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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Entertainment

Lunch with Martha Stewart & Kevin Sharkey at Christie’s
Art & Antiques, Food and drink, Garden, Interior design

Lunch with Martha Stewart & Kevin Sharkey at Christie’s

While the latest nor’easter blew through with a vengeance last week, causing event cancelations and delays, I was delighted to… Read More

At Home in Los Angeles With Lulu Powers
Design, Food and drink, Garden, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in Los Angeles With Lulu Powers

While celebrity chef and author Lulu Powers is primarily known for her entertaining expertise, her creativity known no bounds. With… Read More

First Look at the NYBG Orchid Dinner 2018
Entertaining, Style, Tabletop

First Look at the NYBG Orchid Dinner 2018

How delightful during the midst of frigid temps and freezing rain to step inside the Plaza Hotel for an evening… Read More

New Year’s Movies
Entertainment, Holiday

New Year’s Movies

Since we have a long weekend (and a freezing snowy one here in New England), it offers ample opportunity for… Read More

Quintessential Guide to Champagne 2017
Food and drink

Quintessential Guide to Champagne 2017

It’s always hard to believe when a year comes to a close. And as the new one approaches, it also… Read More

Merry Merry
Entertaining, Holiday, Style, Tabletop

Merry Merry

For those of you who celebrate Christmas, I wish you all a very merry merry! This year for my table,… Read More

Christmas on Fifth Avenue
Holiday, Interior design

Christmas on Fifth Avenue

Friend, designer Phillip Thomas loves the holidays and so earlier this week I stopped by to see what he was… Read More

The Spirit of Christmas at John Derian
Art & Antiques, Design, Gifts, Holiday

The Spirit of Christmas at John Derian

Few places in New York City evoke the holiday spirit quite like Christmas at John Derian‘s enchanting east village shop…. Read More

Giving Thanks
Holiday

Giving Thanks

There is always so much to be thankful not the least of which is having all my chicks home in… Read More

At Home in New Orleans with Jane Scott Hodges
Art & Antiques, Books, Entertaining, Interior design, Tabletop, Travel, Video

At Home in New Orleans with Jane Scott Hodges

As the founder and owner of Leontine Linens, Jane Scott Hodges is credited with reviving the art of couture linens… Read More

Happy Labor Day
Holiday

Happy Labor Day

While it’s hard to believe that September is here, I am hoping that all of you are savoring the last… Read More

Nantucket Favorite Friday Finds VII
Art & Antiques, Design, Fashion, Food and drink, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Nantucket Favorite Friday Finds VII

With its modern organic vibe, Coastal is a long time Nantucket favorite. Founded by ex-Calvin Klein fashion executive Karen Fisher,… Read More

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Nantucket baskets are suddenly everywhere this sum Nantucket baskets are suddenly everywhere this summer — filling Instagram feeds, appearing in the pages of The New York Times and garnering attention in publications around the world. Coveted by collectors and a whole new generation of enthusiasts, these iconic baskets are having an undeniable moment. Yet behind all the current excitement is a fascinating story of history, tradition, ingenuity and exceptional craftsmanship.

Five years ago, I had the privilege of making this film with @Mary_emery_design, Director of Heritage Craft for the @nantuckethistoricalassociation , exploring the history and evolution of Nantucket lightship baskets through the people who know them best. We visited master basket makers Karl and Susan Ottison, Tim Parsons and Nap Plank, and heard about legendary maker José Reyes from his son-in-law, Maurice Gibbs. We also spent time with Nantucket scrimshander Michael Vienneau, whose work illustrates another chapter in the continuing evolution of the basket.

The film was made at the time the Nantucket Lightship Basket Museum became affiliated with the Nantucket Historical Association, bringing its extraordinary collection — and the stories and traditions it represents — into the care of the NHA.

With Nantucket baskets now capturing the attention of an entirely new audience, it seemed the perfect time to revisit the film and celebrate the remarkable makers, history and craftsmanship behind this enduring Nantucket tradition.

Watch the full film at the link in bio.
August, stay a while. August, stay a while.
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!!
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