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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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House Beautiful

Sneak Peek: A New Look for a Classic Georgian
Architecture, Design, Interior design

Sneak Peek: A New Look for a Classic Georgian

When a Chinese family was moving to America, buying their first house on Long Island, they turned to designer Christopher… Read More

Rajiv Surendra Letters in Ink
Art & Antiques, Design

Rajiv Surendra Letters in Ink

If you have received your March issue of House Beautiful, you have no doubt noticed the amazing artwork of Rajiv Surendra…. Read More

Living Large in Small Spaces | House Beautiful Sneak Peek
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design

Living Large in Small Spaces | House Beautiful Sneak Peek

Ever since I saw last year’s Designer Showhouse at Sotheby’s, I knew Max Sinsteden and Catherine Olasky of Olasky & Sinsteden were… Read More

The Power of Wallpaper in House Beautiful
Interior design

The Power of Wallpaper in House Beautiful

As soon as I got a peek at the project by Philip Gorrivan in the February House Beautiful, I knew… Read More

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Interior design

Behind the Scenes at a House Beautiful Shoot

When House Beautiful gave Susanna the exciting news that they were going to come and shoot her Connecticut home for… Read More

scot meacham wood
Interior design, Style

House Beautiful Design Trends for 2014

I was delighted to be asked recently by House Beautiful to predict some design trends for 2014. While I believe… Read More

Video thumbnail for youtube video ksna3n8ttds
Fashion, Interior design

Stylish Shopping with Susanna Salk and Scot Meacham Wood

A love of tartan, plaid and the romance of Scotland has earned San Francisco interior designer Scot Meacham Wood a… Read More

Jamie Drake Designer Visions
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design

Jamie Drake for House Beautiful at Designer Visions

In the Designer Visions apartment designed by Jamie Drake for House Beautiful, it’s not surprising that color plays a major… Read More

Jamie Drake for House Beautiful Designer Visions
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Jamie Drake Designer Visions 2013 for House Beautiful

With a shared love of color, Jamie Drake and House Beautiful are a perfect pairing for Hearst’s Designer Visions showhouse…. Read More

Dessert at Gotham NYC
Design, Interior design

Antiques to Visions | Catching Up from A to Z

From the Avenue Antiques Show (a ring from Camilla Dietz Bergeron I loved but lost out on) to celebrations for… Read More

Michael Devine Home cell phone tray
Design, Gifts, Interior design

The Art of Living with Charlotte Moss in the November House Beautiful

To preview the upcoming November House Beautiful, last week a small group was invited to a lovely breakfast at Charlotte… Read More

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Art & Antiques, Gifts, Interior design

In the Studio with Vladimir Kanevsky

When House Beautiful suggested we visit the studio of celebrated porcelain artist Vladimir Kanevsky (who Charlotte Moss chose to feature… 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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