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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
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    • 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

Tania Vartan Verre Eglomise
Art & Antiques, Design, Fashion, Interior design

Tania Vartan: Coming Full Circle

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of visiting John Rosselli’s showroom to see the new fabric line… Read More

Schumacher Martyn Lawrence Bullard collection
Design, Interior design

Coming Soon

I must say that time got the better of me this week. There just wasn’t enough of it to get… Read More

Katie Ridder children’s bath
Books, Design, Gifts, Interior design

Katie Ridder Rooms

My local independent bookstore, Barrett’s, asked if I would write the design book reviews for their holiday newsletter again this… Read More

Food by Brian Lewis at interior design store Pimlico party in New Canaan, Connecticut
Art & Antiques, Design, Food and drink, Gifts, Interior design

Pimlico Premiere

I had actually intended a different post for today but after attending  a festive event celebrating the reopening of New… Read More

Interior designer Christopher Stevens’ vignette for Rooms with a View 2011
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Rooms with a View Finale

Featured today are the last 4 vignettes from the wonderful Rooms with a View show house. For those of you… Read More

Interior designer Melissa Marcogliese’s heart shaped ottoman for Rooms with a View 2011
Design, Interior design

Rooms with a View – Reveal continued

Connie Cooper‘s elegant vignette was intended as a media free space for the next generation. Bombarded by electronics all day… Read More

John Todd Bishop’s vignette at Rooms with a View
Design, Interior design

Rooms with a View – Reveal #2

I had intended to share 4 rooms a day as I did for the previews, but due to technological issues… Read More

Interior designer Sam Allen in his room at Rooms with a View 2011 show house
Design, Interior design

Rooms with a View Gala & First Reveal

The Rooms With a View Gala last Thursday was a roaring success. In a festive venue, crowds gathered to see… Read More

A country kitchen designed by Jeffrey Bilhuber from his book The Way Home
Books, Design, Interior design

The Way Home with Jeffrey Bilhuber

Another reason to visit Rooms with a View this weekend is that distinguished designer and author Jeffrey Bilhuber will be… Read More

Albert Hadley design inspiration for Christopher Stevens
Design, Interior design

Rooms with a View Inspiration – Part 3

I’m so excited for the Gala Preview of Rooms with a View this evening and, in anticipation, am presenting today… Read More

Melissa Marcogliese interior designer
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Rooms with a View Inspiration – Part 2

Today we are continuing to meet the designers who will be presenting their rooms tomorrow night at the Gala Preview… Read More

Twin bedroom designed by Glenda Moralee and Polly Denham  in the guest cottage at the Connecticut governor’s residence
Architecture, Design, Interior design

The People’s Project – Pool House & Guest Cottage

The governor’s residence includes two charming outbuildings. Closest to the main residence is a pool house. From the Philip Gorrivan… 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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