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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Garden

The New York Botanical Garden Orchid Dinner
Garden, Interior design

The New York Botanical Garden Orchid Dinner

The New York Botanical Garden Orchid Dinner is always a favorite event of the season. This past Tuesday evening, in its… Read More

the NYBG Orchid Dinner Collage
Design, Garden, Interior design

First Peek at the NYBG Orchid Dinner

Last night was the NYBG Orchid Dinner, the annual tabletop fundraiser for the development of the New York Botanical Garden’s… Read More

Antiques & Garden Show of Nashville
Art & Antiques, Garden, Interior design, Travel

Antiques & Garden Show of Nashville

The Antiques & Garden Show of Nashville is a much anticipated event of the season. A highlight of not only… Read More

Quick Peek at Nashville
Art & Antiques, Garden, Interior design, Travel

Quick Peek at Nashville

I’ve just arrived back from a whirlwind trip down south and wanted to at least give you a quick peek at what I saw in… 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 Visit to Weatherstone
Architecture, Food and drink, Garden, Interior design

A Visit to Weatherstone

Thank you all for the many comments and shares here and across social media for Susanna’s and my video visit with… Read More

At Home in the Garden with Carolyne Roehm Video
Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Food and drink, Garden

At Home in the Garden with Carolyne Roehm Video

Carolyne Roehm is as at home in the couturier’s atelier as she is in the kitchen, in the studio or… Read More

Lake Como and Beyond | Italy Redux
Architecture, Design, Garden, Interior design, Travel

Lake Como and Beyond | Italy Redux

There is only so much I can put in a post without it becoming overwhelming and unwieldy. While I hope… Read More

The World of Romeo Sozzi and Promemoria
Design, Garden, Interior design, Travel

The World of Romeo Sozzi and Promemoria

Designer Romeo Sozzi sees the world through a lens of beauty, passion and creativity. Continually curious, endlessly inspired, he carries… Read More

Outstanding American Gardens | A Celebration 25 Years of the Garden Conservancy
Garden

Outstanding American Gardens | A Celebration 25 Years of the Garden Conservancy

In 1988 “horticultural enthusiast” Frank Cabot had a vision. So inspired by a visit to Ruth Bancroft’s unusual garden of succulents near… Read More

Nantucket House Tour | Stylish in Sconset
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Garden, Interior design

Nantucket House Tour | Stylish in Sconset

Most Nantucket regulars would agree that September is the most beautiful month on island. The throngs of tourists have left, you… Read More

A Day at Château de Vaux le Vicomte
Architecture, Garden, Interior design, Travel

A Day at Château de Vaux le Vicomte

While no doubt familiar with the palatial splendor of Louis XIV’s Versailles, what you may not know is that the inspiration, and… 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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