Dinner Party Spotlight: Citrine Living


FH Dinner Party Series Guest Tamara of Citrine Living on FashionableHostess.com5Gold Details on the FH Dinner Party Series Guest Tamara of Citrine Living on FashionableHostess.comTablesetting - FH Dinner Party Series Guest Tamara of Citrine Living on FashionableHostess.com

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.

Black Walled Dining Room on the FH Dinner Party Series Guest Tamara of Citrine Living on FashionableHostess.comFH Dinner Party Series Guest Tamara of Citrine Living on FashionableHostess.com4FH Dinner Party Series Guest Tamara of Citrine Living on FashionableHostess.com3

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 Dinner Party Series Guest Tamara of Citrine Living on FashionableHostess.com 6FH Dinner Party Series Guest Tamara of Citrine Living on FashionableHostess.comFH Dinner Party Series Guest Tamara of Citrine Living on FashionableHostess.com - close up

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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  1. What an incredible spotlight!! She knocks it out of the park every time. And, I want to try the go-to beef; sounds right up our ally. Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful talent with us!

  2. Tamara
    I love how your home flows and your decor is timeless and elegant. I try to keep my own home up with what is current in decor and your home is very inspirational.
    Thanks for allowing us in your home.!!!

  3. Sleek and elegant is the perfect way to describe Tamara’s style – love, love! I’m crushing hard on her gorgeous tablescape – love the combination of gold and blues. And I’m trying her go-to recipe this weekend – it sounds right up my alley.

  4. I adore Tamara and everything she does to her home! She is one beautiful and classy lady who designs her home in the same fashion. Great post!

  5. Thank you for sharing Tamara’s lovely home and table scape with us!! Love her style and all of her entertaining ideas!! Such a fabulous feature:)

  6. Tamara this is so elegant! I love how you mix pattern so effortlessly. Knowing that your mom painted that painting makes me love your room even more! Thanks for sharing such a beautiful room Amanda! Xo

  7. Tamara’s style is stunning and this feature is beautiful! I am going to have to try that beef recipe too – sound delicious. Every detail left me inspired, thank you for sharing!

  8. Amanda, I just love Tamara from CitrineLiving and her sense of style and design! Tamara’s home is absolutely beautiful and as an event designer/planner I always enjoy seeing beautiful tablescapes for inspiration! Many thanks for sharing this with us! XOXO, Sarah

  9. I love everything about this room!! The wall color is beautiful. Do you mind sharing what paint color you used? The table is gorgeous!!

  10. Sorry, I meant to say the navy blue and white rug in your dining room! If you can please please please tell me the brand name if you know it would be very appreciated! That will look perfect in my guest bedroom. Blessings!

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