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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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Veranda Magazine

Sneak Peek – Veranda Wanderlust
Architecture, Books, Interior design

Sneak Peek – Veranda Wanderlust

Ask any designer to name their favorite source of inspiration and many will cite travel. Nothing quite refreshes and expands… Read More

Plain Chic in Connecticut
Architecture, Interior design

Plain Chic in Connecticut

I’ve written many times about the exceptional shopping in the tiny town of New Preston, Connecticut. Here, an array of… Read More

If It’s Tuesday…
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Gifts, Interior design

If It’s Tuesday…

This week felt a bit like the 60s comedy, If It’s Tuesday It Must be Belgium. With a plethora of… Read More

The Timeless Attraction of Toile
Design, Interior design

The Timeless Attraction of Toile

Another story in the 30th anniversary issue of Veranda that resonated with personal relevance was the icon selection in the… Read More

Catching Up Out and About
Architecture, Interior design, Nantucket

Catching Up Out and About

When you have young children, May is always the busiest month with year end performances, sports championships and exams. And it… Read More

More Designer Tables from the Lenox Hill Gala 2015
Design, Interior design

More Designer Tables from the Lenox Hill Gala 2015

With over 50 tables at the Veranda Magazine sponsored Lenox Hill Gala 2015, it was a visual feast with endless… Read More

Veranda Magazine Look Book May/June
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Garden, Interior design, Jewelry

Sneak Peek at What’s New in Veranda Magazine

As the new May/ June Veranda Magazine is about to hit mailboxes and newsstands, I was delighted to recently meet with editor-in-chief… Read More

Video thumbnail for youtube video jmgt_j2c5yy
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

Video thumbnail for youtube video xlne6m5qkec
Garden, Interior design

Behind the Scenes Video at the New York Botanical Garden Orchid Dinner

Sometimes it indeed takes a village and this is often the case when the talented designers are creating tables for… Read More

aerin lauder new year’s lunch
Food and drink, Holiday, Interior design

Rustic Chic New Year’s Lunch with Aerin Lauder

Attending elaborate parties thrown by her legendary grandmother, Estée Lauder, certainly influenced Aerin Lauder’s entertaining style. And tempered by her… Read More

Suzanne Kasler powder room
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Suzanne Kasler Brings Paris to Connecticut in Veranda

Designer Suzanne Kasler is well known for her sophisticated mix of classic and contemporary and in the upcoming September/October issue… Read More

Christopher Spitzmiller table at the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House spring 2013 gala
Design, Interior design

Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Spring Gala

The Lenox Hill Neighborhood House tabletop event is one of my very favorites. Benefitting this well respected and worthy organization,… Read More

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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.
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
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