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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Art & Antiques

Stylish Shopping with Susanna Salk and Timothy Corrigan at Les Puces in Paris
Art & Antiques, Interior design, Travel

Stylish Shopping with Susanna Salk and Timothy Corrigan at Les Puces in Paris

What design maven doesn’t dream of shopping at Les Puces, the famous Paris flea market visited by thousands of designers and… Read More

Catching Up Out & About
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Fashion, Interior design

Catching Up Out & About

I thought I would have time to bring you more in depth news today but it is already proving to be… Read More

Cartier in the 20th Century
Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Jewelry

Cartier in the 20th Century

Few names have been so inexorably linked with luxury and exceptional jewelry as the House of Cartier. And in a… Read More

In the Studio Video with Susanna Salk and Frances Palmer
Art & Antiques, Food and drink, Garden, Interior design

In the Studio Video with Susanna Salk and Frances Palmer

I had been a fan of Frances Palmer and her beautiful ceramics long before I started this blog. Her distinctive and… Read More

Sotheby’s Bunny Mellon auction
Art & Antiques, Interior design

Designer Picks from the Sotheby’s Bunny Mellon Auction

You have no doubt by now read about the upcoming Sotheby’s Bunny Mellon auction. The much anticipated event will be spread over… Read More

Cornucopia Magazine
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Food and drink, Interior design, Travel

Cornucopia Magazine

I can still remember seeing Mica and Ahmet Ertegun’s Bodrum villa for the first time. It was decades ago in a publication… Read More

Antiquing in Parma
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design, Travel

Antiquing in Parma

For most of this week, I have had the privilege to be shopping the fall Mercanteinfiera in Parma, Italy. Susanna and I… Read More

Video thumbnail for youtube video hzcpzehmmai
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Interior design

Robert Couturier Designing Paradises

It is not surprising that the projects in Robert Couturier Designing Paradises are all beautiful, executed with an eye for… Read More

Carole Gratale Couture at Newel
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Carole Gratale Couture at Newel

After years in the fashion industry, Carole Gratale was ready for a change. Inspired by the creativity and caliber of iconic… Read More

Video thumbnail for youtube video tlgxl-rtvri
Art & Antiques, Interior design

Stylish Shopping with Susanna Salk & Ellie Cullman at the New York Art, Antique & Jewelry Show

Antique shows can be overwhelming and intimidating. Yet shopping a show with an expert can be illuminating and entertaining. We… Read More

Video thumbnail for youtube video htqyq_ofmuk
Art & Antiques, Fashion, Interior design

Dressy Designers We Love Video Part 1

There has long been a link between fashion and interiors, with some designers straddling both sides of the creative divide…. Read More

Givenchy at Christie’s
Art & Antiques, Interior design, Travel

Hubert de Givenchy for Christie’s during the Biennale des Antiquaires

This week marks the Biennale des Antiquaires in Paris. The prestigious show presents the crème de la crème of antiques,… 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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