Graphic: Jason Smith
The Romantic Home
Put romance in your house for Valentine’s Day – and beyond
Thursday, 11 February 2010 12:52
Looking for a little romance this Valentine’s Day? Look no further than your own home. Stepping up the romance factor at home is not only easier than you think, it lasts a lot longer than flowers or chocolate.
According to Chicago-based interior designer Alison Pickart, it’s all about adding sensual elements and subtle details that awaken the senses. Here are some simple and inexpensive ways to fall in love with your home all over again:
Fragrance. Believe it or not, fragrance plays an important role in the overall feel of your home. “It sets the tone for a home,” Pickart says. Candles are the most obvious way to bring subtle fragrance to a home. From fresh to fruity, floral to exotic, the scent you choose for your home is as personal as the perfume or cologne you choose to wear.
Pickart says her personal favorite is a Voluspa candle in Makassar, Ebony and Peach. “It smells delicious, and the fact that it’s black is very unexpected,” she says. “I recommend pairing it with an orchid or white lilies on a silver tray next to the bed. This is a sexy candle that means business.”
Lighting. If you want to clear a party out quickly, try turning on all the lights. While it might seem obvious that harsh lighting is a mood killer, most people don’t know that the solution is as simple as a trip to the hardware store.
“Change your bulbs to a lower wattage and use clear instead of frosted bulbs,” Pickart advises. “If you want to do something fun and cheeky, pick up some pink or amber-colored bulbs.”
To pump up the romantic mood even more, Pickart suggests placing candles on reflective surfaces. “Get a flat mirror intended for wall hanging, pull the hooks off the back of it, and place it on the dining room table,” she says. “Put the candles in crystal block holders on the mirror and the light will bounce off the walls during dinner.”
Luxurious fabrics. Soft textures and rich fabrics create a feeling of comfort and sumptuousness – important elements in a romantic home. Nowhere is that more important than the bed.
“Far too many people skimp when it comes to customizing their bedding,” Pickart says. If your bed looks a little undernourished, Pickart recommends plumping up the volume with a great duvet cover and oversized pillows and shams. For an instant fix, drop by your local fabric store and buy a couple yards of silk or satin. “It doesn’t have to be finished,” Pickart says. “Use it to dress the table or throw it on the bed with flower petals on top.”
Fireplace. Nothing says romance like a fireplace – but what if you don’t already have one in your home? Adding a fireplace doesn’t have to be an expensive proposition. According to Pickart, today’s electric fireplaces are realistic, portable, and even give out a little heat (no pun intended). The best part: they can be had for as little as $300. To make your fireplace look a little richer, Pickart recommends either painting the surround or embellishing it with lightweight ceramic tile.
Reading nooks and window seats. What could be more romantic than nestling in a cozy window seat and reading a good book? If you don’t already have one built into your home, creating a window seat is not as hard as you’d think, Pickart says.
A window seat can be easily built in front of a window, using cabinetry on either side to balance it out. For a less expensive solution, create a simple reading nook in an unused space. “Get a high back chair – something that can provide a little separation – and a three-paneled screen with a floor lamp, and it’s its own little area,” she says. “Don’t forget a footstool and a side table for your martini.”
Spa-like bathrooms. Who doesn’t dream of having a spa-like master bath? While it would be wonderful to outfit your bath with a Jacuzzi tub, fireplace, flat-screen TV and oversized shower with body sprays, luxury can be had for much less by simply purchasing new towels (the ultra-thick hotel quality), accessories (in glass and silver) and a rug. Pickart recommends a sheepskin rug from West Elm (4 x 6, $298). “It’s the softest, most luxurious, gorgeously decadent rug,” Pickart says – the perfect thing to place in front of your Valentine’s Day bubble bath, surrounded by dozens of lit candles.
Turns out, the path to romance is right through your front door.
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