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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Month: March 2015

Bunny Williams On Garden Style
Books, Design, Garden

Bunny Williams On Garden Style

While some of you, like me, may still have your original 1998 edition of Bunny Williams On Garden Style, you will definitely… Read More

New York Design Center at DIFFA Dining by Design 2015
Design, Interior design

New York Design Center at DIFFA Dining by Design 2015

This year’s DIFFA Dining by Design was held at Pier 92, a short yet brisk walk from the AD Home… Read More

A Fifth Avenue Masterpiece for Sale
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Interior design

A Fifth Avenue Masterpiece for Sale

I was a bit surprised when Howard Slatkin shared on Instagram that his magnificent Fifth Avenue masterpiece was up for sale. New… 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

Floral Finds at the AD Home Design Show
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Floral Finds at the AD Home Design Show

It’s not new news that florals have been making a comeback everywhere from runway to interiors. At the AD Home Design… Read More

AD Home Design Show 2015 Part II
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

AD Home Design Show 2015 Part II

Over the next few days, I’ll be sharing more from the AD Home Design Show 2015 in several shorter installments…. Read More

Architectural Digest Home Design Show 2015
Art & Antiques, Design, Gifts, Interior design

Architectural Digest Home Design Show 2015

Last week Pier 94 was home to the Architectural Digest Home Design Show 2015. As DIFFA Dining by Design moved next door,… Read More

At Home with Susanna Salk and Laura Slatkin
Gifts, Interior design

At Home with Susanna Salk and Laura Slatkin

Whether at home, at work as founder and CEO of NEST Fragrances or contributing to philanthropic causes of autism and… Read More

A Week’s Worth of Inspiration
Art & Antiques, Garden, Interior design

A Week’s Worth of Inspiration

With a whirlwind of activities, I haven’t had a chance to edit photos and share this week’s worth of inspiration. Between… Read More

Lisa Perry + Schumacher
Fashion, Interior design

Lisa Perry + Schumacher

While Schumacher has had their share of designer collections in recent years, their most recent collaboration harkens back to their illustrious… Read More

Spring Entertaining
Gifts, Interior design

Spring Entertaining

Since we finally have had signs of warmth and sun, we can start looking forward to time outdoors and spring entertaining. Products… Read More

Signs of Spring
Architecture, Design, Garden, Interior design

Signs of Spring

What a change a week makes! With sudden temperature rises, we are actually seeing signs of spring poking through the… Read More

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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!
Our latest video visit is here! Join me and @susan Our latest video visit is here! Join me and @susannasalk at the glamorous Manhattan maisonette of designer @james_andrew and artist @scottmcbee41 where James magically transformed a characterless prewar apartment into a sparkling jewel box! LINK IN PROFILE (latest video).
Our latest video visit is here! Join me at the stu Our latest video visit is here! Join me at the stunning countryside home of Spanish interior designer @ludovicoporta where he transformed a ruin of an 18th century palazzo into an idyllic weekend retreat ! LINK IN PROFILE (latest video).
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