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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Interior design

Nantucket Friday Favorite Finds VI | A Weekend of Art and Antiques
Art & Antiques, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Nantucket Friday Favorite Finds VI | A Weekend of Art and Antiques

In addition to its beautiful beaches and historic charm, Nantucket offers a rich cultural scene for such a small island…. Read More

Vogue Living x Schumacher
Fashion, Interior design

Vogue Living x Schumacher

It’s hard to keep up with Dara Caponigro and her team at Schumacher! Their latest creative collaboration with Vogue –… Read More

Nantucket Friday Favorite Finds V | Nantucket by Design 2017
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Nantucket Friday Favorite Finds V | Nantucket by Design 2017

While Friday has somehow segued to Sunday, this week’s favorite find from here on Nantucket has to be Nantucket by… Read More

Nantucket by Design 2017
Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Nantucket by Design 2017

While the first week of August on Nantucket has in recent years always included a focus on design, this year… Read More

Wallpaper Wizardry | The Schumacher Library of Wallcovering
Books, Interior design

Wallpaper Wizardry | The Schumacher Library of Wallcovering

My love of wallpaper is no secret and I was intrigued as Schumacher hinted on their Instagram feed (@Schumacher1889) about… Read More

Villa Astor
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Interior design, Travel

Villa Astor

The subtitle of the beautiful new book on Villa Astor says it all – “Paradise Restored on the Amalfi Coast.”… Read More

Scenting the Summer House
Gifts, Interior design

Scenting the Summer House

There’s nothing much better than the sound and smells of ocean breezes, drifting off the water though open windows. Scent… Read More

Nantucket Friday Favorite Finds III
Design, Fashion, Food and drink, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Nantucket Friday Favorite Finds III

It’s been busy on island and I’m a tad late with this week’s Nantucket Friday Favorite Finds but wanted to… Read More

Setting the Table with Alex Papachristidis
Interior design

Setting the Table with Alex Papachristidis

Celebrated interior designer Alex Papachristidis has a passion for beauty. Known for his timeless elegance and inventive creativity, his love… Read More

Nantucket Friday Favorite Finds II
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Entertainment, Food and drink, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Nantucket Friday Favorite Finds II

My second installment of Friday favorite finds from here on Nantucket includes a couple island staples in the food and… Read More

The Trickle Down Effect: Straw, Wicker and Rattan
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design

The Trickle Down Effect: Straw, Wicker and Rattan

Just as we’ve witnessed the popularity of straw bags in fashion, we’ve been seeing a heightened resurgence of straw, wicker… Read More

At Home with Susanna Salk and Muriel Brandolini
Architecture, Books, Interior design, Travel

At Home with Susanna Salk and Muriel Brandolini

Few summer retreats are as well known as Long Island’s Hamptons. In communities where artists and writers, fishermen and farmers… 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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