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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Interior design

Alex Papachristidis Kips Bay Show House Dining Room
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design

Alex Papachristidis Kips Bay Show House Dining Room

Enter Alex Papachristidis‘ Kips Bay Show House dining room and you are transported to a tour de force of enchanting elegance. Shades of… Read More

To Los Angeles and Back
Architecture, Interior design

To Los Angeles and Back

I’ve just returned from a whirlwind trip to Los Angeles and back with Susanna Salk that left us, as she describes it, “elated and exhausted.”… Read More

LCDQ Windows for Legends Sneak Peek
Interior design, Travel

LCDQ Windows for Legends Sneak Peek

If you’re following along on Instagram, you know that it’s been a busy few days in Los Angeles. In between… Read More

It’s the Little Things in New Preston
Books, Design, Garden, Gifts, Interior design

It’s the Little Things in New Preston

The town of New Preston, CT may be tiny but it looms large as a design destination. And this weekend, seven… Read More

Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala Tables Part II
Interior design

Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala Tables Part II

As I know everyone enjoys the originality of the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala tables, today we’ll take a final look at a… Read More

2016 Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala
Interior design

2016 Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala

While last week was chock full of design happenings, I was thrilled to be able to at least sneak a… Read More

At Home with Susanna Salk and Laura Kirar
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

At Home with Susanna Salk and Laura Kirar

Laura Kirar is a designer who approaches her work with the heart of an artist. Known for her artistic approach to interiors… Read More

A Whirlwind Week of Design
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

A Whirlwind Week of Design

While spring is always bustling with events, this has been a particularly action packed week of design. I hope to be… Read More

First Look at the Sotheby’s Showhouse 2016
Antiques, Art & Antiques, Decorative Arts, Interior design, Style

First Look at the Sotheby’s Showhouse 2016

This week, At Home, the Sotheby’s Showhouse 2016 opened. Running through next Saturday, the third annual Designer Showhouse and Auction… Read More

AERIN Fall 2016 Accessories Sneak Peek
Fashion, Gifts, Interior design

AERIN Fall 2016 Accessories Sneak Peek

As we are still waiting for spring-like temperatures, it’s also time to look ahead to the fall collections. This year AERIN‘s fall… Read More

Oomph Greenwich has Arrived!
Design, Gifts, Interior design

Oomph Greenwich has Arrived!

I have followed the trajectory of Oomph ever since they established their stylish Connecticut based brand over seven years ago…. Read More

Ralph Lauren Home Fall 2016
Interior design

Ralph Lauren Home Fall 2016

Yesterday evening Ralph Lauren Home celebrated their fall 2016 collections and new dedicated Instagram feed at their expansive Chelsea headquarters. Here,… 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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