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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

destination paris
Entertaining, Food and drink, Gifts, Interior design, Tabletop

Tabletop Tips

I’ll admit it – I have a slight obsession with tabletop. I love it all – placemats, napkins, china, flatware,… Read More

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Art & Antiques

Vive La France

Today marks the 66th anniversary of the liberation of Paris after WWII. Ralph Morse was a photographer for LIFE for… Read More

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Interior design, Jewelry

The Silk Purse

My favorite local consignment shop will not be just a local haunt for much longer. If you live in my… Read More

Lillian Bassman – Women
Art & Antiques, Books, Fashion

The Lovely Lillian

Ever since I read the Caped Crusader article with Raquel Zimmerman in the August Vogue (the one where she is in Central… Read More

pool house kitchen
Architecture, Design, Garden, Interior design

Summer Breeze

I had always wanted to build a pool and pool house at our former home. We downsized and moved next… Read More

hydrangea sun room
Garden, Interior design

Hydrangea Happy

I love hydrangea – is there anyone who doesn’t? They are the perfect summer bloom. As the end of summer… Read More

sconsetmarket
Art & Antiques, Design, Fashion, Food and drink, Garden, Interior design, Travel

Nantucket Top 20 – Eat

I could do weeks’ worth of posts on Nantucket. There is so much to see and do. Here, however, is… Read More

lions-paw-371×500
Art & Antiques, Fashion, Garden, Interior design

Nantucket Top 20 – Shop

Nantucket is a shopper’s heaven. There is more quality shopping here within a small area than most places I can… Read More

Museum2
Books, Travel

Nantucket Top 20 – Learn

History and nature rich Nantucket offers many opportunities to explore both these areas. Trying not to exceed our top pick… Read More

main street
Design, Fashion, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Nantucket Style

I’ve been coming to Nantucket for over 25 years and even though it is more crowded and built up than… Read More

nantucket looms
Art & Antiques, Interior design, Jewelry, Nantucket, Travel

Nantucket Looms

Nantucket Looms represents some of the best artisanal industry on Nantucket. Liz Winship, who has been on the board of… Read More

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Design, Interior design

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

Well today seems to be the day for all sorts of new discoveries. Dessin Fournir, the well respected company that… 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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