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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Architecture

At Home with John Lyle
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design, Video

At Home with John Lyle

For over thirty years John Lyle has created luxurious objects and furniture that reflect his love of materials – from… Read More

At Home in Paris with the Hurleys
Antiques, Architecture, Decorative Arts, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in Paris with the Hurleys

When Chilean born designer Micky Hurley and wife Malu decided to split their time between New York and Europe, they… Read More

At Home with Veere Greeney in Tangier, Morocco
Architecture, Books, Design, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home with Veere Greeney in Tangier, Morocco

Tag along to Tangier for a behind the scenes visit with designer Veere Grenney at Gazebo, his extraordinary Moroccan home… Read More

Nantucket by Design 2024
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Decorative Arts, Design, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Nantucket by Design 2024

In a new iteration of the Nantucket Historical Association’s popular fundraiser, Nantucket by Design 2024 has moved to July with… Read More

At Home in Marrakesh with Meryanne Loum-Martin
Architecture, Garden, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in Marrakesh with Meryanne Loum-Martin

Join Susanna in Marrakesh, Morocco as she visits renowned hotelier Meryanne Loum-Martin at her stunning property containing both her renowned… Read More

At Home with Peter Copping and Rambert Rigaud at La Carlière
Antiques, Architecture, Art & Antiques, Decorative Arts, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home with Peter Copping and Rambert Rigaud at La Carlière

Tag along to Normandy, France for a behind the scenes visit with Peter Copping and Rambert Rigaud at their 15th… Read More

At Home in Madrid with Casa Josephine
Architecture, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in Madrid with Casa Josephine

A former priests’ dorm from the 18th century might not be everyone’s concept of a dream home, but it was… Read More

At Home with Sara Story in her Gramercy Park Brownstone
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design, Video

At Home with Sara Story in her Gramercy Park Brownstone

When seven months pregnant with her first child and apartment hunting in New York City, designer Sara Story received a… Read More

At Home in Madrid with Lorenzo Castillo
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in Madrid with Lorenzo Castillo

When renowned Spanish interior designer Lorenzo Castillo found his current home, over 20 years ago, it was a neglected theater… Read More

Nantucket by Design 2023
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Decorative Arts, Design, Garden, Interior design, Jewelry, Nantucket, Style, Travel

Nantucket by Design 2023

I am honored to again co-chair, with Olivia Charney, Nantucket by Design, the premier summer fundraiser for the island’s largest… Read More

At Home in Paris with Pierre Sauvage
Architecture, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in Paris with Pierre Sauvage

While designer, shop owner and author Pierre Sauvage was only vaguely considering moving to a new apartment in Paris, little… Read More

At Home in Paris with Jamie Creel and Marco Scarani
Antiques, Architecture, Art & Antiques, Decorative Arts, Design, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in Paris with Jamie Creel and Marco Scarani

Jamie Creel and partner Marco Scarani are men of sophistication and refinement, whose world travels and global collections inform their… 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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