Skip to content
  • Articles
    • Design
      • Architecture
      • Art & Antiques
      • Books
      • Garden
      • Gifts
      • Interior design
    • Entertainment
      • Entertaining
      • Food and drink
      • Holiday
      • Tabletop
    • Style
      • Fashion
      • Jewelry
    • Travel
      • Nantucket
    • Threads of Time and Taste: The Art of Dressing in Pierre Frey
  • Shop
    • Home & Decor
      • Accessories
      • Antiques
      • Art
      • Lighting
      • Trays
    • Tableware
      • Baskets
      • Glassware
      • Linens
      • Flatware
      • Plates
    • Fashion
      • Bags
      • Clothing
      • Jewelry
    • Exclusives
      • Tableware
      • Fashion
      • Home & Decor
    • Peony & Thistle Linen Tea Towels
  • Video
    • Exclusive insider tours visiting top designers and tastemakers at home around the world
      VIEW ALL
    • At Home with John Lyle
    • At Home in Paris with the Hurleys
    • At Home with Veere Grenney in his Extraordinary Gardens in Tangier
    • At Home with Veere Greeney in Tangier, Morocco
Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

  • Books
    • Books that I have collaborated on, as photographer, with design author Susanna Salk
      VIEW ALL
    • At Home with Dogs and Their Designers: Sharing a Stylish Life
    • At Home in the English Countryside: Designers and Their Dogs
    • At Home with Designers and Tastemakers: Creating Beautiful and Personal Interiors
    • Making a House a Home: Designing Your Interiors from the Floor Up
  • About
  • Articles
  • Shop
  • Videos
  • Books
  • About

Fashion

Irene Neuwirth Jewelry
Design, Fashion, Jewelry

Neuwirth’s Natural Beauty

Irene Neuwirth‘s statement jewelry has major IT girl appeal. Ever since college when she started dabbling with beaded jewelry as… 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

Vladimir Kanevsky porcelain flowers
Entertainment, Fashion, Gifts

Holiday House Party – Some Enchanted Evening

A group of us were invited by the lovely Marsha at Splenderosa to an imaginary holiday party. It is a… Read More

Sandoz collection pocket watch
Fashion, Jewelry

Parmigiani – Masters of Time

As the restorer of the intricate mechanical masterpieces in the Sandoz collection, Michel Parmigiani demonstrates his passion and talent for… Read More

parmigiani breakfast at blt
Art & Antiques, Design, Fashion, Jewelry

Mechanical Wonders – the History

Several weeks ago I attended a marvelous event that represented the epitome of creative collaboration. Beginning with a shared passion… 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

Tania Vartan Verre Eglomise
Art & Antiques, Design, Fashion, Interior design

Tania Vartan: Coming Full Circle

A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of visiting John Rosselli’s showroom to see the new fabric line… Read More

Talbots spring 2012 tunic
Fashion, Jewelry

Talbots Treats for Spring

A couple of weeks ago I attended a preview of Talbots‘ spring 2012 line. Although it was gray and rainy… Read More

Taking it to the Streets on BlogTour
Architecture, Design, Fashion, Travel

Taking it to the Streets on BlogTour

Taking a little editorial break today, here are just a few visuals of how some of the design themes translated… Read More

04
Design, Fashion, Interior design

Hanging out at Fashion Week – the Mercedes Benz Star Lounge

I’m always amazed by all the towering shoes I see at Fashion Week. Between waiting for shows and standing in… Read More

00560m
Fashion

Fashion Week Spring 2012 – CHADO Ralph Rucci

CHADO Ralph Rucci’s Spring 2012 collection was nothing short of breathtaking. It is in a league of its own.  The… Read More

Posts navigation

Older Posts Older Posts
Newer Posts Newer Posts
Illustration of camera

Follow

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).
© 2025 Quintessence Design LLC
Site design by The Beaux Arts Digital
FAQ & Shipping Terms of Use Privacy Policy
X Illustration of hand
Never Miss A Post
Get insider access to the most inspiring and informative design stories straight to your inbox. Satisfy your style curiosity, quench your sophisticated shopping thirst and scratch your discerning need-to-know itch - sign up so you never miss a thing.