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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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Food and drink

At Home with Susanna Salk and Nathan Turner & Eric Hughes
Architecture, Food and drink, Interior design, Travel

At Home with Susanna Salk and Nathan Turner & Eric Hughes

While both California natives, it took designers Nathan Turner and Eric Hughes years before they would have a Malibu beach… Read More

Prepping for Paris
Books, Food and drink, Travel

Prepping for Paris

Next week marks the start of the design shows in Paris as well as the second edition of our Ancien… Read More

Quintessential Guide to Champagne 2016
Food and drink

Quintessential Guide to Champagne 2016

It’s hard to believe that it’s almost time to be celebrating the start of 2017, which, in these parts, means… Read More

At Home in the Hudson Valley with Ted Kennedy Watson
Art & Antiques, Books, Food and drink, Gifts, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in the Hudson Valley with Ted Kennedy Watson

Since 1998 Ted Kennedy Watson has been helping customers make their homes and lives more beautiful through his two popular Watson Kennedy shops… Read More

Friday Five Favorite Finds X
Food and drink, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Friday Five Favorite Finds X

As it turns out, my final Friday Five Favorite Finds for 2016 ends today on its tenth edition. Today’s first of my… Read More

Friday Five Favorite Finds IX
Art & Antiques, Food and drink, Garden, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Friday Five Favorite Finds IX

This Friday’s Five Favorite Finds kicks off with a location that celebrates two popular island categories – food and gardens. Drive about a… Read More

Friday Five Favorite Finds VIII
Art & Antiques, Design, Fashion, Food and drink, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Friday Five Favorite Finds VIII

This week’s Friday Five Favorite Finds starts with a discovery that truly deserves its own post. But with many articles… Read More

Friday Five Favorite Finds VII
Art & Antiques, Food and drink

Friday Five Favorite Finds VII

This week’s Friday Five Favorite Finds begins downtown at The White Elephant, the sister property of the Wauwinet Inn, which I… Read More

Friday Five Favorite Finds VI
Food and drink, Nantucket, Travel

Friday Five Favorite Finds VI

This installment of Friday Five Favorite Finds starts at an all time favorite island restaurant. While Chanticleer may be a… Read More

Friday Five Favorite Finds IV
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Food and drink, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Friday Five Favorite Finds IV

This week’s Friday Five Favorite Finds starts off with a bit of Nantucket history. In the early 18th century, the… Read More

Friday Five Favorite Finds 2
Beauty, Design, Food and drink, Nantucket, Travel

Friday Five Favorite Finds 2

For the second installment of my Friday Five Favorite Finds from Nantucket, we start by visiting the far northeast end… Read More

24 Hours in New Orleans
Architecture, Food and drink, Interior design, Travel

24 Hours in New Orleans

Early last month, Susanna and I flew down to spend a quick 24 hours in New Orleans. With a little… Read More

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Monday blues with an international cadre of artisa Monday blues with an international cadre of artisanal tableware from our 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).
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
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