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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Travel

enamel tumblers at Dior Home
Design, Gifts, Interior design, Travel

Paris Chic at the Dior Home Boutique

When several of your chicest design friends all mention the same Paris shop as a must visit, it is duly… Read More

Jim Thompson No.9 Drawn Threads
Design, Interior design, Travel

New Outdoor Fabrics Blur the Boundaries

As the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living continue to dissolve, the choices for new outdoor fabrics are inversely multiplying…. Read More

cartier chimera mystery clock
Art & Antiques, Jewelry, Travel

Cartier at the Grand Palais Paris

There is a reason the exhibit of Cartier at the Grand Palais in Paris is subtitled “Style and History.” While… Read More

Pierre Frey Venus wallpaper
Interior design, Travel

Report from Paris Deco Off | Wallpaper Appeal

It was a pleasure to see the cheerful lanterns swinging above the streets in Saint Germain and Rue de Mail… Read More

passport
Travel

New Passport Rules | Traveler Beware

Anyone who has seen me within the last week now knows of the new passport rules governing international travel. And… Read More

furniture by Jacob at Champ de Bataille
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Garden, Interior design, Travel

Jacques Garcia’s Champ de Bataille

While his design career was launched with such contemporary projects as the Montparnasse Tower and the Meridien group of hotels,… Read More

Paris Adventures
Art & Antiques, Gifts, Interior design, Travel

Adventures in Paris

My apologies for leaving you readers so long without updates. I had fully intended to write from Paris but it… Read More

In the Pierre Frey Paris Archives with Patrick Frey
Design, Interior design, Travel

In the Pierre Frey Paris Archives with Patrick Frey

Pierre Frey is a welcome anomaly in our modern world. A luxury company, family owned, and privately held, it is… Read More

rue jacob shop paris
Fashion, Gifts, Travel

Prepping for Paris | Two Faves in the 6th

As I start to prepare for my trip to Paris next week, I rediscovered some summer photos of two shops… Read More

Pouenat
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design, Travel

The Art of Iron at Pouenat

Established in 1880 as a ferronnier, Pouenat has continued to stay relevant and thrive by embracing their heritage while collaborating… Read More

Marie Christophe, Guerlain and Cour des Senteurs
Art & Antiques, Beauty, Gifts, Interior design, Travel

Marie Christophe, Guerlain and Cour des Senteurs

As Paris is only two weeks away, I thought it was an opportune time to write about the amazing confluence… Read More

paris in snow
Books, Travel

This Year, Change Your Mind

Illustration by Valero Doval for the NY Times Now that it is a fresh new year, many are thinking of… 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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