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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Entertaining

At Home on Vashon Island with Ted Kennedy Watson and Ted Sive
Books, Design, Entertaining, Food and drink, Interior design, Style, Tabletop, Travel, Video

At Home on Vashon Island with Ted Kennedy Watson and Ted Sive

Most Saturdays, after closing up their two Watson Kennedy shops in Seattle, Ted Kennedy Watson and husband Ted Sive, head… Read More

Merry Christmas
Entertaining, Holiday, Tabletop

Merry Christmas

While we all hoped for a more convivial holiday, with the ability to travel to loved ones and gather together… Read More

Happy Thanksgiving
Entertaining, Holiday, Style, Tabletop

Happy Thanksgiving

While this is traditionally a time to be thankful, this year seems especially meaningful as we are all so much… Read More

At Home in London with Nina Campbell
Entertaining, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in London with Nina Campbell

With an international following and commissions around the world, Nina Campbell is one of the industry’s most well known and respected designers…. Read More

Merry Christmas!
Entertaining, Holiday, Interior design, Tabletop

Merry Christmas!

I meant for this to arrive in your inboxes this morning but with the excitement of having everyone home, guests… Read More

Summer Entertaining Favorites
Entertaining, Food and drink, Gifts, Nantucket, Tabletop, Travel

Summer Entertaining Favorites

While I edit my shots from my latest Nantucket house tours, I thought I would share an easy summer entertaining… Read More

Spring 2018 Tabletop Market
Entertaining, Gifts, Interior design, Tabletop

Spring 2018 Tabletop Market

While the Lenox Hill gala has provided inspiration for warmer weather entertaining, the Spring 2018 Tabletop Market offers a glimpse… Read More

Setting the Table with Charlotte Moss
Books, Entertaining, Gifts, Interior design, Tabletop, Video

Setting the Table with Charlotte Moss

Charlotte Moss is not only a celebrated decorator and prolific author but a consummate and creative hostess. And although the… Read More

First Look at the NYBG Orchid Dinner 2018
Entertaining, Style, Tabletop

First Look at the NYBG Orchid Dinner 2018

How delightful during the midst of frigid temps and freezing rain to step inside the Plaza Hotel for an evening… Read More

Merry Merry
Entertaining, Holiday, Style, Tabletop

Merry Merry

For those of you who celebrate Christmas, I wish you all a very merry merry! This year for my table,… Read More

At Home in New Orleans with Jane Scott Hodges
Art & Antiques, Books, Entertaining, Interior design, Tabletop, Travel, Video

At Home in New Orleans with Jane Scott Hodges

As the founder and owner of Leontine Linens, Jane Scott Hodges is credited with reviving the art of couture linens… Read More

Setting the Table With Carolyne Roehm in Charleston
Entertaining, Interior design, Tabletop, Travel, Video

Setting the Table With Carolyne Roehm in Charleston

When Susanna and I decided to launch our new Setting the Table With video series, filming Carolyne Roehm in Charleston 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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