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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Design

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

Welcoming George Home
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design, Travel

Welcoming George Home

The charming depot of Washington, CT may be tiny, but it just got a big shot of chic with the… Read More

It’s a Dog’s Life with Isaac Mizrahi
Design, Video

It’s a Dog’s Life with Isaac Mizrahi

Isaac Mizrahi certainly needs no introduction. Whether you know him as a celebrated fashion designer (look for his Isaac Mizrahi… Read More

RH Modern and Milo Baughman
Design, Interior design

RH Modern and Milo Baughman

When RH Modern was launched about a year and a half ago, with its collection of curated modern furnishings, it… Read More

Pierre Frey x J. Crew
Design, Fashion, Interior design

Pierre Frey x J. Crew

The intersection between interiors and fashion continues to inspire as Pierre Frey x J. Crew have joined forces to collaborate… Read More

Seaside Maximalism Out East
Architecture, Interior design

Seaside Maximalism Out East

While many of us have long loved the timeless pattern-on-pattern richness of maximalist interiors, it is currently enjoying a more widespread… Read More

At Home and Around the World with Susan Walker and Ali MacGraw for Ibu
Art & Antiques, Design, Fashion, Interior design

At Home and Around the World with Susan Walker and Ali MacGraw for Ibu

Susan Walker has long walked the line between style and substance. With a spiritual soul, curious mind and educated eye… Read More

Catching Up at Christies
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Catching Up at Christies

As I was catching up at Christies, I went down the rabbit hole and thought I’d share a few favorites… Read More

Valextra x Dedar
Design, Fashion, Interior design

Valextra x Dedar

The long time love affair between fashion and interiors seems to only be getting hotter lately with more collaborations coming to the… Read More

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Quiet breakfast on this snowy morning. I cross sti Quiet breakfast on this snowy morning. I cross stitched these placemats for my mother YEARS ago when I was living in Switzerland. They have recently come full circle back to me and on this holiday are a lovely reminder of both her and my time spent there. Grounding tablecloth from @heathertaylorhome  @latuilealoup aptware and mini baskets. Flatware from @alain_saint_joanis in my shop and last, but certainly not least, my spectacular handpainted pitcher and glassware set by the talented @margotlar (available by special order through the shop).
Let the family festivities begin. All four chicks Let the family festivities begin. All four chicks are in the nest, the table is set, the tree is decorated. A Merry Christmas Eve to all from our Nantucket home to yours!
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And don’t forget to enter your table in the @academia_de_la_mesa table contest. There are amazing prizes to enhance your tabletop repertoire
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!
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