rockefeller
Art & Antiques

Highlights from Christie’s Sale of The Collection of Peggy and David Rockefeller

As you may remember from my post on the Rockefeller Homes and Gardens, next spring Christie’s will offer The Collection… Read More

More from 2017 Rooms with a View
Art & Antiques, Interior design

More from 2017 Rooms with a View

For the 2017 Rooms with a View, designer Robert Passal assembled a vignette entitled The Joy of Eating, celebrating the… Read More

The Salon Art + Design 2017
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

The Salon Art + Design 2017

Tomorrow marks the final day to visit The Salon Art + Design 2017 at the Park Avenue Armory. Including 56… Read More

Roomscapes
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Interior design

Roomscapes

For those of you who just can’t get enough of the masterful vision of Renzo Mongiardino, add the reissue of… Read More

Renzo Mongiardino: A Painterly Vision
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Interior design

Renzo Mongiardino: A Painterly Vision

The current return to maximalism can, in all likelihood, be traced to a single source – Renzo Mongiardino. Even those… Read More

If It’s Tuesday…
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Gifts, Interior design

If It’s Tuesday…

This week felt a bit like the 60s comedy, If It’s Tuesday It Must be Belgium. With a plethora of… Read More

TEFAF New York Fall 2017 Continued
Art & Antiques, Interior design

TEFAF New York Fall 2017 Continued

The number of highly selective dealers and quality of their pieces made it challenging to cover the TEFAF New York… Read More

TEFAF New York Fall 2017
Art & Antiques, Interior design

TEFAF New York Fall 2017

It’s hard to believe it’s already been a year since TEFAF (The European Fine Art Fair) landed stateside in NY. After… Read More

About Decorating: The Remarkable Rooms of Richard Keith Langham
Art & Antiques, Books, Interior design

About Decorating: The Remarkable Rooms of Richard Keith Langham

Rather like his own personality, Richard Keith Langham’s interiors never take themselves too seriously. Yet they all possess an easy… Read More

Thank You
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Thank You

A big thank you to Lillian August for hosting me and Susanna Salk for a hopping At Home with Dogs… Read More

Sotheby’s Collections and Curiosities
Art & Antiques

Sotheby’s Collections and Curiosities

Please excuse the brevity of this post but I wanted to make readers aware of a marvelous auction tomorrow at… Read More

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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!!
Some homes are beautiful. Others tell a story. Th Some homes are beautiful. Others tell a story. 
The Yucatán home of interior designer @laurakirar and architect Richard Frazier @rwf333 is both -  a masterful reflection of its surroundings, where architecture, landscape, light, and craftsmanship come together in perfect harmony.
Tag along for a visit to this extraordinary retreat and discover how years of collecting, collaboration, and creative vision shaped a house that feels deeply connected to its place. LINK IN PROFILE
Wishing everyone a very happy Mother’s Day! 🌸 Flow Wishing everyone a very happy Mother’s Day! 🌸 Flowers from my thoughtful husband - all else from my shop (plates coming soon - DM to be notified).
Great day at this year’s @thetickingtent with a fa Great day at this year’s @thetickingtent with a fabulous selection of new and repeat vendors in a spacious new tent ! A few of my faves - some of which didn’t make it in only because I couldn’t get good shots with the crowds! Wonderful to see so many design friends and congrats to @christinajuarezandco and @aspoonfulofbenjamin on an even bigger and better event at the beautiful @springhillvineyards !
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