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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Art & Antiques

Weekend Update
Art & Antiques, Fashion, Interior design, Jewelry, Travel

Weekend Update

Sometimes, I’ve put something on the back burner for whatever reason and a nudge from my wanderings online and elsewhere… Read More

Weekend Wandering at the Met
Art & Antiques, Fashion, Food and drink

Weekend Wandering at the Met

Tag along for a visit to the Met for a peek at the not-to-be-missed Madame Cézanne show and a couple smaller exhibitions.

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

Exotic Chic
Art & Antiques, Books, Interior design

Exotic Chic

There is so much theses days, in fashion and in our homes, reflecting a love for exotic chic. Even long before these far off… 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

Looking Back to Move Forward
Art & Antiques, Fashion, Interior design, Travel

Looking Back to Move Forward

Having just immersed ourselves in the dazzling world of Duke Fulco di Verdura, it was fortuitous to learn, via T magazine,… 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

The Intricate World of Saint-Louis Paperweights
Art & Antiques, Design

The Intricate World of Saint-Louis Paperweights

While you may know crystal maker Saint-Louis  primarily for their elegant glassware and lighting, throughout their distinguished history they have also produced… Read More

Pieter Coecke van Aelst and Renaissance Tapestry at the Met
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Pieter Coecke van Aelst and Renaissance Tapestry at the Met

If last year’s blockbuster exhibit, Interwoven Globe, proved the power of textiles as a force in the interdisciplinary and cross-cultural exchange… Read More

A Busy Week in the World of Design
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design, Jewelry

A Busy Week in the World of Design

As December hit, so have a multitude of events in the world of design. In catching up, let me share a… Read More

Video thumbnail for youtube video 3x0oci382da
Art & Antiques, Holiday, Interior design

Holiday House NYC 2014 Video Tour

Now in its seventh year, Holiday House NYC was the first designer showhouse held in New York City to specifically… Read More

This Week in the World of Design
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

This Week in the World of Design

The season has started and the world of design is hopping with celebrations, introductions and events. While it’s impossible to keep… 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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