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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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Design

BlogTour: Old & New at the V&A: Murray Moss
Art & Antiques, Design

BlogTour: Old & New at the V&A: Murray Moss

What an incredible whirlwind of a trip BlogTour was. Design 24 hours a day with nonstop visual inspiration. Thanks to… Read More

24-september-e-bulletin
Design

Report from the London Design Festival

I’m afraid, dear readers, you will have to wait until my return to read about my fabulous adventures here at… Read More

LEGO_Greenhouse_03_thumb
Art & Antiques, Design, Garden, Interior design, Style

Creative Collaboration: Legos in London

My love for legos is no secret. I have written about them before here and people who know me understand my… Read More

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Design, Fashion, Interior design

Hanging out at Fashion Week – the Mercedes Benz Star Lounge

I’m always amazed by all the towering shoes I see at Fashion Week. Between waiting for shows and standing in… Read More

mendel finale 2
Fashion, Interior design

Fashion Week Spring 2012 – J. Mendel

I’m always interested in the synergy between different design venues, so I was very curious when Gilles Mendel cited Dorothy… Read More

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Fashion, Interior design, Jewelry

Brimfield Bounty 2

As a neophyte Brimfield attendee, I must admit the enormity of the event was a tad overwhelming. Luckily, after checking… Read More

bedding_quiltsandshams
Design, Interior design, Travel

Brimfield Bounty

I had heard about the fabulous antiques venue at Brimfield for years and last week, for the first time, was… Read More

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Design, Interior design

Announcing Pandora de Balthazár

I’m thrilled to announce that the project I have been working on this summer is now live. It’s been my… Read More

BlogTour Collaborative Creativity: Wallunica & Spirit of Sports
Art & Antiques, Design, Gifts, Interior design

BlogTour Collaborative Creativity: Wallunica & Spirit of Sports

One of the most wonderful aspects of the upcoming BlogTour event I will be attending in London is its collaborative nature…. Read More

London Calling
Design, Interior design, Travel

London Calling

I have been waiting to tell you a very exciting development and now that all seems to be in place,… Read More

bennington_pool-1
Garden, Style, Travel

Country Charm in the Garden

On our way to visit Dominique Browning for our BEHIND THE Q weekend, Dr. Pat and I first stopped in… Read More

Video thumbnail for youtube video lejmvrpo8oa
Architecture, Entertainment, Fashion

Fantastical Friday!

Please stop back tomorrow for At the Movies. We’ve had a lot of comings and goings at the quintessential home… 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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