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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Interior design

The Versailles You’ve Never Seen
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Garden, Interior design, Travel

The Versailles You’ve Never Seen

You’ve made the requisite pilgrimage to Versailles and seen the storied chateau, in all likelihood with throngs of others. The… Read More

The Timeless Attraction of Toile
Design, Interior design

The Timeless Attraction of Toile

Another story in the 30th anniversary issue of Veranda that resonated with personal relevance was the icon selection in the… Read More

2017 What’s New What’s Next
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

2017 What’s New What’s Next

A big thank you to all who came to Kindel for my chat at the with designers Sasha Bikoff, Phillip… Read More

At Home and in the Garden with Juan Montoya
Architecture, Garden, Interior design, Video

At Home and in the Garden with Juan Montoya

With projects around the globe, Columbian born architect and interior designer Juan Montoya is well known for his restrained yet… Read More

Gucci Décor at Bergdorf’s
Design, Fashion, Gifts, Interior design

Gucci Décor at Bergdorf’s

It was only a matter of time before the brilliant Gucci creative director Alessandro Michele applied his talents to the… Read More

See You at NYDC What’s New What’s Next
Design, Interior design

See You at NYDC What’s New What’s Next

Next week, the fall design season kicks off with the always hopping and popular NYDC What’s New What’s Next. Throughout… Read More

Sneak Peek – Soane Fall 2017
Design, Interior design

Sneak Peek – Soane Fall 2017

The French have a great expression for this time of year – la rentrée, signaling the re-entry to regularly scheduled… Read More

At Home in Atlanta with Suzanne Kasler
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design, Travel

At Home in Atlanta with Suzanne Kasler

Designer Suzanne Kasler finds inspiration wherever she goes. Whether it is les Puces in Paris, the fashionable windows on Madison… Read More

The Story Behind the Style: Oscar de la Renta for Lee Jofa
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

The Story Behind the Style: Oscar de la Renta for Lee Jofa

It always seems to come down to the story behind the style. Without that, there is no substance, no narrative,… Read More

Greydon House Nantucket
Architecture, Design, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Greydon House Nantucket

Nantucket is a small island brimming with charm and character, due in no small part to the island’s vigilance in… Read More

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

Nantucket Favorite Friday Finds VII

With its modern organic vibe, Coastal is a long time Nantucket favorite. Founded by ex-Calvin Klein fashion executive Karen Fisher,… Read More

A Look at How They Decorated with Author P. Gaye Tapp
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Fashion, Interior design

A Look at How They Decorated with Author P. Gaye Tapp

It was no surprise when long time blogging friend, decorator and now author, Gaye Tapp  shared her book idea for How They… 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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