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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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Interior design

Peter Hone Collection at Christie’s Interiors Sale
Art & Antiques, Interior design

Peter Hone Collection at Christie’s Interiors Sale

Of all the auctions this month, none could be more charming than the Christie’s Interiors Sale of the Hone Collection in… Read More

Schumacher x Cabana
Architecture, Design, Interior design, Travel

Schumacher x Cabana

Twice a year design aficionados in the know anxiously await the arrival of the new Cabana Magazine. Not only do… Read More

At Home with Susanna Salk and Katie Ridder and Peter Pennoyer
Architecture, Books, Design, Garden, Interior design

At Home with Susanna Salk and Katie Ridder and Peter Pennoyer

Husband and wife, architect and interior designer, California girl and New York City boy. This combination wouldn’t necessarily bode well for… Read More

TEFAF New York Fall Preview
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design, Jewelry

TEFAF New York Fall Preview

TEFAF (The European Fine Art Fair) is widely regarded as the world’s most distinguished art and antiques fair. Established in 1988, it has showcased… Read More

Inside the Design Library with Beacon Hill at D&D Fall Market
Books, Interior design, Style

Inside the Design Library with Beacon Hill at D&D Fall Market

“Textile designs serve no practical function, but they can transform an environment, tell the story of a culture, symbolize a… Read More

Sotheby’s Fall Auctions
Art & Antiques, Interior design

Sotheby’s Fall Auctions

Anticipating next week’s Fall Market at the D&D Building (more exciting news about that next time) followed by the first ever TEFAF New York… Read More

2016 Fall Tabletop Market
Interior design

2016 Fall Tabletop Market

A few weeks ago, the latest in the art of the table was celebrated at the 2016 Fall Tabletop Market. While most… Read More

Five Days of Dogs and Design in LA
Design, Interior design, Travel

Five Days of Dogs and Design in LA

As Susanna Salk and I finish up five days of shooting for Dogs and Their Designers in Los Angeles, I… Read More

John Derian Picture Book
Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Gifts, Interior design

John Derian Picture Book

If ever there was a person who has built a hugely successful and much imitated business based on a very… Read More

Wanderlust by Michelle Nussbaumer
Art & Antiques, Books, Interior design

Wanderlust by Michelle Nussbaumer

While many designers glean inspiration from their travels, Michelle Nussbaumer takes her love of worldly cultures and treasures to another… Read More

Animalia at the San Francisco Fall Art & Antiques Show
Art & Antiques, Interior design

Animalia at the San Francisco Fall Art & Antiques Show

Next month the 35th edition of the San Francisco Fall Art & Antiques Show will bring together sixty top dealers… Read More

What’s New What’s Next with Windsor Smith and Arteriors
Design, Interior design

What’s New What’s Next with Windsor Smith and Arteriors

This Thursday the eighth annual What’s New What’s Next kicks off the fall design season with their popular venue at… 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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