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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Interior design

Charles Ray Nantucket basket at the Rafael Osona auction
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

The Rafael Osona Americana, Fine Art and Marine Auction

The August Americana, Fine Art and Marine auction at Rafael Osona is one of the most anticipated events of the Nantucket… Read More

Sylvia Antiques at the 2014 Antiques & design Show of Nantucket
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Favorite Finds at the 2014 Antiques & Design Show of Nantucket

The 2014 Antiques & Design Show of Nantucket has been a highlight of the busy first weekend of August on… Read More

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Garden, Interior design, Travel

At Home in the Hamptons with Susanna Salk and Alex Papachristidis

It’s impossible to visit Alex Papachristidis at his country home without wanting to move in. And you wouldn’t be alone…. Read More

Lindsay Coral Harper at Lee Jofa
Interior design

Lindsey Coral Harper at Lee Jofa

Several times a year, Lee Jofa redesigns the front room in their NYC D&D showroom to celebrate a new collection,… Read More

Soffia B. silk robes and dressing gowns
Design, Fashion, Gifts, Interior design

Fall Product Previews

Although the last couple days have felt like monsoon season here, fall is looming on the horizon, at least according to the many… Read More

Video thumbnail for youtube video e9_yvlsdmz8
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

At Home on the Hudson with Marian McEvoy

Whoever coined the phrase “it’s all in the mix,” must have had the creative and effervescent Marian McEvoy in mind. With a… Read More

Video thumbnail for youtube video idyaj_lpvky
Beauty, Fashion, Garden, Gifts, Interior design, Travel

At Home in the Hamptons with Susanna Salk and Aerin Lauder

Less than two years ago, Aerin Lauder expanded her focus beyond her role at Estée Lauder to launch her eponymous… Read More

Video thumbnail for youtube video xqgyh3t3054
Art & Antiques, Interior design

In the Studio Video with Susanna Salk and Madeline Weinrib

In her eponymous signature designs, Madeline Weinrib has melded the once disparate worlds of art and decor. As the great… Read More

Quintessence blog on instagram
Interior design

Design Video Summer Extravaganza

Throughout the year, as Susanna Salk and I get inspired with ideas for our design video series, our enthusiasm perhaps… Read More

cabana magazine
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Fashion, Interior design

The Globetrotting Sophistication of Cabana Magazine

In this era of consolidation, cutting corners and mass market mentality, it is a rare pleasure to come across a unique… Read More

John Richard at NYDC
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design, Travel

A Day of Design at the Mayflower Grace

Next Saturday, June 14th, I am delighted to be participating in the first ever Day of Design at one of… Read More

George Stacey
Books, Interior design

Spring Design Books Round Up

While it’s usually the fall season that brings out the blockbuster line up of design books, this spring, a strong… Read More

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Bridging the seasons with soft pink and amber, a b Bridging the seasons with soft pink and amber, a bevy of dahlias and beautiful hand blown Brume de Verre glasses from @ascherparis
40 years ❤️ 40 years ❤️
A magical retreat on Paros. There’s something so c A magical retreat on Paros. There’s something so compelling about the home of an artist and collector and @toddmarshard’s is as distinctive and personal as his work @Marshard.Paros . The ceramic artist has filled his stunning home with art and collections gathered over a lifetime. Our latest At Home With is now live - LINK IN PROFILE

Architecture: ALONI | Architects — Elena Terzi @iaveria & Dimitris Popotas
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.
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