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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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    • At Home with Dogs and Their Designers: Sharing a Stylish Life
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    • At Home with Designers and Tastemakers: Creating Beautiful and Personal Interiors
    • Making a House a Home: Designing Your Interiors from the Floor Up
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Design Books

The Versailles You’ve Never Seen
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Garden, Interior design, Travel

The Versailles You’ve Never Seen

You’ve made the requisite pilgrimage to Versailles and seen the storied chateau, in all likelihood with throngs of others. The… Read More

A Look at How They Decorated with Author P. Gaye Tapp
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Fashion, Interior design

A Look at How They Decorated with Author P. Gaye Tapp

It was no surprise when long time blogging friend, decorator and now author, Gaye Tapp  shared her book idea for How They… Read More

The Garden of Peter Marino
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Garden

The Garden of Peter Marino

As summer is in full swing, and Garden Conservancy Open Days and special events are offering glimpses into normally private domains,… Read More

At Home with Susanna Salk and Muriel Brandolini
Architecture, Books, Interior design, Travel

At Home with Susanna Salk and Muriel Brandolini

Few summer retreats are as well known as Long Island’s Hamptons. In communities where artists and writers, fishermen and farmers… Read More

Signature Spaces by Paolo Moschino & Philip Vergeylen
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Interior design

Signature Spaces by Paolo Moschino & Philip Vergeylen

“Style is a simple way of saying complicated things.” Jean Cocteau’s perceptive aphorism opens Signature Spaces with a taste of what… Read More

David Monn The Art of Celebrating
Books, Holiday, Interior design

David Monn The Art of Celebrating

Tis the season and as we all plan our holiday celebrations, there is no better place to look for inspiration… Read More

Amelia Handegan Rooms
Architecture, Books, Interior design

Amelia Handegan Rooms

I have met Amelia Handegan on several occasions and like her work, she is understated, accomplished and full of surprises…. Read More

Interior Design Master Class
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Interior design

Interior Design Master Class

While there are many beautiful design books on the market that are inspirational, some with tips and hints, none has approached… Read More

At Home with Susanna Salk and Ken Fulk
Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Interior design, Travel

At Home with Susanna Salk and Ken Fulk

Memorable experiences are all about the story and for Ken Fulk, no matter what the project, there’s always a story in… Read More

Out and About from Christie’s to Castaing
Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Interior design, Jewelry

Out and About from Christie’s to Castaing

Now in the full throttle of fall, it is always a challenge to visit all the wonderful events, openings and introductions… Read More

At Home with Susanna Salk and Katie Ridder and Peter Pennoyer
Architecture, Books, Design, Garden, Interior design

At Home with Susanna Salk and Katie Ridder and Peter Pennoyer

Husband and wife, architect and interior designer, California girl and New York City boy. This combination wouldn’t necessarily bode well for… Read More

Wanderlust by Michelle Nussbaumer
Art & Antiques, Books, Interior design

Wanderlust by Michelle Nussbaumer

While many designers glean inspiration from their travels, Michelle Nussbaumer takes her love of worldly cultures and treasures to another… 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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