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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Travel

Design Moving Forward
Interior design, Travel

Design Moving Forward

January has been flying by almost as quickly as the holidays came and went. While most vestiges of Christmas in my house… Read More

Armchair Traveler to France
Architecture, Books, Design, Food and drink, Interior design, Travel

Armchair Traveler to France

I buy design and lifestyle books for any number of reasons – for reference, for inspiration and certainly for enjoyment…. Read More

Austria in the Air and Other Online Gallavanting
Fashion, Gifts, Style, Travel

Austria in the Air and Other Online Gallavanting

You may remember last year at this time I suggested a visit to the Neue Galerie Gift Shop as all things… Read More

Giving Thanks to You
Interior design, Travel

Giving Thanks to You

Since this holiday weekend is all about giving thanks, I’d like to acknowledge the many featured guests and visitors who have helped… Read More

Stylish Shopping with Susanna Salk and Timothy Corrigan at Les Puces in Paris
Art & Antiques, Interior design, Travel

Stylish Shopping with Susanna Salk and Timothy Corrigan at Les Puces in Paris

What design maven doesn’t dream of shopping at Les Puces, the famous Paris flea market visited by thousands of designers and… Read More

Hotel Splendido Portofino
Architecture, Travel

A Walk from Santa Margherita to Portofino

After enjoying our hotel‘s bountiful buffet breakfast on our one full day in Santa Margherita, we approached the always helpful concierge to… Read More

Grand Hotel Miramare in Santa Margherita Italy
Style, Travel

(Not Quite) 48 Hours in Santa Margherita and Portofino

While less than 48 hours on the lovely Ligurian coast seems impossibly short, it was just long enough to get a… Read More

Cornucopia Magazine
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Food and drink, Interior design, Travel

Cornucopia Magazine

I can still remember seeing Mica and Ahmet Ertegun’s Bodrum villa for the first time. It was decades ago in a publication… Read More

Italian Riviera collage
Travel

A Respite on the Italian Riviera

After Susanna and I wrapped up our shoot of the antiques show in Parma, we scurried over to the coast… Read More

Antiquing in Parma
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design, Travel

Antiquing in Parma

For most of this week, I have had the privilege to be shopping the fall Mercanteinfiera in Parma, Italy. Susanna and I… Read More

Video thumbnail for youtube video osygqwn6h3o
Design, Interior design, Travel

In the Studio with Peter Fasano Unveiling his Latest Designer Collaborations

“New blood brings new ideas. It allows me to have my vision re-widened, to see things through other peoples’ eyes and… Read More

Givenchy at Christie’s
Art & Antiques, Interior design, Travel

Hubert de Givenchy for Christie’s during the Biennale des Antiquaires

This week marks the Biennale des Antiquaires in Paris. The prestigious show presents the crème de la crème of antiques,… Read More

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A few of my favorites from the bevy of temptation A few of my favorites from the bevy of temptation at this year’s @thewintershownyc . Dealers tagged in each image.
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!
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