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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Interior design

Berdie Brady and Beth Dempsey’s shoes
Art & Antiques, Interior design

Black & White Carpet: Stéphane Kossman

Between fashion week and the upcoming Oscars, the latest offering at the Samuel Owen Gallery is perfectly timed. Last week… Read More

Group at The Orchid Dinner
Design, Garden, Interior design

The New York Botanical Garden Orchid Dinner

Wednesday evening I was thrilled to attended the New York Botanical Garden‘s annual Orchid Dinner. This year’s event honored Tiffany… Read More

Wood shop clocks
Art & Antiques, Design, Gifts, Interior design

Wood Shop

This past week I visited the fun concept store, Wood Shop, in NoLIta. The brainchild  of David Stark, the art… Read More

Natural Curiosities’ Paper Rose Bed
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

New York Gift Show Finale

I would imagine many of you are familiar with Belgian designer Serge de Troyer and his Miami based company. His… Read More

Mr. Brown Pearl Chair
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

New York Gift Fair Finds II

While I couldn’t possibly write about all the wonderful vendors I saw at the New York Gift Show, I thought… Read More

Holly Stuart Designs
Design, Gifts, Interior design

New York Gift Fair Finds Part 1

This is going to be a year of many firsts for me – and one was my visit to the… Read More

Antique chaise with pink ticking fabric and homemade quilt
Architecture, Design, Interior design

Living with Color in Connecticut Part II

For any who missed Monday’s post, we are continuing our tour of an amazing Diamond Baratta designed house in Connecticut,… Read More

Antique weathervane collection
Architecture, Design, Interior design

Living with Color in Connecticut

There are some people who live in neutral, some who live in drive and some who live in overdrive. The… Read More

Design Blogger Hall of Fame Award
Design, Interior design

Thank You

While some of you already know, I had to take just a brief moment to acknowledge those who nominated me… Read More

Ravensburger dragon 1,000 piece dragon puzzle
Art & Antiques, Design, Entertainment, Fashion, Gifts, Holiday, Interior design

Happy Chinese New Year

Today is the beginning of the new lunar year in China. As the most important holiday in the country, people… Read More

Hugh Henry flat sitting room in Earls Court
Architecture, Design, Entertainment, Fashion, Interior design, Travel

British Style Bonanza

Between the mania for Downton Abbey and the popularity of Will and Kate, it’s clear British style is making a… Read More

Video thumbnail for youtube video lb3oeaemml8
Architecture, Design, Entertainment, Interior design

Dark Shadows

I knew it would happen eventually. With the vampire mania of the last few years, it was just a matter of… 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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