Be My Valentine

Valentine’s Day is February 14. That’s next week (just in case you needed a reminder). It may already be too late, too pricey, or too much of a hassle to make to a dinner reservation somewhere unique for that someone special, so take a page out of the Hillsdale book, and make YOUR dining room somewhere unique. Here are a few ideas for how to spruce up dinner time into date night by making that table setting sparkle. 

Traditional Tale

Stick with the classics. Use oversized red or pink placemats, white plates with a gold rim, and glistening silverware. Go big and have a vase full of a dozen red or pink roses in the center of the table, or choose a single stem and cut it to fit into a simple bud vase. Two long tapered candles in crystal holders complete the look. 

Modern Mentality

Sick of conversation hearts and boxed chocolates? Take a more contemporary route. Use a tablecloth in black, navy, deep purple or other saturated colors to add immediate drama. Choose a centerpiece of sleek flowers like orchids or lilies. Or, float a single flower in a shallow, modular bowl. This is enough on its own, but you can also arrange tea light candles into a heart shape on the table for a little romantic glow.

Laid Back Allure

Achieve a more relaxed, country-inspired look with chunky pastel earthenware dishes, or paisley-patterned dishware arranged on a tablecloth made of heavy, textured fabric. Fill a pitcher, jar or antique vase with a mix of wildflowers -- our favorites are sunflowers, hydrangeas and sweet peas. Bake his or her favorite pie with the classic latticed crust and add it to the centerpiece for décor before eating.

Signature Touch

Purchase a roll of black paper in a heavy stock. Cut it to the length and width of an appropriate table runner for your specific dining table, and then use chalk to scrawl a message to your loved one on it. It can be quote, memory or details on a Valentine’s gift—a surprise vacation, perhaps? Use contrasting tones of red and pink in the flowers, placements and plates to offset the black.

Need a new table to dress up for the occasion? Check out the Hillsdale Furniture Maddox Bistro Table, paired with our new Kilgore Bar Stool. Vintage execution meets modern design in the Maddox. This chic, round gathering height table is ideal for cocktails or easy dining. The Maddox has a lot of sheen with its nickel base and a solid wood, espresso-hued tabletop. Polished glamour defines the glossy Kilgore Stool. A simple dual ladder and cross back is accented with black vinyl on the 360 degree swivel seat, while your choice of a shiny or matte nickel finish highlights the piece from top to bottom.

For more information on dazzling dining and bar products, please visit www.hillsdalefurniture.com.

Happy Valentine’s Day from all of us at Hillsdale!