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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
    • At Home in the English Countryside: Designers and Their Dogs
    • 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

Details from Kips Bay Showhouse 2012
Design, Interior design

Stay Tuned

Sometimes even the best of intentions just aren’t quite enough. While I had of course planned to post on Friday,… Read More

Secto-Design-lighting-&-Vallila-Interior-textiles
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Kicking off Design Week at Wanted

Did you know it is Design Week in New York City? Well it may be a bit under the public… Read More

Gilt-Home-Man-Cave-Essentials
Entertaining, Food and drink, Gifts, Interior design

Living Gilt Home

Tom Delavan, the talented designer and Creative Director of Gilt Home, opened up his beautiful Greenwich Village townhouse recently to… Read More

Screen Shot 2012-05-17 at 11.54.18 PM
Design, Interior design

Kips Bay – Charles Pavarini, Chairman of the Designer Committee

Tuesday evening I attended the opening of the 2012 Kips Bay Showhouse. This year marks the 40th anniversary of the… Read More

design-loves-art-logo
Books, Design, Interior design

New York D&D Building 2012 Spring Market

I am delighted to announce that I will be reporting today from the D&D Building in NYC for Spring Market…. Read More

Holland-&-Sherry-Bespoke-fireplace-mantel-with-Deyrolle-lobsters
Architecture, Design, Fashion, Gifts, Interior design

Holland & Sherry Bespoke

On a popular street in NYC’s hip Nolita neighborhood, in the most beautiful building on the block, the chicest new… Read More

P1060093
Art & Antiques, Fashion

My Amazing Mother

My mother was truly exceptional, but growing up, it somehow seemed normal that we had couture quality Easter coats she… Read More

Point-Architects-table-detail-at-the-Red-Cross-2012-Red-&-White-ball
Entertaining, Food and drink, Interior design, Tabletop

Red Cross Red & White Ball Redux

As with many such tabletop fundraisers, it is impossible to feature all the tables in a single post – hence part… Read More

Works-on-paper-of-kimonos
Art & Antiques, Design, Fashion, Interior design

Little Augury One Kings Lane Tastemaker Sale

I am pleased to share that two of my favorite sites are joining forces this week for a wonderful sale…. Read More

Olga-Adler-table-detail-for-Greenwich-@012-Red-Cross-ball
Entertaining, Interior design, Tabletop

When Help Can’t Wait: the Red Cross Red & White Ball

On April 28th, the Metro New York North Red Cross held its annual Red & White Ball, one of the largest… Read More

Wesley-Hall-family-friendly
Design, Interior design

High Point Picks – Meet Wesley Hall

As many of you know, I attended High Point through a co-sponsorship between the market and upscale furniture manufacturer Wesley… Read More

John-Marin-watercolors-from-Bernard-Goldberger-Fine-Arts
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Spring Has Sprung at the Park Avenue Armory Arts & Antiques Show

The Art and Antique Dealers League of America Spring Show at the Park Avenue Armory is the best of the… 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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