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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Design

Floral Finds at the AD Home Design Show
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Floral Finds at the AD Home Design Show

It’s not new news that florals have been making a comeback everywhere from runway to interiors. At the AD Home Design… Read More

AD Home Design Show 2015 Part II
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

AD Home Design Show 2015 Part II

Over the next few days, I’ll be sharing more from the AD Home Design Show 2015 in several shorter installments…. Read More

Architectural Digest Home Design Show 2015
Art & Antiques, Design, Gifts, Interior design

Architectural Digest Home Design Show 2015

Last week Pier 94 was home to the Architectural Digest Home Design Show 2015. As DIFFA Dining by Design moved next door,… Read More

At Home with Susanna Salk and Laura Slatkin
Gifts, Interior design

At Home with Susanna Salk and Laura Slatkin

Whether at home, at work as founder and CEO of NEST Fragrances or contributing to philanthropic causes of autism and… Read More

A Week’s Worth of Inspiration
Art & Antiques, Garden, Interior design

A Week’s Worth of Inspiration

With a whirlwind of activities, I haven’t had a chance to edit photos and share this week’s worth of inspiration. Between… Read More

Lisa Perry + Schumacher
Fashion, Interior design

Lisa Perry + Schumacher

While Schumacher has had their share of designer collections in recent years, their most recent collaboration harkens back to their illustrious… Read More

Spring Entertaining
Gifts, Interior design

Spring Entertaining

Since we finally have had signs of warmth and sun, we can start looking forward to time outdoors and spring entertaining. Products… Read More

Signs of Spring
Architecture, Design, Garden, Interior design

Signs of Spring

What a change a week makes! With sudden temperature rises, we are actually seeing signs of spring poking through the… Read More

Dodie Thayer for Tory Burch
Art & Antiques, Gifts, Interior design

Dodie Thayer for Tory Burch

In the Slim Aarons era of Palm Beach life, potter Dodie Thayer was a name known to all fashionable hostesses. Self taught… Read More

Geoffrey Bennison Master Decorator
Art & Antiques, Books, Interior design

Geoffrey Bennison Master Decorator

Designer Mark Hampton perhaps described legendary decorator Geoffrey Bennison best. “Like some Proustian arbiter of taste and manners, he knew exactly… Read More

Penny Morrison Then and Now
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design

Penny Morrison Then and Now

Several years ago I wrote a piece about Guy and Penny Morrison’s charming house in Wales, below. Since then, I… Read More

Weekend Update
Art & Antiques, Fashion, Interior design, Jewelry, Travel

Weekend Update

Sometimes, I’ve put something on the back burner for whatever reason and a nudge from my wanderings online and elsewhere… 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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