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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Stacey Bewkes

Movies to Celebrate and Start the New Year
Entertainment, Holiday

Movies to Celebrate and Start the New Year

Traditionally, I have posted New Year’s movie suggestions before the calendar turns its last page but with this year’s mid… Read More

Giving Design a Voice – A Look Back and Ahead
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Garden, Interior design, Video

Giving Design a Voice – A Look Back and Ahead

Welcome to 2019! As we all are celebrating the new year and thinking of what has passed and what is… Read More

Quintessential Guide to Champagne 2018
Food and drink, Gifts, Holiday

Quintessential Guide to Champagne 2018

As tomorrow is (shockingly) the last day of December, the time has come for the Quintessential Guide to Champagne 2018… Read More

Merry Christmas!
Entertaining, Holiday, Interior design, Tabletop

Merry Christmas!

I meant for this to arrive in your inboxes this morning but with the excitement of having everyone home, guests… Read More

Setting the Table in the Hamptons with Alex Papachristidis
Interior design, Video

Setting the Table in the Hamptons with Alex Papachristidis

Staying in the Hamptons with Alex Papachristidis is like being transported to an exclusive five star hotel owned by your… Read More

New Soho Design Destinations – One Kings Lane
Art & Antiques, Design, Gifts, Interior design

New Soho Design Destinations – One Kings Lane

My how things have changed in Soho! During the 10 years I lived there, it was primarily art-focused with galleries… Read More

At Home in Bellport with Thomas O’Brien
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Garden, Interior design, Video

At Home in Bellport with Thomas O’Brien

If ever there was an understated self portrait, it would be designer Thomas O’Brien’s description of himself as “basically a… Read More

Alex Papachristidis Trunk Show at Moda Operandi
Design, Gifts, Interior design

Alex Papachristidis Trunk Show at Moda Operandi

Designer Alex Papachristidis is known not only for his elegant interiors but his layered and luxurious entertaining style. Incorporating collections… Read More

Jessica McCormack at Moda Operandi
Fashion, Gifts, Interior design, Jewelry

Jessica McCormack at Moda Operandi

Originally founded as the exclusive online destination to preorder runway collections, Moda Operandi has, since its inception, branched out to… Read More

Happy Thanksgiving
Holiday, Interior design

Happy Thanksgiving

While I am always aware at this season how much I have to be thankful for, this year is a… Read More

The Salon Art + Design 2018
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

The Salon Art + Design 2018

This past week marked the opening of the Salon Art + Design 2018 show at the Park Avenue Armory. Including… Read More

At Home with Timothy Corrigan at Chateau de la Chevallerie (the before)
Architecture, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home with Timothy Corrigan at Chateau de la Chevallerie (the before)

There are few people who could not only imagine but are capable of bringing an 18th century French chateau back… 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).
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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