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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Garden

David handy orchid dinner table
Garden, Interior design

NY Botanical Garden Orchid Dinner Continued

For those of you who aren’t normally weekend readers, please take a moment to look back at the last post… Read More

Philip Gorrivan Carolyn Englefield and Clinton Smith
Garden, Interior design

NYBG Orchid Dinner Tables

While perhaps challenging in its specificity, the Key West Modernism theme at the NYBG Orchid Dinner couldn’t have been more… Read More

Video thumbnail for youtube video xlne6m5qkec
Garden, Interior design

Behind the Scenes Video at the New York Botanical Garden Orchid Dinner

Sometimes it indeed takes a village and this is often the case when the talented designers are creating tables for… Read More

Raymond Jungles designed garden
Garden, Interior design

New York Botanical Garden Orchid Dinner Preview

One of my favorite events of the winter design scene is The New York Botanical Garden’s annual Orchid Dinner. Serving as… Read More

An Invitation to the Garden
Food and drink, Garden, Interior design

An Invitation to the Garden from Michael Devine

With our recent Siberian-like weather, An Invitation to the Garden arrived at my door like a welcome breath of spring…. Read More

furniture by Jacob at Champ de Bataille
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Garden, Interior design, Travel

Jacques Garcia’s Champ de Bataille

While his design career was launched with such contemporary projects as the Montparnasse Tower and the Meridien group of hotels,… Read More

louis benech
Books, Design, Garden

Louis Benech | Twelve French Gardens

While I have little talent in the arena of landscape design, I can certainly recognize someone who does, so I… Read More

honey bear fountain by G.R. Roth
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Garden

Central Park NYC | An Architectural View

Ever since the 2008 publication of their superb volume on Chinoiseries, many have been eagerly awaiting the next publication from… Read More

new orleans garden by sawyer berson
Architecture, Design, Garden, Interior design

The Design Landscape of Sawyer Berson

After seeing the modern monolithic limestone and glass Southampton manse Sawyer | Berson created for designer Kelly Behun in last… Read More

Video thumbnail for youtube video iqmsfvaulsu
Architecture, Design, Garden, Interior design

At Home Poolside with Susanna Salk and Bunny Williams

Bunny Williams certainly needs no introduction. The acclaimed designer is celebrated not only for her inspiring interiors but her refreshing… Read More

Quintessence blog on Lonny
Books, Entertaining, Food and drink, Garden

Thank you Lonny!

Last week I had the pleasure of hosting friend Michael Devine for a lovely evening on my terrace in Connecticut… Read More

Nantucket sunset via Quintessence
Architecture, Garden, Travel

ACK Attack | Nantucket Getaway

Readers who follow me on instagram and twitter know by my ACK hashtags that I have been on Nantucket this… 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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