Valentine’s Day origins are a bit mysterious, and there are several different theories stemming back to ancient Roman times. The holiday is also associated with a mid-winter pagan ritual. During the Middle Ages, February 14th was known as the start of the mating season for birds and since, the date has been linked with the notion of romance.
It wasn’t until the 1400s that the first known written valentine appeared, but the pastime boomed in the 17th century when exchanging written tokens of affection became common between friends and lovers.
Today, flowers, candy, cards and candlelit dinners have become a routine way to declare love on Valentine’s Day. Unfortunately, flowers fade, and candy doesn’t last. What if you could express romance in your home décor? Here are six tips to make your space pull on your heartstrings.
1. Show your heart
Ever hear the saying about wearing your heart on your sleeve? Well, you can wear it on your front door if you want. This wreath will likely make your neighbors feel warm and fuzzy too.
You needn’t walk all over someone’s heart here. This tone-on-tone rug features hearts and diamonds…every girl’s best friend.
2. Root for red
The color red is full of life and can make you feel energized. A lot of folks are afraid to use such a loud, bold color and often limit it to an accent pillows in the living room. Throw caution to the wind and go all out by covering an entire room in red paint or a luscious wallpaper. Or, like the kitchen shown here, pour your amour for red into your kitchen cabinets.
3. Canopy your bed
Known as the king of beds and the bed of kings, the four-poster is often associated with romance and fairy tales. Its kingly reference is quite accurate, as the four-poster bed was originally created for nobility around the 13th century. Its shape and materials have evolved over time from massive ornately carved oak and tapestries to sumptuous velvets, shimmery silks, and embroidery.
A canopy bed has a sense of magic and romance. Whether you draw the drapery closed around you or not, the sense of enclosure created by this bed style is psychologically comforting and likely why it has maintained its popularity for a good eight hundred years.
4. Flaunt your wedding ring
The double wedding ring quilt is a classic Amish pattern that, like its name infers, shows two intertwined wedding rings. In Amish tradition, this quilt design is blocky, colorful and looks great in both traditional and more contemporary interiors.
This pair of American hooked rugs from the 1920s gives a similar, homey effect, but on the floor.
5. Find your heart at your hearth
It’s no coincidence that “hearth” is similar to the word “heart”. A fireplace signifies the heart and soul of a home. Frank Lloyd Wright metaphorically designed a fireplace at the center of many of his home designs. Snuggling up on the sofa by a crackling fireplace fire on a cold evening not only prompts you to spend quality time with your family but also creates a temporary retreat away from the TV and the frenzy of electronic devices. It’s a great way to warm up and slow down.
6. Flower your floor
The red roses on this vintage hooked rug won’t ever lose their petals. With a touch of nostalgia, this rug is romantic, but not too sweet – making it an ideal rug for a small bedroom, office or foyer.
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