Romancing the Room

Decorating tips you’ll love for creating romance throughout the year.

by Jacqueline Rupp

http://www.homefurnishings.com/

When you come home from that special Valentine's Day dinner, don't let the romance of the day fade away. You can recreate charming, intimate settings right in your own home with some easy, inexpensive décor updates.

Beautify the Bedroom
A romantic bedroom doesn't have to be frills and lace. Crisp, clean designs can revamp the space. One dramatic piece of furniture can transform the look of the room. A four-poster bed exudes romance and can offer many decorative possibilities, from tassels to canopies. Choose rich, jewel-tone bedding for drama, or toile and damask to add a subtle touch of luxury. Finish with a feather-bed topper, and you'll never want to leave.
Kevin Lee, designer for the 2010 Grammy Awards says that when you’re trying to create a romantic statement you should play to the dramatic! "A romantic evening should include rose petals and candles all around the bed, even a trail of petals through the home leading to the bedroom or a warm bubble bath."
DeAnna Radaj, an Integrative Lifestyle Designer, says that sometimes romance can be added by taking things away. "Get rid of anything that doesn't represent romance. Nothing can kill a moment like catching a glimpse of your mother-in-law's picture." De-clutter night tables and make sure lighting is dimmed at night.

Dinner for Two
Think about your favorite intimate dining experiences. You can transfer the same atmosphere to your own dining room. Why not paint one wall a deep, rich red? A color like this can create the feeling of closeness and add a warm touch. Also invest in one breathtaking piece, like a glistening chandelier or serving buffet. Place your table settings close together and forgo the traditional centerpiece in favor of small simple bowls full of fresh fragrant flowers like peonies and rosettes. Lee suggests covering a table entirely in rose petals for an opulent setting, accenting the look with large red roses and small votive candles to outline the hearts.

Cozying Up
It's not the first room that comes to mind when thinking of romance, but the living room is often the heart of the home. Choose seating that is conducive to cuddling! An oversized chaise lounge or multipurpose sectional both offer great opportunities for relaxation. Add wicker lampshades to lighting to cast delicate shadows throughout the room. Radaj says colors like red, pink, peach, coral and orange can all create their own romantic feelings—throughout the home. "Bring in these colors for bedding, pillows, candles and flowers. And think sensual, tactile fabrics like velvet, silk, satin, cashmere, which all say ‘touch me’ when you feel them."

Need more tips for creating romance throughout the year? Come into one of our showrooms and speak to one of our in-house design consultants at Lawrance. Visit our website, www.lawrance.com for locations near you!