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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Fashion

French school eglomise painting
Art & Antiques, Fashion, Interior design, Jewelry

International Fine Art and Antique Dealers Show

Browsing events like the International Fine Art and Antique Dealers Show isn’t just for potential buyers. Anyone interested in art… Read More

Video thumbnail for youtube video yabnjttcxd4
Design, Fashion, Interior design, Jewelry

Veranda Magic Makers Awards

In a world that is all too often focussed on expedience and mass market appeal, it is refreshing to read… Read More

The Shops at Target
Design, Fashion, Interior design

Made in the U.S.A. Cachet

For those of you who are as enamored of the Wall Street Journal’s Off Duty Saturday section as I, you… Read More

umbrella & silver house trap
Fashion, Gifts, Jewelry

Simon Teakle | A Gem of a Jewel Box

Simon Teakle‘s new shop is truly a gem of a jewel box. On one of Greenwich, CT’s tiniest charming side streets,… Read More

Milord Antiques
Art & Antiques, Design, Fashion, Gifts, Interior design

AVENUE Antiques and Art at the Armory

The AVENUE Antiques and Art show at the Armory is the premier destination this weekend in New York for anyone… Read More

My week
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Entertainment, Fashion, Interior design

It’s Fall – A Busy Week!

Although my favorite season has not officially begun, fall events are already in full force. It was a busy week… Read More

Mayflower Inn porch
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Fashion, Food and drink, Garden, Gifts, Interior design, Travel

Welcome to the Mayflower

A mere two hours from New York City, nestled in the heart of rural Connecticut, sits an idyllic luxury resort… Read More

Badgley Mischka spring 2013 show finale
Fashion

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week | Badgley Mischka Spring 2013

It’s not surprising that at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, the Badgley Mischka team of Mark Badgley and James Mischka were inspired… Read More

Naeem Khan spring 2013 look 41
Fashion

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week | Naeem Khan Spring 2013

At Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, Naeem Khan‘s collections are, for me, perennial favorites. Their timeless glamour, elegant  embellishment and incredible craftsmanship… Read More

Tory Burch Spring 2013
Fashion

Mercedes Benz Fashion Week | Tory Burch Spring 2013

At Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, tt was a bright sunny day inside and out for the Tory Burch show at… Read More

Fashion Week Collage Final
Fashion

Wait For It – Spring 2013 From NYFW Continues

I came home from my final fashion week show feeling rather under the weather. So I will continue with my… Read More

Reem-Acra-fuchsia-and-nude-gown
Fashion

Reem Acra at Mercedes Benz Fashion Week

Reem Acra, in her show notes, cited Aaron Young’s famous motorcycle art as inspiration for her collection. His reductionist, raw, minimalistic… 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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