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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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Books

New York Botanical Garden Celebrates 125 Years
Architecture, Books, Design, Garden

New York Botanical Garden Celebrates 125 Years

This year the New York Botanical Garden celebrates 125 years. One of New York City’s most prized cultural institutions, the Botanical… Read More

Martyn Lawrence Bullard Design & Decoration
Books, Interior design

Martyn Lawrence Bullard Design & Decoration

“I am lucky. I wake up each morning knowing that whatever that day brings, I will have been creative, designed… Read More

Out and About
Art & Antiques, Books, Fashion, Interior design

Out and About

While I’ve been busy out and about, I’ve been bookmarking a few interesting tidbits to circle back around with to take a… Read More

More Patina Farm Style
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Travel

More Patina Farm Style

Thank you to so many of you who stopped by and left such lovely comments about Susanna’s and my video visit to Brooke… Read More

It’s the Little Things in New Preston
Books, Design, Garden, Gifts, Interior design

It’s the Little Things in New Preston

The town of New Preston, CT may be tiny but it looms large as a design destination. And this weekend, seven… Read More

Past Perfect: Richard Shapiro Houses and Gardens
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Garden, Interior design

Past Perfect: Richard Shapiro Houses and Gardens

Enter Richard Shapiro’s new book Past Perfect and prepare to be transported. Dive into its pages of exquisite photography by Jason… Read More

It’s the Little Things
Books, Design, Interior design

It’s the Little Things

“In my own home, it’s the combination and juxtaposition of meaningful details that bring emotion to every room and make… Read More

At Home with Susanna Salk and Hutton Wilkinson
Architecture, Books, Garden, Interior design, Jewelry, Travel

At Home with Susanna Salk and Hutton Wilkinson

A multi-talented creative force, Hutton Wilkinson began his career at the age of 18 as apprentice to design icon Tony Duquette. He went… Read More

Weekend Inspiration
Books, Interior design, Travel

Weekend Inspiration

Before it’s time for the many upcoming spring design events, I wanted to share some weekend inspiration I’ve been stockpiling over… Read More

Inside Venice
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Garden, Interior design, Travel

Inside Venice

Celebrating the best of Venetian decorative arts, Inside Venice offers us a private view of the city’s most beautiful and rarely seen… Read More

2016 Antiques and Garden Show of Nashville
Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Food and drink, Garden, Interior design, Travel

2016 Antiques and Garden Show of Nashville

I am very excited to be heading south this weekend to the Antiques and Garden Show of Nashville where I will… Read More

A Day at Château de Fontainebleau
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Interior design, Travel

A Day at Château de Fontainebleau

Whereas many chateaux are associated primarily with a particular resident or royal, Chateau de Fontainebleau represents almost 1,000 years of… 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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