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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Entertaining

Daring to Dream with The Ark Elements
Entertaining, Entertainment, Tabletop

Daring to Dream with The Ark Elements

Daring to dream is the vivid ethos behind the layered and storied brand, The Ark Elements. Founder Kate Holt, below,… Read More

Happy Easter
Entertaining, Entertainment, Holiday, Tabletop

Happy Easter

From my table here on Nantucket to yours, wishing all of you readers who celebrate a very happy Easter. With… Read More

Late Summer Entertaining with Addison Ross
Entertaining, Nantucket, Style, Tabletop

Late Summer Entertaining with Addison Ross

Labor Day may have passed, but there are still weeks left to enjoy late summer entertaining. In fact, this is… 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

Merry Christmas
Entertaining, Holiday, Tabletop

Merry Christmas

While we all hoped for a more convivial holiday, with the ability to travel to loved ones and gather together… Read More

At Home on Clove Brook Farm with Christopher Spitzmiller
Architecture, Books, Food and drink, Garden, Interior design, Video

At Home on Clove Brook Farm with Christopher Spitzmiller

During the week, gifted ceramicist and designer Christopher Spitzmiller is busy creating his exquisite lamps, tableware and accessories found in the most stylish… Read More

My French Country Home Magazine
Food and drink, Travel

My French Country Home Magazine

Over the last ten years Sharon Santoni has been sharing her life in France on her popular blog My French… Read More

Summer Entertaining Favorites
Entertaining, Food and drink, Gifts, Nantucket, Tabletop, Travel

Summer Entertaining Favorites

While I edit my shots from my latest Nantucket house tours, I thought I would share an easy summer entertaining… Read More

Spring 2018 Tabletop Market
Entertaining, Gifts, Interior design, Tabletop

Spring 2018 Tabletop Market

While the Lenox Hill gala has provided inspiration for warmer weather entertaining, the Spring 2018 Tabletop Market offers a glimpse… Read More

At Home in Los Angeles With Lulu Powers
Design, Food and drink, Garden, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in Los Angeles With Lulu Powers

While celebrity chef and author Lulu Powers is primarily known for her entertaining expertise, her creativity known no bounds. With… Read More

Setting the Table with Bunny Williams
Garden, Interior design, Video

Setting the Table with Bunny Williams

Celebrated interior designer Bunny Williams is known not only for her stunning interiors but refreshing and authentic approach to gracious living…. Read More

Setting the Table With Carolyne Roehm in Charleston
Entertaining, Interior design, Tabletop, Travel, Video

Setting the Table With Carolyne Roehm in Charleston

When Susanna and I decided to launch our new Setting the Table With video series, filming Carolyne Roehm in Charleston at… 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!

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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