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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Fashion

BEHIND THE Q
Fashion, Food and drink, Jewelry

BEHIND THE Q

Welcome to the second BEHIND THE Q, a monthly feature showcasing behind-the-scenes visits with select stylemakers. In entertaining venues, we explore,… Read More

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Fashion, Jewelry

Welcome Back David Webb

Recently I had the privilege of attending an event at the spectacular new David Webb store on Madison Avenue. In… 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

maybelline necklace
Fashion, Jewelry

Playing Hooky and a Surprise

I am officially playing hooky from my normal posting today – for the first time, well – ever!! But of… Read More

FLYER MAY 2011 I
Fashion, Gifts, Interior design, Jewelry

Special Offer from the Empire

Many regular readers and subscribers will probably remember the wonderful offerings of Imperio jp that I profiled several months ago. From beautiful… Read More

eliza
Books, Entertaining, Fashion

Lunch with Jamee at J. McLaughlin

Last week I attended a fun book signing/luncheon event at the new J. McLaughlin store in Westport. Unlike the other… Read More

contract
Fashion, Interior design

Behind the Scenes at Kravet

I’ve always been fascinated by textile design. So you can imagine how thrilled I was to have the opportunity, with… Read More

Video thumbnail for youtube video d-zd_978-q4
Books, Entertainment, Fashion, Interior design, Jewelry

Royal Wedding Redux

For those of you who followed our Royal Wedding contest, you can now enjoy a taste of the festivities vicariously!!… Read More

Screen shot 2011-05-09 at 11.37.53 PM
Books, Fashion

Britta Bell Book Bags

Sounds like an old fashioned tongue twister! Well there most certainly is an old fashioned element to this story, wedded,… Read More

sotheby’s webb coral bracelet
Art & Antiques, Books, Fashion, Jewelry

Living Jewels

Friday I visited the Arts and Antiques Show at the Armory and had the great pleasure of attending a lecture… Read More

kate & will home
Fashion, Interior design

Bag the Bag!!

Our Royal Wedding Contest continues this week. Enter by Friday for a chance to win this fabulous Joanna Lhuillier bag, whose… Read More

Crabbcakes_Hero
Books, Fashion, Food and drink, Gifts, Interior design

Royal Wedding Contest

For the last several months, many of us have been following the news of the upcoming royal nuptials. And on… 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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