Romantic Valentine Tray Decor

In the midst of February comes the lovely tradition of Valentine's Day!

It's a fleeting kind of holiday, one that can be enjoyed in lots of different ways. I am delighted that I received an invitation from Katherine of Katherine's Corner to join a group of stylists in creating the feeling of Valentine's Day on a tray. A mini celebration, if you will! 

If you've come from Masterpieces of My Life, welcome! I know you enjoyed her tray as much as I have.

    

I don't have a large collection of decor items that are specifically for Valentine's Day, so I took to heart Katherine's challenge of designing a tray without purchasing anything new. But where to start? I decided I would continue the theme of romance that I began with my Valentine's tablescape. And what is more romantic than flowers?

 

 

The flowers are very fresh; they are the second installment of a calendar of flower arrangements that we received as a gift. And such a wonderful gift it has been! The colors in the bouquet are pinks and creams, so that became the palette for the tray.

  

For the base, I used a walnut tray that usually graces autumn trays and tables. I liked using the dark wood beneath the pastel tones. One of two ceramic lovebirds is peering at the glitter hearts.

   

A candle of course also connotes romance! I chose a pretty ivory candle to sit within a clear glass votive with hearts etched all around that I've had for about twenty years.

 

Romantic Valentine evenings require a good wine (or champagne! even better!) as well as candlelight. Pretty swirls in cranberry/rose shape these wine glasses which have been in several tablescapes, such as the Softer Side of Pink.

  

A large Valentine heart box that I bought when Daughter J hosted tea parties for her friends proclaims the day's sentiments. Next to it is the second lovebird, and in front is a silver Eiffel Tower ornament, symbolizing the City of Love.

  

To fit the scale of the other items on the tray, I cut several inches from the flower stems, then used one of the vases I had on hand that was in proportion. Not one of the prettiest vases I have, but its flared lip allows the flowers to spread and nod gracefully.

   

 

These dramatic lilies are quite large! They provide the structure for the arrangement.

  

The smaller flowers are in softer pastel hues, each with different petal forms.

   

And their scent is heavenly!

Pretty cut-work napkins interlaced with solid pink ones and melt-in-your-mouth chocolates continue the romantic feeling.

 

I've placed the tray on the island in the kitchen so that we can readily view it throughout the day.

 

I hope this has given you some ideas of how to bring a bit of romance to this February 14!

    

Happy Valentine’s Day!

     

    

Now it's time to head over to where it all started, Katherine's Corner, and be inspired by her charming tray! And don't forget to follow the links to all the others on the tour! (They're listed at the end of the post.)

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter