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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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Luxury

The Exquisite World of Sevan Biçakçi
Books, Design, Jewelry

The Exquisite World of Sevan Biçakçi

Earlier this week, at the Sotheby’s Important Jewels preview, I dropped my business card in a bowl for a chance to… Read More

Armchair Traveler to France
Architecture, Books, Design, Food and drink, Interior design, Travel

Armchair Traveler to France

I buy design and lifestyle books for any number of reasons – for reference, for inspiration and certainly for enjoyment…. Read More

Lalique Fine Jewelry 2014 Soleil de Gaia collection
Fashion, Jewelry

Lalique Fine Jewelry 2014

Long before René Lalique began to focus on his legendary crystal creations, he was a master of fine jewelry. Influenced by the… Read More

The Power of Style | Verdura at 75
Fashion, Jewelry

Verdura 75th Anniversary Collection

This fall, the launch of the Verdura 75th Anniversary Collection will celebrate three quarters of a century of the iconic jeweler’s legendary… Read More

JAR books
Art & Antiques, Fashion, Jewelry

JAR at the Met

Not only is the JAR exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum the first US retrospective of jewelry designer Joel A. Rosenthal’s… Read More

Verdura NYC boutique
Fashion, Gifts, Jewelry

Holiday Shop Picks | Verdura

It’s always a good day when I have a reason to visit Verdura. In their elegant boutique overlooking Fifth Avenue… Read More

Marina Cicogna in T magazine
Architecture, Design, Interior design

T Magazine Luxury Issue

Deborah Needleman always seems to say just what I have been thinking but haven’t quite gotten around to articulating. In… Read More

At Home with Howard Slatkin
Architecture, Books, Design, Food and drink, Interior design

At Home with Howard Slatkin

There aren’t very many New York City apartments these days that could justify an entire book. But then again, there… Read More

Video thumbnail for youtube video ujxqrn5o22q
Food and drink, Travel

Daniel Boulud & Richard David Story | Conversations on Luxury

Please allow me to set the stage. For gastronomes in the know, Daniel Boulud certainly needs no introduction. With fourteen… Read More

Puiforcat champagne beaker quintessenceblog
Design, Gifts, Interior design

The Exceptional Silver of Puiforcat

While the house of Puiforcat was founded in 1820, it was fourth generation visionary Jean Puiforcat who really established the… Read More

Video thumbnail for youtube video yabnjttcxd4
Design, Fashion, Interior design, Jewelry

Veranda Magic Makers Awards

In a world that is all too often focussed on expedience and mass market appeal, it is refreshing to read… Read More

D&D building fall market Collage
Design, Interior design

Fall Market at the D&D

What a packed day at the D&D building yesterday! From 9 am to 1o at night, it was a day… Read More

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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.
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.
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