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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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    • At Home with Dogs and Their Designers: Sharing a Stylish Life
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INSIDER INFO ON THE PEOPLE, PLACES AND THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT
Welcome Westmoreland – The Frick’s New Café

Welcome Westmoreland – The Frick’s New Café

It was a long awaited and much celebrated occasion when The Frick Collection reopened in March, unveiling its stunning five… Read More

Iris Apfel Collection at Christie’s

Iris Apfel Collection at Christie’s

The more is more spirit of the exuberant Iris Apfel is coming to Christie’s at the end of this month…. Read More

Suzanne Rheinstein Collection at KRB

Suzanne Rheinstein Collection at KRB

There are few contemporary design icons today as missed as the much loved Suzanne Rheinstein. Her refined yet casually chic… Read More

Paris, City of Pearls

Paris, City of Pearls

Whether you are traveling to Paris for pleasure or for the upcoming design events (Maison et Objet and Deco Off),… Read More

Tony Sarg: Genius at Play

Tony Sarg: Genius at Play

Never was a tag line more apt. Tony Sarg was a true multi hyphenate whose ebullient creative endeavors knew no… Read More

Buccellati Tahiti Picnic Basket

Buccellati Tahiti Picnic Basket

This past week saw an enthusiastic and monumental turnout for Salone in Milan. While many major exhibits, installations and new… Read More

Rigal Jewelry by Hayley Sarno

Rigal Jewelry by Hayley Sarno

Artist Hayley Sarno exudes creativity from every pore with a quiet elegance and charm. Her style is as fresh as… Read More

Bruegel to Rubens: Great Flemish Drawings at the Ashmolean

Bruegel to Rubens: Great Flemish Drawings at the Ashmolean

For any of you art-minded readers traveling to London this spring, you may want to include a quick hour train… Read More

Robert Kime at Dreweatts

Robert Kime at Dreweatts

In August we lost one of the giants in the world of design – renowned interior decorator and collector Robert… Read More

Marie-Hélène de Taillac x Marie Christophe

Marie-Hélène de Taillac x Marie Christophe

Creative collaborations often spawn remarkable results and when I heard two talented women I admire were producing a collection together,… Read More

Portraits of Dogs: From Gainsborough to Hockney

Portraits of Dogs: From Gainsborough to Hockney

It’s no secret in these parts that I, along with many friends and colleagues in the world of design, have… Read More

Jacques Garcia, Champ de Bataille Auction at Sotheby’s

Jacques Garcia, Champ de Bataille Auction at Sotheby’s

No introductions are needed for Jacques Garcia, the renowned French designer who seems to do it all. From his celebrated… 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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