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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Travel

Nantucket House Tour | Chic on the Cliff
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Nantucket House Tour | Chic on the Cliff

Nantucket is a small island full of big world connections. Earlier this summer, I was delighted to meet Cynthia Everets through… Read More

A Vicarious Visit to Camilla Guinness’ Arniano
Food and drink, Interior design, Travel

A Vicarious Visit to Camilla Guinness’ Arniano

A couple of weeks ago, T Magazine published a feature on British interior designer Camilla Guinness. Known for her eclectic mix… Read More

On the Road
Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

On the Road

Between short trips on the road and longer island stays, it’s been a busy summer. And I think I’ve set a… Read More

Virtual Postcard | Maya Williams in Coastal Italy
Interior design, Travel

Virtual Postcard | Maya Williams in Coastal Italy

Welcome to the latest episode of Virtual Postcard, our summer travel series featuring the world seen through the eyes of… Read More

At Home with Susanna Salk and Timothy Corrigan in Los Angeles
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design, Travel

At Home with Susanna Salk and Timothy Corrigan in Los Angeles

When visiting Timothy Corrigan in Los Angeles, you are greeted with the same sense of comfort and elegance that is evident in all… Read More

Shopping Nantucket | Atlantic
Art & Antiques, Fashion, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Shopping Nantucket | Atlantic

Shopping Nantucket offers a plethora of tempting picks and Atlantic, in their spacious new spot on Federal Street, should most definitely be… Read More

Antiques & Design Show of Nantucket 2015
Art & Antiques, Interior design, Travel

Antiques & Design Show of Nantucket 2015

Benefitting the worthy Nantucket Historical Association, the Antiques & Design Show of Nantucket is always an August highlight on island. With… Read More

Virtual Postcard | Kevin Isbell in Sardinia
Travel

Virtual Postcard | Kevin Isbell in Sardinia

Welcome to a new installment of our summer video travel series VIRTUAL POSTCARD. When I noticed that designer Kevin Isbell was… Read More

Bringing the World Home
Art & Antiques, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Bringing the World Home

Monday I head back to Nantucket for a big week of design. The annual Antiques & Design Show starts on… Read More

Summer Inspiration
Art & Antiques, Garden, Interior design, Travel

Summer Inspiration

It was a rather rude awakening to return home from the cool crisp Maine air to the sweltering heat and… Read More

Dangling Downeast
Travel

Dangling Downeast

While I may be happily ensconced downeast in one of my favorite summer enclaves, I forgot to pack my laptop charger…. Read More

Shopping the Wharf on Nantucket | SPACE and Scrub Oak
Art & Antiques, Fashion, Gifts, Nantucket, Travel

Shopping the Wharf on Nantucket | SPACE and Scrub Oak

In its third year at 4 Old South Wharf, SPACE has made a name for itself sourcing stylish hand crafted, artistic… 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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