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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

contract
Fashion, Interior design

Behind the Scenes at Kravet

I’ve always been fascinated by textile design. So you can imagine how thrilled I was to have the opportunity, with… Read More

sarah and david
Interior design

Elle Decor Modern Life Concept House

Tuesday night, as part of the incredible line up of activities that Kravet arranged for Blogfest, we were invited to… Read More

P1010220
Entertainment, Interior design

Traditional Home Presents Lee Jofa’s Heritage Collection

Although today is usually Wednesday Wine, there has been so much happening at Blogfest, I felt the need to catch… Read More

P1010157
Interior design

Blogfest Day 1

What a fabulous gathering this was today. Every touch point has been well organized and entertaining. From the moment we… Read More

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Art & Antiques, Interior design

Nirvana in Westchester

This spring is hopping with design activities, from benefits and showhouses to Brimfield and Blogfest. Last week I had the… Read More

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Books, Entertainment, Fashion, Interior design, Jewelry

Royal Wedding Redux

For those of you who followed our Royal Wedding contest, you can now enjoy a taste of the festivities vicariously!!… Read More

dunes & duchess
Gifts, Interior design

Design on a Dime

Last Thursday evening I attended the Design on a Dime opening night party to benefit Housing Works. This was the seventh… Read More

chain close up
Entertainment, Food and drink, Interior design

Supper in the Stable

Going to Churchill Downs this weekend? Have your hat selected? Your picks ready? Lucky you!! But for those of us… Read More

Diane Sawiki & home boutique
Interior design

Help is Here

Saturday night I was invited to the press preview of the Greenwich Chapter of the American Red Cross‘s annual Red… Read More

dress
Gifts, Interior design

Tabletop Royalty

For those wondering what to get the royal couple, Kate and William have asked guests to make donations to selected… Read More

kate & will home
Fashion, Interior design

Bag the Bag!!

Our Royal Wedding Contest continues this week. Enter by Friday for a chance to win this fabulous Joanna Lhuillier bag, whose… Read More

pink
Design, Interior design

Hatching Style

You may have noticed Michelle Hatch‘s beautiful pillows featured as part of von Hemert Interior’s Royal Wedding event. I was… 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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