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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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Books

Video thumbnail for youtube video hzcpzehmmai
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Interior design

Robert Couturier Designing Paradises

It is not surprising that the projects in Robert Couturier Designing Paradises are all beautiful, executed with an eye for… Read More

Peter Mendelsund books
Books, Design, Interior design

Judging a Book by its Cover

This weekend welcomes the T Magazine fall design issue. While, as always, there are a number of enticing pieces, from the latest… Read More

Markham Roberts Decorating the Way I See It
Books, Design, Interior design

Markham Roberts Decorating the Way I See It

Even after many successful years as a designer, Markham Roberts is still a bit of an enigma. Understated and seemingly… Read More

Prince Rainier and Grace Kelley in Celebrity Pets
Art & Antiques, Books, Travel

Celebrity Pets

Anyone who has a pet in their life knows all about the unconditional love they provide. Perhaps that’s why even the… Read More

George Stacey
Books, Interior design

Spring Design Books Round Up

While it’s usually the fall season that brings out the blockbuster line up of design books, this spring, a strong… Read More

Doug Meyer Legends window
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Interior design, Travel

A Fountainhead Fantasy by Doug Meyer at Legends

The best gathering at Legends was no doubt in Doug Meyer’s brilliant window installation for Dragonette, sponsored by the Palos Verdes Art… Read More

paris in snow
Books, Travel

This Year, Change Your Mind

Illustration by Valero Doval for the NY Times Now that it is a fresh new year, many are thinking of… Read More

Stephen Sills Decoration
Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Holiday, Interior design

Design Books Round Up

Although I started this fall with the best intentions, I somehow never managed to finish writing about the overwhelming number… Read More

Belstaff at Goodwood
Architecture, Books, Design, Interior design

The English Country House

While trends in architecture and decor come and go, the appeal of the English country house is one that perennially… Read More

Jacques Garcia for Baker
Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Interior design

Comings and Goings

It seems that The Season is upon us. So as assiduously as I attempt to catch up around here, ever… Read More

Classical Invention | The Architecture of John B. Murray
Architecture, Books, Design, Interior design

Classical Invention | The Architecture of John B. Murray

We really have the author’s mother to thank for John Murray‘s elegant new volume Classical Invention | The Architecture of… Read More

Howard Slatkin Fifth Avenue apartment
Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Gifts, Interior design

Howard Slatkin on One Kings Lane

For those of you who couldn’t get enough of Howard Slatkin’s amazing Fifth Avenue apartment, I am delighted to report you… 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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