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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Entertainment

Olga-Adler-table-detail-for-Greenwich-@012-Red-Cross-ball
Entertaining, Interior design, Tabletop

When Help Can’t Wait: the Red Cross Red & White Ball

On April 28th, the Metro New York North Red Cross held its annual Red & White Ball, one of the largest… Read More

James-Andrew-&-Melissa-Morris
Books, Entertaining, Gifts, Interior design, Tabletop

The Fund for Park Avenue – Beautifying the City

If you have ever appreciated the beautiful flowers in the spring lining the malls down Park Avenue or the sparkling… Read More

Frederick-P.-Victoria-Lenox-Hill-gala-table-detail
Entertaining, Interior design, Tabletop

Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala Finale

Kudos to all the designers who created tables for this amazing event. Today is the last grouping of inspiration for… Read More

More Tabletop Inspiration from the Lenox Hill Gala
Entertaining, Interior design, Tabletop

More Tabletop Inspiration from the Lenox Hill Gala

Welcome to part two of the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala, featuring more of the spectacular designer tables. It was… Read More

Nick-Olsen-The-Cult-of-Persephone-table-for-Lenox-Hill-Gala
Entertaining, Food and drink, Interior design, Tabletop

Spring Fever at the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala

The Lenox Hill Neighborhood House is one of the most well respected and popular nonprofit organizations in New York City…. Read More

Poggenpohl-+Artesio-kitchen-drawer-details
Design, Food and drink, Interior design

Creative Collaboration: Poggenpohl and Blanco

Along with a few other alumnae of the original BlogTour in London last September, I was invited by Modenus to… Read More

Video thumbnail for youtube video 6kcczcmyw38
Entertainment, Fashion

At the Movies + Bonus

To be honest, I was going to write about a different movie today to kick off the Oscar season, but… Read More

Ravensburger dragon 1,000 piece dragon puzzle
Art & Antiques, Design, Entertainment, Fashion, Gifts, Holiday, Interior design

Happy Chinese New Year

Today is the beginning of the new lunar year in China. As the most important holiday in the country, people… Read More

Embroidery on Joan Fontaine’s dress in Suspicion
Entertainment

At the Movies

Considering my posts this week, you’ve probably guessed the feature today is a British film (even though Dark Shadows is… Read More

Hugh Henry flat sitting room in Earls Court
Architecture, Design, Entertainment, Fashion, Interior design, Travel

British Style Bonanza

Between the mania for Downton Abbey and the popularity of Will and Kate, it’s clear British style is making a… Read More

Video thumbnail for youtube video lb3oeaemml8
Architecture, Design, Entertainment, Interior design

Dark Shadows

I knew it would happen eventually. With the vampire mania of the last few years, it was just a matter of… Read More

Gilliard Fendant wine
Design, Fashion, Food and drink, Travel

Fancy Some Fondue?

It’s been a slow reentry after the holidays here. I’d become accustomed to the kids’ schedule – late nights playing… 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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