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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Month: September 2016

John Derian Picture Book
Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Gifts, Interior design

John Derian Picture Book

If ever there was a person who has built a hugely successful and much imitated business based on a very… Read More

Sneak Peek Fall 2016 New York Tabletop Show
Entertaining, Gifts, Style, Tabletop

Sneak Peek Fall 2016 New York Tabletop Show

In the midst of the very busy early fall season, yesterday marked the opening of the Fall 2016 New York… Read More

Wanderlust by Michelle Nussbaumer
Art & Antiques, Books, Interior design

Wanderlust by Michelle Nussbaumer

While many designers glean inspiration from their travels, Michelle Nussbaumer takes her love of worldly cultures and treasures to another… Read More

Animalia at the San Francisco Fall Art & Antiques Show
Art & Antiques, Interior design

Animalia at the San Francisco Fall Art & Antiques Show

Next month the 35th edition of the San Francisco Fall Art & Antiques Show will bring together sixty top dealers… Read More

What’s New What’s Next with Windsor Smith and Arteriors
Design, Interior design

What’s New What’s Next with Windsor Smith and Arteriors

This Thursday the eighth annual What’s New What’s Next kicks off the fall design season with their popular venue at… Read More

At Home With Susanna Salk and Brian McCarthy
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Garden, Interior design

At Home With Susanna Salk and Brian McCarthy

At the venerable Parish-Hadley firm, interior designer Brian McCarthy learned from the best of the best. An Architectural Digest AD100 and… Read More

Beautiful by Mark D. Sikes
Books, Interior design

Beautiful by Mark D. Sikes

Anyone who follows Mark D. Sikes on his popular blog is familiar with his love of  “chic people, glamorous places… Read More

2016 Biennale des Antiquaires and Robert de Balkany at Sotheby’s
Art & Antiques, Interior design, Jewelry, Travel

2016 Biennale des Antiquaires and Robert de Balkany at Sotheby’s

This week and next are going to be a very busy couple of weeks in Paris for the world of… Read More

Design Leadership Summit 2016 Preview
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design, Travel

Design Leadership Summit 2016 Preview

One of the highlights of last year’s design calendar was the Design Leadership Summit in Los Angeles. Celebrating ten years… Read More

Introducing Soane Fall 2016
Design, Interior design

Introducing Soane Fall 2016

I have written about Soane on many occasions in the past as they represent all that I love in the world… Read More

Happy Labor Day
Style

Happy Labor Day

As we bid goodbye to summer and usher in the unofficial beginning of fall, I wish you all a very… Read More

Friday Five Favorite Finds X Part II
Fashion, Gifts, Jewelry, Nantucket, Travel

Friday Five Favorite Finds X Part II

As summer winds down and flip flops and straw hats segue into less casual attire, thoughts turn to fashion for fall…. 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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