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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

Setting the Table with Charlotte Moss
Books, Entertaining, Gifts, Interior design, Tabletop, Video

Setting the Table with Charlotte Moss

Charlotte Moss is not only a celebrated decorator and prolific author but a consummate and creative hostess. And although the… Read More

Pomellato: Since 1967
Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Fashion, Jewelry

Pomellato: Since 1967

The 60’s ushered in an era that would change forever the cultural and social landscape, particularly for women who discovered… Read More

Deyrolle: A Parisian Cabinet of Curiosities
Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Interior design, Travel

Deyrolle: A Parisian Cabinet of Curiosities

When the legendary Deyrolle was decimated by an electrical fire in 2008, everyone in France and beyond rallied to the… Read More

The Authentics
Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Gifts, Interior design

The Authentics

In a world driven by speed, sameness and recycled imagery and content, where the word authentic is batted around as… Read More

Remodelista The Organized Home
Books, Interior design

Remodelista The Organized Home

Most of you readers know by now, I am not a minimalist. Living with what I love (all of it)… Read More

Roomscapes
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Interior design

Roomscapes

For those of you who just can’t get enough of the masterful vision of Renzo Mongiardino, add the reissue of… Read More

Renzo Mongiardino: A Painterly Vision
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Interior design

Renzo Mongiardino: A Painterly Vision

The current return to maximalism can, in all likelihood, be traced to a single source – Renzo Mongiardino. Even those… Read More

About Decorating: The Remarkable Rooms of Richard Keith Langham
Art & Antiques, Books, Interior design

About Decorating: The Remarkable Rooms of Richard Keith Langham

Rather like his own personality, Richard Keith Langham’s interiors never take themselves too seriously. Yet they all possess an easy… Read More

At Home in New Orleans with Jane Scott Hodges
Art & Antiques, Books, Entertaining, Interior design, Tabletop, Travel, Video

At Home in New Orleans with Jane Scott Hodges

As the founder and owner of Leontine Linens, Jane Scott Hodges is credited with reviving the art of couture linens… Read More

At Home with Dogs and Their Designers
Books, Design, Gifts, Interior design

At Home with Dogs and Their Designers

When Susanna first suggested that I shoot the photos for her book At Home with Dogs and Their Designers, I… Read More

Rockefeller Homes and Gardens
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Interior design

Rockefeller Homes and Gardens

When you grew up, as I did, on the Hudson River, in the vicinity of Pocantico Hills, the Rockefeller name… Read More

Haute Bohemians
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Interior design

Haute Bohemians

Miguel Flores-Vianna’s photographs are more than merely beautiful. They are poetic, instinctively capturing the spirit of place and the essence… Read More

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Quiet breakfast on this snowy morning. I cross sti Quiet breakfast on this snowy morning. I cross stitched these placemats for my mother YEARS ago when I was living in Switzerland. They have recently come full circle back to me and on this holiday are a lovely reminder of both her and my time spent there. Grounding tablecloth from @heathertaylorhome  @latuilealoup aptware and mini baskets. Flatware from @alain_saint_joanis in my shop and last, but certainly not least, my spectacular handpainted pitcher and glassware set by the talented @margotlar (available by special order through the shop).
Let the family festivities begin. All four chicks Let the family festivities begin. All four chicks are in the nest, the table is set, the tree is decorated. A Merry Christmas Eve to all from our Nantucket home to yours!
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And don’t forget to enter your table in the @academia_de_la_mesa table contest. There are amazing prizes to enhance your tabletop repertoire
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!
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