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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Kips Bay decorator show house

Final Look – 2018 Kips Bay Show House
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Final Look – 2018 Kips Bay Show House

Today we start our final look at the 2018 Kips Bay Show House on the fourth floor with Alexa Hampton‘s… Read More

Kips Bay Decorator Show House 2018 – Part II
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Kips Bay Decorator Show House 2018 – Part II

Walk up to the second floor of the Kips Bay Decorator Show House 2018 edition and you are met with… Read More

First Look – 2018 Kips Bay Decorator Show House
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design

First Look – 2018 Kips Bay Decorator Show House

Tomorrow marks the opening of the 2018 Kips Bay Decorator Show House. Now in its 46th year, the annual event… Read More

Dark Glamour at the 2017 Kips Bay Show House
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Dark Glamour at the 2017 Kips Bay Show House

Within the classic Charles Platt house of the 2017 Kips Bay Show House, not all the rooms are airy architectural gems. A… Read More

First Look 45th Kips Bay Decorator Show House
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design

First Look 45th Kips Bay Decorator Show House

Opening on May 2, the 45th Kips Bay Decorator Show House brings the creativity of eighteen top designers and architects to… Read More

David Collins Studio at the 2016 Kips Bay Decorator Show House
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design

David Collins Studio at the 2016 Kips Bay Decorator Show House

This is the final week of the 2016 Kips Bay Decorator Show House, with Thursday, June 9th, marking the last opportunity to visit the amazing rooms… Read More

Drake Anderson Kips Bay Bedroom
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design

Drake Anderson Kips Bay Bedroom

Inspiration for the Drake Anderson Kips Bay bedroom began on a trip the design partners took to London, where a state… Read More

Timothy Whealon Kips Bay Show House White Orchard Room
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Timothy Whealon Kips Bay Show House White Orchard Room

Inspired by great English country houses of the 1920’s, the Timothy Whealon Kips Bay Show House White Orchard Room is… Read More

Olasky & Sinsteden Kips Bay Guest Bedroom
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Olasky & Sinsteden Kips Bay Guest Bedroom

I have been tracking Catherine Olasky and Max Sinsteden of Olasky & Sinsteden ever since spying their stylish Sotheby’s Showhouse drawing… Read More

Sawyer Berson Kips Bay Show House Petit Salon
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

Sawyer Berson Kips Bay Show House Petit Salon

Influenced by one of the great examples of 1930’s Italian residential architecture, the Sawyer Berson Kips Bay Show House Petit… Read More

West Chin spa
Design, Interior design

Kips Bay Decorator Show House Finale

It’s always takes time for me to work my way through sharing a show house, especially one like Kips Bay… Read More

Kathryn Ireland fabrics for Scalamandre
Design, Interior design

Kips Bay Kathryn Ireland Bedroom

One of the few oddities of the Kips Bay show house is that there is only one bedroom. But Kathryn… 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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