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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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    • At Home with Dogs and Their Designers: Sharing a Stylish Life
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Fashion

Reem-Acra-fuchsia-and-nude-gown
Fashion

Reem Acra at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week

Reem Acra, in her show notes, cited Aaron Young’s famous motorcycle art as inspiration for her collection. His reductionist, raw, minimalistic… Read More

Lela-Rose-ink-blue-etched-dress-for-spring-2013
Art & Antiques, Fashion

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Spring 2013 | Lela Rose

At Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, Lela Rose frequently cites an artist or, in the case of last season, an architect, as… Read More

Christian Siriano Spring 2013 final look
Beauty, Fashion

Christian Siriano | New York Fashion Week Spring 2013

Christian Siriano, with his pretty Spring 2013 collection, seems to have officially left Project Runway behind and moved on to… Read More

Thomasville-Reinventions-and-Cottage-collections
Design, Fashion, Interior design

High Point Happenings

Although I still can’t believe today is the first of September, this month will surely fly by. While there are… Read More

Blue-collage
Design, Fashion, Food and drink, Gifts, Holiday, Interior design

Cheers to the Red, White & Blue – Happy 4th of July!

Whether you’re staying home or going out, dressing up or keeping it casual, there’s a little something here for everyone!… Read More

Deborah Needleman
Beauty, Design, Entertainment, Fashion, Gifts, Travel

Ten Picks for a Simply Splendid Summer

As some of you know, I also moonlight over at the worthy non-profit Women’s Voices for Change. “Celebrating the potential,… Read More

Lalique Ardente combs
Design, Gifts, Interior design, Jewelry

The Luxurious Legacy of Lalique

The question being bantered about lately is whether luxury brands need a history to indeed have a future. The concept… Read More

Pauline de Rothschild by Louise Dahl-Wolfe
Art & Antiques, Fashion, Interior design

Style Knows No Age: Iris Apfel at Sotheby’s

If ever there was an example of the value of staying true to one’s vision, Iris Apfel is certainly it!… Read More

Holland-&-Sherry-Bespoke-fireplace-mantel-with-Deyrolle-lobsters
Architecture, Design, Fashion, Gifts, Interior design

Holland & Sherry Bespoke

On a popular street in NYC’s hip Nolita neighborhood, in the most beautiful building on the block, the chicest new… Read More

Oscar de la Renta fall 2012 fur collection
Fashion

My Day at Oscar – the Furs

It all began with the furs. The new collection at Richards was the ultimate temptation. In fabulous spring colors and… Read More

Oscar de la Renta shoes fall 2012
Fashion, Jewelry

My Day at Oscar – the Accessories

You may not have realized how many coordinated collections there are under the Oscar umbrella. It makes adding to the… Read More

Oscar-de-la-Renta-Sable-tweed-dress-with-quilted-coat
Fashion

My Day at Oscar – the Collection

Who doesn’t love Oscar? Oscar de la Renta is one of only a few designers who consistently delivers timeless elegant… Read More

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Some people never seem to run out of ideas. Design Some people never seem to run out of ideas. Designer @maxsinsteden is one of them!

Tag along with me and @susannasalk as we visit Max at his wonderfully inventive Rhode Island cottage.
From clever custom details and ingenious decorating solutions to extraordinary collections and plenty of personality, Max has created a house that’s as elegant as it is relaxed. And he’s wonderfully generous about sharing the thinking behind it all.

Trust me, there are plenty of ideas worth stealing!
Watch the full episode on Quintessence and YouTube. LINK IN PROFILE.
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.
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