Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.
Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get – only with what you are expecting to give – which is everything. Katharine Hepburn
Welcome, Friends, today is all about setting a table to celebrate the loves in your life. What better way than to prepare a table setting where you can sit together and enjoy laughter and friendship and a special meal. I’m so happy you’re here to share this with me.
As an added bonus I’ll be joining a group of creative Bloggers as we share our Valentine’s table settings with you. You’ll find their links at the end of this post. I hope you’ll take the time to visit these great ladies and pick-up some ideas for your own Valentine’s Day celebration.
Many thanks to the super Rita of Panoply who did a superb job organizing this hop. She is one talented lady whose efforts are much appreciated. Thanks, Rita!
This year I”m starting with a Valentine Topiary craft project that I put together from some thrifted finds. You can see how I crafted the topiary here:
Once the colors of the topiary were chosen…
To be brave is to love someone unconditionally, without expecting anything in return. To just give. Madonna
…you can see from the picture that lots of pinks and reds and greens make up the color palate which is definitely in keeping with Valentine’s Day.
Love is something eternal; the aspect may change, but not the essence. Vincent Van Gogh
I chose a Battenberg lace topper and a fabric, ruffled charger in the same shades as the topiary. These placemats/chargers are beautiful and economical as they were thrifted.
I would rather share one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone. J. R. Tolkien
The plate stack is really quite simple. We have the ruffled charger followed by a Villeroy and Boch dinner plate with a scalloped edge and a lovely brush stroke design on the rim of the plate. Then I chose a decorated salad/dessert plate edged in gold to reinforce the color found in the charger and add a green to the mix.
You don’t love someone because they’re perfect, you love them in spite of the fact that they’re not. Jodi Picoult
A Lenox, Opal Innocence champagne glass and a Senaca by Senaca wine glass add an elegant crystal presence to the table.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. Martin Luther King
I used my sterling silver flatware, Rose Point by Wallace, because it’s beautiful and it has such wonderful ,memories. I can’t think of anything that would suit the setting better. My Grandmother started this silver set for me when I was born and gifted me with pieces as I was growing up.
The napkin is a simple pink and white checked cotton held in place by Waterford napkin rings I found thrifting. The light sparkles and is reflected in the Waterford.
Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love. Mother Teresa
Next I created two items especially for Valentine’s Day. I wanted everyone at the table to have a remembrance of sharing this Valentine’s Day. With that in mind I created a simple Menu Card for each place setting. It will be a tangible memory of the meal we shared.
The second remembrance is a small bouquet of flowers tied with a Valentine ribbon. Astromelia and Baby’s Breath make up the simple bouquet but placed with the menu the combination is quite striking.
All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt. Charles Schulz
Here’s a closer look.
After everyone sits down at the table I plan to remove the topiary and place it behind the table. The bouquets will then be gathered together in a glass vase and used as the centerpiece during dinner. When the guests leave you can distribute the individual bouquets and return the topiary as the centerpiece.
Nobody has ever measured, not even poets, how much the heart can hold. Zelda Fitzerald
Here you can see how pretty the small bouquets look when gathered together in a vase. In the background you can see the topiary.
Love is composed of a single soul inhabiting two bodies. Aristotle
Here’s an overhead of the table with the gathered bouquets.
I really enjoyed putting this table together and having you here to share it with me is so special. I hope you’ll take some time and visit the other Bloggers listed below. I wish you all a wonderful Valentine’s Day shared with those who are most important in your life
Panoply – Color My World, Valentine
Hyacinths for the Soul – Cozy Moments of the Heart – Valentine Tablescape
The Cat’s Whiskerz – Hearts, Snowflakes and some Sparkle for a Valentine’s Day Table
Red Cottage Chronicles – Family Fun Valentine’s Tablescape
Everyday Living – Valentine’s Day – A Celebration of Love
Life and Linda – Love You Beary Much
The Painted Apron – Rosy Valentine
My Thrift Store Addiction – Must Have Flowers! Vintage French Valentine’s Day Tablescape
Me and My Captain – Elementary, My Dear Watson
Home is Where the Boat Is – The Birds and Bees
Karins Kottage – Flirty and Fun Valentine Table
Pandora’s Box – A Valentine Breakfast
Mantel and Table – A Vibrant Blue Tablescape for Beautiful Valentine Romance
The Bookish Dilettante – Valentine’s Day Tablescape: Hearts and Lace
Thrifting Wonderland – Be Mine…Valentine
Dinner at Eight – A Valentine’s Table with Flowers, Ribbons and Hearts
That is a very pretty tablescape!
Thanks, Joanne, I always love working with flowers and pretty plates. thanks for stopping by and have a wonderful week.
Lynne
wow..I love the individual bouquets used on the table during dinner…very clever..as always..
❤️❤️
Thanks, Susan, hope you are having some nice, warm, weather where you are. We are warming up back into the 60’s and low 70’s this weekend. It will be nice. Have a good one.
Lynne
I love your Grandmother’s tradition of gifting you the flatware throughout the years – so special! This is such a pretty setting and I especially like youo placemats – Enjoy Valentines Day!
Thanks, Patti, even after all these years I miss her. Thanks for stopping by and sharing. Have a wonderful week.
Lynne
The bouquets in your vase beautifully complement the bouquets in your ruffled placemats and salad plates. Lovely.
Thanks, Jan, Valentine’s Day is always a pleasure to present. thanks for sharing and have a wonderful week.
Lynne
Your valentine topiary and floral bouquets are so lovely and I love the ruffled placemats, too! Blessings, Cecilia @ My Thrift Store Addiction
Thanks, Cecelia, Valentine’s Day is always a fun hop. Have a great week.
Lynne
Lynne, your flatware is beautiful, and what a great gifting tradition your grandmother bestowed on you! The Waterford napkin rings are so pretty, and I’ve never seen them offering those. The name brand stemware and dishes you’ve thrifted are so special, and what an affordable way to beef up the dish pantry! I like the textiles too – those placemat chargers remind me of a Waverly pattern from the 90s, and Battenburg is a classic. The detail in the menus and small bouquets are thoughtful gestures. Oh, and that topiary is adorable! Thank you for bringing your style to our group with your Valentine’s Day ideas on this lovely tablescape, Lynne!
I loved all the quotes, especially the one from Zelda Fitzgerald. What a wonderful idea to use the flowers on the plates as your centerpiece during the meal. I love this plate stack as that top plate is just beautiful! How wonderful to have silver gifted to you over the years from your grandmother. My son-in-law often teases me when we can’t see each other over the table. I try to keep that in mind when I decorate!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Thanks, Marsha, my Grandmother was a very special lady and every time I use my silver I think of her. thanks for stopping by and sharing. Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day.
Lynne
Lynne, I love the feminine floral pattern of your ruffled edge placemats and pretty green plates. Such a sweet idea to offer mini bouquets that can be used together as a centerpiece for your table! Beautiful silver and a wonderful gesture and gift from your grandmother. As always, it’s a treat to join you at the table and hop with you. Wishing you a Happy Valentine’s Day. ♥
Thanks, Mary, always a pleasure to hop with you. Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day.
Lynne
Lynne. Those ruffled floral placemats caught my eye, so pretty. The plates are gorgeous. You always find the most beautiful piece to compliment your dish cupboard. The glasses are wonderful. I love the idea of individual mini flower bouquets 💐. So very special your grandmother gifted you the silver. Precious treasures. A pleasure joining you on these blog hops.
Thanks, Linda, it’s always a pleasure to hop with you. hope you have a lovely Valentine’s Day.
Lynne
This is so beautiful Lynne! I love love the topiary you made, and it’s a treat to see how you used it for a Valentine tablescape! The plate stacks look so pretty with the small individual bouquets of fresh flowers and the menu, and what a great idea to move the topiary to the sideboard and put the bouquets all together in a vase while you dine! The salad plates are gorgeous! Your silverware is also gorgeous, what a smart grandmother~ the lace tablecloth and ruffled placemats add a lovely feminine touch and your crystal stemware is really pretty. Enjoy a special Valentine meal at this oh so pretty table!
Jenna
Thanks, Jenna, it’s always fun to create a pretty table for a special occasion. Hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day.
Lynne
Lynne, what a lovely gesture that your grandmother started your sterling silver. I love the feminine ruffled placemats and salad plates. Individual bouquets along with the menu card at each place setting is a wonderful idea. The topiary is beautiful and looks wonderful on the table or sideboard! It is always a treat to hop with you. Happy Valentine’s Day ❤️
Thanks, Pam, such a fun holiday to enjoy with a special table setting. Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day.
Lynne
Lynne, your table is just beautiful and the silverware tradition that your grandmother started is so touching. The topiary you made is gorgeous! The plate stack is so pretty and those ruffled placemats are divine – I have serious placemat envy. They are the perfect counterpoint to your beautiful flowers. The menu sounds delicious and I’m sure anyone would love to be a guest at this beautiful table. It was a pleasure hopping with you and I’m wishing you a fantastic Valentine’s Day with your special ones!
Thanks, Kim, always a pleasure to hop with you. Hope you have a wonderful Valentine’s Day and that you find some great ruffled placemats.
Lynne
So feminine and pretty with the ruffled placemats. So fun that you found the thrifting. Love the plate stack too. Bouquets for each person is such a fun idea. I need to steal that idea. So fun to blog hop with you.
Hugs,
Karin
Thanks, Karin, always a pleasure to join you on a hop. Have a wonderful Valentine’s Day.
Lynne
Simple and effective. I don’t remember the ruffled mats but the coordinating flowers are a perfect centerpiece. The green plate accents the greenery of the centerpiece, too.
Thanks, Robin, I’ve used those green plates on many occasions. They are so pretty. thanks for stopping by and sharing. Have a great week.
Lynne
Just beautiful, Lynne! I love that we have the same silverware, and that we got it in bascially the same way! 🙂 And what an amazing idea to put the little bouquets on the plates, then use them as the centeriece! That’s really brilliant! Thanks for inspiring me in so many ways today! It’s great joining you on this hop – hope you have an excellent Valentine’s Day!
It is a lovely coincidence that we have both been gifted with Rose Point, Barbara. Enjoyed hopping with you and looking forward to many more. Have a great week.
Lynne
What a sweetly romantic table! All the details speak the language of romance: Battenburg lace on the tablecloth, the ruffles on the chargers, the intricate patterns on the plates, the delicate etching on the glassware, the elaborate design of the silverware. And of course the flowers! It would be such a treat to spend time at your table! Happy Valentine’s Day
Thanks, Sandra, wishing you a lovely Valentine’s Day. Have a wonderful week.
Lynne
Your table is so pretty, and I love the ruffled placemats best. I also like the green in your plate stacks. The topiary on your server is pretty, too, as is your centerpiece. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Thanks, Ricki, the Valentine’s table is such fun to set. Have a wonderful week.
Lynne