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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Travel

Villa Astor
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Books, Design, Interior design, Travel

Villa Astor

The subtitle of the beautiful new book on Villa Astor says it all – “Paradise Restored on the Amalfi Coast.”… Read More

Nantucket Friday Favorite Finds II
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Entertainment, Food and drink, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Nantucket Friday Favorite Finds II

My second installment of Friday favorite finds from here on Nantucket includes a couple island staples in the food and… Read More

Nantucket Friday Favorite Finds
Food and drink, Nantucket, Travel

Nantucket Friday Favorite Finds

Last year, I initiated a fun Friday series from here on Nantucket which proved to be so popular, I am… Read More

48 Hours in Charleston
Architecture, Design, Food and drink, Garden, Interior design, Travel

48 Hours in Charleston

On the heels of our latest video with Carolyne Roehm, I thought I would finally share some glimpses of Susanna’s… Read More

Gone Fishin’
Travel

Gone Fishin’

Dear readers – I am taking a few days respite from the snow down south in Florida. You can follow… Read More

Prepping for Paris
Books, Food and drink, Travel

Prepping for Paris

Next week marks the start of the design shows in Paris as well as the second edition of our Ancien… Read More

Saying Goodbye to Summer
Nantucket, Travel

Saying Goodbye to Summer

It’s always bittersweet as I get ready to pack up and say goodbye to summer, especially this year when I… Read More

Friday Five Favorite Finds IX
Art & Antiques, Food and drink, Garden, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Friday Five Favorite Finds IX

This Friday’s Five Favorite Finds kicks off with a location that celebrates two popular island categories – food and gardens. Drive about a… Read More

Friday Five Favorite Finds VI
Food and drink, Nantucket, Travel

Friday Five Favorite Finds VI

This installment of Friday Five Favorite Finds starts at an all time favorite island restaurant. While Chanticleer may be a… Read More

Visiting Italy with Trust & Travel
Architecture, Interior design, Travel

Visiting Italy with Trust & Travel

It’s August, the official vacation month of the year. So as I think of future travel and its infinite possibilities, high on… Read More

ReMain Nantucket
Architecture, Nantucket, Travel

ReMain Nantucket

Behind the charm of the cobblestone streets and rose covered cottages, Nantucket is a real-life, year round community that has… Read More

Friday Five Favorite Finds III
Art & Antiques, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Friday Five Favorite Finds III

Today’s Friday Five Favorite Finds starts with a pick from an iconic Nantucket institution. Founded in the 1950s by artist… 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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