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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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Thanksgiving florals_mini
Food and drink, Holiday, Interior design

Happy Thanksgiving

There is always much to be thankful for at this time of year – family and friends, health, and this… Read More

baccarat at designing greenwich with Zenith candleabra
Art & Antiques, Design, Fashion, Gifts, Holiday, Interior design

Designing Greenwich Preview

This weekend premieres Designing Greenwich, an exciting new venue here in Connecticut. Upscale local publication Connecticut Cottages and Gardens,  with… Read More

Inson Wood
Art & Antiques, Design, Holiday, Interior design

Holiday House 2012 | Inson Dubois Wood

While I enjoy a wide spectrum of design, wild and chaotic is not normally on my list. But Inson Dubois… Read More

book art
Art & Antiques, Holiday, Interior design

2012 Holiday House | Javaras Kennally

I’m sure many of you readers are familiar with Holiday House, the breast cancer fundraiser founded and chaired by Iris… Read More

fetch
Art & Antiques, Books, Fashion, Food and drink, Gifts, Interior design

Thank you Taigan and Fetch!

Any of you longtime readers will be familiar with the online shopping site Taigan. I have written before about their… Read More

CetraRuddy overhead
Design, Food and drink, Holiday, Interior design

Bilotta and Bernardaud At the Table

Last week Bilotta Kitchens and Bernardaud, the 5th generation French porcelain company, co-sponsored the second annual Art of the Table… Read More

My week
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Entertainment, Fashion, Interior design

It’s Fall – A Busy Week!

Although my favorite season has not officially begun, fall events are already in full force. It was a busy week… Read More

Mayflower Inn porch
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Fashion, Food and drink, Garden, Gifts, Interior design, Travel

Welcome to the Mayflower

A mere two hours from New York City, nestled in the heart of rural Connecticut, sits an idyllic luxury resort… Read More

Video thumbnail for youtube video cbmeozszkoy
Entertainment

At the Movies

It’s been quite a while since we’ve had an installment of At the Movies. Even though there is so much… Read More

Berti knife case
Design, Food and drink, Gifts

Cutting Edge Gifts for the Man Who has Everything

This month marks both my anniversary and my husband’s birthday. It’s hard enough coming up with creative gifts for a… Read More

La Gallina Matta linen mats
Design, Holiday, Interior design

New York Gift Fair Tabletop Delights

The New York Gift Fair offered so much terrific tabletop that it’s hard not to share just one more post… Read More

Mottahedeh peacock dessert plate
Design, Food and drink, Gifts, Interior design

New York Gift Fair Tabletop Temptation Two

The New York Gift Fair featured tabletop temptation in a variety of size, shape and materials. One category is of course… 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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