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Thursday, January 31, 2013

Valentine's Tablescape for Two

by Heather
How do you decorate a table for a romantic dinner on Valentine's Day when you don't love pink...or red...or hearts? Can it even be done? Let me elaborate on my dislikes -- I enjoy seeing pink and red on other people or in their home decor; it just isn't for me anymore. Perhaps it's because I was the sister who had to wear pink as a child while my slightly younger sister got dressed in blue -- funny, I don't love blue either. I think the true issue is that I love so many things that I had to find a way to limit my wants so I've put a ban on all things pink or red (unless I really, really want them). Anyway, back to the problem at hand..
The upstairs office is the receptacle of all things red that I don't want to part with just yet. I dug out the cranberry crystal glassware that I hand-carried back from the Czech Republic when I was on a teacher exchange to Regensburg, Germany (this was before my personal ban on red). I found some Spode salad plates at Tuesday Morning (so much for not buying red, eh?) that match a vintage Spode tureen (purchased years ago when I was a buyer trainee in the China and Crystal departments at Dayton's, now Macy's) to layer on top of the everyday Martha Stewart white plates. Small silver heart-shaped dishes are from one of my favorite local stores, Holland Boone. Underneath it all are gold pottery chargers bought at Target years ago.
Only red roses were used initially but proved to be just a little too red so I went on the hunt for something else and ended up with white roses, white tulips, and English ivy to add a little green as well as make the tureen serve a purpose. I tried an all-white color scheme for the flowers but that was a little too drab so the red roses were back in the mix.
The little standing gold X and O are a new purchase from Edie's Lab at etsy.com
I still love the etched crystal Fostoria Navarre water goblets that were my mother's. The cranberry votives have been around for so long that I can't remember where I bought them -- possibly Pottery Barn?
The flute-playing cherub found his way from upstairs where he was serving as a necklace holder. The faux white flowers in the urn are from On the Veranda and live in my back yard most of the time. It's the only kind of flower I can "grow" in the hot summer months here.
The XOXO lying flat on the table shows the extent of my crafting abilities: spray painting. What isn't visible is the coating of glitter paint that gives them a little sparkle in the light. Oooh, Martha Stewart better watch out!
The hubby polished off one marbled chocolate heart cup with fresh raspberries as soon as I stopped taking pictures. Granddaughter Peighton put in a request for the other one. I have two more to be used on Valentine's Day. The four came packaged together with white and milk chocolate curls from Cost Plus World Market.
This is another example of my fine "crafting" abilities (the other two writers of this blog are very crafty people; I'm not if you haven't guessed that already). I tied gold hearts onto the red and gold napkin rings using fine gold wire. The hearts were part of a Christmas give-away by best friend, Susan J, who no longer wants to decorate a tree at Christmas time. Instead, she collects hand painted Navajo ornaments that she puts on a beautiful gold ornament stand. I was the lucky recipient of her largesse and am finding many uses for the items she gave me.
The faux white tulips in the glass vases (one on either side of the urn and cherub) are from Fry's Grocery Store (Kroger's). I bought them at the same time as the real ones and I couldn't tell the difference even close up. In a few days, when the real ones are drooping, these will still be perky. I might have to go back and buy the faux yellow tulips while they're still 20% off.
A trio of white pitchers contains the white tulips and roses, with one lone red rose mixed with rosemary from the garden in a glass bottle.
T hearts H...aaah, isn't that sweet?
And Heather loves Tom. Happy Valentine's Day, honey!
Now take me out to eat :)
Love,
H

45 comments:

  1. This is beautiful...and very romantic! Love it! =D

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  2. I love the beautiful flowers with the garden setting, it all looks so romantic and welcoming...love the sweet napkin ring...thanks for sharing the beautiful setting

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  3. Thank you, Phyllis. I wish I had a beautiful garden filled with cutting flowers! Maybe I'll develop a green thumb once I retire :)
    Heather

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  4. What a romantic tablescape! Love the cherub, so pretty! Thanks for sharing at Simple & Sweet Fridays. Have a wonderful weekend!

    Jody

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    1. Thanks, Jody. Hope your weekend is wonderful, too!
      Heather

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  5. Such a gorgeous and romantic tablescape..So many beautiful flowers and wonderful things that you chose to create this pretty setting...I love that you brought the garden to the table!
    Have a great weekend!

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  6. Thank you so much for your kind comments, Shirley. Have a wonderful weekend!
    Heather

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  7. You make him a tablescape/blog post and he takes you out to eat - - - seems like a very fair deal to me!

    I LOVE the white creamers/pitchers with the flowers in them.

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    1. I think it's a pretty good deal, too! I'm not sure he agrees, but he did chuckle.
      Heather

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  8. Wow, what a romantic tablescape you have created. Love the flowers in the white pitchers and the red roses in the clear containers. Love this one!!

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    1. Thank you, Judy. I'm glad you enjoyed the flowers.
      Heather

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  9. This is one of the loveliest and most original Valentine tablescapes that I've seen. Love all of the natural elements that you added.

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  10. I love all of the flowers! Looks great! :)
    http://dixie-n-dottie.blogspot.com/

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    1. I took your cupcake quiz -- lots of fun. You like to make cupcakes and not eat them; I like to eat them but not make them -- what a team we could be!
      Thanks for the compliment.
      Heather

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  11. A lovely table! Even if you are pink challenged LOL! you don't really need it! Thanks for linking to Thursday Tea Things and Talk.
    Ruth

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    1. Thank you, Ruth. It was fun linking up with you. I hadn't been to your blog before -- it's lovely!
      Heather

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  12. Love teh greens, reds and whites- and the statue as well- so lovely and romantic.

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  13. I love all the greenery and flowers, the natural elements just make this look gorgeous! The cherub is the perfect Valentine's touch. What a great idea with the letters, I want to remember that for next year. You definitely achieved a romantic look without using pinks, and the initials on the chandy are adorable!
    Jenna

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  14. Thank you, Jenna, for your very kind remarks! You made my day :)
    Heather

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  15. What a lovely table setting for Valentines Day! Thanx for partying at my place.

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    1. You're welcome, Pamela. And thank you for the kind comment. Always fun to party at your place!
      Heather

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  16. this is a lovely setti. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things hop xo P.S. the new giveaway started Friday :-)ng for a romantic dinner

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    1. Thank you, Katherine. I'll have to check out the new giveaway!
      Heather

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  17. This is so romantic are beautiful. I love all the attention to detail. The flowers, greenery and statuary all go together perfectly.

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    1. Thank you! I really love the name of your blog -- makes me think of a beautiful English garden filled with aromatic herbs.
      Heather

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  18. For not loving red, pink, and hearts you did a stand up job. I don't care for hearts either, other than Valentines day. But oh dear, I have a bit of red in every room in my house. Just makes me happy. I love the new plates and the topiarys are too cute! Hope you got to go out! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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    1. Thanks, Jann. Always fun to link up with you. As much as I say I don't want red in my house, I just had to talk myself out of buying something red yesterday!
      Heather

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  19. Such a beautiful tablescape. Gorgeous. Thanks for joining TTT. Hugs, marty

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    1. Thanks, Marty. Love linking with A Stroll Thru Life and seeing all of the creative things your readers are doing.
      Heather

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  20. I love your table! It is so beautiful! I especially love the XOs! What a great job!

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    1. Thank you for the nice comments, Tracy! I really appreciate them.
      Heather

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  21. I guess I have selected a mind blowing and interesting blog.

    Valentine Love

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  22. Thank you, I think. Mind blowing? Maybe... Interesting? Hopefully...
    Heather

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  23. Heather I am featuring your beautiful table on my 'showing a little love' challenge post today.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  24. Oh my Gosh !!!!! I have ever seen such most stunning Valentine party arrangement. Really Awesome arrangement of beautiful Valentine Day Flowers. I love Tulips. Thanks to trios for this awesome post.

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