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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Fashion

At Home and Around the World with Susan Walker and Ali MacGraw for Ibu
Art & Antiques, Design, Fashion, Interior design

At Home and Around the World with Susan Walker and Ali MacGraw for Ibu

Susan Walker has long walked the line between style and substance. With a spiritual soul, curious mind and educated eye… Read More

Valextra x Dedar
Design, Fashion, Interior design

Valextra x Dedar

The long time love affair between fashion and interiors seems to only be getting hotter lately with more collaborations coming to the… Read More

AERIN Fall 2016 Accessories Sneak Peek
Fashion, Gifts, Interior design

AERIN Fall 2016 Accessories Sneak Peek

As we are still waiting for spring-like temperatures, it’s also time to look ahead to the fall collections. This year AERIN‘s fall… Read More

The Brilliant Beauty of Belperron
Books, Fashion, Gifts, Jewelry

The Brilliant Beauty of Belperron

It was in the 1960’s and early 70’s, when Ward Landrigan, then head of Sotheby’s jewelry department, first spied the distinctive work… Read More

Fashion and Decor Meet on the Vanity Fair Best Dressed List
Architecture, Fashion, Interior design

Fashion and Decor Meet on the Vanity Fair Best Dressed List

Each year the Vanity Fair Best Dressed List arrives with great anticipation. And for 2015, the world of interiors is represented by… 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

bohemiachic at Privet Lives
Art & Antiques, Fashion, Jewelry

bohemiachic at Privet Lives

When at the Day of Design at the Mayflower Grace last month, fellow speaker Kathy McCarver Root sported a fantastic necklace… Read More

The Luxury Education Foundation | Ten Years of Innovative Education
Art & Antiques, Design, Fashion

The Luxury Education Foundation | Ten Years of Innovative Education

Behind the appeal of many luxury brands is the artistry, craftsmanship and attention to detail that set them apart. But how, in this… Read More

Video thumbnail for youtube video 2sk2kbi3ymi
Fashion, Gifts

Coach Pups and Doggy Devotion

Not just for years, decades or centuries, but for millennia, humans have been devoted to their dogs. From tiny chihuahuas to… Read More

Summer Travel Inspiration from Italy
Fashion, Food and drink, Interior design, Travel

Summer Travel Inspiration from Italy

While it isn’t even officially summer, the Memorial Day weekend has clearly marked the onset of summer travel. Already I’ve been… Read More

Lisa Perry + Schumacher
Fashion, Interior design

Lisa Perry + Schumacher

While Schumacher has had their share of designer collections in recent years, their most recent collaboration harkens back to their illustrious… Read More

The Irrepressible Charm and Chic of La DoubleJ
Design, Fashion, Interior design, Travel

The Irrepressible Charm and Chic of La DoubleJ

Today we move north in Italy to Milan where fashion and design journalist J.J. Martin lives. Known for her enviably chic vintage wardrobe,… 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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