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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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Books

At Home with Susanna Salk and Ken Fulk
Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Interior design, Travel

At Home with Susanna Salk and Ken Fulk

Memorable experiences are all about the story and for Ken Fulk, no matter what the project, there’s always a story in… Read More

Out and About from Christie’s to Castaing
Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Interior design, Jewelry

Out and About from Christie’s to Castaing

Now in the full throttle of fall, it is always a challenge to visit all the wonderful events, openings and introductions… Read More

At Home with Susanna Salk and Katie Ridder and Peter Pennoyer
Architecture, Books, Design, Garden, Interior design

At Home with Susanna Salk and Katie Ridder and Peter Pennoyer

Husband and wife, architect and interior designer, California girl and New York City boy. This combination wouldn’t necessarily bode well for… Read More

Inside the Design Library with Beacon Hill at D&D Fall Market
Books, Interior design, Style

Inside the Design Library with Beacon Hill at D&D Fall Market

“Textile designs serve no practical function, but they can transform an environment, tell the story of a culture, symbolize a… Read More

Jeweler by Stellene Volandes
Art & Antiques, Books, Fashion, Jewelry

Jeweler by Stellene Volandes

In her stunning new book, Jeweler: Masters, Mavericks, and Visionaries of Modern Design, Stellene Volandes, jewelry expert and Editor-in-Chief at Town… Read More

John Derian Picture Book
Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Gifts, Interior design

John Derian Picture Book

If ever there was a person who has built a hugely successful and much imitated business based on a very… Read More

Wanderlust by Michelle Nussbaumer
Art & Antiques, Books, Interior design

Wanderlust by Michelle Nussbaumer

While many designers glean inspiration from their travels, Michelle Nussbaumer takes her love of worldly cultures and treasures to another… Read More

Beautiful by Mark D. Sikes
Books, Interior design

Beautiful by Mark D. Sikes

Anyone who follows Mark D. Sikes on his popular blog is familiar with his love of  “chic people, glamorous places… Read More

Ike Kligerman Barkley at Nantucket by Design
Architecture, Books, Design, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Ike Kligerman Barkley at Nantucket by Design

After almost four decades of presenting the Nantucket Antiques Show as their major annual fundraising event, the Nantucket Historical Association updated… Read More

Paradise Found – Gardens of Enchantment
Books, Garden

Paradise Found – Gardens of Enchantment

Anyone who has perused the pages of books or magazines or even Pinterest boards that feature beautiful gardens, is familiar… Read More

New York Botanical Garden Celebrates 125 Years
Architecture, Books, Design, Garden

New York Botanical Garden Celebrates 125 Years

This year the New York Botanical Garden celebrates 125 years. One of New York City’s most prized cultural institutions, the Botanical… Read More

Martyn Lawrence Bullard Design & Decoration
Books, Interior design

Martyn Lawrence Bullard Design & Decoration

“I am lucky. I wake up each morning knowing that whatever that day brings, I will have been creative, designed… 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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