Meet the blogger: Stacey Bewkes

We caught up with Stacey Bewkes, the bloggers behind Quintessence, just before she joins the DDB's Spring Market tomorrow. Check back soon for a slew of coverage from our favorite participating bloggers!

How long have you been blogging: I started in August 2012. I was born and raised in Tarrytown, NY and have a degree in art history from Brown. My corporate career was spent as art director at Simon & Schuster. Both these past lives were perfect preparation for what I do now - compare and contrast, search out great combinations of style of substance, discover new talent, combine writing and aesthetics, figure out how to put what I see into words and visa versa.

What's your blogging schedule like? I work in some way all day long, whether attending events, researching, writing, photo editing. And yes, the computer fires up in the morning with my first cup of coffee.

Do you have a favorite showroom? I couldn't possibly pick a single favorite showroom - so many great ones.

Tell us some of your favorite things? Like picking your favorite child, I couldn't possibly choose just one. As for accessories, I love everything from books, mirrors, and trays to ceramics, candlesticks, hurricanes and all tabletop!

What's on your bedside table? A very individualized mix of personal objects, photos, magazines and books. I always have a personalized pad and pencil or pen handy. Right now I have Dransfield and Ross faux shagreen blue pencils I love.

How do you get your news? Mostly online and in the car. Even though we have a daily paper delivery I frequently only get to the Friday and weekend editions.

What are some of your favorite bookmarks? I check many sites every day but besides social media sites (predominantly facebook and twitter), some daily visits might include the Wall Street Journal, New York Times (mostly the art & style sections), Net a Porter, Bergdorf's blog, Vogue, 1stDibs.

What are some of your latest discoveries? I have several fantastic new discoveries (a new store and a couple new tabletop brands) but I'm afraid you'll have to read the blog to see them - they're coming soon.

Anything quirky you want to share? I eat my (almost nightly) ice cream in a tea cup with an espresso spoon - it makes it last longer!!

Event Recap: Tania Vartan at John Rosselli (Part 2)

Quintessence Blog writer Stacey Bewkes tells us more about Tania Vartan and her newest collection of hand-printed textiles for John Rosselli & Associates.

By Stacey Bewkes

After 17 years in New York, wanderlust set in and Tania moved to Europe, living and working in the south of France and London with such luminaries as Alain Ducasse and David Linley before moving back to the States where she settled, this time, in Palm Beach. She spent most of her time executing charming watercolors of clients’ interiors, such as this Albert Hadley designed living room.

But even during this period, she spent a large part of the year in Florence where she established a tromp l’oeil academy and turned her huge palazzo apartment on the Arno into a living work of art!

Last year her life came full circle and, after a brief stint in London, she found herself back in New York where she started creating a collection of textiles based on her fashion designs from the 1970′s. Hand printed on linen in England, the capsule collection of 11 patterns is carried through John Rosselli at the DDB.

Tania has also recently published a book A Memoir of the Decorative Arts 1970 – 2011, an illustrated story of her incredible experiences and work. It is available through Rizzoli as a limited edition work. Tania shared the beautiful malachite inspired endpapers as well as some of her early fashion fabrics.

Because Tania clearly has creative juices coursing through her veins, she has also created a line of hand painted silk pillows, a collection of eglomise and continues to collaborate with designers as a decorative painter.

Tania is one of those people who grabbed life by the horns. So full of life and creative energy, hers is an inspiring story of self-expression and following one’s passion!

You can read more from Quintessence Blog online, and let us know your favorite Tania Vartan pattern, if you can pick just one!

Event Recap: Tania Vartan at John Rosselli (Part 1 of 2)

Stacey Bewkes, creator and author of Quintessence Blog, recently attended a breakfast with Tania Vartan to see her collection of hand-printed textiles at the John Rosselli & Associates showroom at the DDB. Quintessence is an upscale lifestyle blog presenting daily style inspiration on topics ranging from interiors and fashion to art, architecture, wine and film. Following a 17 year career as an art director at Simon & Schuster, Stacey offers valuable and experience insight on her blog. Stacey gave us the scoop on the fabulous event and the backstory on Tania's vibrant journey through the world of interiors.

By Stacey Bewkes

What a delightful morning! Not only did I get to spend some time with several friends I don’t often see, but Tania’s tale was so inspiring and fascinating that we were all entranced by her incredible talent and creative life!

A southern debutante from Kentucky, Tania’s creative spirit has taken her on an amazing journey of incredible experiences around the world, leading an enviable life that is the stuff of young girls’ dreams. After trying out a variety of art colleges on for size, Tania traveled the globe drinking in life – a year studying in Paris, living on a houseboat in California while making costumes for Rock groups, working in Canadian theater design in Montreal and an impressive stint on Seventh Avenue in New York City, where she founded a small company manufacturing dresses of her own print fabric and design.

But fashion was not ultimately her calling. In 1978, Tania rented an apartment on Park Avenue, which she covered in tromp l’oeil painting and used her dress fabrics to make curtains and upholstery. Mark Hampton, who lived across the street, discovered her talents and a career was launched. From first Hampton client, Lee Radziwill, to the Smithsonian and the White House, Tania’s commissions took her around the country and the globe.

Tania was commissioned by the Smithsonian Institute to paint two life size murals of interiors of the White House. The Family Staircase circa 1902 depicts Teddy Roosevelt’s oldest and youngest children and is now on permanent display in the National Museum of American History.

Check back for more from Quintessence Blog about Tania Vartan and where her vast career in fashion and design has landed her these days.