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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Travel

Nantucket sunset via Quintessence
Architecture, Garden, Travel

ACK Attack | Nantucket Getaway

Readers who follow me on instagram and twitter know by my ACK hashtags that I have been on Nantucket this… Read More

migis pines
Travel

Summer Paradise | When No Change is a Good Thing

My summer paradise includes looking forward to the third or fourth week in July when it is visiting time at… Read More

At Ease | Made in Maine
Design, Fashion, Food and drink, Gifts, Interior design, Travel

At Ease | Made in Maine

After having just returned from a brief outing at my favorite spot in Maine, it seemed appropriate that this week’s… Read More

At Ease | Riviera Refinement
Fashion, Gifts, Travel

At Ease | Riviera Refinement

Who doesn’t dream about renting a villa with water views on the French Riviera? It’s all about summering at ease with a… Read More

custom perfume bottles
Beauty, Food and drink, Travel

More Unique Ways to Experience Paris

It would have been easy to fill the entire week with organized activities and new ways to experience Paris. The… Read More

French pastry baking class
Beauty, Food and drink, Gifts, Travel

What to do in Paris | Investing in the Experience

What to do in Paris? As we were planning our recent trip, my sister and I wanted to introduce the… Read More

le prince jardinier labels
Design, Garden, Gifts, Interior design, Travel

Paris Finds | Palais Furst in Saint Germain

The allure of Saint Germain in Paris seems to know no bounds. The challenge is to allow time for both… Read More

Michele Aragon pottery
Design, Gifts, Interior design, Travel

Favorite Paris Finds | Michele Aragon

With the power of the internet and communicative nature of the blogosphere, undiscovered Paris finds are few and far between…. Read More

le petit trianon architecture
Architecture, Design, Interior design, Travel

The Discreet Charm of the Petit Trianon

Today we travel back to Versailles to take a quick look at the Petit Trianon. Built by Louis XV for… Read More

versailles with sun king clock
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Garden, Interior design, Travel

Timeless Design at Versailles

I was somehow surprised that my girls voted a visit to Versailles as their favorite part of our week in… Read More

Ralph restaurant Paris dessert
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Food and drink, Travel

Postcard From Paris

I had hoped to post this yesterday but since we have been very busy out and about, this little postcard… Read More

Travel in style with Audrey Hepburn
Fashion, Travel

Why Don’t You | Travel in Style

Taking my cue from the inimitable Ms. Vreeland and a page from J.J. Martin’s piece in today’s Off Duty section… Read More

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A magical retreat on Paros. There’s something so c A magical retreat on Paros. There’s something so compelling about the home of an artist and collector and @toddmarshard’s is as distinctive and personal as his work @Marshard.Paros . The ceramic artist has filled his stunning home with art and collections gathered over a lifetime. Our latest At Home With is now live - LINK IN PROFILE

Architecture: ALONI | Architects — Elena Terzi @iaveria & Dimitris Popotas
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
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