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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Art

The Winter Show 2019
Art & Antiques, Interior design

The Winter Show 2019

Building on the success of last year’s more vibrantly decorated booths, The Winter Show (the new name has lost “Antiques”… Read More

Recognizing Women in Art
Art & Antiques

Recognizing Women in Art

As the new year starts, there are many auctions, exhibits and art and antiques fairs on the horizon. One of… Read More

The Salon Art + Design 2018
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

The Salon Art + Design 2018

This past week marked the opening of the Salon Art + Design 2018 show at the Park Avenue Armory. Including… Read More

TEFAF New York Fall 2018
Art & Antiques, Interior design, Jewelry

TEFAF New York Fall 2018

This weekend marked the opening of the TEFAF New York Fall 2018 show. The third edition of this prestigious art… Read More

At Home in Los Angeles with Richard Shapiro
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Garden, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in Los Angeles with Richard Shapiro

Enter Richard Shapiro‘s extraordinary home and it’s difficult to believe you are in the center of Los Angeles. Created with… Read More

In Auction News – Pierre Bergé at Sotheby’s
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

In Auction News – Pierre Bergé at Sotheby’s

This year has seen some amazing auctions unfold and the action will continue this October in Paris as Sotheby’s just… Read More

The Mystique of the Circus in Art
Art & Antiques

The Mystique of the Circus in Art

In the days before film, television, technology and other modern day distractions, the circus was a popular and egalitarian form… Read More

2018 Antiques & Garden Show Nashville
Art & Antiques, Design, Garden, Travel

2018 Antiques & Garden Show Nashville

If possible, the 2018 Antiques & Garden Show in Nashville seemed even bigger and more packed with endless finds than… Read More

Prussian Blue – The Art and Science of Color
Art & Antiques, Interior design

Prussian Blue – The Art and Science of Color

As I was scrolling through Instagram the other morning, I stopped to “like” and admire a post on Charlotte Di… Read More

Nashville Bound
Art & Antiques, Design, Garden, Interior design, Travel

Nashville Bound

One of the most popular events of the season is the Antiques & Garden Show of Nashville coming up on… Read More

2018 Winter Antiques Show
Art & Antiques, Interior design

2018 Winter Antiques Show

Kicking off the season with a bang, the 2018 Winter Antiques Show opened with what felt like a reenergized spirit…. Read More

Highlights from Christie’s Sale of The Collection of Peggy and David Rockefeller
Art & Antiques

Highlights from Christie’s Sale of The Collection of Peggy and David Rockefeller

As you may remember from my post on the Rockefeller Homes and Gardens, next spring Christie’s will offer The Collection… 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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