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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Paris

custom perfume bottles
Beauty, Food and drink, Travel

More Unique Ways to Experience Paris

It would have been easy to fill the entire week with organized activities and new ways to experience Paris. The… Read More

le prince jardinier labels
Design, Garden, Gifts, Interior design, Travel

Paris Finds | Palais Furst in Saint Germain

The allure of Saint Germain in Paris seems to know no bounds. The challenge is to allow time for both… Read More

Michele Aragon pottery
Design, Gifts, Interior design, Travel

Favorite Paris Finds | Michele Aragon

With the power of the internet and communicative nature of the blogosphere, undiscovered Paris finds are few and far between…. Read More

versailles with sun king clock
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Garden, Interior design, Travel

Timeless Design at Versailles

I was somehow surprised that my girls voted a visit to Versailles as their favorite part of our week in… Read More

Ralph restaurant Paris dessert
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Design, Food and drink, Travel

Postcard From Paris

I had hoped to post this yesterday but since we have been very busy out and about, this little postcard… Read More

Paris Collage
Travel

Off to the City of Lights

So I’ve been waiting to tell you that tomorrow I am off to Paris for the week. My sister and… Read More

Andrea Salvetti Prato Colorato mirror
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design, Travel

Rachel Laxer Paris Design Finds | Avant-Scène

All of Rachel Laxer’s interiors are marked by a sophisticated and often unexpected edge, due in great part to her… Read More

van cleef paris
Architecture, Design, Travel

Out and About in Paris

While out and about in Paris between the shows, it’s a miracle I wasn’t hit by a pedestrian-loathing Belmondo look-alike,… Read More

Gaston y Daniela Jaen
Design, Interior design, Travel

A Taste of Paris Deco Off

In this fourth edition of Paris Deco Off, over 70 houses have participated in presenting their latest collections throughout the… 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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