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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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    • At Home with Dogs and Their Designers: Sharing a Stylish Life
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Holiday

Happy Mother’s Day
Entertaining, Holiday, Tabletop

Happy Mother’s Day

Wishing a very Happy Mother’s Day to all the amazing moms out there – birth moms, adoptive moms, stepmoms, foster… Read More

Happy 4th of July
Entertaining, Holiday, Nantucket, Tabletop

Happy 4th of July

It seems like two seconds ago it was Memorial Day and now summer here on Nantucket is in full throttle…. Read More

Happy Easter
Entertaining, Holiday, Tabletop

Happy Easter

It’s a beautiful day here on Nantucket and finally feels like spring might actually be arriving sometime soon – a… Read More

Happy Thanksgiving
Entertaining, Holiday, Tabletop

Happy Thanksgiving

Hoping everyone had a wonderful holiday. In these challenging times, it’s important to be grateful for family and friends and… Read More

Happy Easter
Entertaining, Entertainment, Holiday, Tabletop

Happy Easter

From my table here on Nantucket to yours, wishing all of you readers who celebrate a very happy Easter. With… Read More

Merry Christmas 2022
Entertaining, Fashion, Holiday, Tabletop

Merry Christmas 2022

Hoping all who celebrated had a very Merry Christmas! This year I was delighted to collaborate with The Ark Elements… Read More

Happy Thanksgiving and Exciting News
Entertaining, Holiday, Tabletop

Happy Thanksgiving and Exciting News

There is always much to be thankful for at this time of year – family and friends, health and a… 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

Merry Christmas
Holiday

Merry Christmas

Wishing all of you who celebrate a very Merry Christmas! As you readers know, setting the table is always one… Read More

Movies to Celebrate and Start the New Year
Entertainment, Holiday

Movies to Celebrate and Start the New Year

Traditionally, I have posted New Year’s movie suggestions before the calendar turns its last page but with this year’s mid… Read More

Quintessential Guide to Champagne 2018
Food and drink, Gifts, Holiday

Quintessential Guide to Champagne 2018

As tomorrow is (shockingly) the last day of December, the time has come for the Quintessential Guide to Champagne 2018… 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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