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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Entertaining

Dodie Thayer for Tory Burch
Art & Antiques, Gifts, Interior design

Dodie Thayer for Tory Burch

In the Slim Aarons era of Palm Beach life, potter Dodie Thayer was a name known to all fashionable hostesses. Self taught… Read More

Stylish Entertaining at the NYBG Orchid Dinner
Entertaining, Style, Tabletop

Stylish Entertaining at the NYBG Orchid Dinner

The tables at the Veranda NYBG Orchid Dinner were amazing in their diversity and creativity. Some designers focused on the… Read More

Happy Thanksgiving
Design, Food and drink

Happy Thanksgiving

As I prepare my table to celebrate Thanksgiving this year, I am so grateful to have my entire family home… Read More

gifting and entertaining preview
Holiday, Interior design

Tabletop Gifting and Entertaining Preview

It’s that time of year when hints of THE season start to permeate our thoughts. This week is tabletop market so I spent… Read More

At Ease | Labor Day
Food and drink, Gifts, Interior design

At Ease | Labor Day Lounging

It has been a glorious summer here in the northeast. Although it’s hard to believe, September is upon us. So… Read More

An Invitation to the Garden
Food and drink, Garden, Interior design

An Invitation to the Garden from Michael Devine

With our recent Siberian-like weather, An Invitation to the Garden arrived at my door like a welcome breath of spring…. Read More

Picture Perfect Parties
Books, Entertaining, Food and drink, Gifts, Holiday

Picture Perfect Parties

Even though it’s not officially fall, the “season” seems to have already gotten underway with invitations flowing in. How convenient… Read More

Quintessence blog on Lonny
Books, Entertaining, Food and drink, Garden

Thank you Lonny!

Last week I had the pleasure of hosting friend Michael Devine for a lovely evening on my terrace in Connecticut… Read More

Vicente Wolf Orchid Dinner table detail
Design, Garden, Interior design

NYBG Orchid Dinner Finale Redux!

Today we will take our final look at the tables of the NYBG Orchid Dinner. This event always immediately precedes… Read More

Julian Mejia coral napkin rings
Design, Gifts, Interior design

The New York Gift Fair Tabletop Temptation

I’m afraid my obsession for all things tabletop is no secret. The tiny butler’s pantry in our current abode was… Read More

Video thumbnail for vimeo video 47983562
Design, Entertainment, Food and drink

Welcoming Matchbook at Dempsey & Carroll

Last month the charming digital publication Matchbook Magazine ran a lovely feature on New York’s venerable stationer Dempsey & Carroll…. Read More

Juliska holiday with paisley and fur
Design, Entertainment, Gifts, Holiday, Interior design

Local Favorite Juliska at the New York Gift Show

Located not far from me in Connecticut, Juliska is a local design favorite. Their store in Stamford is a constant… 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 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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