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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Interior design

A Visit to Ancien et Moderne
Design, Interior design, Travel

A Visit to Ancien et Moderne

Last week in Paris, my colleague Beth Dempsey and I unveiled this year’s version of Ancien et Moderne, the second… Read More

Paris Peek
Interior design, Style, Travel

Paris Peek

As always Paris Deco Off has been a whirlwind week. Our Ancien et Moderne pop up has been hopping and I’ve… Read More

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

Puntacana Resort & Club
Architecture, Interior design, Travel

Puntacana Resort & Club

As we endure these tundra-like temperatures here in the northeast, it’s the perfect time to dream about a tropical destination. High on… Read More

Ancien et Moderne 2017 – the Paris Pop Up Returns
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design, Jewelry, Travel

Ancien et Moderne 2017 – the Paris Pop Up Returns

Now that the new year is here, the biggest design destination on everyone’s calendar is Paris for Maison et Objet… Read More

Tradition Meets Technology
Architecture, Interior design

Tradition Meets Technology

As we ease into a new year, it is about both looking back and moving forward. And these days, in our… Read More

From My Christmas Table to Yours
Holiday, Interior design

From My Christmas Table to Yours

The time has come to wish all of you who celebrate a very Merry Christmas. Longtime readers know that one of… Read More

David Monn The Art of Celebrating
Books, Holiday, Interior design

David Monn The Art of Celebrating

Tis the season and as we all plan our holiday celebrations, there is no better place to look for inspiration… Read More

Nina Campbell Does New Preston Redux
Gifts, Holiday, Interior design

Nina Campbell Does New Preston Redux

I really felt I was ahead of schedule this year, but yet again, Christmas has snuck up leaving not nearly enough… Read More

Sneak Peek – ELLE DECOR Global Style Issue
Architecture, Interior design, Travel

Sneak Peek – ELLE DECOR Global Style Issue

Each year, ELLE DECOR assembles stories from the best of their international editions for their Global Style issue. A perennial favorite,… Read More

Amelia Handegan Rooms
Architecture, Books, Interior design

Amelia Handegan Rooms

I have met Amelia Handegan on several occasions and like her work, she is understated, accomplished and full of surprises…. Read More

Christmas in Shangri-La
Holiday, Interior design

Christmas in Shangri-La

Every year friend and designer Carey Karlan goes all out creating themed holiday decorations for her charming 1926 cottage-style home. Past years… Read More

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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
The Christmas Tablesetting Contest starts now!! Fr The Christmas Tablesetting Contest starts now!! From this moment until midnight on January 7, 2026 you can post photos of your tables to win the contest and a myriad of incredible prizes. To take part you need:

1. To post photos on a public IG account
2. ⁠To tag in the picture of your post @Academia_de_la_mesa & mention you are taking part in the Contest 
3. You can publish as many photos of your table as fit in a single POST (no reels, no stories, no videos please). We need to see AT LEAST 2 pictures of your table showing the entire table and one placesetting.
4. ⁠You can take part a maximum of 3 times, with 3 different tables (one single post for each)
That’s it!! Winners will be announced in January. Please post pictures of your own tables at home, no event or magazine pictures 🙏🏻 (and no AI). 

The winner will receive a wonderful prize of the best of the best that there is in tableware kindly donated by @alain_saint_joanis @artel_glass @noel_lingedemaison_paris and @raynaud_porcelaines AND just for taking part you will be eligible for 7 additional magnificent  prizes by @aquazzuracasa (in conjunction with @incasastudio) @elalmacendeloza @erbavoglio.milano @gordiola_vidrios @palmira_decoracion @staub.es and @thetablelove (see stories for details). (NB: unless otherwise stated by the donors all prizes will be delivered in Spain but we can help winners arrange shipping) 

We can’t wait to see your tables! Happy tablesetting with love from the jury, made up of: 
@amarosanchezdemoya @azarraluqui @bea_satrustegui @bonadeaofficial @carmencarooneill @casa__lopez @paz_qb @quintessence @raulromeropress @vanessacraccoliving and @vioscooking
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