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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Gifts

Verdura Accessories for Affordable Gift Glamour
Design, Gifts, Holiday, Interior design, Style

Verdura Accessories for Affordable Gift Glamour

Less than 10 days remain to see the wonderful Verdura at 75 exhibit. I encourage any of you within the… Read More

Austria in the Air and Other Online Gallavanting
Fashion, Gifts, Style, Travel

Austria in the Air and Other Online Gallavanting

You may remember last year at this time I suggested a visit to the Neue Galerie Gift Shop as all things… Read More

Gifts for the Wine Lovers on Your List
Food and drink, Gifts, Holiday

Gifts for the Wine Lovers on Your List

As this year’s late Thanksgiving is over and December is somehow suddenly upon us, it is officially time to think… Read More

At Ease | Labor Day
Food and drink, Gifts, Interior design

At Ease | Labor Day Lounging

It has been a glorious summer here in the northeast. Although it’s hard to believe, September is upon us. So… Read More

SKYSCAPES by Stacy Bass
Art & Antiques, Gifts

Skyscapes by Stacy Bass

In my daily perusing on Instagram, I realized that I was regularly receiving gorgeous images of Connecticut skies from local photographer… Read More

Aerin Lauder’s Southampton home
Gifts, Interior design

AERIN at Bergdorf Goodman

If I were to bury my ashes at Bergdorf’s, it would probably be on the seventh floor, where all temptation… Read More

Modern History at NYNow Market
Gifts, Interior design

The Midas Touch at NY Now Market

The mania for brass and gold tones continues as warm metallic finishes extend their dominance at NY Now Market. Whether considering… Read More

Jonathan Adler Venom coasters
Design, Gifts, Interior design

Jonathan Adler Going for the Gold at NY Now

After spending much of the day at NY Now, it was clear that brass and gold finishes are a continuing theme for… Read More

Calvin Klein Creative Director Francisco Costa’s weekend home
Gifts, Interior design

Calvin Klein Collection Luxury Bedding

Although we’ve been enjoying the luxurious langour of August weather, the home market is just heating up to present fall furnishings and… Read More

Doug Meyer designed dining room at Palos Verdes Art Center
Art & Antiques, Design, Gifts, Interior design, Travel

Out and About on Vicarious Visits

While I rarely post other sites’ content, there has just been so much I’ve been lusting after online, whether place, product or experience,… Read More

monogrammed bag from Best Monogram
Design, Gifts, Interior design

Best Monogram in Washington Depot, CT

While we’ll return to Nantucket next week, today we amble back to Connecticut for a peek at Best Monogram in the tiny… Read More

Pumpkin Pond Farm at A Perfect Setting at the Nantucket Antiques Show
Gifts, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

A Perfect Setting at the Nantucket Antiques Show Part 2

Today we continue our look at the tables at A Perfect Setting at the Nantucket Antiques Show. One of my… 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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