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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Interior design

Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala 2015
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala 2015

Last Wednesday evening, crowds turned out for the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala 2015. Honoring long time board member Juan A…. Read More

Sotheby’s Designer Showhouse Auction
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Sotheby’s Designer Showhouse Auction

Tomorrow (Monday) is the Sotheby’s Designer Showhouse auction. Whether you are attending in person or considering an online bid, I share… Read More

Last Looks at the Sotheby’s 2015 Showhouse
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Last Looks at the Sotheby’s 2015 Showhouse

Continuing our pre-auction tour of the Sotheby’s 2015 Showhouse, we visit Eric Cohler‘s family room. Inspired by the family room in the… Read More

Last Call to See the 2015 Sotheby’s Designer Showhouse
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Last Call to See the 2015 Sotheby’s Designer Showhouse

This weekend is the last chance to see the 2015 Sotheby’s Designer Showhouse. On Monday, April 20th, the auction will begin for the… Read More

Kinderhook Spring Home & Garden Day
Art & Antiques, Design, Garden, Gifts, Interior design

Kinderhook Spring Home & Garden Day

I am excited to be participating this weekend in the historic town of Kinderhook, NY’s first Home & Garden Day…. Read More

Sotheby’s Showhouse Part II
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Sotheby’s Showhouse Part II

When touring the Sotheby’s Showhouse, a fellow visitor paid it an enormous compliment, explaining that to him it felt like a… Read More

Lenox Hill Garden of Eden Gala Sneak Peek
Design, Interior design

Lenox Hill Garden of Eden Gala Sneak Peek

The Lenox Hill Neighborhood House annual benefit is one of my favorite spring events. With 50 tables decorated by noted… Read More

The Spirit of Water at the Antiques and Artisan Center
Art & Antiques, Interior design

The Spirit of Water at the Antiques and Artisan Center

I have written many times about one of my favorite local haunts. The Antique and Artisan Center in Stamford is… Read More

Glamour Goes Bold in an ELLE DECOR Sneak Peek
Design, Interior design

Glamour Goes Bold in an ELLE DECOR Sneak Peek

This photo of designer Megan Winters says it all. With an infectious joie de vivre, love of gold, glamour and graphic design,… Read More

AERIN Fall 2015 Accessories
Design, Fashion, Gifts, Interior design

AERIN Fall 2015 Accessories

Previewing fall is always a challenge. Finally ecstatic to have spring in our back pockets,   we are ready to move… Read More

Domino Magazine Shop House Video Tour
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Domino Magazine Shop House Video Tour

Leave it to Domino Magazine to create the first-ever shoppable show house.  At 15 William, a modern state of the art condominium… Read More

New York Design Center at DIFFA Dining by Design 2015
Design, Interior design

New York Design Center at DIFFA Dining by Design 2015

This year’s DIFFA Dining by Design was held at Pier 92, a short yet brisk walk from the AD Home… 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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