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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Style

The Orchid Show – Thailand
Garden, Style

The Orchid Show – Thailand

I’ve just returned from a marvelous evening at the NYBG Orchid Show – Thailand. I’ll be back with more about… Read More

The Circle Game
Entertainment, Fashion, Gifts

The Circle Game

I get email pitches for a wide variety of products, many of which have no relevance to subjects that I cover here…. Read More

Obeetee & Tarun Tahiliani – Proud to be Indian
Design, Fashion, Interior design

Obeetee & Tarun Tahiliani – Proud to be Indian

India is renowned as a leading source for the finest embroidery in the world with a centuries long heritage of textile and weaving… Read More

A Major Milestone – One Million Views!
Style

A Major Milestone – One Million Views!

For those of you not on social media, I am thrilled to share that Susanna’s and my video series has… 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

Bonjour from Paris
Style, Travel

Bonjour from Paris

A quick bonjour from Paris. It was a beautiful sunny but FREEZING day as I arrived yesterday. The city is… 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

stag-on-silver-warming-stand-in-christies-sale-1
Holiday, Interior design, Jewelry

Setting a Holiday Table with Christie’s

Designer Alex Papachristidis and I share a love of tabletop so we were delighted when several weeks ago Christie’s asked if… Read More

What a Week!
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Jewelry

What a Week!

No one needs to be reminded of what a week this was. But besides the election, there were many opportunities to… Read More

Out and About from Christie’s to Castaing
Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Interior design, Jewelry

Out and About from Christie’s to Castaing

Now in the full throttle of fall, it is always a challenge to visit all the wonderful events, openings and introductions… Read More

TEFAF New York Fall Preview
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design, Jewelry

TEFAF New York Fall Preview

TEFAF (The European Fine Art Fair) is widely regarded as the world’s most distinguished art and antiques fair. Established in 1988, it has showcased… Read More

Inside the Design Library with Beacon Hill at D&D Fall Market
Books, Interior design, Style

Inside the Design Library with Beacon Hill at D&D Fall Market

“Textile designs serve no practical function, but they can transform an environment, tell the story of a culture, symbolize a… 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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