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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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Interior design

hollywood_hills
Architecture, Interior design

Put to Good Use

Recently the editor’s pick at Jayson Home & Garden, the wonderful Chicago based source for unique modern and vintage furniture and accessories,… Read More

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Architecture, Design, Interior design

The Fab Fifty

New York Spaces, the contemporary home design magazine, has just announced its annual (this is the third year) picks for… Read More

hermes-kelly-so-black-bag-profile
Fashion, Interior design

Happy at Hermes

They must indeed be very happy at Hermes since they just reported a 55.2% jump in first-half net profit and… Read More

its-complicated-6-remodelista
Architecture, Interior design

Wish list

I have decided to start a wish list here. It will be recurring and perhaps at some point I will… Read More

destination paris
Entertaining, Food and drink, Gifts, Interior design, Tabletop

Tabletop Tips

I’ll admit it – I have a slight obsession with tabletop. I love it all – placemats, napkins, china, flatware,… Read More

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Interior design, Jewelry

The Silk Purse

My favorite local consignment shop will not be just a local haunt for much longer. If you live in my… Read More

pool house kitchen
Architecture, Design, Garden, Interior design

Summer Breeze

I had always wanted to build a pool and pool house at our former home. We downsized and moved next… Read More

hydrangea sun room
Garden, Interior design

Hydrangea Happy

I love hydrangea – is there anyone who doesn’t? They are the perfect summer bloom. As the end of summer… Read More

sconsetmarket
Art & Antiques, Design, Fashion, Food and drink, Garden, Interior design, Travel

Nantucket Top 20 – Eat

I could do weeks’ worth of posts on Nantucket. There is so much to see and do. Here, however, is… Read More

lions-paw-371×500
Art & Antiques, Fashion, Garden, Interior design

Nantucket Top 20 – Shop

Nantucket is a shopper’s heaven. There is more quality shopping here within a small area than most places I can… Read More

main street
Design, Fashion, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Nantucket Style

I’ve been coming to Nantucket for over 25 years and even though it is more crowded and built up than… Read More

nantucket looms
Art & Antiques, Interior design, Jewelry, Nantucket, Travel

Nantucket Looms

Nantucket Looms represents some of the best artisanal industry on Nantucket. Liz Winship, who has been on the board 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 @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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