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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Design

Christmas in Shangri-La
Holiday, Interior design

Christmas in Shangri-La

Every year friend and designer Carey Karlan goes all out creating themed holiday decorations for her charming 1926 cottage-style home. Past years… Read More

Interior Design Master Class
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Interior design

Interior Design Master Class

While there are many beautiful design books on the market that are inspirational, some with tips and hints, none has approached… Read More

At Home in the Hudson Valley with Ted Kennedy Watson
Art & Antiques, Books, Food and drink, Gifts, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in the Hudson Valley with Ted Kennedy Watson

Since 1998 Ted Kennedy Watson has been helping customers make their homes and lives more beautiful through his two popular Watson Kennedy shops… Read More

Back on Track
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design, Travel

Back on Track

Immediately after the whirlwind of Thanksgiving, I left first thing on Monday to attend the Design Leadership Summit in Miami…. Read More

Carolyne Roehm Watercolors at Mecox
Art & Antiques, Interior design

Carolyne Roehm Watercolors at Mecox

Carolyne Roehm has proved herself in the atelier with a fashion collection, at home with beautiful interiors, in the garden, behind… Read More

stag-on-silver-warming-stand-in-christies-sale-1
Holiday, Interior design, Jewelry

Setting a Holiday Table with Christie’s

Designer Alex Papachristidis and I share a love of tabletop so we were delighted when several weeks ago Christie’s asked if… Read More

At Home with Susanna Salk and Mark D. Sikes
Interior design, Travel

At Home with Susanna Salk and Mark D. Sikes

Those of you who follow Mark D. Sikes on his popular blog and Instagram feed know that he is all… Read More

First Peek Holiday House NY 2016
Interior design

First Peek Holiday House NY 2016

It was one of those weeks of best intentions. I had hoped, among other posts, to bring you a fuller… Read More

Rooms with a View 2016
Interior design

Rooms with a View 2016

This weekend marked the 22nd edition of one of Connecticut’s favorite design events with Rooms with a View 2016. Originally conceived by… Read More

The Salon Art + Design
Art & Antiques

The Salon Art + Design

Monday is the final day to visit The Salon Art + Design at the Park Avenue Armory. In its fifth… Read More

What a Week!
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Jewelry

What a Week!

No one needs to be reminded of what a week this was. But besides the election, there were many opportunities to… Read More

At Home with Susanna Salk and Ken Fulk
Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Interior design, Travel

At Home with Susanna Salk and Ken Fulk

Memorable experiences are all about the story and for Ken Fulk, no matter what the project, there’s always a story in… Read More

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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.
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!!
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