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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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    • Books that I have collaborated on, as photographer, with design author Susanna Salk
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    • At Home with Dogs and Their Designers: Sharing a Stylish Life
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    • At Home with Designers and Tastemakers: Creating Beautiful and Personal Interiors
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Interior design

Wind-Rose-accessories
Design, Interior design

High Point Picks – Wind Rose

Thanks to friend Liz Morten who led me to the Wind Rose showroom in Market Square. She has written about… Read More

Global-views-decorative-pillows
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

High Point Picks – Eclectic Elements

Natural Curiosities strikes just the right creative note with its eclectic and somewhat eccentric collections encompassing the “beautiful, historical and… Read More

Arteriors-mirrors
Design, Interior design

High Point Picks – Day One!

Where oh where to start! My first visit to market was an incredible two days of whirlwind activity – from… Read More

Oomph-Charleston-mirror
Design, Interior design

High Point Picks – Put a Little Oomph in Your Life

Oomph is a line that is easy to love! Tailored yet fun, simple yet stylish, the oh so versatile collection… Read More

TradHome Spring 2012 issue
Design, Interior design

Welcome to the New TradHome Spring 2012 Issue

I am thrilled to announce that Traditional Home’s TradHome spring 2012 issue is live. Stop by and see the design stories… Read More

Frederick-P.-Victoria-Lenox-Hill-gala-table-detail
Entertaining, Interior design, Tabletop

Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala Finale

Kudos to all the designers who created tables for this amazing event. Today is the last grouping of inspiration for… Read More

More Tabletop Inspiration from the Lenox Hill Gala
Entertaining, Interior design, Tabletop

More Tabletop Inspiration from the Lenox Hill Gala

Welcome to part two of the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala, featuring more of the spectacular designer tables. It was… Read More

Traditional Home May 2012
Design, Interior design

Thank You Traditional Home

A big thank you to the entire editorial team at Traditional Home – thrilled to be mentioned in the May… Read More

Nick-Olsen-The-Cult-of-Persephone-table-for-Lenox-Hill-Gala
Entertaining, Food and drink, Interior design, Tabletop

Spring Fever at the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala

The Lenox Hill Neighborhood House is one of the most well respected and popular nonprofit organizations in New York City…. Read More

tilton-fenwick-hamptons-showhouse
Design, Interior design

Made in MA with Merida

Merida is my kind of company. Not only are they a leader in the field of natural fiber flooring, seriously… Read More

Neoclassical-mirror-&-chair
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

An Evening at the Antique and Artisan Center

With 22,000 square feet featuring over 80 of the hottest dealers in America, the Antique & Artisan Center is the anchor… Read More

Hutton-Home-Message-in-a-bottle-table
Design, Interior design

Creative Collaboration: Pierre Frey & Hutton Home

I have long been a fan of Pierre Frey and their beautiful line of fabrics and home furnishings. From their… 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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