Simple Entertaining: Valentine’s Day Edition

Hello Friends! Welcome to the Valentine’s Day edition of our monthly blog hop. If you’re coming over from my beautiful friend LizBeth from Home and Fabulous welcome! Don’t you love her elegant California style with pops of pink?

Special Valentine’s Day dinner

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and we don’t really make a big deal around here decor wise. I take out my red pillows and hang a few wooden red hearts on the front door and call it a day.  As most of the world takes this day to get intimate with their loved one we do just the opposite. We cater to the masses. I have mentioned before that my family owns a floral shop Wisteria Flowers and Gifts.  Valentine’s Day and the days leading up are THE busiest of the year. We all help- taking orders, wrapping the arrangement and even delivering flowers and Mother Nature always seem to play a part and snow! With that being said we all look forward to the end of the day.

MY VALENTINE’S DAY GIFT They say “The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” and I couldn’t agree more! So this year I thought that I would plan ahead and treat my family to a home cooked Valentine’s Day meal for all their hard work.

SETTING THE TABLE

As a self proclaimed dinnerware junkie I have more than enough plates, glasses and serviceware. I love to set a beautiful table, use what I have and mix in new and creative  items. This year I found in the check out aisle at Michael’s adorable black and gold foiled pocket folders in an assortment of graphic patterns. These would be my inspiration for my Valentine’s tablescape. Simple white dinner plates topped with gold swirl salad plates form Pier One create the backdrop for the graphic envelops and inspirational notes.

Finding a tablecloth for a 10 foot farmhouse table is not easy but I found the perfect black and white striped cotton linen tablecloth that matches the window treatments in my kitchen.  I love the classic black and white that can be used for so many different occasions. This year I have  been getting out all my black and white home decor accessories.  For serviceware I used my green handled set from C Wonder. For similar silverware click here. It’s the perfect touch considering that Greenery is Pantone’s Color of the Year. So I ran with it!

MAKING THE CENTERPIECE

I have had this large white vase for years now and it seemed to be the perfect container for a silk floral arrangement. Nope, these are not real. Wisteria purchases the highest quality silk flowers. Sometimes I need to touch them to make sure they aren’t real!  I headed to the shop and picked an array of floral and green stems with a black, white, pink and red whimsical theme in mind. I simply gathered the stems and wrapped them with floral wire and placed in the white handled porcelain vase. To create the height I placed a bowl upside down inside the vase. This height allows the stems to drape over the rim for an organic arrangement.

The pink peonies are my favorite. These huge blooms are a delicious watermelon color. I added red and white poppies, white tulips, a flowering artichoke, light green hydrangea and assorted grasses.

Moss, grass and seeded orbs are placed on the table adding more greenery.

The Sweet Stuff: Valentine’s Candy

I scattered pink and white candy hearts randomly on the table.

MIXING OLD AND NEW

Red tapers were added to candlesticks that we received for a wedding gift.  When setting the table I also used one of my parent’s wedding gifts! A gold embossed glass picher and glasses. The adults get large oversized wine goblets and the kids get the red and gold moroccan designed glasses from World Market.

I also grabbed from Wisteria a pair of gold heart vases. I topped them with preserved boxwood orbs and placed them on both sides of the large centerpiece.  A broken poppy gets its own vase. A set of pink and gold dessert plates also make the table with an assortment of catchy “sweet” quotes.

The view from the head of the table extends into the living room where I cleared out all the color and brought out more of my black and white decor. To see the living room redesign after the New Year click here.

PATTERN PLAY

Over each of the X back farmhouse chairs I folded striped french bistro linen napkins from West Elm. Layering pattern on pattern and continuing with my mix and match approach to design.

I love the way the light floods in the dining area and reflects agains the gold accents creating a warm and inviting gathering place.

TIME TO EAT

The table’s all set and ready for my tired family to gather, eat and recap all of the days crazy events.  Although the day seems like they all ran a marathon we count our blessings that we can spend time together.

ENJOY THE LITTLE THINGS and tell the people around you how much you love them. I never take that for granted anymore.

TIME TO CELEBRATE

Now let’s toast a successful day spreading the love and look forward to a good nights sleep! How do you plan to spend Valentine’s Day this year?

Happy Valentines Day and thanks for stopping by our Simple Entertaining Valentines Edition Blog Hop. I’d love for you to head on over to see what the fabulous mother/daughter team  Kim and Lacey Styled with Lace have styled up!  This mother/daughter duo has loads of style and a knack for creating glamorous cozy spaces!

BLOGGER HOME TOUR

Follow along with my friends and see how they have spread LOVE throughout their homes. Here’s the list and don’t miss anyone!

Joan 2 Ladies and A Chair

Gloribell I Don’t Know How She Does It

Sheila Maison De Cinq

Amy Crazy Chic Design

Kathleen Lindsay Hill Interiors

Janine Happy Happy Nester

Liz Home And Fabulous

Kim and Lacey Styled With Lace

and Summer SummerAdams Designs

Here’s a short video that I made with my new camera! Hope you get a kick out of it. xoxo Amie

MY VALENTINE TO YOU

Most nights I like to paint or draw to relax and wind down. I painted this 10″ by 13″ chalkboard inspired Valentine’s art and would love to give it away to one of you! Simply leave a comment LOVE IS _______________________  and on Monday February 13th at 9AM EST I will announce the winner. Good luck! This giveaway has ENDED>