Today’s Dinner Party Spotlight guest is Tamara Anka, the blogger, interior decorator, illustrator, and more, behind CitrineLiving.com. Tamara has a knack for anything home decor related and her blog is a must-see for any Pinterest lover {I am a huge fan of her seasonal Home Tours}! When I asked Tamara if she would open up her “oh so elegant” dining room to FH readers, and she accepted, I knew it would be something sleek and elegant. The endless gold she uses in today’s summer tablescape is on point, while the blue pattern mixing is something I will need to try! Read on for an interview with Tamara and more details as to how she put this table together!

Q & A:

FH: Tell me a quick bio of how you came to start Citrine Living? Any fun details, awards, stories? 

I had been working full time, in fashion retail marketing, after I took about 7 years off to raise my children. I was looking for a creative outlet where I could express and share my love for decorating, design and entertaining. Without knowing what a hashtag was or the first thing about SEO, I started to blog and also share my ideas on Instagram. From there, I’ve met the most incredible network of women! Each and every day I learn something new and I’m so excited to see how my brand, CitrineLiving is growing. I am back at home now, working to build my brand and be close to home again. I’m loving every minute of it and my kids do too!

FH: What is your entertaining style? Traditional, Contemporary, Seasonal? 

I love to mix different dishes and linens when creating my tablescapes. So when I entertain, I approach it the same way. I love to create an environment that invites our guest to relax, linger and feel transported to another place.

FH: How often do you entertain and for how many guests? 

Before we had our kids, we entertained and threw parties very often! Over the past several years it’s become much more casual and we often have our family and friends and their kids just to hang out. Sometimes we eat in our dining room, others, just all of us around the kitchen island.

FH: Do you have a go-to recipe or dish {or do you avoid cooking at all costs}? 

One of the best dishes I love to prepare is as simple as it gets and is a huge hit every time. I marinate a 2 inch thick cut of beef tenderloin with olive oil, fresh garlic, salt and pepper (or sirloin also will do).  After a few hours, we grill it, then slice it thinly against the grain and serve it over a bed of arugula and freshly shaved parmesan cheese (dressed with olive oil, salt and pepper). Sometimes the more simple, the more delicious!

FH: Do you have a go-to cocktail? 

Usually red wine, sometimes white. My favorite region is California.

FH: Did something inspire you for today’s table? A certain color, flower, plate? 

Blue is a favorite color of mine – from dishware to blue and white ginger jars – it goes with everything and I particularly love it combined with gold, which is often a palette I go to, it is also very apparent throughout our home.

FH: Table top… Share all the deets!!

• Plates: Homesense/Homegoods
• Salad Plates: Homesense/Homegoods
• Napkins: West Elm
• Napkin rings: Homesense/Homegoods
• Placemats: Gold printed ones, at the ends of the table – West Elm
• Runners : Homesense/Homegoods
• Water glasses: JG Durand  – Our wedding crystal
• Wine glasses: JG Durand  – Our wedding crystal
• Silverware: Mikasa – Our wedding silver
• Centerpieces/ Vases/ Candle sticks: Homesense / Homegoods
• Chairs & Dining Table: It’s a mix! Chairs : HomeOutfitters, Table : A local retailer, Settee and mirrored cabinets : Homesense / Homegoods *I’m still on the hunt for a fabulous pair of Chinese Chippendale chairs to add to the mix!
• Pieces of art behind table : My mother painted this painting of a beautiful woman as an engagement gift. It is near and dear to my heart and transports me to another place everytime I look at it. It’s also a fabulous conversation piece!

Home location: Saint Lazare, Quebec, Canada

Be sure to follow CitrineLiving on the website, Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook.

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