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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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    • Making a House a Home: Designing Your Interiors from the Floor Up
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Design

Rooms with a View 2014 Designer Showhouse Finale
Interior design

Rooms with a View 2014 Designer Showhouse Finale

Today we take a final look at this year’s Rooms with a View Designer Showhouse. Design chair Parker Rogers partnered… Read More

Rooms with a View 2014 Continued
Interior design

Rooms with a View 2014 Continued

Today we continue our look at this year’s fabulous Rooms with a View 20th anniversary showhouse, celebrating the legacy of Albert… Read More

Rooms With a View 2014 Designer Showhouse
Design, Interior design

Rooms With a View 2014 Designer Showhouse

Southport, Connecticut was hopping this weekend with this year’s version of one of my favorite local design events, Rooms with a View 2014. Originally… Read More

This Week in the World of Design
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

This Week in the World of Design

The season has started and the world of design is hopping with celebrations, introductions and events. While it’s impossible to keep… Read More

Fashion and Interiors Meet in Style at de Le Cuona
Fashion, Interior design

Fashion and Interiors Meet in Style at de Le Cuona

From the beginning, Bernie de Le Cuona has been known for her extensive knowledge and production of luxurious linens and other sumptuous materials,… Read More

Stylish Shopping with Susanna Salk and Timothy Corrigan at Les Puces in Paris
Art & Antiques, Interior design, Travel

Stylish Shopping with Susanna Salk and Timothy Corrigan at Les Puces in Paris

What design maven doesn’t dream of shopping at Les Puces, the famous Paris flea market visited by thousands of designers and… Read More

Catching Up Out & About
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Fashion, Interior design

Catching Up Out & About

I thought I would have time to bring you more in depth news today but it is already proving to be… Read More

Cartier in the 20th Century
Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Jewelry

Cartier in the 20th Century

Few names have been so inexorably linked with luxury and exceptional jewelry as the House of Cartier. And in a… Read More

In the Studio Video with Susanna Salk and Frances Palmer
Art & Antiques, Food and drink, Garden, Interior design

In the Studio Video with Susanna Salk and Frances Palmer

I had been a fan of Frances Palmer and her beautiful ceramics long before I started this blog. Her distinctive and… Read More

Haute Couture Ateliers
Books, Design, Fashion

Haute Couture Ateliers

While the sharing speed of the internet and social media has made the accessibility to the Paris haute couture shows universal, what… Read More

Montmorenci Chandelier from Winterthur Collection at Currey and Co
Interior design

Winterthur Collection at Currey & Company

Although I was unable to attend High Point this market, one of my regular stops, that I was sorry to… Read More

gifting and entertaining preview
Holiday, Interior design

Tabletop Gifting and Entertaining Preview

It’s that time of year when hints of THE season start to permeate our thoughts. This week is tabletop market so I spent… 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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