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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Antiques

TEFAF New York Fall 2018
Art & Antiques, Interior design, Jewelry

TEFAF New York Fall 2018

This weekend marked the opening of the TEFAF New York Fall 2018 show. The third edition of this prestigious art… Read More

San Francisco Fall Art and Antiques Show
Art & Antiques, Interior design, Travel

San Francisco Fall Art and Antiques Show

This week I was honored to speak at the San Francisco Fall Art and Antiques Show on a panel about… Read More

At Home in Los Angeles with Richard Shapiro
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Garden, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in Los Angeles with Richard Shapiro

Enter Richard Shapiro‘s extraordinary home and it’s difficult to believe you are in the center of Los Angeles. Created with… Read More

Putting on the Ritz
Art & Antiques, Interior design

Putting on the Ritz

There are so many wonderful upcoming auctions, it’s difficult to keep up. First on my calendar is French house Artcurial‘s… Read More

Lunch with Martha Stewart & Kevin Sharkey at Christie’s
Art & Antiques, Food and drink, Garden, Interior design

Lunch with Martha Stewart & Kevin Sharkey at Christie’s

While the latest nor’easter blew through with a vengeance last week, causing event cancelations and delays, I was delighted to… Read More

2018 Antiques & Garden Show Nashville
Art & Antiques, Design, Garden, Travel

2018 Antiques & Garden Show Nashville

If possible, the 2018 Antiques & Garden Show in Nashville seemed even bigger and more packed with endless finds than… Read More

2018 Winter Antiques Show
Art & Antiques, Interior design

2018 Winter Antiques Show

Kicking off the season with a bang, the 2018 Winter Antiques Show opened with what felt like a reenergized spirit…. Read More

The Salon Art + Design 2017
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

The Salon Art + Design 2017

Tomorrow marks the final day to visit The Salon Art + Design 2017 at the Park Avenue Armory. Including 56… Read More

TEFAF New York Fall 2017
Art & Antiques, Interior design

TEFAF New York Fall 2017

It’s hard to believe it’s already been a year since TEFAF (The European Fine Art Fair) landed stateside in NY. After… Read More

Nantucket Friday Favorite Finds VI | A Weekend of Art and Antiques
Art & Antiques, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Nantucket Friday Favorite Finds VI | A Weekend of Art and Antiques

In addition to its beautiful beaches and historic charm, Nantucket offers a rich cultural scene for such a small island…. Read More

48 Hours in Charleston
Architecture, Design, Food and drink, Garden, Interior design, Travel

48 Hours in Charleston

On the heels of our latest video with Carolyne Roehm, I thought I would finally share some glimpses of Susanna’s… Read More

NYBG Antique Garden Furniture Fair
Art & Antiques, Garden, Interior design

NYBG Antique Garden Furniture Fair

In a busy week of art and design events, another stands out as a must-visit this weekend. The NYBG Antique… 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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