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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Architecture

Inspirations from Italy
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Garden, Interior design, Travel

Inspirations from Italy

What a whirlwind of a week! With not a moment to write a proper post, I wanted to at least… Read More

The Creative World of Charles de Beistegui at Legends
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design, Travel

The Creative World of Charles de Beistegui at Legends

Exploring the creative world of the brilliant Charles de Beistegui would certainly involve more than a single post but Timothy Corrigan‘s… 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

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

Penny Morrison Then and Now
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design

Penny Morrison Then and Now

Several years ago I wrote a piece about Guy and Penny Morrison’s charming house in Wales, below. Since then, I… Read More

Anouska Hempel
Architecture, Books, Interior design, Travel

Anouska Hempel

It was Blake’s, the chic London boutique hotel, that put Anouska Hempel on the map in the world of design…. Read More

Ottoman Chic
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design

Ottoman Chic

Clearly a trip to Turkey should be on my docket. Having tempted you in the fall with the beautiful Cornucopia… Read More

A New Look for Gil Schafer
Architecture, Garden, Interior design

A New Look for Gil Schafer

For so many of us in the world of design, any new project emanating from the office of architect Gil… Read More

Winter Antiques Show 2015
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design, Travel

Winter Antiques Show 2015

The Winter Antiques Show 2015 is, as always, a great way to kick off the year. The 61st edition of… Read More

Travel the World with Stefano Scatà
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design

Travel the World with Stefano Scatà

A small wrench in the system unfortunately meant a last-minute cancellation for my trip to Paris. While I regroup, I didn’t want… Read More

Armchair Traveler to France
Architecture, Books, Design, Food and drink, Interior design, Travel

Armchair Traveler to France

I buy design and lifestyle books for any number of reasons – for reference, for inspiration and certainly for enjoyment…. Read More

Catching Up Out & About
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Fashion, Interior design

Catching Up Out & About

I thought I would have time to bring you more in depth news today but it is already proving to be… 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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