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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Entertaining

Dodie Thayer for Tory Burch
Art & Antiques, Gifts, Interior design

Dodie Thayer for Tory Burch

In the Slim Aarons era of Palm Beach life, potter Dodie Thayer was a name known to all fashionable hostesses. Self taught… Read More

Stylish Entertaining at the NYBG Orchid Dinner
Entertaining, Style, Tabletop

Stylish Entertaining at the NYBG Orchid Dinner

The tables at the Veranda NYBG Orchid Dinner were amazing in their diversity and creativity. Some designers focused on the… Read More

Happy Thanksgiving
Design, Food and drink

Happy Thanksgiving

As I prepare my table to celebrate Thanksgiving this year, I am so grateful to have my entire family home… Read More

gifting and entertaining preview
Holiday, Interior design

Tabletop Gifting and Entertaining Preview

It’s that time of year when hints of THE season start to permeate our thoughts. This week is tabletop market so I spent… Read More

At Ease | Labor Day
Food and drink, Gifts, Interior design

At Ease | Labor Day Lounging

It has been a glorious summer here in the northeast. Although it’s hard to believe, September is upon us. So… Read More

An Invitation to the Garden
Food and drink, Garden, Interior design

An Invitation to the Garden from Michael Devine

With our recent Siberian-like weather, An Invitation to the Garden arrived at my door like a welcome breath of spring…. Read More

Picture Perfect Parties
Books, Entertaining, Food and drink, Gifts, Holiday

Picture Perfect Parties

Even though it’s not officially fall, the “season” seems to have already gotten underway with invitations flowing in. How convenient… Read More

Quintessence blog on Lonny
Books, Entertaining, Food and drink, Garden

Thank you Lonny!

Last week I had the pleasure of hosting friend Michael Devine for a lovely evening on my terrace in Connecticut… Read More

Vicente Wolf Orchid Dinner table detail
Design, Garden, Interior design

NYBG Orchid Dinner Finale Redux!

Today we will take our final look at the tables of the NYBG Orchid Dinner. This event always immediately precedes… Read More

Julian Mejia coral napkin rings
Design, Gifts, Interior design

The New York Gift Fair Tabletop Temptation

I’m afraid my obsession for all things tabletop is no secret. The tiny butler’s pantry in our current abode was… Read More

Video thumbnail for vimeo video 47983562
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

Juliska holiday with paisley and fur
Design, Entertainment, Gifts, Holiday, Interior design

Local Favorite Juliska at the New York Gift Show

Located not far from me in Connecticut, Juliska is a local design favorite. Their store in Stamford is a constant… Read More

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Bridging the seasons with soft pink and amber, a b Bridging the seasons with soft pink and amber, a bevy of dahlias and beautiful hand blown Brume de Verre glasses from @ascherparis
40 years ❤️ 40 years ❤️
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.
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