It’s that magic time of year when reminders of love are all around us. Floral designers will be flurrying around to deliver heartfelt bouquets, little jewel boxes will be wrapped in sweet sentiments and chocolatiers will be offering delicately dipped delights. Yes, romance is definitely in the air!
Valentine’s Day inspires us to share our hearts with others. It’s about beauty, both inward and outward. We often think of the celebration being in a charmingly lit corner of a restaurant or a romantic get-a-way spot. What about where you live? Is it time to rekindle the romance with your home?
Here’s a special way to become inspired to bring a little “spark” back to your nest: By gathering images of the things you adore, you can begin to see a special design influence, motif, or lifestyle take form.
I’d love to share a few of mine:
Curves and Cupcakes – Is there anything better? When I saw this stunning Square Cocktail Table, from the Rhapsody Collection by Hooker Furniture, the finish reminded me of frosting on a mocha treat. The curved, scroll legs were truly the icing on the cake – or cupcake. A circular flow also reminds me of a beautiful ring and it signifies the eternity of true love.
Cartouches and Crystal – I’m not one to be draped in jewels, but I think a statement piece can go a long way. I, like many, have been drawn into the series, “Downton Abbey”, and its influence goes right along with my swooning over Edwardian and Deco jewelry. Perhaps it’s the fine details which attract my attention. The same goes for this Carved Console, also from the Rhapsody Collection. Do you see the similarity in design with jewelry?
Far East and Far Away – Unless one has the good fortune to be a consistent, world traveler, bringing a bit of a visual escape can help to keep the heart happy, while still at home. A little accent piece, such as the Bombe Chest, above, includes elements of chinoiserie with an interesting history. You see, ‘chinoiserie’ is a French term signifying “Chinese-esque” and it really stemmed from the Europeans’ admiration for anything from the Chinese artistic style. It’s a blending of West and East. How ironic is it that we often look to Europe for romantic design and here they were, in the seventeenth century, looking for an escape from their day-to-day style!
Lovely Lace – Sometimes we think of lace as being a bit old-fashioned, but distinctive patterns, incorporated in the right way, can bring a dramatic element to a room. A case in point is in the panels, above. The open design is the perfect foil for the Nest of Tables and the clean, simple chair. The idea is to carry it off without lots of clutter. Repeating motifs can wrap you in something familiar, yet exciting. Can you find it?
Being Bookish – Ah, there’s nothing like sharing a great romance novel and conversation to bind you to a friend or loved one. When I saw this Double Bookcase with the Ladder and Rail, I was immediately reminded of the grand library at Biltmore House. The beauty of this piece is that it’s scaled-back for using in most of our ‘manors’. With the addition of a pair of comfy chairs, an intimate setting has been created for reading, relaxing, and conversation.
A Night at the Movies – For nights when you would rather not share your special someone with the theater crowd and you would prefer to curl up while viewing a Hulu or Netflix of your favorite, romantic movies, staying at home is the perfect option. Forget the microwave standard and make a bowl of Valentine’s Popcorn with this recipe. You can have fun creating movie trivia questions with an “IOU” raffle ticket. Each right answer gets a hug or a kiss. Silly, sweet fun! If you’ve decided Valentine’s Day will be spent in your favorite company of one . . . YOU . . . a private movie night would certainly get a thumbs-up from Cupid. Be sure to wrap your arms around your shoulders and squeeze tight! Congratulate yourself for having such good taste in choosing the gorgeous Entertainment Pieces and a perfectly pink Sam Moore Furniture Chair.
Romance is all around us. Just pay attention to what makes your heart flutter and you’ll know how to bring love to your home!
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