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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Interior design

At Home in Tangier with Nicolo Castellini Baldissera
Architecture, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in Tangier with Nicolo Castellini Baldissera

Born into an Italian family distinguished in the world of art and architecture, it is hardly surprising that Nicolo Castellini… Read More

At Home in Santa Barbara with Madeline Stuart
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in Santa Barbara with Madeline Stuart

Madeline Stuart may have come to her current career in design via a somewhat circuitous route, yet it is clear… Read More

At Home in London with Paolo Moschino and Philip Vergeylen
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design, Travel

At Home in London with Paolo Moschino and Philip Vergeylen

Upon entering the London home of designers Paolo Moschino and Philip Vergeylen, you would never guess that it was once… Read More

At Home in Charleston with Jill Sharp Weeks
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Fashion, Food and drink, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in Charleston with Jill Sharp Weeks

Jill Sharp Weeks was clearly destined for a career in design. Growing up surrounded by her great great uncle’s paintings… Read More

At Home in San Patrignano
Art & Antiques, Design, Fashion, Food and drink, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in San Patrignano

It’s not often that a casual conversation on social media leads to discovering a remarkable community where the art of fine… Read More

At Home with John Derian in New York City
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design, Video

At Home with John Derian in New York City

Just as John Derian‘s stores represent his endless curiosity and quixotic vision of the intersection of nature and art, so… Read More

At Home in Paris with Timothy Corrigan
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in Paris with Timothy Corrigan

Every since designer Timothy Corrigan lived in Paris as an advertising executive in the late 1980s, he has been a… Read More

At Home in Locust Valley with Jeffrey Bilhuber
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Interior design, Video

At Home in Locust Valley with Jeffrey Bilhuber

Designer Jeffrey Bilhuber‘s greatest talent may be informing the past with a bold confidence that feels just right for today…. Read More

At Home in New York City with Timothy Whealon
Art & Antiques, Interior design, Video

At Home in New York City with Timothy Whealon

While designer Timothy Whealon may have begun his career on Wall Street, his love of the fine and decorative arts… Read More

Adventures in Los Angeles
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design, Travel

Adventures in Los Angeles

Thank you to those who checked in during my absence here. Delighted to be missed and you will (I hope)… Read More

At Home in London with Lulu Lytle
Art & Antiques, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in London with Lulu Lytle

While Lulu Lytle originally dreamed of becoming an Egyptologist, her current role as cofounder and creative director of Soane Britain… Read More

NYBG 2019 Orchid Dinner
Garden, Interior design

NYBG 2019 Orchid Dinner

It is always a pleasure, in the midst of winter, to visit a room abloom in a profusion of orchids…. 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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