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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Jewelry

Jeweler by Stellene Volandes
Art & Antiques, Books, Fashion, Jewelry

Jeweler by Stellene Volandes

In her stunning new book, Jeweler: Masters, Mavericks, and Visionaries of Modern Design, Stellene Volandes, jewelry expert and Editor-in-Chief at Town… Read More

2016 Biennale des Antiquaires and Robert de Balkany at Sotheby’s
Art & Antiques, Interior design, Jewelry, Travel

2016 Biennale des Antiquaires and Robert de Balkany at Sotheby’s

This week and next are going to be a very busy couple of weeks in Paris for the world of… Read More

Friday Five Favorite Finds X Part II
Fashion, Gifts, Jewelry, Nantucket, Travel

Friday Five Favorite Finds X Part II

As summer winds down and flip flops and straw hats segue into less casual attire, thoughts turn to fashion for fall…. Read More

Tony Duquette Jewelry at Sotheby’s
Fashion, Jewelry

Tony Duquette Jewelry at Sotheby’s

Before we return to activities on Nantucket, I wanted to be sure that the legions of readers who are Tony… Read More

Friday Five Favorite Finds
Art & Antiques, Fashion, Interior design, Jewelry, Nantucket, Travel

Friday Five Favorite Finds

For this summer, I am initiating a fun little weekly series, Friday Five Favorite Finds, which I find on my travels out… Read More

Tony Duquette | Hutton Wilkinson Jewelry at Kentshire
Design, Fashion, Jewelry

Tony Duquette | Hutton Wilkinson Jewelry at Kentshire

The brilliant and multi-talented Tony Duquette was a creative force whose designs extended from from painting and sculpture to stage sets… Read More

Sotheby’s Fine Jewels Auction
Fashion, Jewelry

Sotheby’s Fine Jewels Auction

As with furniture, fine and decorative art, buying jewelry at auctions is a great way to learn as well as often… Read More

Week of Best Intentions (and Inspiration)
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Jewelry, Travel

Week of Best Intentions (and Inspiration)

This was a week of best intentions. While I had planned on sharing so many inspiring visits, life just got… Read More

ASHA Bespoke Fine Jewelry
Fashion, Jewelry

ASHA Bespoke Fine Jewelry

While Ashley Dodgen-McCormick may have always had an entrepreneurial spirit, her  jewelry business, ASHA, owes some of its success to… Read More

At Home with Susanna Salk and Hutton Wilkinson
Architecture, Books, Garden, Interior design, Jewelry, Travel

At Home with Susanna Salk and Hutton Wilkinson

A multi-talented creative force, Hutton Wilkinson began his career at the age of 18 as apprentice to design icon Tony Duquette. He went… Read More

The Brilliant Beauty of Belperron
Books, Fashion, Gifts, Jewelry

The Brilliant Beauty of Belperron

It was in the 1960’s and early 70’s, when Ward Landrigan, then head of Sotheby’s jewelry department, first spied the distinctive work… Read More

bohemiachic at Privet Lives
Art & Antiques, Fashion, Jewelry

bohemiachic at Privet Lives

When at the Day of Design at the Mayflower Grace last month, fellow speaker Kathy McCarver Root sported a fantastic necklace… 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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