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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Shopping

At Home in Seattle with Ted Kennedy Watson and Ted Sive
Entertaining, Gifts, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in Seattle with Ted Kennedy Watson and Ted Sive

Inspired by an article they read, shop owner and author Ted Kennedy Watson and partner Ted Sive read, they decided… Read More

Stacey Bewkes of Quintessence on The Local Vault
Art & Antiques, Interior design

Thank You to The Local Vault

Based in Greenwich, CT, The Local Vault is a valuable new design resource for those living in the Tri-State area…. Read More

Nantucket Highlights
Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Nantucket Highlights

As I prepare for my annual summer trip to Nantucket, I was reviewing some of my past posts of island… Read More

Introducing the Greenwich Design District
Design

Introducing the Greenwich Design District

While Greenwich, CT has long been known for its strong retail presence, with luxury fashion boutiques lining the avenue, over… Read More

Special Shopping for the Chic and Unique
Design, Fashion, Gifts, Interior design

Special Shopping for the Chic and Unique

Last week was an insanely busy week of design and although I was under the weather and missed many fun… Read More

Nina Campbell Does New Preston Redux
Gifts, Holiday, Interior design

Nina Campbell Does New Preston Redux

I really felt I was ahead of schedule this year, but yet again, Christmas has snuck up leaving not nearly enough… Read More

Anthony Lawrence Home Comes to Greenwich
Interior design

Anthony Lawrence Home Comes to Greenwich

With a little Thomas Wolfe pulsing through their piping, Anthony Lawrence proves that you can indeed go home again. The… 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

Shopping the Wharf on Nantucket | SPACE and Scrub Oak
Art & Antiques, Fashion, Gifts, Nantucket, Travel

Shopping the Wharf on Nantucket | SPACE and Scrub Oak

In its third year at 4 Old South Wharf, SPACE has made a name for itself sourcing stylish hand crafted, artistic… Read More

Shopping the Wharf on Nantucket | Table No. 1
Food and drink, Nantucket, Travel

Shopping the Wharf on Nantucket | Table No. 1

While there are many mainstays on the island, shopping the wharf on Nantucket can be a little like musical chairs…. Read More

Nina Campbell Shops Christmas in Connecticut
Holiday, Interior design

Nina Campbell Shops Christmas in Connecticut

With an international following and commissions around the world, Nina Campbell is one of the industry’s most well known and… Read More

rhubarb cherry hibiscus crumble via food52
Food and drink, Gifts

FOOD52 Provisions

I rarely write about something already published, but today’s  Wall Street Journal Off Duty section included an announcement of Amanda… 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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