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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 with John Derian in New York City
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design, Video

At Home with John Derian in New York City

Just as John Derian‘s stores represent his endless curiosity and quixotic vision of the intersection of nature and art, so… Read More

At Home in Paris with Timothy Corrigan
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in Paris with Timothy Corrigan

Every since designer Timothy Corrigan lived in Paris as an advertising executive in the late 1980s, he has been a… Read More

At Home in Locust Valley with Jeffrey Bilhuber
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Interior design, Video

At Home in Locust Valley with Jeffrey Bilhuber

Designer Jeffrey Bilhuber‘s greatest talent may be informing the past with a bold confidence that feels just right for today…. Read More

At Home in New York City with Timothy Whealon
Art & Antiques, Interior design, Video

At Home in New York City with Timothy Whealon

While designer Timothy Whealon may have begun his career on Wall Street, his love of the fine and decorative arts… Read More

At Home in London with Lulu Lytle
Art & Antiques, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in London with Lulu Lytle

While Lulu Lytle originally dreamed of becoming an Egyptologist, her current role as cofounder and creative director of Soane Britain… Read More

Setting the Table with Cathy Graham
Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Video

Setting the Table with Cathy Graham

Cathy Graham‘s party invites have always been some of the most coveted on the upper east side of New York… Read More

Giving Design a Voice – A Look Back and Ahead
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Garden, Interior design, Video

Giving Design a Voice – A Look Back and Ahead

Welcome to 2019! As we all are celebrating the new year and thinking of what has passed and what is… Read More

Setting the Table in the Hamptons with Alex Papachristidis
Interior design, Video

Setting the Table in the Hamptons with Alex Papachristidis

Staying in the Hamptons with Alex Papachristidis is like being transported to an exclusive five star hotel owned by your… Read More

At Home in Bellport with Thomas O’Brien
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Garden, Interior design, Video

At Home in Bellport with Thomas O’Brien

If ever there was an understated self portrait, it would be designer Thomas O’Brien’s description of himself as “basically a… Read More

At Home with Timothy Corrigan at Chateau de la Chevallerie (the before)
Architecture, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home with Timothy Corrigan at Chateau de la Chevallerie (the before)

There are few people who could not only imagine but are capable of bringing an 18th century French chateau back… Read More

At Home with Carolyne Roehm – Design & Style: A Constant Thread
Books, Design, Fashion, Garden, Interior design, Jewelry, Video

At Home with Carolyne Roehm – Design & Style: A Constant Thread

We have celebrated Carolyne Roehm’s many talents here before – in the garden, setting the table, the renovation and decoration… Read More

At Home in Connecticut with Bunny Williams
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design, Video

At Home in Connecticut with Bunny Williams

Over the years, I have had the privilege of documenting many aspects of celebrated designer Bunny Williams‘ talents. And while… 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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