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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Art & Antiques

Friday Five Favorite Finds VIII
Art & Antiques, Design, Fashion, Food and drink, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Friday Five Favorite Finds VIII

This week’s Friday Five Favorite Finds starts with a discovery that truly deserves its own post. But with many articles… Read More

Sneak Peek: The Box Updated in Galerie Magazine
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Sneak Peek: The Box Updated in Galerie Magazine

When Hudson News founders Lisa and James Cohen came to the conclusion that most art magazines were a tad dry and unapproachable,… Read More

Friday Five Favorite Finds VII
Art & Antiques, Food and drink

Friday Five Favorite Finds VII

This week’s Friday Five Favorite Finds begins downtown at The White Elephant, the sister property of the Wauwinet Inn, which I… Read More

Behind the Scenes at Christie’s
Architecture, Art & Antiques

Behind the Scenes at Christie’s

This year, Christie’s is celebrating its 250th anniversary. And while there have been many special exhibitions and events this year… Read More

Friday Five Favorite Finds IV
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Food and drink, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Friday Five Favorite Finds IV

This week’s Friday Five Favorite Finds starts off with a bit of Nantucket history. In the early 18th century, the… Read More

Websites that Inspire
Art & Antiques, Design, Fashion, Gifts, Interior design

Websites that Inspire

During my online wanderings, I am often underwhelmed by the sameness of so many sites. With the ubiquitousness of certain… Read More

Friday Five Favorite Finds III
Art & Antiques, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Friday Five Favorite Finds III

Today’s Friday Five Favorite Finds starts with a pick from an iconic Nantucket institution. Founded in the 1950s by artist… Read More

Friday Five Favorite Finds
Art & Antiques, Fashion, Interior design, Jewelry, Nantucket, Travel

Friday Five Favorite Finds

For this summer, I am initiating a fun little weekly series, Friday Five Favorite Finds, which I find on my travels out… Read More

Out and About
Art & Antiques, Books, Fashion, Interior design

Out and About

While I’ve been busy out and about, I’ve been bookmarking a few interesting tidbits to circle back around with to take a… Read More

More Patina Farm Style
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Travel

More Patina Farm Style

Thank you to so many of you who stopped by and left such lovely comments about Susanna’s and my video visit to Brooke… Read More

Garrow Kedigian Ode to an Emperor at Kips Bay 2016 Show House
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design

Garrow Kedigian Ode to an Emperor at Kips Bay 2016 Show House

I find I often have an affinity for those designers who also have architectural backgrounds. They frequently structure their spaces with distinctive… Read More

Kati Curtis at the 2016 Kips Bay Show House
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design

Kati Curtis at the 2016 Kips Bay Show House

Design Kati Curtis leads us up the staircase at the 2016 Kips Bay Show House with a spiritual metaphor. For… 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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