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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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Blogging

Thank You Domino | 24 Best Design Blogs of 2015
Design, Interior design

Thank You Domino | 24 Best Design Blogs of 2015

Domino Magazine has just announced its round up of the 24 Best Design Blogs of 2015 and I am thrilled to once… Read More

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Design, Interior design

Thank You Design Bloggers Conference

A big thank you to those who nominated me for the Design Bloggers Conference Hall of Fame Awards. I am… Read More

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Art & Antiques, Books, Fashion, Food and drink, Gifts, Interior design

Thank you Taigan and Fetch!

Any of you longtime readers will be familiar with the online shopping site Taigan. I have written before about their… Read More

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Design, Entertainment, Food and drink

Welcoming Matchbook at Dempsey & Carroll

Last month the charming digital publication Matchbook Magazine ran a lovely feature on New York’s venerable stationer Dempsey & Carroll…. Read More

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Design, Interior design

Bringing it Home from Blogfest

What a wild style ride the last few weeks have been. While there is much to report, there are a… Read More

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Books, Design, Interior design

New York D&D Building 2012 Spring Market

I am delighted to announce that I will be reporting today from the D&D Building in NYC for Spring Market…. Read More

Design Blogger Hall of Fame Award
Design, Interior design

Thank You

While some of you already know, I had to take just a brief moment to acknowledge those who nominated me… Read More

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Entertainment, Gifts, Holiday

#Jingletweet Finale

What a wonderful evening of friends, colleagues and good cheer!! A huge thanks to Audiocom for sponsoring the evening in… 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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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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