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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Design

Springing into Color at NY Now 2015
Gifts, Interior design

Springing into Color at NY Now 2015

With the wild winter weather this week, it was encouraging to get a glimpse of spring at this edition of… Read More

Black and White at NY Now
Design, Gifts, Interior design

Black and White at NY Now

While there was certainly quite a bit of color to be found at NY Now (we’ll get to that soon),… Read More

ny now 2015 collage
Gifts, Interior design

Sneak Peek at NY Now 2015

In anticipation of yet another big snow storm, I rushed into the city to see a bit of NY Now 2015. I was… Read More

Winter Antiques Show 2015
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design, Travel

Winter Antiques Show 2015

The Winter Antiques Show 2015 is, as always, a great way to kick off the year. The 61st edition of… Read More

The Irrepressible Charm and Chic of La DoubleJ
Design, Fashion, Interior design, Travel

The Irrepressible Charm and Chic of La DoubleJ

Today we move north in Italy to Milan where fashion and design journalist J.J. Martin lives. Known for her enviably chic vintage wardrobe,… Read More

Looking Back to Move Forward
Art & Antiques, Fashion, Interior design, Travel

Looking Back to Move Forward

Having just immersed ourselves in the dazzling world of Duke Fulco di Verdura, it was fortuitous to learn, via T magazine,… Read More

Behind the Scenes Video at Verdura at 75
Design, Jewelry

Behind the Scenes Video at Verdura at 75

2014 was a big year for Verdura and the iconic jewelry house celebrated in singular style with an unprecedented exhibit last… Read More

Travel the World with Stefano Scatà
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design

Travel the World with Stefano Scatà

A small wrench in the system unfortunately meant a last-minute cancellation for my trip to Paris. While I regroup, I didn’t want… Read More

Design Moving Forward
Interior design, Travel

Design Moving Forward

January has been flying by almost as quickly as the holidays came and went. While most vestiges of Christmas in my house… Read More

The Power of Wallpaper in House Beautiful
Interior design

The Power of Wallpaper in House Beautiful

As soon as I got a peek at the project by Philip Gorrivan in the February House Beautiful, I knew… Read More

Armchair Traveler to France
Architecture, Books, Design, Food and drink, Interior design, Travel

Armchair Traveler to France

I buy design and lifestyle books for any number of reasons – for reference, for inspiration and certainly for enjoyment…. Read More

Lilly Pulitzer for Target
Design, Fashion, Gifts, Interior design

Lilly Pulitzer for Target

Yesterday evening, in the iconic Pool Room of the Four Seasons Restaurant, Target announced their latest design collaboration with another iconic American… Read More

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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!
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).
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