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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Travel

At Home with Laura Kirar and Richard Frazier in Yucatan, Mexico
Architecture, Interior design, Video

At Home with Laura Kirar and Richard Frazier in Yucatan, Mexico

There are certain homes that feel inseparable from their surroundings, places that could exist nowhere else. The Yucatán home of… Read More

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 Milan with Eric Egan
Antiques, Art & Antiques, Decorative Arts, Interior design, Video

At Home in Milan with Eric Egan

Join us in Milan where we step inside the richly layered world of interior designer Eric Egan. Nestled in the… Read More

At Home with Veere Grenney in his Extraordinary Gardens in Tangier
Books, Design, Garden, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home with Veere Grenney in his Extraordinary Gardens in Tangier

When designer Veere Grenney bought his house in Tangier, it was not only the breathtaking hilltop location with its captivating… Read More

At Home with Veere Greeney in Tangier, Morocco
Architecture, Books, Design, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home with Veere Greeney in Tangier, Morocco

Tag along to Tangier for a behind the scenes visit with designer Veere Grenney at Gazebo, his extraordinary Moroccan home… Read More

At Home in Marrakesh with Meryanne Loum-Martin
Architecture, Garden, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in Marrakesh with Meryanne Loum-Martin

Join Susanna in Marrakesh, Morocco as she visits renowned hotelier Meryanne Loum-Martin at her stunning property containing both her renowned… Read More

At Home with Peter Copping and Rambert Rigaud at La Carlière
Antiques, Architecture, Art & Antiques, Decorative Arts, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home with Peter Copping and Rambert Rigaud at La Carlière

Tag along to Normandy, France for a behind the scenes visit with Peter Copping and Rambert Rigaud at their 15th… Read More

At Home in Madrid with Casa Josephine
Architecture, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in Madrid with Casa Josephine

A former priests’ dorm from the 18th century might not be everyone’s concept of a dream home, but it was… Read More

At Home in Madrid with Lorenzo Castillo
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in Madrid with Lorenzo Castillo

When renowned Spanish interior designer Lorenzo Castillo found his current home, over 20 years ago, it was a neglected theater… Read More

At Home in Seattle with Ted Kennedy Watson and Ted Sive
Entertaining, Gifts, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in Seattle with Ted Kennedy Watson and Ted Sive

Inspired by an article they read, shop owner and author Ted Kennedy Watson and partner Ted Sive read, they decided… 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

Virtual Postcard Egypt
Travel, Video, Virtual Postcard

Virtual Postcard Egypt

In our latest Virtual Postcard, join Susanna Salk as she visits Egypt, a multidimensional country that celebrates both the ancient… 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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