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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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At Home in Milan with Nicolo Castellini Baldissera
Architecture, Books, Design, Interior design, Style, Travel, Video

At Home in Milan with Nicolo Castellini Baldissera

Three years ago, after decades living in London, Paris, Switzerland, the United States and Tangier, designer Nicolo Castellini Baldissera finally… Read More

At Home on Vashon Island with Ted Kennedy Watson and Ted Sive
Books, Design, Entertaining, Food and drink, Interior design, Style, Tabletop, Travel, Video

At Home on Vashon Island with Ted Kennedy Watson and Ted Sive

Most Saturdays, after closing up their two Watson Kennedy shops in Seattle, Ted Kennedy Watson and husband Ted Sive, head… Read More

At Home in Millbrook with Darren Henault
Architecture, Books, Garden, Interior design, Style, Video

At Home in Millbrook with Darren Henault

When designer Darren Henault and husband Michael Bassett went in search of a weekend house for their family, they knew… Read More

At Home in New York City with Bunny Williams
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design, Video

At Home in New York City with Bunny Williams

Bunny Williams has had a long and distinguished career in design yet continues to harness her unbridled creative energy, evolving… Read More

At Home in Connecticut with Charlotte Barnes
Architecture, Interior design, Video

At Home in Connecticut with Charlotte Barnes

Having happily lived in the same suburban town for 20 years, designer Charlotte Barnes was not even considering a move… Read More

At Home in the Hamptons with Kate Rheinstein Brodsky
Architecture, Interior design, Video

At Home in the Hamptons with Kate Rheinstein Brodsky

It would be difficult to grow up as the daughter of renowned designer and legendary shop owner Suzanne Rheinstein and… Read More

At Home in Connecticut with Susanna Salk
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design, Video

At Home in Connecticut with Susanna Salk

Over the years, the hosts Susanna Salk and I feature in our video series have inspired us just as you… Read More

At Home in London with Alidad
Architecture, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in London with Alidad

Renowned for his layered and opulent interiors, celebrated designer Alidad relies on his love of pattern, color and deep knowledge… Read More

Fawn Galli Interiors, photo by Costas Picadas
Interior design, Video

At Home in Brooklyn with Fawn Galli

Take a deep love of nature, mix in a healthy dose of disco and fashion and add a passionate dollop… Read More

At Home in Connecticut with Michael DePerno and Andrew Fry
Architecture, Fashion, Interior design, Video

At Home in Connecticut with Michael DePerno and Andrew Fry

With a long history in the world of design and retail, Michael DePerno has been designing spaces and owned well… Read More

At Home in London with Nina Campbell
Entertaining, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in London with Nina Campbell

With an international following and commissions around the world, Nina Campbell is one of the industry’s most well known and respected designers…. Read More

At Home with Susan and Will Brinson
Architecture, Interior design, Video

At Home with Susan and Will Brinson

While Susan and Will Brinson have successful day jobs as professional photographers, they don a multitude of hats when returning… 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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