Create a Romantic Setting for Valentine's Day

Whether it’s a romantic evening for two or an intimate dinner party amongst friends, a red and white color scheme is always classic. If you think about it, it’s a variation of the Christmas colors we use to decorate our homes in December, so recycle those items. That’s what I'll be doing!

You can dress up a simple, white tablecloth by placing a sheer, red curtain panel over it and a runner to add more layers to the table. Red plate chargers can also give a whole new look to basic, white dinnerware, and you can finish it off by placing a salad plate in a contrasting color and, of course, a cloth napkin to reflect an elegant place setting.

Now, every great table requires a centerpiece! Here’s a great tip to create one: use a wall mirror as a base and place a collection of pillar candles, votives and tea lights on it for a beautiful and simple arrangement. You can even take potpourri and scatter it around the base to add more fragrance and texture.

Again, you may already have most of these items from your Christmas inventory, so you don’t have to go out and spend lots of money. Just give it a twist to reflect Happy Hearts Day. Remember, too, that roses can get quite expensive during this month if you purchase them directly from a florist, so I suggest you buy them at the grocery store, and simply cut the stems short, creating a cluster effect inside a low vase. You will have a beautiful presentation that requires fewer flowers.

In the end, the chocolates will be eaten, the flowers will become wilted, and whether he gave you diamonds or not, you can still make your dining table sparkle just as bright this Valentine’s Day, creating a memory that will be priceless!