Valentines Inspiration from the Past

This morning I was looking back at some old pictures and came across one of my favorite party tables.   Romancing the Home was asked to create a table scape for a home tour in our town.  We had so much fun creating this fantasy party and I thought it provided some great ideas for Valentines Day.

 

We set up a sweets shop on the center island in the kitchen. Sawing the legs off a coffee table, we then painted it black and gold. It would make the perfect large riser for the center of  the island.

 

The large marshmallow lollipops were from World Market- we loved the colors and added silk ribbons to the stems.

 

 

 



 

We purchased plain cakes from the grocery store bakery and embellished them with handmade sugar flowers.   ETSY provided a great selection of handmade sugar flowers. We ordered from several vendors and all of them were beautiful.

A birdcage cloche was sprayed gold and used over the cake.

 The beautifully decorated cookies were from another artist on ETSY.

ETSY has a great selection of beautiful cookies that you can order.

 

 

Individual silver vegetable containers from the 60's and 70's were used as individual "box lunches" for the guests.

 

 

We downloaded cupcake graphics from artists on ETSY and embellished store bought cupcakes.

 

for the source

https://www.etsy.com/listing/159724944/marie-antoinette-soiree-printable?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=marie antoinette cupcake topper&ref=sr_gallery_3

 

 

We couldn't resist the whipped cream and fluffy marshmallow vodkas.

 

The rim of one flute was sugared with gold sugar- ready for a champagne cocktail.

Hostess cupcakes covered in coconut were the perfect place card holder.

 

Dolfin candy bars were embellished with rhinestone stickers and gold doilies and then

tucked into the fold of the napkin.  We found the candy bars at World Market and the rhinestone stickers at Hobby Lobby and Michaels.

 

Individual miniature cakes were placed at each place setting.

 

A piece of rhinestone embellished fabric was swooshed in the center of the table to add

a little sparkle.

 

A single pink rose petal was placed in the glass of rose wine.

 

I love Valentines Day. 

 It is such a dreary time of the year in Chicago and this holiday just helps to lift your spirits! 

So gather a group of friends and throw your own soiree!

 

 

Christmas Vignettes by my friend Jill

My friend Jill has a wonderful talent.  She is a master at creating holiday magic in her home. This is her last Christmas in this home of over 20 years, as she is building her dream home in the Carolinas and will move this year.   I love to stroll thru her home during the holidays, as I am always inspired by her vignettes.   Here are some pictures that I captured of her home this season.

Enter the front porch by a beautiful arrangement of fresh holiday greens.

 



Fresh boughs of greens and needlepoint pillows on the bench, welcome every guest.

Enter the large foyer, with the beautiful arrangement on the table by the stairs.

 

Notice the grouping of ornaments and candles at the base- layer upon layer of holiday delight.



 

 

 Enter the living room- decorated in neutrals.

 

 

 

Santa in a silver compote- enhanced by silver branches and ornaments.

Rhinestone embellished gilded pears lay in beds of rhinestone coral.

 



 

A masterful display of cement sheep, natural greens and embellished boxes!

 

 

In to the dining room, where tartan prevails.  An old tartan throw is used as the tablecloth.

 

 



 A beautiful arrangement of fresh greens share the table with Jan Barboglio candlelit vessels.

 

 

Frosted kale, grapes and velvet pumpkins are assembled to create this beautiful tapestry of color on the dining room sideboard.

 

 





Carrying on with the tartan theme in the kitchen and family room, Jill's collection of antique tartanware is showcased in this vignette.

 

The fireplace is ready with stockings made from vintage throws and antique fur collars. 

A stack of tartan throws to snuggle in by the fire.

 

Brown transferware in the antique pine cupboard is joined by a collection of chalkware Santas.



 

Jill's collection of handmade Santa's, has been assembled through the years. 

I love the face on this guy!  Notice the tartan scarf and the great crest pin.

 

 

 

 

To the kitchen island display-



 

The butler pantry display- chalkware angels and Santas with vintage compotes and old silver.

 

 

To the pine dining table in the kitchen! 

 

Tartan tea towels mixed with vintage monogrammed white towels- so pretty!

 

 

As I walked through Jill's house,  memories came flooding back to me.  We have been friends for over 30 years.  Annual Christmas shopping expeditions to favorite haunts were one of our favorite things to do together.  So I remember where and when most of these decorations were found.  Trips to Marshall Fields State Street Christmas Shop ,  Peachtree Place, Kimball and Bean's annual holiday event, trips to Nell Hill's and Hall's Department store in Kansas City, trips to Geneva and Sentimental Gardens,  Monchee Farm in Wisconsin, and of course, the over the top Christmas at Romancing the Home.  As we both complete our homes in the Carolina's this year,  I only wonder what we will find there.  A whole new world awaits our discovery!   I am so lucky to have a friend so dear! 

 

Happy New Year and Merry Christmas!