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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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    • Making a House a Home: Designing Your Interiors from the Floor Up
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Style

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Fashion

My How Things Have Changed

I saw an article last week by Kim Friday (senior fashion editor, sportswear, WWD) entitled 9 Right Now: Collegiate Favorites… Read More

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Fashion, Jewelry

New Talent at Talbots

Talbots is not normally on my radar but I somehow stumbled on their fall catalogue and was surprisingly impressed. They are… Read More

sconsetmarket
Art & Antiques, Design, Fashion, Food and drink, Garden, Interior design, Travel

Nantucket Top 20 – Eat

I could do weeks’ worth of posts on Nantucket. There is so much to see and do. Here, however, is… Read More

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Art & Antiques, Fashion, Garden, Interior design

Nantucket Top 20 – Shop

Nantucket is a shopper’s heaven. There is more quality shopping here within a small area than most places I can… Read More

main street
Design, Fashion, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Nantucket Style

I’ve been coming to Nantucket for over 25 years and even though it is more crowded and built up than… Read More

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Fashion, Nantucket, Travel

Peter Beaton

Darcy Creech and her store, Peter Beaton, are institutions here on Nantucket. It all started in 1989 when Darcy made… Read More

nantucket looms
Art & Antiques, Interior design, Jewelry, Nantucket, Travel

Nantucket Looms

Nantucket Looms represents some of the best artisanal industry on Nantucket. Liz Winship, who has been on the board of… Read More

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Fashion, Food and drink, Interior design, Travel

Miles of Style at Taigan

For those of you who don’t already know about Taigan and Fetch, let me introduce you. Taigan is a beautifully… Read More

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Fashion

Here Comes the Sun

As you now know, I go out of my way to avoid getting sun. Despite my good sunscreens, sometimes you… Read More

Camel Classics
Fashion

Camel Classics

Of the many post ideas I had lined up, one was identical to Habitually Chic’s Chic in Camel post from last… Read More

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Style

Are We There Yet?

This first post has been a long time coming (and not because I was writing by hand with a fountain… Read More

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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).
Great day at this year’s @thetickingtent with a fa Great day at this year’s @thetickingtent with a fabulous selection of new and repeat vendors in a spacious new tent ! A few of my faves - some of which didn’t make it in only because I couldn’t get good shots with the crowds! Wonderful to see so many design friends and congrats to @christinajuarezandco and @aspoonfulofbenjamin on an even bigger and better event at the beautiful @springhillvineyards !
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