Serving Up a Romantic Centerpiece for Valentine’s Day

All the Christmas decorations have been put away for a few weeks, and now I’m ready to get a little Valentine’s Day decor out. However, I’m really not in the mood for a bunch of hearts and ‘busy stuff’ this year. I decided instead to do a romantic centerpiece, that certainly works for Valentine’s day decor, but also will just look lovely on the table for the next month regardless of the upcoming holiday. (And a trip through HomeGoods helped with the inspiration. After 3 times around the store, I started to visualize a lovely centerpiece)

To kick off, I found an unbelievable realistic set of topiaries… one is a double and one is a single.

 

 

 

Even close up, the leaves are so full, they look real.

 

Then I found this lovely white bust.

 

And when I saw this gorgeous platter with dark a silver pattern, I wasn’t sure how I was going to incorporate it, but decided it was so beautiful, I would figure out a way.

 

I knew it need a little softness in the texture, so this Ralph Lauren table runner was perfect. (I could see the topiaries and bust sitting on it in the center of the table) Oooh… I was loving how the pieces were coming together.

 

 

Now I wanted a little color addition, and again could not believe how realistic these peonies looked. I love real flowers, but also love the convenience of faux flowers lasting from year to year, so mixing real with artificial is my happy compromise.

 

And this ruby red pressed glass vase with it’s wonderful rustic finish would be the other color addition.

Once all the ‘ingredients’ were gathered, I decided that it might look a little too formal, so I felt I needed to add a bit more rustic texture to it, so on I went searching for some sort of a tray.

I knew this basket tray was ‘it’ as soon as I spied it. I loved how large it is, I love the grayish tone on the tan rattan…

the sturdy metal handle detail was great too.

Then once I started to place the pieces all together, I realized a few things.

1. the runner looked terrible on the table under the basket tray, compared to the extra wide width of the tray, when the runner was on the bottom, it looked so skinny… a bit like it was getting smooshed by the huge tray. But fortunately, it looked great inside it!

2. the topiaries needed a little more height, so to accomplish that…

I used some antique books I found in the living room to gain the needed height. They were great for this since they are so lovely I wouldn’t mind them being such a visible part of the arrangement.

I had a spot for one last addition. I had considered doing a verse from a famous poet, (reminiscing of the stunning B&B Rivertown Inn, we stay at in Stillwater, MN) but on second thought, decided that a Bible verse would be the most meaningful to me, and after playing with powerpoint, and using a lovely heart graphic from Graphics Fairy, came up with this little paper addition for the centerpiece.

Now, the tablescape gives a slight nod, to the appearance of preparing to serve up a romantic picnic in the 18th century.

This is the main view of the centerpiece, as most pass by from the front door and living room into the kitchen and beyond.

I am really happy with the centerpiece, it has great texture and pattern, without feeling too busy. And it ties in with the rest of the room well. I think it could stay out anytime of the year, but does for sure fit in with Valentine’s Day well.

Here’s a little more reading:

Click here to see the Valentine’s Day mantle I decorated with ‘vintage’ postcards at our former house.

Click here to see the #1 arrangement tip I gave you a couple weeks ago when I arranged the dining room buffet.

Click here to see more tablescapes I’ve done and more about vignette and arranging tips.

 

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I’m linking this post up at link parties at these other great blogs:

Savvy Southern Style My Repurposed Life Shabby Nest Funky Junk

I Should Be Mopping DIY By Design My Romantic Home

Girl Creative Serenity Now Uncommon Designs

Posed Perfection French Country Cottage It’s Overflowing

From My Front Porch to Yours Design, Dining and Diapers Nifty Thrifty

Between Naps on the Porch Too Much Time on My Hands

The Charm of Home Chic on a Shoestring DIY Showoff

Skip to My Lou My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

StoneGable A Stroll Thru Life Coastal Charm

Home Stories A to Z Tip Junkie A Bowl Full of Lemons

Savvy Southern Style DIY by Design

Between Naps on the Porch