How to Create a Romantic + Chic Tablescape

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we thought we’d give you some creative ideas for setting a romantic and chic tablescape. Savvy designer Kathleen Matthews has created magic with this soft, yet sophisticated take on a tabletop worthy of the King and Queen of Hearts.

SET THE STAGE

To balance the “sweetness” of a soft pink palette, and to showcase the beautiful table, Kathleen chose two stunning silver damask table runners instead of using a tablecloth. The silver gives the pink a healthy dose of sophistication and sparkles on the glass-topped table.

THINK OUTSIDE THE CANDY BOX

Instead of the expected plates, Kathleen chose to use beautiful, creamy white marble cheese boards with gold edging to serve up the romantic sushi dinner. Choosing the unexpected or repurposing items in a tablescape adds tons of interest. For the centerpiece, Kathleen chose a giant silver coral sculpture that was adorned with more flowers. The sculpture adds a modern feel and architectural interest to the tabletop. Finally, delicate gold dotted wine glasses played double duty as stemmed compotes for fresh strawberries.

LIGHT UP THE NIGHT

Of course candles are of the utmost importance in setting a romantic mood, and the mercury glass star votives in varying heights Kathleen chose were perfect for bouncing the candlelight around the table. Mixed with more traditional smaller votives, the tabletop literally glowed.

FLOWER POWER

Oh the power of the flower! When creating any tablescape, flowers most always take the ordinary to extraordinary, and in this case they took the look literally over the top. Kathleen used some of the mercury glass votives as tiny vases at each place setting. She also chose contemporary Lucite napkin rings each holding a single bloom. Finally, and the tour de force of this tabletop, were the custom cascading flower garlands Kathleen created. Strung and spilling from more mercury glass vases, shaped like bottles, the flower garlands were a distinctly Bohemian accent and brought stunning and unique interest overhead.