How to Set the Valentine's Day Mood

Whether you'll be hosting a romantic dinner a deux or a singles soiree on Valentine's Day, it's all about setting the mood. There are tons of Valentine's-specific supplies on the market, but to create a more sophisticated (and versatile) look, ditch the doilies and other frilly, flowery décor. Instead, stick with a palette of black, white and red. Your Valentine's Day décor will be ultra chic-and the best part? You won't have to pack it all away for the other 364 days of the year.

Things You'll Need

• Tablecloth
• Dinnerware
• Glasses
• Flowers
• Square or Cylinder low vase
• Ribbon
• Stapler
• Large leaves
• Glass bowls or apothecary jars
• Red candy
• Throw pillows
• Printed Papers
• Photos
• Lipstick

Instructions

1. Setting the table. Think red-and black and white. Whether you're setting an elegant table for two or hosting "girls night in" for 20, your table will be festive and glamorous if you layer these three colors. You could layer solid white and black dinnerware and add red glasses for that punch of color, or switch it around and use white and red dinnerware with black glasses. There are also some chic black-and-white patterned plates on the market, which add an extra dose of glamour to your place settings. You can find red or black glasses at Horchow Home, and there are some good options out there for black-and-white patterned dinnerware (see Resources below). If you want to go the disposable route instead, there are also some adorable black-and-white patterns available. Check out the Flow Dot Collection from Broadway Paper or Plum Party's Hounds Tooth Collection (see Resources below).

2. 

   Flowers. Roses can be classic-or they can be cliché-it's all in how you use them. Create low, tight, single-colored clusters in a simple square or cylindrical vase for a streamlined, modern look. You can wrap the vase with black ribbon and then add a few leaves rolled (and stapled to keep them in place!) for a professional touch in minutes. Or instead of roses, go with something less expected, like dahlias or white orchids. You can arrange them the same way you would the roses, in tight bunches.

3. 

   Other décor. Your dining table might look great, but don't forget the rest of the house. Glass bowls or apothecary jars filled with red candy (Twizzlers, Red Hots, Swedish Fish etc.) make a fun-and tasty-decorating statement. Introduce red accents throughout the house in the form of throw pillows, flowers, vases and other accessories.

4. Gifts and Favors. Carry your black, white and red color scheme through to your gift wrap or party favors. Wrap gifts in graphic black-and-white papers, and dress them up with red ribbon. Check out the Blackberry or Rococo Onyx papers at Broadway Paper (see Resources below). Red or white take-out containers filled with red candy or homemade baked goods make a simple, inexpensive party favor. Or make personalized origami fortune tellers (known to some as "cootie catchers") for your guests out of red paper. If you don't already know how to make them, the instructions are easy to find online.

5. Paper Décor. Make cards, gift tags, place cards or other décor. Use film stills from old black and white movies, vintage photographs of couples, or black and white photocopies of your own photos as decorative elements in keeping with your theme. Or break out the red lipstick and pucker up to leave a very personal mark on your décor.

6. And if you really, really want to indulge in decorating with pink, hearts, doilies or cupids, just remember: less is more.

Resources

• Horchow Red and Black Glasses
• Target Damask Plates
• Damask Desert Plates
• Damask Plates
• Black and White Dinnerware
• Flower Dot Collection
• Plum Party Hounds Tooth Paper Plates
• Broadway Paper Blackberry
• Broadway Paper Rococo Onyx