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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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France

At Home with Peter Copping and Rambert Rigaud at La Carlière
Antiques, Architecture, Art & Antiques, Decorative Arts, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home with Peter Copping and Rambert Rigaud at La Carlière

Tag along to Normandy, France for a behind the scenes visit with Peter Copping and Rambert Rigaud at their 15th… Read More

My French Country Home Magazine
Food and drink, Travel

My French Country Home Magazine

Over the last ten years Sharon Santoni has been sharing her life in France on her popular blog My French… Read More

At Home with Timothy Corrigan at Chateau de la Chevallerie (the before)
Architecture, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home with Timothy Corrigan at Chateau de la Chevallerie (the before)

There are few people who could not only imagine but are capable of bringing an 18th century French chateau back… Read More

Château de Villette
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Interior design

Château de Villette

With design attributed to François Mansart (architect to Louis XIV) and gardens inspired by, if not actually designed by Le… Read More

72 Hours in France!
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Garden, Interior design, Travel

72 Hours in France!

As mentioned in my last post, I spent 72 hours in France this week with Susanna Salk, filming two new… Read More

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 Day at Château de Fontainebleau
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Interior design, Travel

A Day at Château de Fontainebleau

Whereas many chateaux are associated primarily with a particular resident or royal, Chateau de Fontainebleau represents almost 1,000 years of… Read More

A Day at Château de Vaux le Vicomte
Architecture, Garden, Interior design, Travel

A Day at Château de Vaux le Vicomte

While no doubt familiar with the palatial splendor of Louis XIV’s Versailles, what you may not know is that the inspiration, and… Read More

Video thumbnail for youtube video blk9e4vhs_y
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home with Timothy Corrigan at Chateau du Grand-Lucé

As the indomitable Ms. Vreeland taught us, the eye indeed has to travel, so today we are delighted to introduce… Read More

passport
Travel

New Passport Rules | Traveler Beware

Anyone who has seen me within the last week now knows of the new passport rules governing international travel. And… Read More

le quatorze juillet
Beauty, Fashion, Food and drink, Gifts, Holiday

Le Quatorze Juillet

So today we recognize Bastille Day, le quatorze juillet, with a little red white and blue, French style. I’ve gathered… Read More

At Ease | Riviera Refinement
Fashion, Gifts, Travel

At Ease | Riviera Refinement

Who doesn’t dream about renting a villa with water views on the French Riviera? It’s all about summering at ease with a… 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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