I am SO excited to feature the incredibly talented and gorgeous {inside and out!} blogger, who just happens to be one of my closest friends, Kat of With Love from Kat as the newest FH Dinner Party Series Guest. Kat and I met six years ago when I was working in PR and living in NYC; from blogger buddies, to Flybarre side kicks, to what then evolved into an incredibly loyal friendship, it was so sad when the two of us moved away from the city last year.

Kat now lives in Venice Beach, California, and all it takes is a day of watching her insta-story, to become green with envy over her new Cali lifestyle, filled with loads of sunshine, beach strolls, adorable coffee shop finds, and of course her laid back chic fashion sense! But what Kat and I totally clicked over, which some people don’t know at first glance, is our mutual love of interior decor. Her NYC apartment was to die and the decorating of her new beach house is equally as fab. And on top of it all, she sets a beautiful table!

So without further adieu, I am excited to share our Dinner party Series Q & A and photos of the beautiful table she created!

FH: Tell me a quick bio of how you came to start With Love from Kat?

Kat: I started With Love From Kat after I graduated from college with a degree in Interior Design.  I found myself missing the creative outlet that my classes provided.  My blog was (and still is!) a medley of decor, fashion, food and travel inspiration.  I’ve had the pleasure of speaking at fashion and travel conferences across the country, collaborated with everyone from The New York Times to Audi and Burberry, and have been featured in Harpers Bazaar, Elle, and The Wall Street Journal.  3 years ago, I built a Travel App from scratch and love updating it with my favorite shops, hotels, and restaurants around the world!  You can download it in the App Store 🙂

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

Kat: My entertaining style is classic/traditional with a twist.  I love adding a casual element to formal silver or china.

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

Kat: It’s so fun to have girlfriends over for wine + cheese nights!  I try to bring a group of gals together twice a month!

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

Kat: I’m not the best cook and don’t have a lot of time (or patience!) so I typically stick to a great cheese plate, baked lemon salmon, zucchini noodles with pre-made pesto from Whole Foods, and sweet potato fries.

FH: Do you have a go-to cocktail?

Kat: A dirty martini – extra dirty!  Or a French 75 🙂

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

Kat: It’s peony season so I couldn’t resist incorporating these gorgeous blooms which are available for such a short window.  I went to The Original Los Angeles Flower Market in Downtown LA to pick up these beautiful flowers.  Pink and blue has always been one of my favorite tablescape color combinations so I pulled out my vintage blue and white ginger china that I picked up at a fabulous antique shop in the West Village and my monogrammed navy blue Lettermade napkins.

FH: Table top… Share all the deets!!

• Plates: Hudson Grace
• Salad Plates: Vintage
• Bowls: Canvas Home
• Napkins: Lettermade
• Water glasses: Hudson Grace
• Wine glass: Hudson Grace
• Silverware: Canvas Home
• Centerpieces/ Vases/ Candle sticks: Target
• Chairs & Dining Table: Design Within Reach table, Ballard Designs chairs
• Pieces of art behind table: Wisteria mirror, Serena and Lily Chandelier, St. Frank Artwork in entryway
• Home location: Venice Beach, CA

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Photography by Jessica Alexander