MY SPRING LOVE TABLESCAPE

Money... the root of all evil and the destroyer of LOVE. Making LOVE costs nothing. It's the giving of your SELF to the one you LOVE that matters most. And what better time of year to make LOVE and not just buy it, than at Valentines Day?

MADE LOVE wall art with old poster & unused frames

(inspired by ROBERT INDIANA's 'LOVE')

Not working has really given me some time to rejuvenate and wake up my creativity. Once again, I've gone into the garage, cupboards, and storage bins to pull something together for this upcoming Valentines. I pulled together all items, whether to actually to BE used, or to inspire color and pattern...

Pulled together whatever pinks, reds and whites I had,

including scarves & pashminas.

Looking over color scheme.

Grouping the items on the cleared off dining table, I studied their links and likenesses to see what might be missing... and ventured off to fill in the missing pieces (what's Valentines without some flowers and candy?) Simple enough, and dare I say CHEAP too!

Added the dollar store details.

Some simple DOLLAR STORE finds did the trick (WITHOUT looking tacky!) for a total tablescape and dining room makeover of only $15. Three white mini pails, six bunches of carnations, three packets of heart shaped dollies, and three bags of candies.

All the laciness texture relates: starfish spines, carnations and doilies.

Switched back shades to their original frosted glass.

Already had on hand dishes, paisley napkins, runners, two printed napkins, candles, cylinders, heart shaped ramekins, three canvases, candle holders, sand, starfish, white pillowcases, red and white window panels, frosted glass shades for chandelier, books, frames, lamps, and shower curtain.

Regency styled candle holders WERE gold: refreshed in white.

Yes. Shower curtain. Wanted a modern looking B&W artwork on the wall, and I've always liked the print of this curtain we don't use... so I wrapped an old piece of canvas, stapled it to the back, and leaned it against the wall. Not popping the deep red & pink on the buffet helps this space to flow into the Living Room... The overall look is still eclectic, and personalized with "us" for Valentines...

Jeff & Lynda on Robert Indiana's LOVE in NYC

Although Valentines is seen as a 'couples' day, for those single hearts, why not have the girls over for a dinner party? Or your mom & friends for a luncheon? If it is just the two of you, why not invite another couple over? Grill some seafood and veggies, serve up some shrimp cocktails as an appetizer, and since dinner was light, go for a yummy & rich cheese cake for dessert!

Although I can, COOKING is NOT my thing

(it's my husbands. I call him Chef Jeff)

A GREAT place to find more ideas for

tables and recipes is

Designs By Gollum.

Michael Lee West, author of books and her blog,

has some WONDERFUL food filled eye candy on her blog...

and be sure to check out her

Foodies Friday.

What inspires you?

For me, it's the concrete jungle,

corals, candlelight, starfish and LOVE..

(my sweetie loves the ocean, and I love the CITY!!)

Painted over two existing canvases (WISH wall art from holiday)

in wall color for flow: it pops the turq to this side of space.

Pull together what matters to you,

and see what newness you can give to your

Valentine...

LINKING POST TO:

STYLE SISTERS BLOG

CENTERPIECE WEDNESDAY  and

BETWEEN NAPS ON THE PORCH

TABLESCAPE THURSDAY  and

SOMEWHAT SIMPLE

STRUT YOUR STUFF THURSDAY

TATERTOTS & JELLO

WEEKEND WRAP-UP