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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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    • Books that I have collaborated on, as photographer, with design author Susanna Salk
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At Home with Veere Grenney in his Extraordinary Gardens in Tangier
Books, Design, Garden, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home with Veere Grenney in his Extraordinary Gardens in Tangier

When designer Veere Grenney bought his house in Tangier, it was not only the breathtaking hilltop location with its captivating… 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 Milan with Nicolo Castellini Baldissera
Architecture, Books, Design, Interior design, Style, Travel, Video

At Home in Milan with Nicolo Castellini Baldissera

Three years ago, after decades living in London, Paris, Switzerland, the United States and Tangier, designer Nicolo Castellini Baldissera finally… Read More

At Home on Vashon Island with Ted Kennedy Watson and Ted Sive
Books, Design, Entertaining, Food and drink, Interior design, Style, Tabletop, Travel, Video

At Home on Vashon Island with Ted Kennedy Watson and Ted Sive

Most Saturdays, after closing up their two Watson Kennedy shops in Seattle, Ted Kennedy Watson and husband Ted Sive, head… Read More

At Home in Millbrook with Darren Henault
Architecture, Books, Garden, Interior design, Style, Video

At Home in Millbrook with Darren Henault

When designer Darren Henault and husband Michael Bassett went in search of a weekend house for their family, they knew… Read More

At Home with Designers and Tastemakers
Architecture, Books, Interior design

At Home with Designers and Tastemakers

Little did we know, when Susanna Salk and I first embarked on our video collaboration nine years ago, where and… Read More

At Home in Los Angeles With David Netto
Architecture, Books, Interior design, Style, Video

At Home in Los Angeles With David Netto

In the mid twentieth century, modernist architect Richard Neutra built ten houses in the then bohemian enclave of Silver Lake… Read More

At Home with Pieter Estersohn in the Hudson Valley
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Interior design, Style, Video

At Home with Pieter Estersohn in the Hudson Valley

The house was a wreck, filled with years of hoarding, one room overflowing with 500 dolls, but Pieter Estersohn was… Read More

At Home in Pasadena with Kate Stamps
Architecture, Books, Garden, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in Pasadena with Kate Stamps

“Not everything should be perfect.” This simple phrase speaks volumes about Odom and Kate Stamps’ approach to both their own… Read More

At Home on Clove Brook Farm with Christopher Spitzmiller
Architecture, Books, Food and drink, Garden, Interior design, Video

At Home on Clove Brook Farm with Christopher Spitzmiller

During the week, gifted ceramicist and designer Christopher Spitzmiller is busy creating his exquisite lamps, tableware and accessories found in the most stylish… Read More

Markham Roberts Notes on Decorating
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Interior design, Nantucket

Markham Roberts Notes on Decorating

As designer Markham Roberts explains in his inspiring new book, Notes on Decorating, “There are thousands of moving parts that… 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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