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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Quintessence provides exclusive insider access to top designers and tastemakers at home around the world. Tag along with Quintessence founder Stacey Bewkes and series host Susanna Salk for the most inspiring interiors, design and style. You'll feel like you're right there with us! Subscribe so you never miss a thing!
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At Home in Milan with Nicolo Castellini Baldissera
Architecture, Books, Design, Interior design, Style, Travel, Video

At Home in Milan with Nicolo Castellini Baldissera

Three years ago, after decades living in London, Paris, Switzerland, the United States and Tangier, designer Nicolo Castellini Baldissera finally… Read More

Virtual Postcard: The Amalfi Coast
Style, Travel, Video

Virtual Postcard: The Amalfi Coast

In our first official episode of Virtual Postcard, join Susanna Salk as she explores Italy’s Amalfi Coast by boat and… Read More

At Home in Ojai with Isabelle Dahlin and Brandon Boudet
Entertaining, Food and drink, Garden, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in Ojai with Isabelle Dahlin and Brandon Boudet

Ever since she first visited over 25 years ago, designer and shop owner Isabelle Dahlin always wanted a home in… Read More

At Home on Vashon Island with Ted Kennedy Watson and Ted Sive
Books, Design, Entertaining, Food and drink, Interior design, Style, Tabletop, Travel, Video

At Home on Vashon Island with Ted Kennedy Watson and Ted Sive

Most Saturdays, after closing up their two Watson Kennedy shops in Seattle, Ted Kennedy Watson and husband Ted Sive, head… Read More

Introducing Virtual Postcard
Architecture, Food and drink, Style, Travel, Video

Introducing Virtual Postcard

We are excited to announce a new video series, Virtual Postcard. So many of you viewers have said you love… Read More

At Home in Connecticut with Bruce Glickman and Wilson Henley
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design, Video

At Home in Connecticut with Bruce Glickman and Wilson Henley

For years, Bruce Glickman and Wilson Henley owned Duane, the well respected Tribeca outpost specializing in mid century furniture, escaping… Read More

At Home in San Miguel de Allende with Jeffry Weisman and Andrew Fisher
Architecture, Garden, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in San Miguel de Allende with Jeffry Weisman and Andrew Fisher

When San Francisco based designers Jeffry Weisman and Andrew Fisher first came to San Miguel de Allende in 2011, they… Read More

At Home in Millbrook with Darren Henault
Architecture, Books, Garden, Interior design, Style, Video

At Home in Millbrook with Darren Henault

When designer Darren Henault and husband Michael Bassett went in search of a weekend house for their family, they knew… Read More

At Home in Scotland with Katharine Pooley
Architecture, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in Scotland with Katharine Pooley

Renowned British interior designer Katharine Pooley is not one to shy away from a challenge. She is an intrepid explorer,… Read More

At Home in Los Angeles With David Netto
Architecture, Books, Interior design, Style, Video

At Home in Los Angeles With David Netto

In the mid twentieth century, modernist architect Richard Neutra built ten houses in the then bohemian enclave of Silver Lake… Read More

At Home with Pieter Estersohn in the Hudson Valley
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Interior design, Style, Video

At Home with Pieter Estersohn in the Hudson Valley

The house was a wreck, filled with years of hoarding, one room overflowing with 500 dolls, but Pieter Estersohn was… Read More

At Home in Connecticut with Michael Trapp
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design, Video

At Home in Connecticut with Michael Trapp

Ever since his early childhood traveling to antique stores and broquantes with his mother when his military family was stationed… Read More

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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
The Christmas Tablesetting Contest starts now!! Fr The Christmas Tablesetting Contest starts now!! From this moment until midnight on January 7, 2026 you can post photos of your tables to win the contest and a myriad of incredible prizes. To take part you need:

1. To post photos on a public IG account
2. ⁠To tag in the picture of your post @Academia_de_la_mesa & mention you are taking part in the Contest 
3. You can publish as many photos of your table as fit in a single POST (no reels, no stories, no videos please). We need to see AT LEAST 2 pictures of your table showing the entire table and one placesetting.
4. ⁠You can take part a maximum of 3 times, with 3 different tables (one single post for each)
That’s it!! Winners will be announced in January. Please post pictures of your own tables at home, no event or magazine pictures 🙏🏻 (and no AI). 

The winner will receive a wonderful prize of the best of the best that there is in tableware kindly donated by @alain_saint_joanis @artel_glass @noel_lingedemaison_paris and @raynaud_porcelaines AND just for taking part you will be eligible for 7 additional magnificent  prizes by @aquazzuracasa (in conjunction with @incasastudio) @elalmacendeloza @erbavoglio.milano @gordiola_vidrios @palmira_decoracion @staub.es and @thetablelove (see stories for details). (NB: unless otherwise stated by the donors all prizes will be delivered in Spain but we can help winners arrange shipping) 

We can’t wait to see your tables! Happy tablesetting with love from the jury, made up of: 
@amarosanchezdemoya @azarraluqui @bea_satrustegui @bonadeaofficial @carmencarooneill @casa__lopez @paz_qb @quintessence @raulromeropress @vanessacraccoliving and @vioscooking
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