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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Food and drink

Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda watch
Fashion, Food and drink, Gifts, Interior design

Christmas in July

While this week wasn’t exactly Christmas in July, it was certainly a week of major treats and peeks. Wednesday, I… Read More

Nantucket wedding
Food and drink, Gifts, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

A Stylish Nantucket Wedding

For her entire life, my niece has been summering on Nantucket, so it was only natural that a Nantucket wedding… Read More

Taigan
Food and drink, Gifts, Travel

Thank You Taigan for Sharing my Chateau Life Picks

How can you not love a site that offers everything from the best ice cream sandwiches to luxury travel. For… Read More

la cienega design quarter legends 2014
Art & Antiques, Design, Food and drink, Interior design, Travel

La Cienega Design Quarter Legends

It’s been a whirlwind few days here at the La Cienega Design Quarter Legends 2014 edition. In the beautiful California… Read More

Antoine Dyre band at gaggenau
Food and drink, Interior design

l’Art de Vivre at Gaggenau

A celebration of luxurious creative collaboration marked the debut of the new Gaggenau showroom and intimate JCB Lounge last week…. Read More

Frederick P. Victoria Hollywood Regency chair
Art & Antiques, Design, Food and drink, Garden, Interior design

See You at the 2014 Architectural Digest Home Design Show

Next week the world of design convenes for the 2014 Architectural Digest Home Design Show. Along with Architizer, Apartment Therapy… Read More

An Invitation to the Garden
Food and drink, Garden, Interior design

An Invitation to the Garden from Michael Devine

With our recent Siberian-like weather, An Invitation to the Garden arrived at my door like a welcome breath of spring…. Read More

Bollinger SPECIAL CUVEE
Food and drink, Holiday

Quintessential Guide to Champagne 2013

At this festive time of year, it’s become tradition in these parts to publish my Quintessential Guide to Champagne. For… Read More

aerin lauder new year’s lunch
Food and drink, Holiday, Interior design

Rustic Chic New Year’s Lunch with Aerin Lauder

Attending elaborate parties thrown by her legendary grandmother, Estée Lauder, certainly influenced Aerin Lauder’s entertaining style. And tempered by her… Read More

matisse lithograph
Food and drink, Gifts, Holiday, Interior design

Antique & Artisan Christmas Boutique

It’s no secret that the Antique & Artisan Center is one of my favorite local sources for all that is… Read More

Howard Slatkin Summer Pudding Recipe 2
Design, Food and drink, Interior design

Lunch Fifth Avenue Style with Howard Slatkin

Not surprisingly, lunch Fifth Avenue style chez Howard Slatkin is a luxurious treat. Following Susanna Salk’s and my video shoot… Read More

Thanksgiving tablescape
Food and drink, Holiday, Interior design

Happy Thanksgiving

From my home to yours, wishing all of you a very Happy Thanksgiving. This year my table started with the… 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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