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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Art & Antiques

versailles with sun king clock
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Garden, Interior design, Travel

Timeless Design at Versailles

I was somehow surprised that my girls voted a visit to Versailles as their favorite part of our week in… Read More

Ralph restaurant Paris dessert
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Food and drink, Travel

Postcard From Paris

I had hoped to post this yesterday but since we have been very busy out and about, this little postcard… Read More

James Magni rooftop lounge
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Interior design

Magni Modernism

James Magni’s new volume, Magni Modernism, celebrating his 25 years of design, is a testament not only to the longevity… Read More

Robert Brown bathroom
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Kips Bay Show House First Look

During the flurry of spring design events, Kips Bay is always on everyone’s list. This year, the anticipated show was… Read More

Lisa Mende and Traci Zeller show house
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design, Travel

Junior League Show House at Adamsleigh Continued

Today we move upstairs at the Junior League Show House in Greensboro that I visited when at High Point. It… Read More

Bradshaw Orrell Sun room
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design, Travel

Junior League Show House at Adamsleigh

Having a show house during High Point was a wonderful way to both highlight local and national talent and provide… Read More

Spring Show NYC Collage
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

AADLA Spring Show NYC

This year marks the third edition of the AADLA Spring Show NYC at the Park Avenue Armory. Wednesday evening I… Read More

Stylish Shopping with Susanna Salk and Miles Redd
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Stylish Shopping with Susanna Salk and Miles Redd

Miles Redd needs no introduction among design cognoscenti. This expert mix master represents modern glamour at its best. Combining such… Read More

Archives AD Design on a Dime
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Housing Works Design on a Dime Continued

For those who haven’t heard, this year’s Housing Works Design on a Dime was a rousing success, raising over one… Read More

D&D building
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Join Me on Tuesday at the D&D Building

I realized that, while I made an announcement on Facebook, I never informed you readers who aren’t on social media…. Read More

High Point style spotting
Art & Antiques, Design, Garden, Gifts, Interior design

High Point Picks

As many of you know, I have spent the last four days at High Point market, scouting the enormous variety… Read More

Phillip Haas Four Seasons
Art & Antiques, Interior design

Roundtable Cultural Seminars | A Lively Adventure of the Mind

Several weeks ago I had the opportunity to attend a lecture at the Roundtable Cultural Seminars. Co-founded by Adriana Mnuchin… Read More

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In this snowy January weather, see how @timothycor In this snowy January weather, see how @timothycorrigan uses a plethora of @benjaminmoore whites to full advantage in his elegant Paris apartment. Full home tour on the Quintessence YouTube channel!
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!

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).
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