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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Design

Week of Best Intentions (and Inspiration)
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Jewelry, Travel

Week of Best Intentions (and Inspiration)

This was a week of best intentions. While I had planned on sharing so many inspiring visits, life just got… Read More

It’s the Little Things in New Preston
Books, Design, Garden, Gifts, Interior design

It’s the Little Things in New Preston

The town of New Preston, CT may be tiny but it looms large as a design destination. And this weekend, seven… Read More

Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala Tables Part II
Interior design

Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala Tables Part II

As I know everyone enjoys the originality of the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala tables, today we’ll take a final look at a… Read More

2016 Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala
Interior design

2016 Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala

While last week was chock full of design happenings, I was thrilled to be able to at least sneak a… Read More

At Home with Susanna Salk and Laura Kirar
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

At Home with Susanna Salk and Laura Kirar

Laura Kirar is a designer who approaches her work with the heart of an artist. Known for her artistic approach to interiors… Read More

A Whirlwind Week of Design
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

A Whirlwind Week of Design

While spring is always bustling with events, this has been a particularly action packed week of design. I hope to be… Read More

First Look at the Sotheby’s Showhouse 2016
Antiques, Art & Antiques, Decorative Arts, Interior design, Style

First Look at the Sotheby’s Showhouse 2016

This week, At Home, the Sotheby’s Showhouse 2016 opened. Running through next Saturday, the third annual Designer Showhouse and Auction… Read More

AERIN Fall 2016 Accessories Sneak Peek
Fashion, Gifts, Interior design

AERIN Fall 2016 Accessories Sneak Peek

As we are still waiting for spring-like temperatures, it’s also time to look ahead to the fall collections. This year AERIN‘s fall… Read More

Oomph Greenwich has Arrived!
Design, Gifts, Interior design

Oomph Greenwich has Arrived!

I have followed the trajectory of Oomph ever since they established their stylish Connecticut based brand over seven years ago…. Read More

Ralph Lauren Home Fall 2016
Interior design

Ralph Lauren Home Fall 2016

Yesterday evening Ralph Lauren Home celebrated their fall 2016 collections and new dedicated Instagram feed at their expansive Chelsea headquarters. Here,… Read More

Quintessential Cooking with Miele
Food and drink, Interior design

Quintessential Cooking with Miele

Miele always has a large presence at the AD Design Show with inventive and oft stylish displays. You saw their chic… Read More

AD Design Show Part 2
Art & Antiques, Interior design

AD Design Show Part 2

With such a wide and deep variety of categories, the AD Design Show makes picking just a few favorites a… 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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