Ask the designer
Q I want to treat my girlfriend to a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner but can’t really afford to go to an overpriced restaurant — any ideas to impress at home?
A. Who needs a cramped, overpriced restaurant when you can create a romantic candlelit dinner for two in the comfort of your own home? A well-decorated table will make even the simplest meal seem special. A smaller table is more intimate for two, so if you have an extension table, fold down the end wings and remove unnecessary chairs. Start with a red tablecloth, table runner or just placemats and neutral dinnerware — or vice versa. Set the table with wine or champagne glasses, even if you’re only drinking tap water. Alternatively you could fill the glasses with Love Hearts sweets. Avoid big centrepieces that prevent you from gazing into each other’s eyes — place a rose-scented floating candle and a few rose petals in a glass bowl instead. For extra brownie points, dot tea light candles with a base from the entrance to the dinner table.
Q. How can I turn my bedroom into a love nest for Valentine’s Day and beyond?
A. The bedroom is the one space in your home where you can indulge your most romantic design ideas year-round. Nothing says romance like a grand four-poster canopy bed — try www.homelinefurniture.ie. But if the budget won’t stretch that far, a padded oversized headboard paired with decadent bedding such as crisp white linen and faux fur throw is just as effective. From light pink to deep jewel tones, red is the most obvious colour to add sex appeal to your bedroom. However, chalky greys, creamy beiges and bold blues are just as sensual. Mix and match solid furniture with soft furnishings to create the perfect retreat for him and her. Lastly, soft lighting sets the mood — so think luminaries, lamps and votive candles galore!
Q. I’d like to buy my wife a loveseat for the garden for Valentine’s — what should I look out for?
A. Spring is the perfect time to start sprucing up your backyard to enjoy when the weather gets warmer. For a loveseat that will last, hardwood like teak or mahogany is your best bet. Although slightly more expensive, they are more resistant to decay and discolouration. To capture this season’s romantic vintage vibe, go for a wrought iron loveseat with a distressed paint effect and floral cushion. Or you could even have a customised loveseat made around a tree in your garden — try Woodtown Fencing and& Decking in Kildare (www.woodtownfencing.com). Watch for a loveseat with a central table — ideal for sharing a bottle of wine.
Q. Help! I’m hosting an anti-Valentine’s day party for my single friends but don’t know where to start…
A. With anti-Valentine’s day parties becoming increasingly popular, lots of companies are cashing in on the trend. To turn your home into a Cupid-free zone on the cheap, decorate it with black paper heart garlands and black and red balloons with anti-love quotes or jokes inside — inviting guests to “burst their bubble” throughout the evening. Alternatively, use regular Valentine’s Day decorations and get creative with the scissors — cutting love hearts in half, etc. Blue, black or blood red roses would make the perfect centrepiece for your party. For food, think skewered everything — such as strawberry kebabs drizzled with dark chocolate and serve black or red drinks like Guinness or Bloody Mary. Set your iPod to shuffle songs like ‘Tainted Love’ or have a movie like Fatal Attraction on mute in the background.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
