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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Entertainment

Thanksgiving table setting
Design, Food and drink, Holiday

Happy Thanksgiving

All set (pun intended)!! Just deciding between the flatware! Wishing you and yours a wonderful holiday. I am grateful every day… Read More

monica chiang cuff
Design, Fashion, Holiday

Monika Chiang Preview

Monday I ventured down to SoHo to visit the new C Wonder store. Chris Burch is a brilliant marketer and… Read More

Tintin store in Covent Garden, London
Books, Design, Fashion, Gifts, Holiday

An Updated Classic

I’m definitely liking the direction new editor in chief Jay Fielden is taking with Town & Country. With a stylish… Read More

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Entertainment

At the Movies

Yes it’s back!! At the Movies took a little break over the last few months but is back today with… Read More

Food by Brian Lewis at interior design store Pimlico party in New Canaan, Connecticut
Art & Antiques, Design, Food and drink, Gifts, Interior design

Pimlico Premiere

I had actually intended a different post for today but after attending  a festive event celebrating the reopening of New… Read More

Tablesetting at the Metropolitan Club NYC
Architecture, Entertaining, Entertainment, Interior design, Travel

Royal Oak Timeless Design

Last week I had the honor of being invited to attend the Timeless Design Gala for the Royal Oak Foundation…. Read More

dessert at La Grillade
Design, Food and drink, Gifts, Interior design

Gilting the Home

I would imagine most of you readers are already familiar with Gilt and probably Gilt Home. But as of this… Read More

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Food and drink

Wednesday Wine

Today we get to tag along with Terry as she had a marvelous dinner with Paul Hobbs, one of the… Read More

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Food and drink

Wednesday Wine

I know soon Terry will be heading out to Napa to take some lucky customers on private tours of select… Read More

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Entertainment

At the Movies

I am thrilled to be back in the swing of things just in time for At the Movies. We just… Read More

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Entertainment

Getting Your Game On

Well Irene has turned out to be one of the nastiest visitors I’ve had in quite a while. Not only… Read More

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Entertainment

At the Movies

Instead of focusing on a single film today, I am sharing with you an entertaining auction of a film star’s… 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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