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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Paris

At Home with designer Pierre Gonalons in his jewelbox Paris apartment
Interior design, Video

At Home with designer Pierre Gonalons in his jewelbox Paris apartment

Step inside the Paris apartment of French product and interior designer Pierre Gonalons, celebrated for his refined balance of heritage,… Read More

At Home in Paris with the Hurleys
Antiques, Architecture, Decorative Arts, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in Paris with the Hurleys

When Chilean born designer Micky Hurley and wife Malu decided to split their time between New York and Europe, they… Read More

At Home in Paris with Eric Goujou
Decorative Arts, Tabletop, Travel, Video

At Home in Paris with Eric Goujou

In the heart of old Paris, in the 5th arrondissement, La Tuile à Loup has been a go-to source for… Read More

At Home in Paris with Bambi Sloan
Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in Paris with Bambi Sloan

It’s hard to imagine a decorator who embraces irreverent interiors more than designer Bambi Sloan. Whether reimagining a hotel or… Read More

At Home in Paris with Pierre Sauvage
Architecture, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in Paris with Pierre Sauvage

While designer, shop owner and author Pierre Sauvage was only vaguely considering moving to a new apartment in Paris, little… Read More

At Home in Paris with Jamie Creel and Marco Scarani
Antiques, Architecture, Art & Antiques, Decorative Arts, Design, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in Paris with Jamie Creel and Marco Scarani

Jamie Creel and partner Marco Scarani are men of sophistication and refinement, whose world travels and global collections inform their… Read More

Virtual Postcard Paris
Travel, Video, Virtual Postcard

Virtual Postcard Paris

In our latest Virtual Postcard video, join us in Paris as Susanna visits the City of Light and discovers that… Read More

Chateau Progress: A Sneak Peek with Timothy Corrigan
Architecture, Interior design, Travel, Video

Chateau Progress: A Sneak Peek with Timothy Corrigan

Readers rejoice! In response to many requests, Susanna Salk’s and my latest video is a special sneak peek of Timothy… Read More

At Home in Paris with Timothy Corrigan
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in Paris with Timothy Corrigan

Every since designer Timothy Corrigan lived in Paris as an advertising executive in the late 1980s, he has been a… Read More

Ancien et Moderne 2019 at Paris Deco Off
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design, Travel

Ancien et Moderne 2019 at Paris Deco Off

Next week marks the start of the design year with Maison et Objet and Paris Deco Off 2019. And for… Read More

In Auction News – Pierre Bergé at Sotheby’s
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

In Auction News – Pierre Bergé at Sotheby’s

This year has seen some amazing auctions unfold and the action will continue this October in Paris as Sotheby’s just… Read More

72 Hours in France!
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Garden, Interior design, Travel

72 Hours in France!

As mentioned in my last post, I spent 72 hours in France this week with Susanna Salk, filming two new… 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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