February Twilight…” I stood beside a hill, smooth with new-laid snow,
A single star looked out, from the cold evening glow.
There was no other creature, that saw what I could see,
I stood and watched the evening star, as long as it watched me.”
~ Sara Teasdale,

February is a month of promise, hope, warm fires kindling within in our hearths , snowy days, icy nights, star filled skies, flirtatious snowmen and of course, Romance.

The renowned author and actor ‘Steve Harvey” calls February,  “the month of Love.” A special time where dreams really can come true, as we go out of our of way to demonstrate to that “special someone,” just how very much we love them.

I like to think of this month as the last real month of winter bliss… Yes, March is also a  rigorously cold month, (on our eastern coast)  but spring is busily sending forth its illustrious  tocsins, to let us know it will be arriving soon… thus, why not  take advantage of the December equinoxes’  prodigious and majestic ending.

What are some of the ways to celebrate and enjoy the benefits  of this romantic month of  February? 

In California,  perhaps a serene walk with the one you love on the  San Clemente pier at sunset,  or upon the the glistening sands of a moonlit beach, listening to the endless , lulling tunes of the waves sauntering into shore, watching the evening sky light up with its spectacular display of scintillating  stars.

In the Midwest, (with all the Brobdingnagian winter storms hitting hard this month, the temps in the negatives…)  my sister will have to be a little extra creative with her celebration. I can just see her conjuring up a scrumptious heart shaped chocolate mousse cake, lighting her myriad of candles, and enjoying her collection of ‘romantic movies,’ Weathering Heights, Jane Eyre and Pride and prejudice. (Continuously thanking the good Lord, she has heat and is warm.) Compared to their weather, ours is mild!

For us on the east Coast, we enjoy the warmth of our homes as the miraculous snow falls, bringing an abundance of white fluff to our once, verdant green lawns, quilting  the trees branches with  shimmering slush, later turning into gracefully sculptured ice cycles.  There is nothing quite as romantic as catching a snowfall in action over our towns Junoesque pond …the once placid water is frozen over, its icy surface glistening with a lulled pink hue… or taking a drive through the country roads, admiring all the  LOVE-made, frolicsome snowmen, cheering our spirits up as they happily greet each passerby. Have you ever noticed, there are no two snowmen alike? Its magical to see how snow flakes (with a little TLC,)  can be transformed into real life characters. 🙂 We love to bundle up and take Graham to the meadow after a freshly fallen snow, amazed by the abundance of  beautiful wildlife hidden behind the tall trees. We watch the grandeur red birds and blue jays flutter from branch to branch,  the flocks of snow geese flying above us,  singing their HONKy- tonk tunes, ( that we’ve grown to love,) and the grey squirrels, playfully scurrying up and down the trees, stopping every now and then to nibble on natures “power bars” made especially for them! 🙂      All very romantic…but what warms my heart the most is looking down at Graham as  we all walk in the snow… he is totally unaware that his dark, heavy fur coat has turned to white…the polar air not bothering him one bit, (as he continues to sniff, observe, look and listen to all the meadows enchanting  inhabitants.) 🙂

I  can certainly relate to the quote by Charles Baudelaire;

“I watch the springs, the summers, the autumns;
And when comes the winter snow monotonous,
I shut all the doors and shutters
To build in the night my fairy palace. ”

Whether you live in Southern California, Texas, Maine, Alaska or in other countries, places such as , England, Italy, Japan or the Swiss Alps…how you celebrate this romantic month of love will depend a great deal on what your weather and climate is like….but no matter what state or country you live in, we all have one thing in common...for this month of  ‘celebrating love,’ we can all create a romantic ambiance right within our home…bringing forth an atmosphere of amour.

Our bedroom is the one room within our home that is always embellished with a romantic motif. For February, I try to spill a little bit of its allurement throughout our entire house. For me, a wintry romantic ambiance would include an abundance of alabaster whites accented with rich burgundy’s, regal golds, hushed rose and sage green. I have decorated our home with a few dried floral arrangements, white lace tablecloths, my wintry china, a medley of candles, a cherub angel or two, and yes…a few red hearts, dark chocolates, (in case a friend comes by for a cup of coffee,)  🙂  a touch of Hallmarks Valentines decor…and SNOWMEN!  Yes… can you believe it? I still have them out!   🙂  Here is the skinny on that….Christmas was like a dream come true this last year… saying goodbye to its splendor, putting away our jovial Santa’s in January was very difficult, thus I left my cheerful, jubilant snowmen out to keep a touch of the festive spirit within our home. When February arrived, I was perplexed.…our neighborhood was draped in a brilliant white…  Our snowmen were so  happy being out of the attic and  they were all dressed in romantic colors. It was tough call… But I finally came to the conclusion  that there has got to be a story written somewhere about a Romantic snowman and his Valentine… thus, we voted and they  got to stay for February’s celebration of the “month of love.”

Its the perfect month for a romantic home-makeover…enjoy the last weeks of  winter’s attire as you know spring is right around the corner and your home will be dressed  up for an entirely different season… For those of you whose motto is ; “Less is more,” and your not a fan of  the commercial decor of cupids, hearts, garlands and lace doilies,   I hope a  few of these romantic rooms will bring you some new ideas in creating a  subtle romantic ambiance within your haven.  If you do love all the ‘bells and whistles’ of the season, then I am sure you will find a few creative notions as well. ENJOY!

 

 

THE DISTINGUISHED QUOTE CORNER

“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire:  it is the time for home.”
~Edith Sitwell

Away in a meadow all covered with snow, the little old groundhog looks for his shadow,
The clouds in the sky determine our fate, If winter will leave us all, early or late.” ~ Don Halley

“The flowers of late winter and early spring occupy places in our hearts well out of proportion to their size.” ~  Gertrude S. Wister

 “Standing in a valley,with the mist coming in,
Berries grow on the holly bushes. Robins hide in snow-ridden woods.
If I could stay here, I would.”-  Bethan Williams

Now you know, I had to put in a few thoughts about chocolate, romance and snowmen…February’s other bestowals of joy. 🙂

“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” ~ Charles M. Shultz

“There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate.” ~ Linda Grayson

“What you see before you, my friend, is the result of a lifetime of chocolate.”~ Katharine Hepburn

“I’ve fallen in love many times…always with you.” ~ Unknown

“A heart that loves is always young.” ~ Greek proverb

“A kiss is a lovely trick designed by nature to stop speech when words become superfluous.” ~ Ingrid Bergman

“Valentine hearts beat more passionately than every day hearts.” ~ Unknown

“Romance is the glamor which turns the dust of every day life into a golden haze.” ~ Amanda Cross

“Snowmen fall from heaven, one flake at a time.” Unknown

“Snow flakes are one of natures most fragile things, but look at what they can do by sticking together.” ~ Unknown

“Snowmen fall from heaven…unassembled.” ~Unknown

 

Cupid’s tour of ROMANTIC HOMES  is now boarding…

 

 

 

Our glorious verandahs and welcoming front doors are our guests and family’s  first impression of our  homes… Capture their hearts with a  little romance as you create your expressions of ‘amour.’

This beautiful fresh green heart shaped wreath is not only romantic, but very creative with its  blush pink garland of petite roses…

Five hundred  imperial and gallant red roses… Breathtaking!

A picturesque, alluring porch for two! (I love the vintage red and white goblets.)

With its array of  baronial wicker chairs,white sheers, lovely pillows, throws and a bouquet of roses, this piazza brings forth a beautiful romantic flare… (The ferns are undoubtedly a touch of added elegance. )

You can definitely see that this cozy berth is in the “mood for love.”

Bring a smile to your valentines heart, give this little guy some red roses and a box of chocolates to greet your sweetheart!  Not only is he uplifting, but a fabulously, creative way to say “I love you.” 🙂

The romance of nature itself! I love it!

This beautiful and splendorous homemade Valentine wreath is heartening, love-some and is sure to bring forth many a smile.

 

“OUR BEDROOMS, THE  PLACE WE CHASE OUR DREAMS.” A room that  is simple to ‘dress up’ with such a spectacular motif as Romantic love.

If ever a bedroom exuded romance, this decorator has sure got the secret. Mixing lush wintry shades of white, intricate and stunning wrought  iron, a white sheer canopy, along with an abundance of pillows, baronial candle stick holders and a variety of fresh and dried roses, creates an air of mystique and royalty.

Beautifully romantic…The layers and textures on this canopy bed is incredibly enchanting…All it needs is a stellar arrangement of yellow roses! 🙂

More hues of the glorious shades of white… The color of pureness. For this special month, perhaps a splash of red with a bundle of Victorian dried roses and a divinely scented  valentine-red candle! I love the natural sunlight.

White, in any of its magnificent shades, represents purity, birth, simplicity, peace, innocence, youth, winter, snow as well as marriage. This enchanting and beautiful Bed Room says it all…  Perhaps an arrangement of bustling, colorful , fresh flowers would be the icing on the cake to this eminently romantic hideaway! 🙂

Are you one that is blessed to have “a spectacular view from your  window,” as part of your rooms allurement? The city skyline is exceedingly romantic, along with the captivating wooden sleigh bed with  its layers and textures of fluffy white…I am thinking some dried , refined, hushed white  roses? 🙂

This fluffy white guy, princely teddy bear dressed in his tux,(with his top-hat beside him,) amidst  a wispy white, sheer canopy is plenty of romance for me! 🙂

I adore this vintage bed with its bright whites, layers of exquisite  linens and intricately designed furniture… the petite antiquated vase filled with the blush rose colored flowers is the perfect touch… Maybe a thick, cuddly throw for  the cold February  nights that are in the one digit numbers. 🙂

The ample gifts of blue and white…Blue is the color of sleep and bliss…This felicitous bedroom can be likened to laying upon a hammock with a blue sky and a few puffy clouds that occasionally dance by the sun…Its very inviting and definitely dressed up for love… Maybe a few splashes of red to bring forth a bit of passion, or a large bouquet of  becalming  pink roses with magical babies breath?

This delightful bedroom already has a built in Valentines, romantic flare… I love the paneled arched ceiling, the striking red check couch amongst the dainty, delicate white lace and this grandiose four poster bed. Maybe a few flirtatious red  hearts on the wall would  add that special touch for this month of love?

This  charming and quaint bedroom , (without a touch of red,) is absolutely gorgeous and not only whispers, but DECLARES,” ROMANCE.” I love the special touches of natures bounty with the fresh spray of green and white roses.

Sometimes simplicity says it all. 🙂

Curl up for a blissful night in a bouquet of roses!

I adore this fourposter bed with its gossamer canopy, romantic floral pillows, tone on tone designed madras duvet and damask throw…   Maybe  a few single stem roses for that “finished romantic touch.”

 

OUR KITCHENS, THE HEART  OF THE HOME, NOT ONLY WHERE WE CONJURE UP THE MOST DELICIOUS  CUISINES, BUT THE  PLACE WE HAVE SOME OF OUR MOST INTIMATE CONVERSATIONS. THIS MONTH OF LOVE, SAY “BON APPETIT,” WITH A LITTLE ROMANCE ON THE SIDE.

 

OK. You know how the saying goes, some feel “MORE is more ” and others, “LESS is  more.” THIS IS DEFINITELY MORE! Romantic, grandiose, kaleidoscopic and heart stopping! A little potpourri of “everything valentines.” 🙂

With its soft lighting and warm, cozy cabinetry, this kitchen is eminently beguiling and romantic. I still think it needs some hints of red to celebrate the annual occasion! 🙂 Red roses, whether dried or fresh would be the perfect touch!

These cheerful and lovable little guys would brighten up anyone’s heart …I can just “feel the love” in this room! All dressed up in their earth tones with an abundance of red!  Definitely  awe-inspiring. 

 

This hutch, with its pastel, idyllic plates embodies a tranquil charm, along with the creative valentines decorum … OK, I’d say this one is ” LESS is more,” and I love it! 🙂

With its cheery,  luminous  ambiance,  alluring  reds and rich sky blues, this kitchen is dressed to a “T” for this month of passion! (I adore these enchanting chandeliers with their resplendent, authentic  lampshades.)

With its romantic, enticing , soothing, and unassuming splendor, this romantic decor would bring the ‘air of love’  and awe to any room! I have never found anything more magical as well as enchanting, than the glow of candlelight and petite, sparkling white lights! They never fail, for any celebratory fete. 🙂

Another eminently romantic kitchen…the pastel  pinks and hushed blues together are very soothing and charming. I think it just needs a few symbols of “Je T’aime” … one of Valentines quintessential trademarks, the adored HEART!

A crisp, pure and creamy white kitchen opens up ample opportunities to add Romantic accents for celebrating love.  How about some white bone china tea cups with a matching teapot,  filled with a medley of dried roses and greens, creating an enthralling and galvanic flavor.   

Another inventive, creative idea for celebrating the season is  to display a black chalkboard in your kitchen…(whether on a easel or hung on your kitchen wall…) Its great for messages year round, but what a wonderful way to bedeck a room for the special holidays and   festive occasions.   I love the pastel hearts and romantic sayings! Great idea!

Add a multimedia of color and texture for this gladsome occasion… mason jars and  creative canisters filled to overflowing with red and pink candies along with chocolate hearts amidst  white lace doilies. These decorative displays would put anyone in a “fabulously romantic”  mood. 🙂

A cozy kitchen table set for two…Exceedingly romantic and lovely. This exhilarating flower arrangement takes the Valentines spotlight in this room! 🙂

In this stunning, inviting and resplendent  kitchen, the decorator has taken the same kitchen from above,  with its luscious  butter cream whites, amidst the regal black marble, but this time, expressing that “Less is definitely  MORE.”  Eminently Romantic with its grand accents of Valentine RED, noble golds and soft whites. Who wouldn’t feel the emotions of “amour” in this cozy room? 🙂

Some more romantic, winsome and canty little snow guys, adding buoyant  color, animation and FUN in this joyous time of the year… February’s month of amoire. 

Accent towels are always a complete giveaway of the season as well as the patina of your kitchen! 🙂

 

OUR DINING ROOMS…THE PLACE WE GATHER WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY, SHARE MANY A TALES OF OLD , LAUGH, CRY, AND ENJOY A MEDLEY OF THE MOST DELICIOUS, SAVORY CUISINE OF OUR LIVES. ITS A PLACE OF CELEBRATION AND IT TOO, WANTS IN ON THE “FLAVOR OF THE MONTH,” 🙂

This Romantic, mysterious yet inviting dining room motif, is not dressed up in the typical valentine decor, but it exudes the very essence of romantic dining. What beautiful and authentic chandeliers…the layering and mixing of fabrics, colors and textures with this decorators table linens is sublime as well as alluring.

A dining room tablescape, created with a wintry mix of nature ‘s bounty, would not only look  speculator, but  would be delightfully  soothing to the senses. Void of bright colors, it’s beauty alone is breathtaking and would enhance any festive  get together.

Nowadays, with as many fabulous slipcovers that are on the market, you can transform your rooms with the color of the season. This wintry medley of magnetic earthiness, warm whites, rich tans and regal black, is undoubtedly striking with a romantic flare…I envision  an exquisite arrangement of striking red roses, to liven up this already inviting tablescape.

Charming, elfin, enchanting, fairytale like and undoubtedly, exceedingly picaresque. This stunningly beautiful dining room  evokes all kinds of “romantic emotions.”  I truly believe you can never go wrong with WHITE! The centerpiece is lovely with its verdant greens and bright colored blooms. I would add a little more warmth and romance with the  table-settings done in the passionate color of red.

I love the maritime slip covers for these dinning room chairs. The soft white amidst the pastel blues is refreshing.  This table scape would come alive with some chargers topped with calico red plates or a luxurious table-setting in sparkling off white china…(I always put a small token gift upon every guests plate.) Valentines day or not! 🙂

Another inviting room of repose and rejuvenation…a Wintry  masterpiece.  I would add a creative, cheerful and snowy centerpiece to add a bit of festivity to the table.

Don’t forget to keep the month of February exciting, bringing forth a feeling of “being pampered” with choice, fragrant candles that fit the “romantic mood!” I bet The Cinnamon Frosting is divine! 🙂

This decorator has GONE ALL OUT! Very festive and celebratory!

 

The decadent wintry cake with the beguiling candle lights, creates a very intimate and luxurious table! This gets a “10” in my book! ( Fresh cut wood, kindling in this gorgeous  fireplace  would of course, be a welcomed added touch for a Romantic evening!) 🙂

A mixture of pewter and fresh flowers gives a very rich and polished presentation! (I love the wintry grapevine garland.) 🙂

There is nothing that says “Romance,” like a fairy-tale village, magical snowflakes,  glistening white lights and a dapper little snow guy… A perfect tablescape for your dining room sideboard table, to add a touch of allurement and romantic flavor for this month of celebrating LOVE!.

 

Whether for Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving or a Romantic Valentines dinner, white damask linen with silver, white china and soft, golden candlelight is timeless. Absolutely stellar!

This Valentines I chose to use my wintry cardinal china, mixed with an array of blues and whites… (All winter colors.) And of course, my snow guys with romantic, dried yellow roses and soft candlelight. Every time I walk through our dining room and see this cozy, colorful tablescape, I smile! 🙂

I also added my new 2014 collection of ‘birds.’ These ‘bluebirds of happiness’ were a special gift from my husband this Christmas…They can stay out ALL YEAR LONG! 🙂

My faithful bunny, ( our 7th year wedding anniversary gift from Kit,)  also stays up all year long… (I change his wardrobe to fit the season. 🙂 For February, he is embellished with a fairytale-like, elfin  wintry attire…

I am impressed with this ‘winter wonderland’  dining room hutch, with its snowman themed plates and entrancing , romantic snow guys.

Talk about “melting hearts!” This guy is also a keeper!

 

 

OUR LIVING ROOMS…THE PLACE WE LIVE, LAUGH AND LOVE TOGETHER...I may not always decorate our bathroom for this romantic month, but I  never miss bringing out a few decorative items to highlight the flavor of ‘romance and love’ for the room we live the most in. 

 

This living room is beautifully simple yet elegant and sophisticated…With its quiet highlights of red, it brings forth the cheerfulness of this holidays’  celebration.

Another cozy, romantic living room…spacious , great lines and a perfect arrangement for a lovely get together. I would add a few accents or two, to bring a little more festivity. (Perhaps an array of throw pillows and fresh garden flowers, to bring some warmth and a motif of romantic-love) 🙂

PERFECT!

“I heard it through the grapevine” that ‘purple‘ is the new color this year for Valentines day…Undoubtedly romantic, alluring and passionate! 🙂

For those of you who are not a lover of reds, cupids or valentine decor, but are in love with romance, these two living rooms exude the mystique and romantic patina, with the beautiful colors of rich  tans and royal blues, or hues of gold, butter-cream whites and taupe…the furniture style, candle light, flower arrangements and small  decorative items are lovely “just the way they are.”

“A Room with Two Views.” 🙂 I adore the red florals amidst the stripes, with accents in red, white and blue… Romantic and bedecked for the holiday!

Out of all the living rooms, this particular one captures my heart the most! Its got everything! Feminine touches amidst a baronial, checkered ottoman along with the noble and rich, dark woods. The floral couch, inciting valances and white paned windows are exceedingly  warm, snug, and  festively romantic.

Another wintery, exotic flower arrangement for your Romantic home makeover…

I love the potpourri of colors this decorator has chosen…This room looks a little formal yet I have a feeling, it is a room that has experienced a lot of love and living. For Valentines and a touch of romance, I would add a few decorative pillows that flavor the room with a flashy valentines motif, along with a few cozy, February scented candles.

“One can only imagine  that  ‘Winter Night’ smells scrumptious.” 🙂

Very simple, a white damask couch, a potpourri of throw pillows, (a romantic snowman throw,) 🙂  and a box of Sees chocolates from California. (If any of my brothers are reading this blog, please, no more Sees candy for awhile…it was WAY to good!  🙂 )

I would love to have  a fresh arrangement of white flowers or white roses for my coffee table , (If my husband is reading this blog, please take note of what next Friday is.. 🙂 ) I love fresh flowers in the house…their fragrance as well as natural beauty, are very pampering to the soul. 🙂

Yes, my Christmas tree changed to a snowman tree in January. For February, I added dried red and  pastel yellow roses along with red and gold wired ribbon to create a bit of romance. My other  little guy is just glad that he doesn’t  have to fit in that tree as he loves spaciousness, and dislikes crowds. 🙂

A few of my favorite wintry pillows… I love the white bear snowman! He is so original, colorful and adorable.! 🙂

Another favorite pillow that I keep out for this “sweethearts season,” 🙂  is the one my sister made me for Christmas. You already know who the Boss of this house is…”Sir Grantham.” He  truly is a “heart wrapped in fur” and I  will keep this gorgeous pillow out year round as she made it with his photo, (in my living room colors…)  Its a keeper! He is one of my valentines too …he’s my heart!

This living room is magical with its romantic lighting, heartening fireplace, white woods mixed with the dark and the beautiful highlights of blue… For February , I would add a few throws, bright, motley pillows and an arrangement of yellow roses… but it truly is captivating just the way it is. 🙂

 

Absolutely stunning, romantic and complete! I wouldn’t add a single thing!

Very Romantic, filled with the beautiful bounty of natures wintry colors.  A Victorian flare with its swags embellished with glistening white lights and roses…all in line with Valentines Day, as well as warm and cozy for the winter.  The only things I’d change would be, replacing  the white pillar candles with pomegranate red, and adorn the bunny rabbits with petite grapevine wreaths with roses (to keep their necks warm!) 🙂

I hope after taking this Romantic tour that you have gleaned a few ideas to take home to your  own romantic and cozy haven… I know I have. Just a few changes around  your home can make a big difference. Enjoy this last full month of winter… Majestic February. Take a stroll through the woods in the snow, light some wintry scented candles or bake a batch of  heart shaped valentine cookies. While your spouse is taking a shower, draw a heart on the steamy mirror and tell them how much you love them…celebrate the month of love and make it special for yourself as well as your household.

In closing this ‘Romantic Makeover vignette,’ I wanted to share with you a few of our favorite chocolates for your “Valentine,” (if you aren’t already sold on one,) as remember Valentines  DAY is a special holiday for all the senses… and chocolate is at the top of the list! )         Now, if you really  stretched it, you could consider a box of chocolates as ‘Romantic home decor.’  Some of the heart shaped boxes are  created so luxuriously and look so beautiful.(They add an abundance of charm and elegance, just resting upon your coffee tables.) 🙂 (just sayin! ) 🙂

 

 

Our #1 choice is See’ s candy….always a must when we visit California. Our 2nd is Ghiridelli, 3rd, Dove Chocolates, 4th. Godiva and  5th, Harbor sweets 85 Leavitt Street, Salem MA.  Lastly, Harry and  Davids Chocolate mousse crunch! (Kits very favorite!)  If your still looking for  a ‘sweet treat’ for your Valentine,  I hope these suggestions are helpful!

 

If by chance, you are a Trivia person, here is a little “Info” on this particular box of candy;

Harrods is the proud creator of this Valentines  box of chocolates, noted to be the most excellent chocolate in the world. There are 49 pieces, all studded with Swarovski crystals, hand wrapped in Indian silk, with platinum and gold linings, and each peace is padded with a crystal flower…for only a mere $10,000. SO,you can buy these for your sweetheart for Valentines Day, or  a new car. 🙂

Have a wonderful and blessed Valentines day !

 

PHOTOGRAPHS: In placing your computer mouse upon any of the photos or graphics, it will display where the picture has originated from.