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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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Design

At Home in New York City with Bunny Williams
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design, Video

At Home in New York City with Bunny Williams

Bunny Williams has had a long and distinguished career in design yet continues to harness her unbridled creative energy, evolving… Read More

It’s a Dog’s Life with Jonathan Adler – a New Video Series!
Design, Interior design, Video

It’s a Dog’s Life with Jonathan Adler – a New Video Series!

It’s no secret that many of us who have a passion for the world of beauty and design are also totally devoted to… Read More

Five Days of Dogs and Design in LA
Design, Interior design, Travel

Five Days of Dogs and Design in LA

As Susanna Salk and I finish up five days of shooting for Dogs and Their Designers in Los Angeles, I… Read More

Stylish Yachting
Interior design, Nantucket, Style, Travel

Stylish Yachting

Life on Nantucket revolves around the water. Whether you are in it, on it or just enjoying the view, the endless… Read More

Leon leon furniture
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Favorite Finds at the Architectural Digest Design Show

Nature is the ultimate backdrop for any vignette as we saw in our look at going green at the Architectural Digest… Read More

A Day at Château de Fontainebleau
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Interior design, Travel

A Day at Château de Fontainebleau

Whereas many chateaux are associated primarily with a particular resident or royal, Chateau de Fontainebleau represents almost 1,000 years of… Read More

The Brilliant Beauty of Belperron
Books, Fashion, Gifts, Jewelry

The Brilliant Beauty of Belperron

It was in the 1960’s and early 70’s, when Ward Landrigan, then head of Sotheby’s jewelry department, first spied the distinctive work… Read More

Design Leadership Summit in Los Angeles
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Travel

Design Leadership Summit in Los Angeles

Last week the Design Leadership Summit marked its tenth anniversary with an impressive line up of events in Los Angeles. Now over… Read More

Spring Design Auction at Christie’s
Art & Antiques, Interior design

Spring Design Auction at Christie’s

The intersection of art and design frequently raises many questions. Is art considered not inherently as important or valuable when it… Read More

Final Favorites from the AD Home Design Show
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Final Favorites from the AD Home Design Show

One of the best aspects of the AD Home Design Show is that it covers the full gamut of design…. Read More

The Irrepressible Charm and Chic of La DoubleJ
Design, Fashion, Interior design, Travel

The Irrepressible Charm and Chic of La DoubleJ

Today we move north in Italy to Milan where fashion and design journalist J.J. Martin lives. Known for her enviably chic vintage wardrobe,… Read More

Lilly Pulitzer for Target
Design, Fashion, Gifts, Interior design

Lilly Pulitzer for Target

Yesterday evening, in the iconic Pool Room of the Four Seasons Restaurant, Target announced their latest design collaboration with another iconic American… 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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