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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Interior design

Gucci Décor at Bergdorf’s
Design, Fashion, Gifts, Interior design

Gucci Décor at Bergdorf’s

It was only a matter of time before the brilliant Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele applied his talents to the… Read More

Sneak Peek – Soane Fall 2017
Design, Interior design

Sneak Peek – Soane Fall 2017

The French have a great expression for this time of year – la rentrée, signaling the re-entry to regularly scheduled… Read More

At Home in Atlanta with Suzanne Kasler
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design, Travel

At Home in Atlanta with Suzanne Kasler

Designer Suzanne Kasler finds inspiration wherever she goes. Whether it is les Puces in Paris, the fashionable windows on Madison… Read More

The Story Behind the Style: Oscar de la Renta for Lee Jofa
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

The Story Behind the Style: Oscar de la Renta for Lee Jofa

It always seems to come down to the story behind the style. Without that, there is no substance, no narrative,… Read More

Nantucket Favorite Friday Finds VII
Art & Antiques, Design, Fashion, Food and drink, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Nantucket Favorite Friday Finds VII

With its modern organic vibe, Coastal is a long time Nantucket favorite. Founded by ex-Calvin Klein fashion executive Karen Fisher,… 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

Nantucket Friday Favorite Finds V | Nantucket by Design 2017
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Nantucket Friday Favorite Finds V | Nantucket by Design 2017

While Friday has somehow segued to Sunday, this week’s favorite find from here on Nantucket has to be Nantucket by… Read More

Nantucket by Design 2017
Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Nantucket by Design 2017

While the first week of August on Nantucket has in recent years always included a focus on design, this year… Read More

Wallpaper Wizardry | The Schumacher Library of Wallcovering
Books, Interior design

Wallpaper Wizardry | The Schumacher Library of Wallcovering

My love of wallpaper is no secret and I was intrigued as Schumacher hinted on their Instagram feed (@Schumacher1889) about… Read More

Villa Astor
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Interior design, Travel

Villa Astor

The subtitle of the beautiful new book on Villa Astor says it all – “Paradise Restored on the Amalfi Coast.”… Read More

Nantucket Friday Favorite Finds III
Design, Fashion, Food and drink, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Nantucket Friday Favorite Finds III

It’s been busy on island and I’m a tad late with this week’s Nantucket Friday Favorite Finds but wanted to… Read More

The Trickle Down Effect: Straw, Wicker and Rattan
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design

The Trickle Down Effect: Straw, Wicker and Rattan

Just as we’ve witnessed the popularity of straw bags in fashion, we’ve been seeing a heightened resurgence of straw, wicker… Read More

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It’s astonishing to see the resurgence of interest It’s astonishing to see the resurgence of interest in Nantucket baskets this summer. They’re suddenly everywhere — 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.

Several 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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