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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Interior design

Anthony Lawrence Home Comes to Greenwich
Interior design

Anthony Lawrence Home Comes to Greenwich

With a little Thomas Wolfe pulsing through their piping, Anthony Lawrence proves that you can indeed go home again. The… Read More

October Inspiration Overload
Architecture, Books, Interior design

October Inspiration Overload

The lazy days of summer seem long gone as fall has shifted into high gear. October inspiration is already on… Read More

Palm Beach Chic
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Interior design

Palm Beach Chic

Just in time for the weekend, we can all take a vicarious visit to that tropical bastion of sunny style in Jennifer… Read More

Giving Design a Voice
Interior design

Giving Design a Voice

As we were all reminded by Deborah Needleman in her revelatory editor’s letter in this week’s inspiring issue of T magazine,… Read More

Sneak Peek of Our At Home with Video at Tuxedo Park
Interior design

Sneak Peek of Our At Home with Video at Tuxedo Park

Last month, Susanna and I were thrilled to visit 1stdibs and Housepad founder Michael Bruno at his majestic house at… Read More

Carrier and Company Positively Chic Interiors
Books, Design, Interior design

Carrier and Company Positively Chic Interiors

Like everything that comes out of the offices of Carrier and Company, their new book, Positively Chic Interiors, makes it… Read More

Showhouse on the Green Sneak Peek
Architecture, Interior design

Showhouse on the Green Sneak Peek

What to do when a 19th century church on a historic town green in Connecticut needs to restore its rectory,… Read More

Nantucket House Tour | Stylish in Sconset
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Garden, Interior design

Nantucket House Tour | Stylish in Sconset

Most Nantucket regulars would agree that September is the most beautiful month on island. The throngs of tourists have left, you… Read More

Madeline Weinrib Pop-Up at Barney’s
Art & Antiques, Design, Fashion, Gifts, Interior design

Madeline Weinrib Pop-Up at Barney’s

Madeline Weinrib travels the world to bring bring her authentic aesthetic home for her eponymous brand. And so it is particularly appropriate… Read More

A Day at Château de Vaux le Vicomte
Architecture, Garden, Interior design, Travel

A Day at Château de Vaux le Vicomte

While no doubt familiar with the palatial splendor of Louis XIV’s Versailles, what you may not know is that the inspiration, and… Read More

Virtual Postcard | Max Sinsteden in Capri
Interior design, Travel

Virtual Postcard | Max Sinsteden in Capri

Summer may be winding down, but travel inspiration continues. In the latest segment of VIRTUAL POSTCARD, designer Max Sinsteden takes… Read More

Nantucket House Tour | Chic on the Cliff
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Nantucket House Tour | Chic on the Cliff

Nantucket is a small island full of big world connections. Earlier this summer, I was delighted to meet Cynthia Everets through… 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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