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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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Design

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

P1010898
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

Video thumbnail for vimeo video 967258
Architecture, Travel

Wednesday Wine

How perfect that we are discussing the winery at Quintessa today. It represents owners Valeria and Augstin Huneeus’ dream of… Read More

Video thumbnail for vimeo video 27753418
Fashion, Gifts, Interior design, Travel

Behind the Q – Both Sides Now

As many of you now know, after BEHIND THE Q, I run an additional post from my side of our… Read More

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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!!
Some homes are beautiful. Others tell a story. Th Some homes are beautiful. Others tell a story. 
The Yucatán home of interior designer @laurakirar and architect Richard Frazier @rwf333 is both -  a masterful reflection of its surroundings, where architecture, landscape, light, and craftsmanship come together in perfect harmony.
Tag along for a visit to this extraordinary retreat and discover how years of collecting, collaboration, and creative vision shaped a house that feels deeply connected to its place. LINK IN PROFILE
Wishing everyone a very happy Mother’s Day! 🌸 Flow Wishing everyone a very happy Mother’s Day! 🌸 Flowers from my thoughtful husband - all else from my shop (plates coming soon - DM to be notified).
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