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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Month: January 2015

Winter Antiques Show 2015
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design, Travel

Winter Antiques Show 2015

The Winter Antiques Show 2015 is, as always, a great way to kick off the year. The 61st edition of… Read More

The Irrepressible Charm and Chic of La DoubleJ
Design, Fashion, Interior design, Travel

The Irrepressible Charm and Chic of La DoubleJ

Today we move north in Italy to Milan where fashion and design journalist J.J. Martin lives. Known for her enviably chic vintage wardrobe,… Read More

Looking Back to Move Forward
Art & Antiques, Fashion, Interior design, Travel

Looking Back to Move Forward

Having just immersed ourselves in the dazzling world of Duke Fulco di Verdura, it was fortuitous to learn, via T magazine,… Read More

Behind the Scenes Video at Verdura at 75
Design, Jewelry

Behind the Scenes Video at Verdura at 75

2014 was a big year for Verdura and the iconic jewelry house celebrated in singular style with an unprecedented exhibit last… Read More

Travel the World with Stefano Scatà
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design

Travel the World with Stefano Scatà

A small wrench in the system unfortunately meant a last-minute cancellation for my trip to Paris. While I regroup, I didn’t want… Read More

Design Moving Forward
Interior design, Travel

Design Moving Forward

January has been flying by almost as quickly as the holidays came and went. While most vestiges of Christmas in my house… Read More

Style Knows No Age
Fashion

Style Knows No Age

I am certainly not alone in my espousal of the belief that style knows no age. And it seems lately that the… Read More

The Power of Wallpaper in House Beautiful
Interior design

The Power of Wallpaper in House Beautiful

As soon as I got a peek at the project by Philip Gorrivan in the February House Beautiful, I knew… Read More

Armchair Traveler to France
Architecture, Books, Design, Food and drink, Interior design, Travel

Armchair Traveler to France

I buy design and lifestyle books for any number of reasons – for reference, for inspiration and certainly for enjoyment…. Read More

Lilly Pulitzer for Target
Design, Fashion, Gifts, Interior design

Lilly Pulitzer for Target

Yesterday evening, in the iconic Pool Room of the Four Seasons Restaurant, Target announced their latest design collaboration with another iconic American… Read More

A New Year’s Salute to our Four Legged Friends
Interior design

A New Year’s Salute to our Four Legged Friends

We had a recent scare with our dog Charlie, who I am happy to report is fine. But it was… Read More

New Year’s Movies
Holiday

New Year’s Movies

Welcome to 2015! Whether out and about or celebrating at home, I hope you all ushered in the new year with style…. Read More

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And the winner of the @academia_de_la_mesa table c And the winner of the @academia_de_la_mesa table contest is… (drumroll please!) this extraordinary table by @Monicabardaji!! She entered on the very last day of the competition and completely won us over! With this table, Mónica has managed to create something both modern and classic, using completely unexpected elements. Nothing on the table is unnecessary and yet nothing is missing. The mix of wood and silver is phenomenally chic, the color and size of the flowers are perfect and we found it extremely elegant! It was a tough choice for us judges, as there was strong competition right on her heels!

Mónica is the lucky winner of the best prize we have ever given (what you see in the last photo), consisting of a Limoges porcelain tableware set, Cristóbal Marine, offered by @raynaud_porcelaines; six hand engraved glasses from @artel_glass; six embroidered placemats with their napkins from @noel_lingedemaison_paris; and six Tokyo Noir cutlery sets from @alain_saint_joanis.

All the finalists’ tables were wonderful, each with something that made it extraordinary, and we can only congratulate you on your creativity and craftsmanship!

Congratulations to Mónica as the winner, but also to all the other participants—each of you, with your tables, makes this possible! Over the coming days we will be raffling off the remaining prizes!!

Heartfelt thanks to the “usual” jury (@azarraluqui @amarosanchezdemoya @bea_satrustegui @carmencarooneill @paz_qb @raulromeropress and @vanessacraccoliving) and to our guest stars @bonadeaofficial @casa__lopez @quintessence (honored to be included) and @vioscooking — it has been a fantastic edition! ♥️
In this snowy January weather, see how @timothycor In this snowy January weather, see how @timothycorrigan uses a plethora of @benjaminmoore whites to full advantage in his elegant Paris apartment. Full home tour on the Quintessence YouTube channel!
Quiet breakfast on this snowy morning. I cross sti Quiet breakfast on this snowy morning. I cross stitched these placemats for my mother YEARS ago when I was living in Switzerland. They have recently come full circle back to me and on this holiday are a lovely reminder of both her and my time spent there. Grounding tablecloth from @heathertaylorhome  @latuilealoup aptware and mini baskets. Flatware from @alain_saint_joanis in my shop and last, but certainly not least, my spectacular handpainted pitcher and glassware set by the talented @margotlar (available by special order through the shop).
Let the family festivities begin. All four chicks Let the family festivities begin. All four chicks are in the nest, the table is set, the tree is decorated. A Merry Christmas Eve to all from our Nantucket home to yours!

And don’t forget to enter your table in the @academia_de_la_mesa table contest. There are amazing prizes to enhance your tabletop repertoire
The Christmas Tablesetting Contest starts now!! Fr The Christmas Tablesetting Contest starts now!! From this moment until midnight on January 7, 2026 you can post photos of your tables to win the contest and a myriad of incredible prizes. To take part you need:

1. To post photos on a public IG account
2. ⁠To tag in the picture of your post @Academia_de_la_mesa & mention you are taking part in the Contest 
3. You can publish as many photos of your table as fit in a single POST (no reels, no stories, no videos please). We need to see AT LEAST 2 pictures of your table showing the entire table and one placesetting.
4. ⁠You can take part a maximum of 3 times, with 3 different tables (one single post for each)
That’s it!! Winners will be announced in January. Please post pictures of your own tables at home, no event or magazine pictures 🙏🏻 (and no AI). 

The winner will receive a wonderful prize of the best of the best that there is in tableware kindly donated by @alain_saint_joanis @artel_glass @noel_lingedemaison_paris and @raynaud_porcelaines AND just for taking part you will be eligible for 7 additional magnificent  prizes by @aquazzuracasa (in conjunction with @incasastudio) @elalmacendeloza @erbavoglio.milano @gordiola_vidrios @palmira_decoracion @staub.es and @thetablelove (see stories for details). (NB: unless otherwise stated by the donors all prizes will be delivered in Spain but we can help winners arrange shipping) 

We can’t wait to see your tables! Happy tablesetting with love from the jury, made up of: 
@amarosanchezdemoya @azarraluqui @bea_satrustegui @bonadeaofficial @carmencarooneill @casa__lopez @paz_qb @quintessence @raulromeropress @vanessacraccoliving and @vioscooking
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