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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Month: March 2012

Video thumbnail for youtube video 8chxheigb7a
Design

At the Movies with Lalique

Reader alert – for those of you expecting a regular movie review, please note that this is an At the… Read More

BDDW-showroom
Design, Interior design

Architectural Digest Home Show 2012 – part 2

Among the many categories of excellence at the AD Home Show was lighting. After reading a piece earlier in the… Read More

Room 125 limited art editions
Design, Interior design

Old & New at the Architectural Digest Home Show 2012

What a fabulous show this year! With the British and American participants from BlogTourNYC here and Modenus‘ fun Marys and… Read More

Libby-Langdon-for-Liebherr-DIFFA-Dining-by-Design-table-detail
Design, Interior design

DIFFA Dining by Design 2012 Part 2

All the tables at the DIFFA Dining by Design event this year were beautiful. Editing the selection down was a… Read More

RDYC-DIFFA-Dining-by-Design
Design

DIFFA Dining by Design at the Architectural Digest Home Show 2012

A week of amazing design inspiration has me (and my photo file) on visual overload. Contemplating where to even start,… Read More

Oscar de la Renta fall 2012 fur collection
Fashion

My Day at Oscar – the Furs

It all began with the furs. The new collection at Richards was the ultimate temptation. In fabulous spring colors and… Read More

Oscar de la Renta shoes fall 2012
Fashion, Jewelry

My Day at Oscar – the Accessories

You may not have realized how many coordinated collections there are under the Oscar umbrella. It makes adding to the… Read More

Oscar-de-la-Renta-Sable-tweed-dress-with-quilted-coat
Fashion

My Day at Oscar – the Collection

Who doesn’t love Oscar? Oscar de la Renta is one of only a few designers who consistently delivers timeless elegant… Read More

Holidays at Columbia University by  Donald Andrew Agarrat
Books

The Ivy League – the Book

Although the Ivy League was originally formed as an athletic conference, the connotation associated with this group of eight prestigious… Read More

Chairs-at-Hollyhock
Design, Garden, Interior design, Travel

L.A. Style File – At Home at Hollyhock

The Sunday evening before the Design Bloggers Conference was one of supreme visual artistry. First was an awe inspiring visit… Read More

Elva Fields
Design, Interior design, Travel

L.A. Style File – House of Honey

It’s true – all the clichés and jokes about the traffic in L.A. – the ubiquity of cars is not… Read More

lawson-fenning
Design, Interior design, Travel

L.A. Style File – Design Digs About Town

Los Angeles seemed such a long way to go for just the two days of the Design Bloggers Conference, so… Read More

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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!
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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
Our latest video visit is here! Join me and @susan Our latest video visit is here! Join me and @susannasalk at the welcoming Connecticut retreat of designer @tamara_meadow_interiors where lake views and meaningful furnishings distinguish this stylish custom built home! LINK IN PROFILE (latest video).
While much of my tabletop arsenal is still in stor While much of my tabletop arsenal is still in storage, I managed to pull together a simple table for a small family dinner to give thanks on this special day. Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!
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