Valentine's Day Decorating That Doesn't Make You Cringe
In a world of Valentine’s Day red and white decoration explosions, it’s nice to know that there are alternatives to the over-the-top, designs that look more like high school dances than refined homes. Instead of garish crepe paper, tacky balloons, and stereotypical “I Love You” teddy bears, we’re upgrading and enhancing our our homes with details that are as sweet as they are sophisticated.
When it comes to decorating in a way that comes of as cultured instead of kitschy, using a more understated colour palette will really enhance the artistry without taking away from your overall design scheme. It’s all about the details and working with your existing aesthetic to create harmonious holiday decoration that adds to-- not fights against-- your home. Since we’ve already told you about the hottest colours of the year in our earlier blog, we recommend giving them a try in your Valentine’s Day decorating. 2016 is all about blush and what a perfect Valentine’s Day colour it is!
Bunting & Garland
We like the idea of updating garlands to make them versatile. Consider this our Valentine’s day equivalent of using popcorn and cranberries to make Christmas tree garland: it’s simple, lovely, and, when done right, the perfect marriage between adorable and chic. Instead of using tulle or big flower, opt for simple and minimalist designs that use atypical materials: try heart-punched maps, eucalyptus leaves, and birds cut out of brown parcel paper.
Adding charming touches enhance a romantic space without being juvenile. Elements that feel natural, like eucalyptus or brown paper remain subtle and grounded in your design, while using punched maps will add a personal touch without being in your face.
Framing
Typography has been popular in home decoration for the last few seasons and, even though it’s losing dsome of its popularity, there will always be a place for it in season and holiday decorating. Few things will immediately bring together a feel or look the way that a phrase or group of song lyrics can.
Keep them cool and modern or traditional with your font selection and bring use them to immediately share a sweet note with your friends and loved ones. Music and literature speak to our souls and explain, in an instant, all that we could ever hope to convey. Whether painted, printed, or photographed adding framed pieces of typographic art will always be a discreet tip-of-the-hat to the things and people that mean the most to you.
Flowers
Even though roses are still thought to be the king of Valentine’s Day-- and they’re in-season, which makes them especially ideal-- there are a whole host of other in-season flowers that are just as beautiful and create a slightly less cliched aesthetic without sacrificing Valentine’s Day romanticism. But, hey, if you’re really into roses, why not try incorporating a few of these other beauties for a more eclectic and elegant bouquet?
Pink Lillium Stargazer and white Lillium Casablanca offer all the drama of and fragrance associated with roses but, since they’re a member of the lily family, they’re petals are long and open, do so in a more tropical way. When added to any bouquet they, or their cousin the Callalily, are a real show-stopper.
Dainty and delicate Hydrangeas-- a personal favourite of ours-- come in a variety of colours including white, blue, and pink. They are the perfect mix of volume and simplicity. Their clusters of small flowers make them ideal when they are standalone, or added to a mixed flower bouquet. Our final suggestion, Paperwhites, are highly fragrant plant native to the western Mediterranean.
When it comes to decorating for a specific time of year, you can add delicate touches that will enhance, but not overwhelm your home. Always keep in mind the story you'd like your home to tell and don't be afraid to try something new. The possibilities are endless!
