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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Tabletop

Sotheby’s Fall Auctions
Art & Antiques, Interior design

Sotheby’s Fall Auctions

Anticipating next week’s Fall Market at the D&D Building (more exciting news about that next time) followed by the first ever TEFAF New York… Read More

2016 Fall Tabletop Market
Interior design

2016 Fall Tabletop Market

A few weeks ago, the latest in the art of the table was celebrated at the 2016 Fall Tabletop Market. While most… Read More

Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala Tables Part II
Interior design

Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala Tables Part II

As I know everyone enjoys the originality of the Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala tables, today we’ll take a final look at a… Read More

2016 Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala
Interior design

2016 Lenox Hill Neighborhood House Gala

While last week was chock full of design happenings, I was thrilled to be able to at least sneak a… Read More

A Whirlwind Week of Design
Art & Antiques, Design, Interior design

A Whirlwind Week of Design

While spring is always bustling with events, this has been a particularly action packed week of design. I hope to be… Read More

Happy Easter
Holiday

Happy Easter

Spring is in the air! From my table to yours, wishing everyone who celebrates a very happy holiday. It’s the… Read More

DIFFA Dining by Design 2016
Interior design

DIFFA Dining by Design 2016

In several weeks of busy events, the DIFFA Dining by Design 2016 gala last night was a highlight. The annual tabletop… Read More

Going Green at the AD Design Show and Dining by Design
Design, Interior design

Going Green at the AD Design Show and Dining by Design

Nature is in the air. And not just because it’s almost spring but because going green with natural themes seems… Read More

New York Botanical Garden 2016 Orchid Dinner
Design, Garden, Interior design

New York Botanical Garden 2016 Orchid Dinner

Once you see this year’s spectacular Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden, you will appreciate how well so many… Read More

The New York Botanical Garden Orchid Dinner
Garden, Interior design

The New York Botanical Garden Orchid Dinner

The New York Botanical Garden Orchid Dinner is always a favorite event of the season. This past Tuesday evening, in its… Read More

the NYBG Orchid Dinner Collage
Design, Garden, Interior design

First Peek at the NYBG Orchid Dinner

Last night was the NYBG Orchid Dinner, the annual tabletop fundraiser for the development of the New York Botanical Garden’s… Read More

The Rejuvenation of Richard Ginori
Design, Fashion, Interior design

The Rejuvenation of Richard Ginori

Founded in 1735 by Carlo Ginori in Sesto Fiorentinto outside Florence, the Italian porcelain company became the most distinguished manufacturer in… 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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