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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Food and drink

At Home in Ojai with Isabelle Dahlin and Brandon Boudet
Entertaining, Food and drink, Garden, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in Ojai with Isabelle Dahlin and Brandon Boudet

Ever since she first visited over 25 years ago, designer and shop owner Isabelle Dahlin always wanted a home in… Read More

At Home on Vashon Island with Ted Kennedy Watson and Ted Sive
Books, Design, Entertaining, Food and drink, Interior design, Style, Tabletop, Travel, Video

At Home on Vashon Island with Ted Kennedy Watson and Ted Sive

Most Saturdays, after closing up their two Watson Kennedy shops in Seattle, Ted Kennedy Watson and husband Ted Sive, head… Read More

Introducing Virtual Postcard
Architecture, Food and drink, Style, Travel, Video

Introducing Virtual Postcard

We are excited to announce a new video series, Virtual Postcard. So many of you viewers have said you love… Read More

At Home on Clove Brook Farm with Christopher Spitzmiller
Architecture, Books, Food and drink, Garden, Interior design, Video

At Home on Clove Brook Farm with Christopher Spitzmiller

During the week, gifted ceramicist and designer Christopher Spitzmiller is busy creating his exquisite lamps, tableware and accessories found in the most stylish… Read More

My French Country Home Magazine
Food and drink, Travel

My French Country Home Magazine

Over the last ten years Sharon Santoni has been sharing her life in France on her popular blog My French… Read More

At Home in the Kitchen with Bunny Williams
Food and drink, Interior design, Video

At Home in the Kitchen with Bunny Williams

Our second installment of At Home in the Kitchen takes us to the chic Manhattan home of interior design icon… Read More

At Home in the Kitchen with Preppy Kitchen
Food and drink, Interior design, Video

At Home in the Kitchen with Preppy Kitchen

Over the years, many of you readers and viewers have requested to see more kitchens in the homes featured in… Read More

At Home in Charleston with Jill Sharp Weeks
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Fashion, Food and drink, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in Charleston with Jill Sharp Weeks

Jill Sharp Weeks was clearly destined for a career in design. Growing up surrounded by her great great uncle’s paintings… Read More

At Home in San Patrignano
Art & Antiques, Design, Fashion, Food and drink, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in San Patrignano

It’s not often that a casual conversation on social media leads to discovering a remarkable community where the art of fine… Read More

Quintessential Guide to Champagne 2018
Food and drink, Gifts, Holiday

Quintessential Guide to Champagne 2018

As tomorrow is (shockingly) the last day of December, the time has come for the Quintessential Guide to Champagne 2018… Read More

Summer Entertaining Favorites
Entertaining, Food and drink, Gifts, Nantucket, Tabletop, Travel

Summer Entertaining Favorites

While I edit my shots from my latest Nantucket house tours, I thought I would share an easy summer entertaining… Read More

Friday Favorites – Nantucket On the Go
Food and drink, Nantucket, Travel

Friday Favorites – Nantucket On the Go

This week’s Friday Favorites is a tad late due to the continuing Fourth of July week. With family on island,… Read More

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In this snowy January weather, see how @timothycor In this snowy January weather, see how @timothycorrigan uses a plethora of @benjaminmoore whites to full advantage in his elegant Paris apartment. Full home tour on the Quintessence YouTube channel!
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!

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).
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