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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Tabletop events

Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala 2017 Part II
Design, Interior design

Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala 2017 Part II

With so many beautiful tables, it was impossible to fit them all in a single post so today I bring you… Read More

Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala Tables Part II
Interior design

Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala Tables Part II

As I know everyone enjoys the originality of the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala tables, today we’ll take a final look at a… Read More

2016 Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala
Interior design

2016 Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala

While last week was chock full of design happenings, I was thrilled to be able to at least sneak a… Read More

Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala 2015
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala 2015

Last Wednesday evening, crowds turned out for the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala 2015. Honoring long time board member Juan A…. Read More

New York Botanical Garden Orchid Dinner 2015
Garden, Interior design

New York Botanical Garden Orchid Dinner 2015

Tuesday night at the Mandarin Oriental in New York marked the New York Botanical Garden‘s Orchid Dinner 2015. One of my… Read More

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Interior design

Setting a Stylish Table with Carolina Irving for Oscar de la Renta Home | Video

Carolina Irving has worn many stylish hats. But her most recent incarnation is that of Creative Director of Oscar de… Read More

Meredith Hutchison Interior Design Orchid Dinner table
Garden, Interior design

NY Botanical Garden Orchid Dinner Finale

Although we took a little break last week to travel to France, I wanted to bring you a brief finale… 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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