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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Interior design

Sneak Peek: The Box Updated in Galerie Magazine
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Sneak Peek: The Box Updated in Galerie Magazine

When Hudson News founders Lisa and James Cohen came to the conclusion that most art magazines were a tad dry and unapproachable,… Read More

At Home with Susanna Salk and Christopher Spitzmiller
Architecture, Garden, Interior design

At Home with Susanna Salk and Christopher Spitzmiller

During the week, gifted ceramicist and lamp designer Christopher Spitzmiller is in his New York City studio, busy creating the exquisite lamps, plates… Read More

Nashville Travels with Jonathan Savage
Architecture, Interior design, Travel

Nashville Travels with Jonathan Savage

The first time I became acquainted with Nashville designer Jonathan Savage was several years ago on the stylish shopping site Taigan, where he… Read More

Friday Five Favorite Finds III
Art & Antiques, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Friday Five Favorite Finds III

Today’s Friday Five Favorite Finds starts with a pick from an iconic Nantucket institution. Founded in the 1950s by artist… Read More

Stylish Yachting
Interior design, Nantucket, Style, Travel

Stylish Yachting

Life on Nantucket revolves around the water. Whether you are in it, on it or just enjoying the view, the endless… Read More

Martyn Lawrence Bullard Design & Decoration
Books, Interior design

Martyn Lawrence Bullard Design & Decoration

“I am lucky. I wake up each morning knowing that whatever that day brings, I will have been creative, designed… Read More

More Patina Farm Style
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Travel

More Patina Farm Style

Thank you to so many of you who stopped by and left such lovely comments about Susanna’s and my video visit to Brooke… Read More

Final Look at Kips Bay 2016
Architecture, Interior design

Final Look at Kips Bay 2016

Today (Thursday) is the final day to tour the Kips Bay 2016 Decorator Show House. While there is never time… Read More

Garrow Kedigian Ode to an Emperor at Kips Bay 2016 Show House
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design

Garrow Kedigian Ode to an Emperor at Kips Bay 2016 Show House

I find I often have an affinity for those designers who also have architectural backgrounds. They frequently structure their spaces with distinctive… Read More

Kati Curtis at the 2016 Kips Bay Show House
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design

Kati Curtis at the 2016 Kips Bay Show House

Design Kati Curtis leads us up the staircase at the 2016 Kips Bay Show House with a spiritual metaphor. For… Read More

David Collins Studio at the 2016 Kips Bay Decorator Show House
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design

David Collins Studio at the 2016 Kips Bay Decorator Show House

This is the final week of the 2016 Kips Bay Decorator Show House, with Thursday, June 9th, marking the last opportunity to visit the amazing rooms… Read More

Day of Design at the Mayflower
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design

Hope to See You!

Before we all start to wind down for summer, there are still quite a few local design events on the… 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.

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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