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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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    • Books that I have collaborated on, as photographer, with design author Susanna Salk
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Interior design

hollywood_hills
Architecture, Interior design

Put to Good Use

Recently the editor’s pick at Jayson Home & Garden, the wonderful Chicago based source for unique modern and vintage furniture and accessories,… Read More

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Architecture, Design, Interior design

The Fab Fifty

New York Spaces, the contemporary home design magazine, has just announced its annual (this is the third year) picks for… Read More

hermes-kelly-so-black-bag-profile
Fashion, Interior design

Happy at Hermes

They must indeed be very happy at Hermes since they just reported a 55.2% jump in first-half net profit and… Read More

its-complicated-6-remodelista
Architecture, Interior design

Wish list

I have decided to start a wish list here. It will be recurring and perhaps at some point I will… Read More

destination paris
Entertaining, Food and drink, Gifts, Interior design, Tabletop

Tabletop Tips

I’ll admit it – I have a slight obsession with tabletop. I love it all – placemats, napkins, china, flatware,… Read More

get_image.asp
Interior design, Jewelry

The Silk Purse

My favorite local consignment shop will not be just a local haunt for much longer. If you live in my… Read More

pool house kitchen
Architecture, Design, Garden, Interior design

Summer Breeze

I had always wanted to build a pool and pool house at our former home. We downsized and moved next… Read More

hydrangea sun room
Garden, Interior design

Hydrangea Happy

I love hydrangea – is there anyone who doesn’t? They are the perfect summer bloom. As the end of summer… Read More

sconsetmarket
Art & Antiques, Design, Fashion, Food and drink, Garden, Interior design, Travel

Nantucket Top 20 – Eat

I could do weeks’ worth of posts on Nantucket. There is so much to see and do. Here, however, is… Read More

lions-paw-371×500
Art & Antiques, Fashion, Garden, Interior design

Nantucket Top 20 – Shop

Nantucket is a shopper’s heaven. There is more quality shopping here within a small area than most places I can… Read More

main street
Design, Fashion, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Nantucket Style

I’ve been coming to Nantucket for over 25 years and even though it is more crowded and built up than… Read More

nantucket looms
Art & Antiques, Interior design, Jewelry, Nantucket, Travel

Nantucket Looms

Nantucket Looms represents some of the best artisanal industry on Nantucket. Liz Winship, who has been on the board of… 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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