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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Art & Antiques

Susanna Salk and Alex Papachristidis at Gerald Bland
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Stylish Shopping Bonus at Gerald Bland

As with our last Stylish Shopping episode with Alexa Hampton, our cup runneth over with sage advice and creative ideas… Read More

Rachel Laxer DIFFA table place setting
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

DIFFA Dining by Design 2013

DIFFA is a cause close to the members of the design community’s hearts and Dining by Design always brings out… Read More

AD Home Show
Art & Antiques, Interior design

Architectural Digest Home Show and Dining by Design

After a long day at the AD Home Show that segued directly into DIFFA Dining by Design, it is too… Read More

Video thumbnail for youtube video zggbyugw0w4
Art & Antiques, Interior design

Stylish Shopping with Susanna Salk and Alex Papachristidis

To quote my video partner in crime, Susanna Salk, Alex Papachristidis is just yummy. And it’s so true! His enthusiasm… Read More

Rachel Laxer interiors
Art & Antiques, Interior design

Robert Four | Aubussons for Yesterday & Today

Another Paris recommendation from designer Rachel Laxer is the Robert Four gallery. The largest manufacturers of Aubusson tapestry weaving, they… Read More

chateau de grand luce_c
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Timothy Corrigan on Antiques and Interiors Part 2

Today we continue our conversation with Timothy Corrigan on antiques and interiors. I am a fan of his great use… Read More

Timothy Corrigan | Designing and Living with Antiques
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Garden, Interior design

Timothy Corrigan | Designing and Living with Antiques

Timothy Corrigan’s tag line “A World of Comfortable Elegance” tidily sums up his distinctive design ethos. Known for his fusion… Read More

hotel labels from northern Europe
Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Travel

World Tour

World Tour is a tribute to travel. Not the travel of today with long lines and frequent frustrations but the… Read More

Andrea Salvetti Prato Colorato mirror
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design, Travel

Rachel Laxer Paris Design Finds | Avant-Scène

All of Rachel Laxer’s interiors are marked by a sophisticated and often unexpected edge, due in great part to her… Read More

Bertoia Bush Sculpture at Lost City Arts
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Young Collectors Night at the Winter Antiques Show

Young Collectors Night at the Winter Antiques Show focusses on a new generation of art and design enthusiasts. It was… Read More

Hyde Park Antiques regency sofa table detail
Art & Antiques, Design, Gifts, Interior design, Jewelry

1stDibs Designers Preview at the Winter Antiques Show

Before the throngs arrived on opening morning at the Winter Antiques Show, I was delighted to attend the Designers’ Preview… Read More

fornasetti Teatro in linen and aqua
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design, Travel

Cole and Son Fornasetti II at Maison et Objet

Cole and Son has long been one of my favorite wallpaper lines so I was delighted to see their booth… Read More

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As we start the new year, taking a deep fresh brea As we start the new year, taking a deep fresh breath with inspiration from Spanish designer @ludovicoporta . See how he creates a sense of calm elegance using curated collections and negative space in his magnificent renovated 18th century palacio. Watch the entire house tour on the Quintessence YouTube channel.
Monday blues with an international cadre of artisa Monday blues with an international cadre of artisanal tableware from our @shopqworthy collection. Shop it all through link in profile.
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).
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