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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Design

Join Us in Boston, Around the World and At Home
Interior design, Style

Join Us in Boston, Around the World and At Home

In addition to actually shooting our videos, Susanna Salk and I have been sharing our behind the scenes experiences of making the series… Read More

First Look 45th Kips Bay Decorator Show House
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design

First Look 45th Kips Bay Decorator Show House

Opening on May 2, the 45th Kips Bay Decorator Show House brings the creativity of eighteen top designers and architects to… Read More

Setting the Table with Marian McEvoy – A New Video Series
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design, Video

Setting the Table with Marian McEvoy – A New Video Series

Regular readers know my longstanding love of tabletop so I am especially thrilled to announce the debut of a new… Read More

Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala 2017 Part II
Design, Interior design

Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala 2017 Part II

With so many beautiful tables, it was impossible to fit them all in a single post so today I bring you… Read More

2017 Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala
Design, Interior design

2017 Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala

One of my favorite tabletop fundraisers, the much anticipated 2017 Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala, was held Tuesday evening at Cipriani… Read More

Cabana Magazine for Paperless Post
Art & Antiques, Design

Cabana Magazine for Paperless Post

Martina Mondadori, founder and editor-in-chief of Cabana Magazine has been very busy. Immediately on the heels of the magazine’s creative collaboration with Caesarstone… Read More

Bunny Williams Lighting for Currey & Company
Design, Interior design

Bunny Williams Lighting for Currey & Company

Next week is the spring edition of High Point Market and while I won’t be attending, one of the debuts… Read More

Where Art Tells the Story
Art & Antiques, Travel

Where Art Tells the Story

When writing the art of trompe l’oeil piece last week, my research took me full circle to a firm I have been… Read More

Corian Cabana Club at Salone del Mobile
Design, Interior design, Travel

Corian Cabana Club at Salone del Mobile

Of all the FOMO inducing moments at Salone del Mobile last week, one of the most inspiring was the Corian… Read More

At Home with Susanna Salk and Hunt Slonem
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

At Home with Susanna Salk and Hunt Slonem

There are few places where inspiration and art are so fluidly connected as in the former Chelsea loft of Hunt… Read More

The Art of Trompe l’Oeil in Sicily
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

The Art of Trompe l’Oeil in Sicily

In the May Architectural Digest, Mitch Owens’ engaging story on the Sicilian Palazzo di Lorenzo Castelluccio details the remarkable lengths the… Read More

The Always Right Blue and White Table
Design, Interior design

The Always Right Blue and White Table

No matter the season, the enduring power of blue and white shines through. This is certainly the case at the table… 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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