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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Interior design

Mick De Giulio
Architecture, Design, Food and drink, Interior design

House Beautiful 2012 Kitchen of the Year

As our lifestyles have evolved over the last few decades, there’s no doubt that the kitchen has become the hub… Read More

Hofmann-Landscaping
Art & Antiques, Design, Fashion, Garden, Gifts, Interior design

Gardens by Design at the Bartlett Arboretum Finale

Upstairs at the Bartlett Homestead, the rooms represented a variety of talent. Mark and Susan Bijleveld of Finished in Fabric… Read More

Village-Tiles-kitchen-renovation
Design, Garden, Interior design

Bringing the Garden in at the Bartlett Arboretum Showhouse

We continue with our look at the lovely Garden Rooms by Design showhouse at the Bartlett Arboretum, where the botanical… Read More

Soudi Amini garden table
Design, Garden, Interior design

Garden Rooms by Design at the Bartlett Arboretum

Not far from me, in the back country of Stamford, CT, is a unique treasure. The Bartlett Arboretum contains 91… Read More

Astor Hotel China
Design, Food and drink, Interior design

Champalimaud and Holland & Sherry Present The Comptoirs Collection

Proving the power of creative collaboration, hospitality designer Alexandra Champalimaud and fabric house Holland & Sherry have joined forces to… Read More

Lalique AeroSystem One
Design, Interior design

New Concepts in Crystal & Collaboration at Lalique

In addition to the spectacular new jewelry collection I shared yesterday, Lalique has been very busy relaunching their label with… Read More

House Beautiful Sally Markham bunks
Architecture, Design, Interior design

The Big Appeal of Little Spaces

Perhaps it’s because I grew up in a cape that I have always loved the nooks and crannies in houses,… Read More

Voce di
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Voce di and New Voices

There is a new voice in luxury lifestyle in New York City. Last week I had the opportunity to visit… Read More

Video thumbnail for vimeo video 44220199
Art & Antiques, Design, Gifts, Interior design

Celebrating Local Talent at Pimlico

I am lucky to live in an area where so much talent abounds. Last week New Canaan, CT shop Pimlico… Read More

Chris Isles & SHeila Bridges
Architecture, Design, Interior design

ELLE DECOR Presents its New A-List at Baccarat

The beautiful new Baccarat showroom in the D&D Building was the elegant setting Wednesday evening for the third annual ELLE… Read More

Axor Bouroullec combinations
Design, Interior design

Feel Free to Compose: Axor Bouroullec

Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec are not your average designers. In Anniina Koivu’s monograph on the French design team, she compares… Read More

Pauline de Rothschild by Louise Dahl-Wolfe
Art & Antiques, Fashion, Interior design

Style Knows No Age: Iris Apfel at Sotheby’s

If ever there was an example of the value of staying true to one’s vision, Iris Apfel is certainly it!… 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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