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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Design

Spring 2017 Tabletop Market
Design, Food and drink, Gifts, Interior design

Spring 2017 Tabletop Market

While many of the products I am sharing from the Spring 2017 Tabletop Market at 41 Madison won’t be available… Read More

First Peek at Spring Tabletop Market
Interior design

First Peek at Spring Tabletop Market

While it may barely be spring, the Spring 2017 Tabletop Market at 41 Madison is gearing up for fall. Tuesday… Read More

One Kings Lane Connecticut House
Art & Antiques, Design, Food and drink, Interior design

One Kings Lane Connecticut House

Welcome to a refreshing new notion in residential retail. Taking the show house concept to the next level, the One Kings Lane Connecticut… Read More

A Busy Week in Design
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design

A Busy Week in Design

For those who follow along on Instagram, I had the best intentions of posting the full tour of One Kings… Read More

Flowers Through Art at Bunny Williams Home
Art & Antiques, Interior design

Flowers Through Art at Bunny Williams Home

Deborah Needleman began her Sign of the Times piece in last week’s T Magazine Design issue, “This country is in… Read More

NYBG 2017 Orchid Show
Design, Garden

NYBG 2017 Orchid Show

This spring, the 2017 Orchid Show celebrates its 15th year at the New York Botanical Garden with a focus on the the… Read More

The Orchid Show – Thailand
Garden, Style

The Orchid Show – Thailand

I’ve just returned from a marvelous evening at the NYBG Orchid Show – Thailand. I’ll be back with more about… Read More

DIFFA Dining by Design 2017
Interior design

DIFFA Dining by Design 2017

On Monday evening Dining by Design 2017 marked the 20th anniversary of DIFFA‘s (Design Industries Foundation Fighting AIDS) landmark event,… Read More

The Stickwork of Patrick Dougherty
Art & Antiques, Travel

The Stickwork of Patrick Dougherty

Travel always yields delightful discoveries and my trip last week was no exception. An unseasonable cold spell in Virginia and North… Read More

Thought for the Day
Design, Interior design

Thought for the Day

After a spring break week of college touring with my youngest (hence my absence here), I returned home, as we… Read More

Architectural Digest Gets a New Look
Design, Interior design

Architectural Digest Gets a New Look

It’s not often that I write about recently published magazines or share new stories (unless I am lucky enough to be… Read More

Signature Spaces by Paolo Moschino & Philip Vergeylen
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Interior design

Signature Spaces by Paolo Moschino & Philip Vergeylen

“Style is a simple way of saying complicated things.” Jean Cocteau’s perceptive aphorism opens Signature Spaces with a taste of what… 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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