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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Food and drink

A Day in Venice
Art & Antiques, Fashion, Food and drink, Interior design, Travel

A Day in Venice

Nobody knows how to give good travel recommendations better than a local. And when that local is the head of a… Read More

Summer Travel Inspiration from Italy
Fashion, Food and drink, Interior design, Travel

Summer Travel Inspiration from Italy

While it isn’t even officially summer, the Memorial Day weekend has clearly marked the onset of summer travel. Already I’ve been… Read More

Weekend Wandering at the Met
Art & Antiques, Fashion, Food and drink

Weekend Wandering at the Met

Tag along for a visit to the Met for a peek at the not-to-be-missed Madame Cézanne show and a couple smaller exhibitions.

Armchair Traveler to France
Architecture, Books, Design, Food and drink, Interior design, Travel

Armchair Traveler to France

I buy design and lifestyle books for any number of reasons – for reference, for inspiration and certainly for enjoyment…. Read More

Quintessential Guide to Champagne 2014
Food and drink, Holiday

Quintessential Guide to Champagne 2014

While I am a proponent of drinking champagne throughout the year, there is certainly no more traditional time to celebrate with a… 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

Happy Thanksgiving
Design, Food and drink

Happy Thanksgiving

As I prepare my table to celebrate Thanksgiving this year, I am so grateful to have my entire family home… Read More

A Champagne Tasting with Antonio Galloni
Food and drink

A Champagne Tasting with Antonio Galloni

Those of us who feel champagne is right for any occasion have an advocate in Antonio Galloni. The well respected wine… Read More

In the Studio Video with Susanna Salk and Frances Palmer
Art & Antiques, Food and drink, Garden, Interior design

In the Studio Video with Susanna Salk and Frances Palmer

I had been a fan of Frances Palmer and her beautiful ceramics long before I started this blog. Her distinctive and… Read More

Cornucopia Magazine
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Food and drink, Interior design, Travel

Cornucopia Magazine

I can still remember seeing Mica and Ahmet Ertegun’s Bodrum villa for the first time. It was decades ago in a publication… 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

Nye’s Cream Sandwiches at Taigan Marketplace
Fashion, Food and drink, Gifts, Holiday

Shopping the Taigan Marketplace

As you readers know, I am a long time fan of the Taigan Marketplace, an online shopping site featuring a hand selected collection… 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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