Bring hearts into your home this February

A wreath on the door, red roses on the table, kids making cards in the family room, a screen saver on the computer–all ways to bring hearts into your home for Valentine’s Day. Here are some ideas for heart-shaped treats, décor and centerpieces to really say love is in the air. And even after February 14, hearts in the home are never out of season or style.  The heart motif is one of the most universally loved.

• Heart of Roses: Thanks to these ideas from the editors of Better Homes and Gardens, create an arrangement for a holiday party you can easily do or suggest to your florist. Follow their easy suggestions using your choice of roses. This decoration is perfect as a party centerpiece, placed on a large white paper doily or even a mirror. Or, welcome guests anywhere in the house (even a guest room) by placing it on the Alexandra Console from the Melange Collection with its romantic curves. A showstopper for sure!

• Sweet Hearts: What is a Valentine’s party without cake and candy? Duncan Hines has lots of ideas, such as their conversation heart brownies. The mixes give you a head start on your baking day. If you want to be more adventurous, Wilton lends a hand with directions for their baker’s dozen rose cake. Find all the ingredients and instructions for making gum paste roses. You might want to try the love’s in bloom mini cakes.

What a delightful surprise these treats would be served on this round accent table from Hooker Furniture.

Godiva, the chocolate folks, have a very busy place around Valentine’s Day with sweets unlimited. Heart collectors look for their decorative heart boxes year after year. If you have a heart collection, why not display it at Valentine’s Day? My friend Ann has every imaginable heart shape from paperweights to wash cloths–so your collection should find a home in almost any room.

Even the home office could use a little love, especially at tax time! The gracious Windward desk and leg credenza would welcome such touches.

Sundance has heart magnets to use on the fridge and an inexpensive trio of metal heart boxes that also can be used to organize life in a light-hearted manner. And don’t forget to “dress” your computer with heart-inspired desktop wallpapers.

• Valentine Cards: You might want to assemble your own Valentine card makings and set the youngsters at creating to their heart’s content. Or, to speed things up look to Chinaberry’s Valentine card making kit which provides for about 30 small Valentines.

Invite the kids to use a game table when the Queen of Hearts isn’t in residence.

This reversible top table has felt on one side and a wood surface on the other…perfect for creative activities.

Display Valentines along side a mirror’s edge to keep love in the air of the house. A very special and maybe secret Valentine might just find a place on this Opus Designs Vanity Mirror.

Caption: Ava vanity mirror

• Heart Wreaths: There is never a time when a heart wreath of roses or many other materials is not in tune with home decor. But at this time of year, wreaths seem to blossom everywhere. And so many places in your home will be “heartened” by their display. Of course, welcome guests with a door wreath like this one of paper roses from Gumps.

• Heart Pillows: Stitch one yourself from a favorite fabric or shop for one of your liking.   My all time favorite is one made from a crazy quilt top that was so damaged that this piece was all we could salvage. Old linens have heart themes in abundance–in crocheted edgings and in embroidery. When you are in search of hearts, you will never have to look too far for this motif that has— shall we say — always been close to our hearts for decorating our homes. For example, this sweet and simple beaded heart pillow is something a knitter can create from a free pattern.

Picture it on a favorite chair like Marlene from Sam Moore Furniture.

• Sum: Home can literally be where the heart is! We never tire of the motif and can vary where and when we use it. Weddings and anniversaries on the horizon? So many of these ideas can inspire the specialness that these occasions deserve. But hearts are warming no matter where you decided to place or use them. And isn’t the heart of winter just the time?  Happy Valentine’s Day!