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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Tabletop

Donna Vock for Yes Dear Inc. Orchid Dinner table
Design, Garden, Interior design

NY Botanical Garden Orchid Dinner Continued

As we continue with coverage of the New York Botanical Garden Orchid Dinner hosted by Veranda, I am always amazed… Read More

Christmas table
Holiday

Merry Christmas from Our Home to Yours

Wishing everyone who celebrates the very Merriest, from our table to yours!!  

Holiday-picks-at-The-Summer-House_mini
Design, Gifts, Holiday, Interior design

Shop Small Saturday Surprise

I try to support small local businesses whenever I can. Not only do these establishments play a vital role in creating… Read More

Thanksgiving florals_mini
Food and drink, Holiday, Interior design

Happy Thanksgiving

There is always much to be thankful for at this time of year – family and friends, health, and this… Read More

Monique Ogilvie Les Papillons placemat
Design, Gifts, Interior design

New York Gift Fair Hard Core Tabletop

I was delighted to see that the New York Gift Fair featured hardboard placemats. Not only are they classic and… Read More

Mottahedeh peacock dessert plate
Design, Food and drink, Gifts, Interior design

New York Gift Fair Tabletop Temptation Two

The New York Gift Fair featured tabletop temptation in a variety of size, shape and materials. One category is of course… Read More

Diane James winter candle
Design, Gifts, Interior design

Old and New at the New York Gift Fair

A recurring theme throughout the design world is the mix of old and new. From rejuvenating heritage brands to repurposing… Read More

Juliska holiday with paisley and fur
Design, Entertainment, Gifts, Holiday, Interior design

Local Favorite Juliska at the New York Gift Show

Located not far from me in Connecticut, Juliska is a local design favorite. Their store in Stamford is a constant… Read More

Lalique AeroSystem One
Design, Interior design

New Concepts in Crystal & Collaboration at Lalique

In addition to the spectacular new jewelry collection I shared yesterday, Lalique has been very busy relaunching their label with… Read More

Point-Architects-table-detail-at-the-Red-Cross-2012-Red-&-White-ball
Entertaining, Food and drink, Interior design, Tabletop

Red Cross Red & White Ball Redux

As with many such tabletop fundraisers, it is impossible to feature all the tables in a single post – hence part… Read More

Olga-Adler-table-detail-for-Greenwich-@012-Red-Cross-ball
Entertaining, Interior design, Tabletop

When Help Can’t Wait: the Red Cross Red & White Ball

On April 28th, the Metro New York North Red Cross held its annual Red & White Ball, one of the largest… Read More

Bunny-Williams-Pop-Up-Shop-vignette
Design, Interior design

Hopping Over to Bunny’s Pop Up

Many of us are ardent fans of Bunny Williams‘ refined yet oh so livable style. She has had an office,… 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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