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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Holiday

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Entertainment, Holiday

Happy Fourth of July!

Celebrating the fourth at the beach! Starting with dinner on the terrace The barge in preparation on the sound. And… Read More

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Beauty, Fashion, Holiday

Fashion Fix for the 4th

I think dressing on the 4th of July is always fun and relatively easy. White pants or a skirt are… Read More

ig0702_tart2_lg
Food and drink, Holiday

Food for the 4th

Whenever and wherever you are celebrating the 4th of July (our fireworks are on the 2nd), it’s always fun to… Read More

hot fudge – Version 2
Entertaining, Food and drink, Holiday

Father’s Day Feast

In thinking about what sort of post to write in acknowledgement of Father’s Day this weekend, I realized my husband… Read More

memorial day
Holiday

Happy Memorial Day

Hope you are all enjoying the long weekend. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow for the debut of BEHIND… Read More

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Food and drink, Garden, Holiday

Cognac 101

After reviewing the elegant Van Cleef exhibit yesterday, I wanted to do a wine post with the same sense of… Read More

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Books, Gifts, Holiday

Books for Lovers

What a fun evening I had yesterday at Assouline’s social media event at their charming shop at the Plaza. I… Read More

Hyde-vineyard2.jpg_e_666d2dc9b00c959939d0e6a7287197d6
Food and drink, Holiday

Wednesday Wine

As we approach Valentine’s Day, we recognize that everyone celebrates in their own way. Terry, our Wednesday Wines collaborator, has… Read More

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Entertaining, Food and drink, Gifts, Holiday, Tabletop

Fancy a Flute?

photo from Life Now that we’ve chosen what champagne to drink, we have to decide what to drink it in!… Read More

our tree
Holiday, Style

Merry Christmas

From our home to yours, wishing you the very merriest of holidays!

3 wheat lane
Architecture, Holiday

It’s Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas Ev’rywhere you go… But the prettiest sight to see is the holly… Read More

Screen shot 2010-12-22 at 7.25.53 PM
Fashion, Gifts, Holiday, Interior design, Jewelry

Gold and Silver

No matter what sort of decorative theme you have going for the holidays this year, here is one that never… 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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