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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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    • Books that I have collaborated on, as photographer, with design author Susanna Salk
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Schumacher

At Home in Los Angeles with Johnson Hartig
Fashion, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in Los Angeles with Johnson Hartig

While Johnson Hartig’s talents and interests have always been extensive and wide ranging, he found his calling in 2001 with… Read More

The Return of Poiret
Art & Antiques, Design, Fashion, Interior design

The Return of Poiret

While today we are accustomed to the close connection between fashion and decor, with designers often crossing the divide, a… Read More

Vogue Living x Schumacher
Fashion, Interior design

Vogue Living x Schumacher

It’s hard to keep up with Dara Caponigro and her team at Schumacher! Their latest creative collaboration with Vogue –… Read More

Wallpaper Wizardry | The Schumacher Library of Wallcovering
Books, Interior design

Wallpaper Wizardry | The Schumacher Library of Wallcovering

My love of wallpaper is no secret and I was intrigued as Schumacher hinted on their Instagram feed (@Schumacher1889) about… Read More

Schumacher x Cabana
Architecture, Design, Interior design, Travel

Schumacher x Cabana

Twice a year design aficionados in the know anxiously await the arrival of the new Cabana Magazine. Not only do… Read More

Introducing Schumacher Couture and Classics Collections
Design, Interior design

Introducing Schumacher Couture and Classics Collections

Before the holidays I visited the Schumacher headquarters to preview their early 2016 releases. While most of you are no doubt… 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

decoupage mushroom chair
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Interior design

Alessandra Branca for ELLE DECOR at Hearst Designer Visions

In her Designer Visions apartment, Alessandra Branca is all about contrasting combinations – of old and new, of elegance and… Read More

carved wood headboard
Architecture, Design, Interior design

Hearst Designer Visions | Matthew Patrick Smyth for ELLE DECOR

Hearst Magazines’ 6th annual Designer Visions is a marvelously conceived showcase (for more information, see this earlier post). It’s not… Read More

Schumacher Martyn Lawrence Bullard collection
Design, Interior design

Coming Soon

I must say that time got the better of me this week. There just wasn’t enough of it to get… Read More

Twin bedroom designed by Glenda Moralee and Polly Denham  in the guest cottage at the Connecticut governor’s residence
Architecture, Design, Interior design

The People’s Project – Pool House & Guest Cottage

The governor’s residence includes two charming outbuildings. Closest to the main residence is a pool house. From the Philip Gorrivan… Read More

Illustration of camera

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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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