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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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    • At Home with Dogs and Their Designers: Sharing a Stylish Life
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    • At Home with Designers and Tastemakers: Creating Beautiful and Personal Interiors
    • Making a House a Home: Designing Your Interiors from the Floor Up
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Interior design

Wood shop clocks
Art & Antiques, Design, Gifts, Interior design

Wood Shop

This past week I visited the fun concept store, Wood Shop, in NoLIta. The brainchild  of David Stark, the art… Read More

Natural Curiosities’ Paper Rose Bed
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

New York Gift Show Finale

I would imagine many of you are familiar with Belgian designer Serge de Troyer and his Miami based company. His… Read More

Mr. Brown Pearl Chair
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

New York Gift Fair Finds II

While I couldn’t possibly write about all the wonderful vendors I saw at the New York Gift Show, I thought… Read More

Holly Stuart Designs
Design, Gifts, Interior design

New York Gift Fair Finds Part 1

This is going to be a year of many firsts for me – and one was my visit to the… Read More

Antique chaise with pink ticking fabric and homemade quilt
Architecture, Design, Interior design

Living with Color in Connecticut Part II

For any who missed Monday’s post, we are continuing our tour of an amazing Diamond Baratta designed house in Connecticut,… Read More

Antique weathervane collection
Architecture, Design, Interior design

Living with Color in Connecticut

There are some people who live in neutral, some who live in drive and some who live in overdrive. The… Read More

Design Blogger Hall of Fame Award
Design, Interior design

Thank You

While some of you already know, I had to take just a brief moment to acknowledge those who nominated me… Read More

Ravensburger dragon 1,000 piece dragon puzzle
Art & Antiques, Design, Entertainment, Fashion, Gifts, Holiday, Interior design

Happy Chinese New Year

Today is the beginning of the new lunar year in China. As the most important holiday in the country, people… Read More

Hugh Henry flat sitting room in Earls Court
Architecture, Design, Entertainment, Fashion, Interior design, Travel

British Style Bonanza

Between the mania for Downton Abbey and the popularity of Will and Kate, it’s clear British style is making a… Read More

Video thumbnail for youtube video lb3oeaemml8
Architecture, Design, Entertainment, Interior design

Dark Shadows

I knew it would happen eventually. With the vampire mania of the last few years, it was just a matter of… Read More

Studio Peregalli home on Lake maggiore
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Interior design

The Invention of the Past

I received many beautiful design and coffee table books for Christmas this year (a few admittedly from me to me)…. Read More

Walton Ford print at Peter Fasano’s house
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design, Travel

Road Trip: Peter Fasano

I have long been a fan of Peter Fasano‘s appealing fabrics and wallpapers, so when designer friend Mally Skok (below)… 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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