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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

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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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Fashion, Food and drink, Interior design, Travel

Miles of Style at Taigan

For those of you who don’t already know about Taigan and Fetch, let me introduce you. Taigan is a beautifully… Read More

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Architecture, Interior design

L’Histoire d’une Chaise

I have needed new chairs in my kitchen ever since we moved into this house 3-1/2 years ago. We originally… 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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