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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Interior design

cocktail napkins
Design, Interior design

Magnificent Monograms

Unfortunately, since I wrote this post several years ago, the owner, Caroline Breckenridge, has passed away. Please continue on to read… Read More

Screen shot 2010-10-18 at 8.22.54 AM
Architecture, Books, Design, Interior design

Interior Portraits

There are so many wonderful design books making their debut this fall. I have already covered David Easton’s beautiful Timeless… Read More

guest bath 2
Architecture, Interior design

This Old House

Almost four years ago, we downsized and moved to a more modest house next door – yes, next door. With… Read More

wine cellar hall
Architecture, Food and drink, Interior design

Gil Schafer – In Vino Veritas

I don’t need any wine to speak the truth about this project. It’s simply spectacular. If you were to plan… Read More

Screen shot 2010-09-29 at 7.51.16 PM
Architecture, Interior design

Gil Schafer – Part Deux

The featured project on Gil Schafer’s website currently is the William C. Gatewood House in Charleston, SC, which won an… Read More

Screen shot 2010-09-25 at 3.33.47 PM
Architecture, Interior design

Gaga over Gil – Part 1

OK, I confess, I have a bit of an obsession (the oxymoron is actually understatement) with the work of architect… Read More

timeless elegance
Architecture, Books, Interior design

Exciting Offer

David Easton’s studio is offering Quintessence readers bookplates, signed by David, to put in their copies of Timeless Elegance. E-mail… Read More

14Vu
Design, Interior design

Richard Frinier | Designing the Outdoors

Richard Frinier is one of the best known designers of luxury outdoor furniture working today. The recipient of more than… Read More

12puzzle.14
Architecture, Design, Interior design

Brilliant Box

How could I not have known about 212box. Designers for the thinking man (the term referring to the unisex global… Read More

living room 2
Fashion, Interior design

Marvelous Milly

Although most recent fashion posts have been about Spring 2011, there are many of us still shopping for our fall… Read More

easton flatiron entry p 227
Architecture, Books, Design, Interior design

Timeless Elegance – The Houses of David Easton

I just received my David Easton book, Timeless Elegance, today and although I don’t want to spoil it for those… Read More

Screen shot 2010-09-16 at 11.19.06 PM
Design, Interior design

Barbra Scott Sample Sale

You may remember the beautiful preserved hydrangeas I featured in my hydrangea post last month, created by the talented Barbra… 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 @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).
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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