Do you recall the experience of entering one of your favorite, romantic restaurants?  While the menu and the food presentations most certainly influence makingrepeat reservations, the atmosphere plays a huge starring role in triggering memories above and beyond that of the palate.  Chances are you were surrounded by a cast of elements.  Lighting, textures, and scenery definitely provide for a few flirtations with the senses.  Perhaps this restaurant even leans toward a bit of the dramatic . . . a transportation to another place and time.

A deliciously dramatic tasseled chandelier from Chelsea House

Sadly, our dining rooms have often become like a jilted suitor.  They’re always on the sidelines, hoping to receive a return of affection and waiting for any “special occasion” to enjoy our company.  Those occasions can seem to be few and far between.

Whether it’s for a [...]

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The flattering colors of flowers and cosmetics may be the historical favorites for romantic home furniture and décor. But today’s love affair with the color white is inspiring other romantic possibilities!

Perhaps it’s no surprise. White was, after all, the color of French lace, tea roses, canopy beds and wedding dresses long before it was the color of iPods. And white does have special powers! More than symbolizing purity, honesty and spirituality (…and enhancing natural daylight), white is chameleon… it can look new or old, cool or warm.

Here are a few tips for using this versatile, unique color to create a romantic lifestyle and ambiance at home…

Thinks ‘whites’ rather than ‘white’! The most interesting white rooms feel slightly complex; the results of mixing a subtle range of white and off-white hues.

Don’t think of white only in its purest forms. Today’s enormous range [...]

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Tags: decorating with white, furniture, romantic décor, the color white, white accents, white decor, white furnishings, white furniture

Sure you can!

The master bedroom is often one of the most neglected rooms in the house, usually because the woman of the house tends to focus on the common spaces for her family and guests first. At the end of the day, busy couples need a place to wind down, reconnect and recharge — and for some couples (especially those with kids), it’s the only “couple time” that they share during the day.

My husband and I just celebrated our 11th anniversary, and a few months ago I decided our bedroom needed an update to ensure our private space was still relaxing and romantic to both of us. The idea is to have your bedroom reflect who you are as a couple and make you both feel at home. Doing so is all [...]

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Tags: bedroom collections, bedroom decorating, bedroom decorating ideas, bedroom furniture, his and hers decorating, his and hers design, master bedroom, nightstand, romantic decorating

We have always loved romance in our homes. It is a style that puts a value on the personal and the intimate. Today is no different in the basic impulses–welcoming homes that are filled with comfort and good cheer. But romance has taken a more refined turn: it has streamlined from past decades, just as our lives have.

Here are some of the latest trends and examples of designers who are setting the new direction in romantic design. We might say that we are trending more like the 18th century than the 19th in our romantic tastes. Simplicity blends perfectly with the desire to be surrounded by the things you love in good measure–like the prose in a Jane Austen novel.

Harbour Pointe Coveside table with Bungalow finished chairs

Subtle Colors Spell Peace: Stark whites or bold brights are giving way to hues that [...]

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Tags: furniture, Harbour Pointe collection, mirrored furniture, Primrose Hill collection, romantic décor, vintage, vintage decorating

At the end of the day, there’s nothing like the waiting arms of your own private sanctuary to softly wrap around you.  It takes a magic combination of comfort, style, and ambiance to create a romantic surrounding fit for the master bedroom. While sometimes elusive, you know when it’s the right union of furniture, textiles, colors and  shapes – including personal touches – to bring on the heart flutters!

There are several collections, by Hooker Furniture, which help this interior designer convey the essence of romantic design to my clients, while being paired with other resources for infusing “pretty” into the project. Primrose Hill and Sanctuary are two collections that are filled with options!

Perusing the pages of books, such as Jessica McClintock's Simply Romantic Decorating, lets the imagination soar.

Need a little help in starting your own project?  I’ll share a [...]

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Tags: bedroom furniture, nightstands, Olioboard, Pinterest, romantic bedrooms, romantic décor, romantic design, romantic style, Sanctuary Collection, upholstered beds, writing desks

With Valentine’s Day in February, thoughts turn to romance, and there is no better place for a love story than at home. We all know about romantic poetry, romantic novels, romantic movies and romantic music, but what makes a home feel romantic?

In recognition of Valentine’s Day in February, Hooker Furniture’s bloggers will be writing about romantic home décor throughout the month. Several masters of home furnishings design will be sharing exciting ideas about the kinds of decorative accessories, color schemes, fabric choices, textures and styles that come together to create a blend of comfort, meaning and beauty that exudes romance. As we will see, romantic homes rise far above the clichés of roses and candlelight or lace and frills.

Candlelight & Roses are just the beginning [...]

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Tags: accessories, decorative accessories, Design, Olioboard, Pinterest, romantic accessories, romantic décor, Romantic homes, Valentine’s Day