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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Holiday

Blue-collage
Design, Fashion, Food and drink, Gifts, Holiday, Interior design

Cheers to the Red, White & Blue – Happy 4th of July!

Whether you’re staying home or going out, dressing up or keeping it casual, there’s a little something here for everyone!… 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

dom perignon oenotheque 93
Food and drink, Holiday

Quintessential Guide to Champagne

In preparation for New Year’s Eve, everyone needs to know at least a little something about champagne. Long time readers… Read More

William Yeoward Bunny Champagne Flute
Food and drink, Gifts, Holiday, Interior design

Coupe or Flute?

This is the age old champagne dilemma – coupe, flute or tulip! Last year I wrote about Seth Box, director… Read More

Quintessence blog Christmas table
Design, Entertainment, Holiday, Interior design

Merry Christmas

As some of you know, I’ve been obsessing over tartan this fall and I am thrilled that I finally have… Read More

Verdura Lily Bracelet
Books, Fashion, Gifts, Holiday, Jewelry

Verdura Splendor

Only a handful of jewelry companies today can claim a legacy rich in history and design. Verdura is among them… Read More

Books, Design, Gifts, Holiday, Travel

Traveler’s Tips and Treats Redux

I didn’t get a chance to finish the post I had planned for today so I am reissuing some handy… Read More

Video thumbnail for vimeo video 33577238
Entertainment, Gifts, Holiday

#Jingletweet Finale

What a wonderful evening of friends, colleagues and good cheer!! A huge thanks to Audiocom for sponsoring the evening in… Read More

#Jingletweet Countdown Prize No. 1
Books, Design, Entertainment, Fashion, Food and drink, Gifts, Holiday

#Jingletweet Treasure

I’m excited to announce that #Jingletweet has finally arrived. For those of you who haven’t been following along via social… Read More

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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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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