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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Quintessence provides exclusive insider access to top designers and tastemakers at home around the world. Tag along with Quintessence founder Stacey Bewkes and series host Susanna Salk for the most inspiring interiors, design and style. You'll feel like you're right there with us! Subscribe so you never miss a thing!
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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

Shelter
Interior design, Video

Shelter

Over the course of the past year while making the book At Home with Dogs and Their Designers, Susanna and… Read More

At Home in Connecticut with John Robshaw
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design, Video

At Home in Connecticut with John Robshaw

With a background in fine arts and painting, John Robshaw caught the textiles bug when traveling to India in the… Read More

At Home and in the Garden with Juan Montoya
Architecture, Garden, Interior design, Video

At Home and in the Garden with Juan Montoya

With projects around the globe, Columbian born architect and interior designer Juan Montoya is well known for his restrained yet… Read More

It’s a Dog’s Life with Isaac Mizrahi
Design, Video

It’s a Dog’s Life with Isaac Mizrahi

Isaac Mizrahi certainly needs no introduction. Whether you know him as a celebrated fashion designer (look for his Isaac Mizrahi… Read More

Setting the Table With Carolyne Roehm in Charleston
Entertaining, Interior design, Tabletop, Travel, Video

Setting the Table With Carolyne Roehm in Charleston

When Susanna and I decided to launch our new Setting the Table With video series, filming Carolyne Roehm in Charleston at… Read More

It’s a Dog’s Life with Jonathan Adler – a New Video Series!
Design, Interior design, Video

It’s a Dog’s Life with Jonathan Adler – a New Video Series!

It’s no secret that many of us who have a passion for the world of beauty and design are also totally devoted to… Read More

Setting the Table with Marian McEvoy – A New Video Series
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design, Video

Setting the Table with Marian McEvoy – A New Video Series

Regular readers know my longstanding love of tabletop so I am especially thrilled to announce the debut of a new… Read More

At Home in the Hudson Valley with Ted Kennedy Watson
Art & Antiques, Books, Food and drink, Gifts, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in the Hudson Valley with Ted Kennedy Watson

Since 1998 Ted Kennedy Watson has been helping customers make their homes and lives more beautiful through his two popular Watson Kennedy shops… Read More

Video thumbnail for youtube video blk9e4vhs_y
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home with Timothy Corrigan at Chateau du Grand-Lucé

As the indomitable Ms. Vreeland taught us, the eye indeed has to travel, so today we are delighted to introduce… Read More

Video thumbnail for youtube video xreoiwlccz0
Antiques, Art & Antiques, Decorative Arts, Design, Interior design, Video

BEHIND THE Q | Welcome to Newel Antiques

Since 1939, Newel Antiques has been an insider’s resource for an incredible selection of wide-ranging decorative and fine arts. Originally founded… Read More

Back to School
Art & Antiques, Entertainment, Video

Back to School

Even though many children have already started school, I don’t think of the back to school season as officially starting… 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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