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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Interior design

Travel the World with Stefano Scatà
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design

Travel the World with Stefano Scatà

A small wrench in the system unfortunately meant a last-minute cancellation for my trip to Paris. While I regroup, I didn’t want… Read More

Design Moving Forward
Interior design, Travel

Design Moving Forward

January has been flying by almost as quickly as the holidays came and went. While most vestiges of Christmas in my house… 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

A New Year’s Salute to our Four Legged Friends
Interior design

A New Year’s Salute to our Four Legged Friends

We had a recent scare with our dog Charlie, who I am happy to report is fine. But it was… Read More

More Additions for Your Design Library
Books, Interior design

More Additions for Your Design Library

Since there is never enough time to catch up on all the new fall design titles, I thought this week,… Read More

Walton Park a Dollhouse Dream
Gifts, Holiday, Interior design

Walton Park a Dollhouse Dream

While Nina Campbell‘s granddaughter may be the distinguished designer’s youngest client, her dollhouse, featured in our recent video, may have set her grandmother on a new… Read More

Nina Campbell Shops Christmas in Connecticut
Holiday, Interior design

Nina Campbell Shops Christmas in Connecticut

With an international following and commissions around the world, Nina Campbell is one of the industry’s most well known and… Read More

Charlotte Barnes Collection
Interior design

Charlotte Barnes Collection

On a quiet side street in Greenwich, Connecticut, away from the more commercial traffic on the Avenue, sits the charming building… Read More

Giving Thanks to You
Interior design, Travel

Giving Thanks to You

Since this holiday weekend is all about giving thanks, I’d like to acknowledge the many featured guests and visitors who have helped… Read More

Video thumbnail for youtube video 3x0oci382da
Art & Antiques, Holiday, Interior design

Holiday House NYC 2014 Video Tour

Now in its seventh year, Holiday House NYC was the first designer showhouse held in New York City to specifically… Read More

Rooms with a View 2014 Designer Showhouse Finale
Interior design

Rooms with a View 2014 Designer Showhouse Finale

Today we take a final look at this year’s Rooms with a View Designer Showhouse. Design chair Parker Rogers partnered… Read More

Rooms with a View 2014 Continued
Interior design

Rooms with a View 2014 Continued

Today we continue our look at this year’s fabulous Rooms with a View 20th anniversary showhouse, celebrating the legacy of Albert… 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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