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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Stacey Bewkes

Doug Meyer designed dining room at Palos Verdes Art Center
Art & Antiques, Design, Gifts, Interior design, Travel

Out and About on Vicarious Visits

While I rarely post other sites’ content, there has just been so much I’ve been lusting after online, whether place, product or experience,… Read More

monogrammed bag from Best Monogram
Design, Gifts, Interior design

Best Monogram in Washington Depot, CT

While we’ll return to Nantucket next week, today we amble back to Connecticut for a peek at Best Monogram in the tiny… Read More

Charles Ray Nantucket basket at the Rafael Osona auction
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

The Rafael Osona Americana, Fine Art and Marine Auction

The August Americana, Fine Art and Marine auction at Rafael Osona is one of the most anticipated events of the Nantucket… Read More

Sylvia Antiques at the 2014 Antiques & design Show of Nantucket
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Favorite Finds at the 2014 Antiques & Design Show of Nantucket

The 2014 Antiques & Design Show of Nantucket has been a highlight of the busy first weekend of August on… Read More

Pumpkin Pond Farm at A Perfect Setting at the Nantucket Antiques Show
Gifts, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

A Perfect Setting at the Nantucket Antiques Show Part 2

Today we continue our look at the tables at A Perfect Setting at the Nantucket Antiques Show. One of my… Read More

J. Butler Collection at the Antiques & Design Show of Nantucket
Design, Gifts, Interior design, Travel

A Perfect Setting at the Antiques & Design Show of Nantucket

The first week of August is a busy time on Nantucket and one of the highlights is always the Nantucket… Read More

Prince Rainier and Grace Kelley in Celebrity Pets
Art & Antiques, Books, Travel

Celebrity Pets

Anyone who has a pet in their life knows all about the unconditional love they provide. Perhaps that’s why even the… Read More

The Power of Style | Verdura at 75
Fashion, Jewelry

Verdura 75th Anniversary Collection

This fall, the launch of the Verdura 75th Anniversary Collection will celebrate three quarters of a century of the iconic jeweler’s legendary… Read More

Video thumbnail for youtube video ej97jt-3xng
Garden, Interior design, Travel

At Home in the Hamptons with Susanna Salk and Alex Papachristidis

It’s impossible to visit Alex Papachristidis at his country home without wanting to move in. And you wouldn’t be alone…. Read More

Lindsay Coral Harper at Lee Jofa
Interior design

Lindsey Coral Harper at Lee Jofa

Several times a year, Lee Jofa redesigns the front room in their NYC D&D showroom to celebrate a new collection,… Read More

Nye’s Cream Sandwiches at Taigan Marketplace
Fashion, Food and drink, Gifts, Holiday

Shopping the Taigan Marketplace

As you readers know, I am a long time fan of the Taigan Marketplace, an online shopping site featuring a hand selected collection… Read More

Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda watch
Fashion, Food and drink, Gifts, Interior design

Christmas in July

While this week wasn’t exactly Christmas in July, it was certainly a week of major treats and peeks. Wednesday, I… 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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