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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Fashion

Valextra x Dedar
Design, Fashion, Interior design

Valextra x Dedar

The long time love affair between fashion and interiors seems to only be getting hotter lately with more collaborations coming to the… Read More

The Circle Game
Entertainment, Fashion, Gifts

The Circle Game

I get email pitches for a wide variety of products, many of which have no relevance to subjects that I cover here…. Read More

Obeetee & Tarun Tahiliani – Proud to be Indian
Design, Fashion, Interior design

Obeetee & Tarun Tahiliani – Proud to be Indian

India is renowned as a leading source for the finest embroidery in the world with a centuries long heritage of textile and weaving… Read More

Jeweler by Stellene Volandes
Art & Antiques, Books, Fashion, Jewelry

Jeweler by Stellene Volandes

In her stunning new book, Jeweler: Masters, Mavericks, and Visionaries of Modern Design, Stellene Volandes, jewelry expert and Editor-in-Chief at Town… Read More

Friday Five Favorite Finds X Part II
Fashion, Gifts, Jewelry, Nantucket, Travel

Friday Five Favorite Finds X Part II

As summer winds down and flip flops and straw hats segue into less casual attire, thoughts turn to fashion for fall…. Read More

Friday Five Favorite Finds VIII
Art & Antiques, Design, Fashion, Food and drink, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Friday Five Favorite Finds VIII

This week’s Friday Five Favorite Finds starts with a discovery that truly deserves its own post. But with many articles… Read More

Tony Duquette Jewelry at Sotheby’s
Fashion, Jewelry

Tony Duquette Jewelry at Sotheby’s

Before we return to activities on Nantucket, I wanted to be sure that the legions of readers who are Tony… Read More

Websites that Inspire
Art & Antiques, Design, Fashion, Gifts, Interior design

Websites that Inspire

During my online wanderings, I am often underwhelmed by the sameness of so many sites. With the ubiquitousness of certain… Read More

Friday Five Favorite Finds
Art & Antiques, Fashion, Interior design, Jewelry, Nantucket, Travel

Friday Five Favorite Finds

For this summer, I am initiating a fun little weekly series, Friday Five Favorite Finds, which I find on my travels out… Read More

Tony Duquette | Hutton Wilkinson Jewelry at Kentshire
Design, Fashion, Jewelry

Tony Duquette | Hutton Wilkinson Jewelry at Kentshire

The brilliant and multi-talented Tony Duquette was a creative force whose designs extended from from painting and sculpture to stage sets… Read More

Out and About
Art & Antiques, Books, Fashion, Interior design

Out and About

While I’ve been busy out and about, I’ve been bookmarking a few interesting tidbits to circle back around with to take a… Read More

Sotheby’s Fine Jewels Auction
Fashion, Jewelry

Sotheby’s Fine Jewels Auction

As with furniture, fine and decorative art, buying jewelry at auctions is a great way to learn as well as often… Read More

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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).
Our latest video visit is here! Join me at the stu Our latest video visit is here! Join me at the stunning countryside home of Spanish interior designer @ludovicoporta where he transformed a ruin of an 18th century palazzo into an idyllic weekend retreat ! LINK IN PROFILE (latest video).
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