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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Design

Cabana Comes to America: Ralph Lauren in Bedford
Architecture, Design, Interior design

Cabana Comes to America: Ralph Lauren in Bedford

For the 8th issue of their biannual magazine, Cabana comes to America, choosing five of Ralph Lauren Home’s Navajo inspired… Read More

Holiday Shopping in New Preston
Art & Antiques, Design, Gifts, Interior design

Holiday Shopping in New Preston

As seems to happens ever year, the Christmas weekend has arrived sooner than somehow anticipated. I did, however, manage to… Read More

Setting the Table with Bunny Williams
Garden, Interior design, Video

Setting the Table with Bunny Williams

Celebrated interior designer Bunny Williams is known not only for her stunning interiors but refreshing and authentic approach to gracious living…. Read More

Christmas on Fifth Avenue
Holiday, Interior design

Christmas on Fifth Avenue

Friend, designer Phillip Thomas loves the holidays and so earlier this week I stopped by to see what he was… Read More

Patrick Mele The Store
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Patrick Mele The Store

Since he was a young boy, designer Patrick Mele has always wanted to have his own store. And now he… Read More

More from Middlefield
Architecture, Garden, Interior design

More from Middlefield

Since Susanna’s and my video visit with Gil Schafer at his country house, Middlefield, seemed to resonate with so many,… Read More

The Authentics
Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Gifts, Interior design

The Authentics

In a world driven by speed, sameness and recycled imagery and content, where the word authentic is batted around as… Read More

At Home in the Country with Gil Schafer Video
Architecture, Garden, Interior design, Video

At Home in the Country with Gil Schafer Video

I first became familiar with architect Gil Schafer when his own country home in upstate New York, Middlefield, was published… Read More

The Spirit of Christmas at John Derian
Art & Antiques, Design, Gifts, Holiday

The Spirit of Christmas at John Derian

Few places in New York City evoke the holiday spirit quite like Christmas at John Derian‘s enchanting east village shop…. Read More

Remodelista The Organized Home
Books, Interior design

Remodelista The Organized Home

Most of you readers know by now, I am not a minimalist. Living with what I love (all of it)… Read More

Highlights from Christie’s Sale of The Collection of Peggy and David Rockefeller
Art & Antiques

Highlights from Christie’s Sale of The Collection of Peggy and David Rockefeller

As you may remember from my post on the Rockefeller Homes and Gardens, next spring Christie’s will offer The Collection… Read More

More from 2017 Rooms with a View
Art & Antiques, Interior design

More from 2017 Rooms with a View

For the 2017 Rooms with a View, designer Robert Passal assembled a vignette entitled The Joy of Eating, celebrating the… Read More

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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).
Great day at this year’s @thetickingtent with a fa Great day at this year’s @thetickingtent with a fabulous selection of new and repeat vendors in a spacious new tent ! A few of my faves - some of which didn’t make it in only because I couldn’t get good shots with the crowds! Wonderful to see so many design friends and congrats to @christinajuarezandco and @aspoonfulofbenjamin on an even bigger and better event at the beautiful @springhillvineyards !
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